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.

Shirley so sorry you are suffering again today. You have had a shit time. Making another person should not be this hard for anyone.

I have not been sick in since starting Ondansetron last night and I slept last night with just two nausea wake ups. I am a fan and now reducing the steroids faster than recommended because I don't want to be on so many drugs.

This may be weird but I too am starving but have started crazing salad. I can't even look at at baked potato, plain pasta, Cuppa Soup etc - I just made a giant salad of iceberg, tomato, avocado and squeezed about two lemons all over it and demolished the whole thing. Thanks to the Ondansetron this might not come back up (I didn't think about salad repeat appearance when I was craving it like a crazy lady).

I can't thank everyone enough on this group.

You're all so kind and helpful.

Hello all,
I am 7 weeks pregnant and this thread is a god send! I'm nowhere near as bad some of you guys but I feel rough - constant nausea and regular vomiting. Find it easier to keep food down than drink, but not getting much of either. Had 2 migraines in the past week so I went to the doctors yesterday. Been given cyclizine hydrochloride and started taking it yesterday but not feeling it yet - how long does it take to kick in? Just about to head to the shop for sicky snacks. I've been off work for the past 2 days but think I'll try and go back in tomorrow.

My main worry is dehydration - how do I tell if I'm too dehydrated?

Thanks for any help, and for all being here - you are heroes!!

LH that salad sounds amazing! It must have been lovely to eat something tasty like that. It's been weeks since my body has known fresh veg or vitamins in a natural form... sounds like the ondansetron is working wonders. I will be sure to push for it if I ever manage to see my GP.

boobs it's a brilliant group isn't it? It's about all that keeping me sane (well close anyway)

newto welcome. It's a brilliant group, loads of very helpful women with really practical advice.

Dehydration wise- monitor urine output and colour as a good starting point. That's how I knew I was dry. Only peeing once a day and very dark almost orange colour- both bad signs. They say you should have at least 2 pees per day that are clear like water if you are well hydrated.
I think cyclazine has an accumulative effect, so may well take a few days to see full benefit. But don't be afraid to ask for alternatives to be added in too if your not drinking.

Shirley that is totally it - I was desperate for cold, crunchy raw food in my mouth....it was heaven. So far no throwing up today.

Anyone else that is on Ondansetron - any advice on times of day to take it for maximum effect? I am allowed 8mg up to three times a day. I took my first 8mg at 8am and I am now feeling dreadful so it is clearly wearing off. Is 6 hours about normal do others find? Will wait until 30 mins if I can....and then stretch the last dose to 9pm so just before I go to bed...

I managed to get a call back from the duty doctor and I think I've just been told to f off in professional terms. After gp suggested ginger I pointed out that no one is local to me to go and pick up a script for me and everyone is at work (I live rurally) so I got told to go and get a script from the gp practice 3 towns over as I'd gotten DP to come pick me up so I wasn't on my own and miserable. Except they won't give me a script as I don't live there atm. I don't know what to do now. I'm just sitting on the sofa crying and thinking about food that I can't even eat and my face is sore on top of it. I can't even keep ice pops down today.

Purple that's awful. So, you currently don't have a GP? Is that what the problem is. I don't know what to suggest. Can your DP come and get you? It may be that once you're in front of the doctor they will be in no state to argue/fob you off because you probably look awful (erm, I mean that in the nicest way)

Jeez Purple I'm so sorry. That is desperate.

You need a prescription simple as that. Could you afford to get a private, house call doctor to bring you one? Could a GP (one who WILL help you) fax or email a script straight to your local chemist? Could you call back the duty doctor and burst into tears and beg again for a prescription?

Call an ambulance and say you keep blacking out while vomiting? (I'm not really promoting this idea but keep it in your back pocket...).

How rural is rural? Where are you (generally - I don't mean in a stalky way).

I literally see red when someone suggests ginger. I don't know about you guys but not only does it do NOTHING for women in our position, it is a major active turn off for me now. My fxxking acupuncturist suggested 'sipping warm tea with grated fresh ginger' and I decided at that moment to never see her again.

I have a gp. Just she wasn't available today so I just had pot luck of who was on call sort of thing. Im waiting for DP to come back from the dentist. Even my ds (3) is asking why I'm crying which is making me cry more. DP has actually suggested hospital which never happens.

Purple hospital is always an option. When pregnant with my son I knew when the moment arrived when I needed to be admitted. I just knew it - I felt desperately unsafe and nowhere but hospital was safe enough.

LH I'm in the Highlands it's still a bit stone aged up here sometimes

Ok, I understand. So not lots of GP home visits and prescriptions being pinged to chemists by email.

If you are scared and feel unable to look after yourself, and you cannot see how you will get STRONG meds into you within the next 24 hours (max), then I propose hospital. I don't care when and how you get the prescription (that is just step 1), you need the actual meds from a chemist that has the one in stock that you need.

I am in London and had a mini version of this yesterday because I couldn't stand up without vomiting or falling over, in my confusion got very upset about the steps that needed to happen to get the meds in my hand. I couldn't see how it could happen until my DH took over.

I hope your DH gets back very soon. You have two choices - confirm a clear plan to get the drugs in your hands within hours, OR hospital today.

Four fab to hear and see heart

Lh. Glad meds working. Eat what you can and always say better to be sick with food in tummy rather then yellow burning bile

Purple def call. I suffered for 4wks before getting drugs and help

But seems you have gp not supportive

Go to hospital. Sounds like you need a drip and fluids

New - on same drugs and Took 2/3w for meds to kick in and although still sick I'm so much better then I was

TBH your mw should have tested for ketones and told you to go and see gp ASAP

Serious. Try lollies. Cold and liquid. Some days I literally only had rowntree fruit lollies but got liquid in me

And yes keep hold of thought that the sickness is a sign of a healthy baby

Yes ginger doesn't work tho did eat ginger biscuits

I swear by gin Gins. Chewy gingery sweets. They really helped me
In early weeks

Tho can't stand them now 😂

Have spare Packet if anyone wants them? Happy to send them

Also sour sweets. Brought preg sweets off eBay

They helped salvaiatate the mouth

Purple, I am LIVID on your behalf. I have dispatched the Ginger Hit Squad to deal with that moronic doctor. Seriously though, I think you have two options. One, go directly to hospital. Two, ring the PSS helpline (in Lucinda's OP). You can leave a message and they will call you back. They can advise about how to access treatment in your area. Many women on this thread have been helped by them. Option one, i.e. hospital, may be best. Hospital consultants have a lot more experience treating HG and are much better at prescribing appropriate treatment. You poor thing, I do hope you get some help today.
Newtothis, welcome. You asked about monitoring dehydration. You need to order some ketostix online (Amazon sell them) or buy them in a pharmacy. You can then use them to detect ketones in your urine. Anything 2-3+ usually requires IV rehydration and hospital admission.
Four, wonderful to hear the good news about your scan.
LH, so glad Ondansetron is working for you. It was the only thing that touched the sickness for me. 6 hourly intervals sounds about right. Do brace yourself for the horrendous constipation.
Iamserious, glad the drinks advice was helpful. Some people seem to find ice cold drinks best, but there was one woman on here who preferred to sip scaldingly hot boiling water!
Sorry to not reply to everyone individually, but hope everyone is hanging in there.

Thank you all - I'm not that bad yet (wee-wise) just feel very thirsty and shaky.

Purple that sounds awful. Sorry I'm not any closer so can't help. I would agree with the others, I think it sounds like you need help pretty urgently - get to the hospital. I hope you start to feel better soon.

DP just keeps snapping at me and saying really unhelpful stuff like what do you want me to do about it. He spoke to the receptionist about my "mild" hypermesis and there might be a script from a gp. I don't know I'm struggling to follow conversation atm and he had a half numb gob. In his head he's done everything possible now. Or so it seems that way. I've taken to just sitting on the bathroom floor as it's nice and cold and means I don't have to move far to be sick. At least he's been sensible enough not to make the morning sickness is all in your head joke not that many people find it funny. He couldn't understand why I was upset earlier cos he was eating a breakfast bap. He keeps asking if I want anything to eat or if I want more ice pops, he doesn't seem to get how miserable and fed up I am. Its not that I don't want to eat or drink it's that it keeps making me sick and it hurts. I could literally murder a cheese burger and chips and a nice cold fizzy can of something except all of the above makes me sick or doesn't taste right. Sorry for the moan.

Purple, that starving cheeseburger craving was me last week every minute. The frustration because if presented with one I couldn't do it. Awful!

Your DP may be a little like my DH. I find my DH gets upset and short if he can't fix something. He desperately wants to help me but when the options have run out he gets angry that things aren't better.

Again when I went to hospital with HG with my son (sorry to bang about this) it was MY decision. I reached it quietly alone (on the cold bathroom floor) and went quietly to my DH and said that I was putting some things in a bag and I wanted him to accompany me to hospital. No discussion. I just knew the time had arrived.

You may have to be the strong one again here.

purple sorry that things are this awful for you. I think LHR is right and hospital might be the place for you. I know it's an awful thought but getting rehydrated and some IV meds seems to have helped a lot of us get the sickness a little more under control. Just ensure you get the strong meds to take home when you leave.

new, welcome. I found that sucking mints , particularly hard mints like glacier mints or mint imperials, really helped the nausea. Sadly none of the anti emetics (including Ordansetron) worked for me but sucking constantly on mints has helped reduce the amount of times I'm sick. Without them I last about 15 minutes before I start retching.

Been a while since we heard from rae and fresh - I hope you're both hanging in there!

Waves to all

Welcome to Purplefairy and NewToThis88. Sorry you both are suffering. Newtothis88 The accepted advice is give the meds a couple of days to work, and if they aren't doing much good, ask for something else as there are several options and combinations of safe meds.
Purlplefairy That sounds awful. I don't quite understand why they couldn't do your prescription in the next town. Is it some absurd piece of red tape? I am concerned at your 'vague' feeling, that is one of he signs of worsening dehydration, and as everyone says, I would go to A and E. Lay it on thick. If you had kestostix you could test the level but if you haven't, all the more reason not to try and tough it out overnight. It is very hard for OH's to understand. Can someone look after LO while you go or will he have to go with you? This is the worst stage. Things will get better.
IAmSerious Lol abiut 'Tilly the Toilet'. It was awful they couldn't find you a bed the other day. I do hope the juice of tinned fruit helps. How are the ketones measuring?
LHReturns I am shocked the acupuncturist said that - one really helped me when the GP's had refused meds - that's awful s/he showed such ignorance! I'm glad about the salad, anyway. Let's hope it stays put.
Blondes and FourCorneredCircle How are you doing?
ICan I am so glad you feel a bit better. The lack of understanding can be devastating.
Waves to MotherofPearl. Apologies if I've stupidly overlooked anyone.

happydays Meant to say, oh dear, that sounds awful. No relief so far, then?

Ladies in a similar state...can I join you.....Am 10 weeks with my third (big shock!) and am struggling. I had hg last pregnancy right the way through, but been told that this time it is just severe morning sickness (GP). Feels the bloody same so perhaps i am a fraud, and although a bit dehydrated apparently no need to go on the drip am told to keep an eye. I am finding looking after a toddler a real struggle combined with work etc and the lack of understanding has just been awful. i keep fancying things and then eat them and vomit them up a couple of hours later. So today pizza seemed like such a good idea......

Welcome Olivia. I think that 'morning sickness' and HG can easily slide into each other. They both exist on a spectrum, to my mind. Doesn't sound as if your GP is massively helpful or sympathetic. Have you tried any meds? I had my third DC in May this year. It was my second pregnancy where HG was officially diagnosed. In my first pregnancy, with DD1, I had bad MS but was not diagnosed with HG and had no hospital admissions. DP reckons it was simply because I had no children to look after, so managed the sickness by pretty much sleeping through my entire pregnancy! Is there a different GP you could see?
Waves back to Happy and Lucinda. Yes Happy, I'm also worried about Rae and Fresh, and some of the old crew who've been quiet of late. Hope they're all coping.

No relief for me lucinda, ordansetron did help stem the actual vomiting itself but made the nausea worse and I felt really quite un well with it so have given up trying to find relief now. My consultant said she would ideally like to induce me at 37 weeks so possibly only 4 more weeks to go for me There are some potential complications because of the blood thinning injections I'm on but really, really hoping we can come up with a solution as I'm not sure I can see out another 7 weeks!!

Got told by a and e I wasn't sick enough and to phone nhs24, they said up to 2 hours before a phone back...joy!!

Oh Purple I'm so sorry. I doubt any words help right now - but this is temporary. You will put this behind you. We will all put this behind us. It will be a distant memory.