Hyperemesis Support

[LucindaE]

I hope everyone suffering from the Horrors of Hyperemesis will find this thread useful as a source of support and information.
There's no TMI on here - can't be by definition - and nobody should feel ashamed of moaning as much as they feel the need to.

MOH's wonderful website is full of useful information on this illness:
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos/
Another invaluable website is:
www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk

If you need help in obtaining medication, this phone number is
brilliant:
024 7638 2020

Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy#!scenario

I would like to thank everyone who has given such invaluable support and advice on this and on previous threads.

Remember when you are at your worst, 'This Too Shall Pass'. It really will.
So many women on this thread have thought they couldn't get through this, but they did.

Gorgeous photo special, it is good (and a little scary) realising that this will soon be over and I will be awake at this hour with a newborn soon.

DS having nightmares at the minute & has just been up telling me he's scared again. I've put him back to bed but suspect I'll be awake for a while now esp as I have period cramps again.

rae good luck tomorrow. Have a wonderful day. The iron tablets are horrible aren't they. Must admit because I've been feeling so rough the last few days I've not taken any although that's probably exacerbating the tiredness. It's a viscous circle.

Ps mulb def drink whatever you can. I've got a dentist appointment in a couple of weeks and dreading what they say as my diet has been so poor. But it is certainly much better than the alternative of getting dehydrated! Took me til about 25 weeks until I could even try water.

special he is so beautiful! And thanks for sharing as it really does serve as a reminder as to why we are all enduring this!

sleepy how are you doing? Did you get back to sleep last night? Have you finished for Mat leave yet or is that next week?

autumn are you home yet? How was the return journey?

mulb I too have been surviving on coke (and also mints which help the nausea). I went to the dentists last week as my teeth are really starting to hurt and he confirmed there is evidence of the start of decay. He did, however, assure me that with good brushing and a prescription toothpaste I won't be losing my teeth and they should go back just fine!

allabout I also had an early scan when is as admitted, I think I was about 9+5 at that time. Like everyone has said already, just try and enjoy seeing the little one earlier than the standard 12 weeks. I think we all found that the early scans helped lift our moods in what was a bit of a dark time too.

insane as the others have said, keep persevering! I hope they can offer some medication soon!

rae I am so, so tired too. It's like nothing I've felt before. My headaches are also starting to return, I'm really convinced this humid/hot weather is making me worse! Where is Autumn/winter?! Have you sorted your mat leave arrangements? That helped cheer me up this week!

lucinda, mop thanks for your continued advise and support!

I am just taking omeprozol now as have tried cyclizine, Prochlorperazine, metrowhatsitcalled and Ordansetron- all without the desired effect. After the Ordansetron making me feel worse I am nervous to insist on trying anything else.. I have my glucose test on Tuesday, they have said if I'm sick twice before then I won't be able to do the test - at the moment it's looking extremely unlikely I'll manage it. Did anyone have to do an alternative as they couldn't manage to not be sick for the 3 hours?

Really sorry for anyone I've missed off! Waves to you all

Special What a lovely baby. Thank you for the encouraging post.
SleepymrsEand Rae I just couldn't stomach those hateful iron tablets, and I didn't know about the drops. Is there any chance they might give you those, or is there some reason why not?
Allaboutthecake That is great advice for Rae about train travel and phoning to get special treatment. How are things?
Rae Oh dear, I can imagine your dozing off on the display bed!
Insanemummyofthree How are things today? Any joy with the number?
happydays and mummymulb16 Thank you for lovely words. Oh dear, happydays about the glucose test. That is always tough. To be honest, I don't know what the alternative is? It is very disappointing about Ondansetron.I have heard that it can give headaches and while it does often stop vomiting, people often find it doesn't do as much as they had hoped for the nausea, but that is really unlucky it made you feel worse.
About teeth, it is a worry for sufferers, but overall, the teeth often survive the dreadful diet and the coke better and the difficulties with thorough brushing than you might think! I used to rinse out with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, which I probably shouldn't, and I used to use kid's toothrbush and strawberry toothpaste as the least nauseating.
I hope everyone is coping this weekend.
SleepymrsE Poor you. One good thing is that you have only one day's work before ML!

Evening ladies, hope everyone is coping ok this weekend.

Have to admit, I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself. The cyclizine is definitely taking the edge of the nausea and I was vomit free until about ten minutes ago, when I took my evening tablet and was violently sick. Feeling a bit despondent and not sure if it's safe to attempt another (sorry it's TMI and gross but I was very sick, so I'm assuming the tablet came up too) or if that's dangerous.

Allaboutthecake Poor old you! I missed this yesterday. Never worry about tmi on here. Hyperermesis consists of gross details most people shudder at. It is hard to know what to do in such circumstances - I think a lot of people use the rule of thumb if you can't see it and it's been half an hour, then it has dissolved. There are anti emetic tablets you can take which bypass the stomach and dissolve under the tongue - prochlorperazine, also known as stemetil and buccastem (spelling?). If you continue to be unable to retain meds orally it might be a good idea to ask the GP on Monday? much sympathies.

Thanks Lucinda, it's so lovely to have somewhere where others get how unpleasant this is .

I decided not to take another one and was pleasantly surprised to wake up not feeling too sick today. That said, the unpredictability is a bit of a rollercoaster isn't it! Thanks for the advice - I am hoping to see GP tomorrow or Tues to get signed off work as I am too exhausted to shower at the moment, let alone a 90 minute commute and full work day, so I will ask about other options then.

In other news, I went to the pharmacy yesterday to collect a cyclizine top up and the pharmacist (I am sure with the kindest of intentions) gave me the spiel about trying ginger tea, travel bands and mints and only resorting to 'invasive treatment like medication' when absolutely needed. I know people are just trying to be helpful, but do they not consider that if it were as easy as nibbling a few ginger nuts, then of course we would be doing that?!

Hi all
Just dropping in quickly as things aren't great here and I can't look at the screen for long. Special goodness what a cutie your baby is... beautiful!
To all you lovely ladies on here going through the mill for your babies, keep going. You're doing so well. X

Sleepy I think I might become a bit lax about taking the iron tablets Can't face taking one today either as am too tired and couldn't cope with added nausea too- I realise that if I took a tablet I might feel less tired though I'm actually contremolating taking one just before bed, so hopefully I'll sleep through the worst of it? clutches at straws Your poor DS having nightmares, and poor you!

happy yes I have. In theory I'll start mat leave on the 7th of November (due the 20th). I have 4 weeks of holiday to use though, and no way will I be able to do so- might therefore push mat leave back to actual due date and stick a bit of annual leave on the front.

allabout thank you for the train advice! I actually managed to get good seats without asking, but would've done so if needed. Glad that you're seeing your GP! I've had several pharmacists to that. I just nod and smile mostly. DH collected a prescription for me one, and the pharmacist told him I was irresponsible, and said I couldn't possibly be so unwell that I needed Ondansetron and cyclizine. DH went ballistic- I'm glad I wasn't there!

Thinking of you Autumn.

I'm spending today horizontal. Exhausted and sick. No more hen parties for me until baby has arrived!!

Hello all!

I'm a bit behind so I need to say gorgeous photo Special, he is really lovely! I found the same with my DD and I wasn't even admitted, but after 36 weeks of solid nausea newborns are (unless you are unlucky again) an absolute joy and practically a complete doddle compared with dealing with sickness. I was on such a high not being pregnant, even bleeding nipples and failing stitches and all that stuff couldn't bring me down!!! Now I'll probably be punished for saying that with the next one...

InsaneMummy I'm so sorry your GP was so dismissive, that is appalling. Is there another GP you can see at the practice? I don't know if it's coincidence but all the people who have given me meds (my GP, sonographer and locum) have been women: is there a female GP you could see? Hopefully the number at the top of the thread should be helpful too.

Things here have been fine. I've been sicker since back in London so have gone back to full dose meds, but still better than a couple of weeks ago and still not being sick every day any more. It's lovely being able to do more. Made chutney yesterday and scrubbed out DDs buggy today. Doesn't sound much but no way I could have mustered the energy for either a couple of weeks ago. I'm also managing to walk for longer periods, though I still Fi d it exhausting, but not sure if that is a sickness thing or just a normal pregnancy thing.

Big stuff coming up the next few days, new nanny starts tomorrow, new office on Tuesday and giving a big talk on Wednesday, plus DD starts pre-school. Will be quite glad when that is all done!

Hope everyone else is surviving the last days if summer. I hate wishing away time but it's hard not to isn't it?

Hello all,
Thankyou for the kind words. Was taken into A&E after a looooong wait at the walk in centre. They pumped me full of fluids and antisickness, apparently lactose and ketones(?) were too high. Been sent home today with a urine infection, so some antibiotics that are not very friendly on my tummy (which then in turn made me puke on top of my toilet awfulness...sorry for the tmi!!!) Wife thought it was quite amusing! And some metoclopramide.
Feel like they work for about 3/4 hours then I am immediately puking again and I'm only to take 3 a day so unsure how to space out?
Midwife tmrw so going to ask for stronger or if I can take 4 a day to make it through.

Hi Pollyeleanor - sorry you are having such a rough time. I hope your wife is being supportive as well as finding it amusing! Having a supportive partner makes a world of difference in this situation, don't know what I would have done without my OH taking up the (massive) slack as I've been (completely) useless the last couple of months.

I'm on metoclopramide and I think you have to space them out at least 6 hours, so in practice I take one when I get up, one after lunch, one at bed time. My GP recommended spacing them out as she said they sort of build up in your system over a few days, rather than being immediately effective. I also take cyclizine with them, which (I think!) does a little bit of good for the nausea but doesn't stop me throwing up. The metoclopramide has reduced the frequency of sickness, but I'm not sure it made me actually feel any better.

Do go back if it isn't making your life liveable though - there are other things you can try and something else may work better for you (either instead or in combination with the metoclopramide). I started on cyclizine and it was great for a few days but then the sickness ramped up and it wasn't keeping up any more, so I added the metoclopramide. The two together probably reduced the vomiting by about 50% and the nausea by 10 or 20%. Not amazing but enough to go from being completely miserable/depressed to putting one foot in front of the other at least.

Best of luck with it all - - how long have you been on the meto now?

Allaboutthecake Rae and others, those unnecessary remarks from pharmacists are so condescending. Do they not think that sufferers will have tried all the normal remedies before going on to anti emetics? Also, it's a bit insulting to the doctors who have prescribed.
Rae Did they think of the drops form of iron for you?
Pollyeleanor Sorry to hear you have been so ill. Never worry about tmi on here. Have you invested in some kesostix to check for those ketones for the early stages of dehydration in case things take a turn for the worse again?
LightTripper Great advice.
Autumn Are you home, and have you been able to see the doctor about more meds yet?
AllAbouttheCake I am glad you plan to be signed off. That sounds an horrific commute.
LightTripper Great advice. Glad you feel a bit better. Sounds as if you are trying to do too much.
InsaneMummyofThree Any luck with that number for advice on getting meds?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

I'm so sorry, I've totally lost track on how everyone is over the last week or so. I've been keeping a very low profile in bed!

Today I phoned the Pregnancy Sickness Support phoneline and they were so very lovely and are putting me in touch with someone local who has been through HG. They have a very informative website too with info on meds etc. Hope you can benefit from it if you haven't looked it up already.

Hello to everyone, hope it's not as horribly hot & humid where you all are... I'm positive it makes me feel worse!

autumn, polly, light and all others still early in the pregnancies, I really am feeling for you all. I promise it does get a bit better and even though at times it feels like the longest 8 months of my life, I now can't believe I only have 3.5 weeks left. I can't thank lucinda, and all the other HG ladies on here for being such a wonderful lifeline. It really does make a difference knowing you're not suffering on your own.

So, out of office on and I'm done. Crazy to think no more work (apart from the odd KIT day) for 9/10 months. Now just looking forward to having a bit of a rest before little one arrives but looking forward to not being pregnant anymore. Not sure when it's going to arrive but did think I was in labour on Saturday. Painful contractions for 3 hours on and off but tailed off to nothing. Hopefully that doesn't continue for weeks.

Sorry to everyone rudely overlooked.

Sleepy Hooray! You made it to your mat leave!!

Hello, i posted on here about a week ago when had just started metroclopramide for nausea/vomiting. . I was feeling very sorry for myself and the words of support your posts have really did lift me though (daft as it sounds) i really felt too ill to respond back. Apologies!. .. The metroclopramide really didn't agree with me. Felt dizzy and still sick so went back to the lovely nurse practioner who prescribed cyclizine,ondansetron and promethazine... the promethazine made me very restless at night and i couldn't sleep (is meant to have a sedative effect) so i am not taking that but sticking with the other two which are having some positive effect as i am not vomiting but still feel sick and tired all the time. I also think the effwct is wearing off slightly so not sure where to go from here. Today i also got signed off work for two weeks. I normally work 13 hour shifts in a busy A&E dept and really don't think i could get through a day at the moment - especially with all the sometimes unpleasant smells and sights. ... sorry to post a moan again, it is such a relief though just to feel there are people who understand. I worry about my partner , who is being fantastic at the moment, getting completely fed up of me doing so little... keep telling myself (and him) that it will be worth it in the end. I remember with my previous pregnancies how amazing i felt after the birth. The tiredness was nothing as didn't feel sick . Apologies for the long ramblings

SleepymrsE Hurray - I'm so glad you are finally on maternity leave. Thanks for lovely words. I am so glad the thread has helped. Exciting that baby may arrive soon.
autumn I so second that about PSS. They have helped so many people.
everincreasinggirth I wonder if your GP can think of something else? I believe some women on here have been on metoclopramide as well as Ondansetron and cyclizine. it might be worth asking. I'm glad you are off for a fortnight, and realistically, you may need a fair bit more time off, particularly as you have such a tough job. Never apologise for moaning; that is what this thread is for.
Apologies to anyone overlooked...

Just popping on to give a big virtual high five to Sleepy for making it to your mat leave. Really hope you get the chance to have a proper rest now.

I'm feeling like one bit of my HG has come back to haunt me - I went to the dentist today and found out I have two cavities, and he says he can see signs of erosion on my teeth from all the vomiting. Going back next month to have the fillings and repair work done. I realised that tomorrow will be exactly one year since I had my first hospital admission in my most recent pregnancy. Seems odd to think of it now that DD is already 4 months old.

I hope everyone else is alright - Rae, Autumn, Light and all the new sufferers too.

Light great to hear that you have more energy!

Polly sorry you've been so poorly. Definitely ask for something else/ in addition to your existing meds. Getting effective medication massively improved quality of life.

Lucinda sorry for not replying. I'll ask about the iron drops next time I go to the Drs- saw one yesterday but she was a locum and quite hostile when I asked for ondansetron, so didn't want to push my luck! I think I might just buy the Spatone that Nic recommended, and see if I can tolerate that more.

Autumn great news about the phone line! I haven't used it but think I might look to volunteer in some capacity if they need people in my area (once newborn madness has died down!)

Sleepy well done on making it to mat leave! The end is in sight 🎉🎉🎉 Really hope that you don't have stop start labour, fingers crossed it develops into something soon!

Ever well do for persevering until you got the right meds for you. Go back if that changes though! Great news about getting signed off- it will give you time to build your strength up. Is a phased return an option where you work? Your shifts sound very demanding. I feel the same about DH as you do about your OH- worried that I'm being boring/ a burden. He keeps reminding me that I'm growing a human for us!

Sorry to hear about the dentist Mother I thought you were going to say that you threw up there! I guess hopefully they've caught the issues early. It sucks though- I think I might be in for similar when I next go!

I'm really struggling tonight. It's so so hotand humid, I've woken up feeling clammy and very sick. DH has opened the curtains but there's still no breeze. I have to be up at 6 for work! 😱

Rae I'm sorry you're up in the night feeling so awful. I hope that you don't see this message until the morning because you've managed to fall asleep again. Are you able to start work later today? Hope the feeling passes soon

Sorry to hear you've got the awful pg insomnia rae, it's so frustrating. I've taken to going downstairs now rather than tossing & turning in bed. It's the combination of trying to get comfy but can't and then getting comfy but having to get straight back up because you know the vomit is imminent. You're not too far behind me so fingers crossed things start to speed up for you. Things took a bit of a downward turn around the 30 week mark for me too with the sickness creeping back up. I really don't think the iron tablets help. As autumn says, can you go into work later? Or work from home so you can snooze at lunch?

autumn you're awake early too - hope you manage to go back to sleep and get some rest.

Despite it being first day of mat leave, I'm still awake early. DS slept really well last night so even with the humidity I managed a fairly good sleep myself (only 2 toilet trips).

Thanks for the high five mop, it does feel good to know I can rest now without stressing about work. I know they all care about me and were sad in some ways, I could tell a lot of people were relieved I was finishing work. You know it's bad when senior management say to you they keep thinking when is that poor woman starting mat leave (one saw me hobbling to the car park last week and spoke to me).

So today I plan on having a fairly relaxed morning, will drop DS at my parents a little later than the usual 7.30, have a chat with them and then off for my pedicure (to sooty my swollen trotters) and then onto the midwife. We're meant to be talking birth plans so think I'm going to ask about induction at 40 weeks if this bambino isn't already here.

Hope everyone has a good day. I will try and catch up properly later today and keep up to date, helping support everyone where I can.

Hello

Can I join please?

I'm nearly 10 weeks with my second DC and I've been diagnosed with HG. Was hospitalised for a bit, on IV for dehydration and sent home on lots of anti sickness meds. Currently just taking cyclizine as the others made me so constipated
Only throwing up about 3 times a day, but I'm only managing to eat crackers and ribena- I feel so weak and tired all of the time. I've been signed off work for another two weeks, I haven't returned to work after the 6 weeks holiday (teacher) and work are understanding which helps.

I've lost about 14 lbs in weight in the last 3 weeks (I had some to lose ) and I'm worried I'm going to get severely depressed- I'm going out of my mind with boredom and I'm so fed up with feeling like this

Welcome SingToMe, and sorry to hear you're in a bad way. Good thing you have meds that are mostly keeping it under control. The boredom is hard, and it's utterly soul destroying feeling nauseous every waking moment. Can you manage screens? I was signed off for pretty much the whole of my first trimester (this time last year) and spent most of that time in bed with the IPad, watching stuff on Netflix, Amazon, Iplayer etc. Radio 4 also a godsend, and some swear by tackling a big jigsaw (perhaps when you're feeling more energetic). Meanwhile do stick around on here - it really helps to have a good moan to people who understand.