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.

as suspected, the lolly didn't stay down either. I feel really dehydrated but nothings staying down . will try and fall asleep and see if I can stomach anything after

Just dashing on to say:
Daffodil Welcome back. Congratulations on pregnancy. Is your GP likely to recommend pre-emptive meds?
Pip1982 Oh dear, that sounds nasty, so no luck with any sort of liquids staying down? Remind me the meds you are on - I am completely stupid this morning. I'm afraid your ketones will be rising - what do they test as now? Are you unable to produce any urine or is it very dark and scanty? You know where these questions tend. I'm concerned you may need to go in for fluids if no liquids stay down for much longer.
Pastiemaid I think the illness is so debilitating that it takes weeks for the exhaustion to lift. It's frustrating, but all you can do is allow yourself to rest as much as you can until it does improve,and it does for most people. Meds can make one feel that way, too...
Have to rush off but back soon...(flaps off clucking).
*

LucindaE I have no idea, I've not even had my first midwife appointment yet. Have spoken to the hospital this morning but feel I'm being passed from pillar to post. GP will call at lunch time. I've been to the toilet once since last night - very unusual as I can't keep off the bloody thing usually. I'm pretty sure I'm dehydrated now, DH has gone to get me a Strawberry milkshake from McDonald's - it helped me during a bad period last time so here's to hoping it does the same this time. the last thing I want is to go to hospital

I forgot to add, it's Cyclizine I'm on at the moment

I forgot to add, it's Cyclizine I'm on at the moment

Hello all, sorry for the radio silence of the last couple of days. All is well but I've been making more of an effort to do things, and went to work yesterday for a half day so as a result I've been sleeping a lot.

Headachey today so I'm going to put my phone down for a bit got over invested in a loooong AIBU thread forgive me if I don't go back over everything I've missed, I'll catch up again later. Just wanted to check in.

Pip1982 Oh dear. Can OH go out to get you some kesostix, if you don't have any in (available from any chemists)? I do feel for you, not wanting to go in to hospital, so let's hope the milkshake might help. Some swear by chocolate soya based ones...

Hi everyone,
It's my first post in this thread, I'm 7+5 and last week was hospitalised for a night after getting dehydrated from being horrendously sick, I left with the diagnosis of HG and some anti sickness tablets, ondansetron and cyclizine. They didn't really say much about the condition so everything I know is from the Internet. I've been signed off work but due to go back Thursday. I really don't feel up to it, haven't even managed to get out of bed today let alone leave the house! Just looking for some support from others that understand what this is like.

Hello Anna! Welcome to the thread. Sorry you are here, but there is loads of support and information available here that will help you get through this horrible time. I also recommend the Pregnancy Sickness Support website linked at the top of this thread, which is really helpful.

Hopefully the cyclizine and ondansetron will help a lot (a lot of people find ondansetron is really the game-changer, so hopefully you will too) - but they may well make you feel woozy for a few days and take a few days to kick in properly. It does sound like Thursday (this week?) may well be too soon to go back. Do you have an understanding employer or do they need a Doctor's note?

I would think it's worth going back to your GP to get a bit longer if possible, particularly if you don't have a sitting down job (I do, and was never bad enough to be hospitalised, but still found I could only manage ~ 5-6 hour days when my sickness was at its worst). Or if your job allows, maybe call your employer to see if you could go back for short days? Tiredness does seem to make the sickness work, and rest really helps, so do try not to push it too hard too soon (it's not in your interests or your employer's in fact!)

Thanks for the advice LightTripper, I've had a look on there and it was really useful. The ondansetron had made a big difference, haven't been properly sick since which is good but hasn't taken away the nausea, and I'm off most food as well :/ I've stopped the cyclizine as it seemed to make it worse...
work have been really good but I just feel guilty that I can't go in, especially if this lasts until I give birth... how far along are you?
I'm going to the gp tomorrow, fingers crossed they'll extend my sick note!
It's an office job but that's a good idea about the shorter days, might have a chat with my manager about that.
I'm just terrified of over doing it and going back in hospital again

Anna - I know it's hard balancing work and HG, but the more time you can be off, the faster you can recover. Unfortunately ondansetron doesn't relieve nausea, just makes it so hard to throw up (but sometimes you will throw up regardless). Ondansetron has constipation as a side effect, so you need something to keep everything moving. I recommend a prescription for lactulose.

Pip - if you don't keep anything down today, you will need fluids by morning. I'm also so jealous of your sleeping ability. I managed to sleep till 5am this morning and compared to the last few weeks, that's a sleep in.

Four - hi! So glad you're able to do more. Even though you're still worn out, it does help mentally when you can do a little more.

Daffodil - I think I remember you from last time. Our little ones must be similar ages. Glad to have a familiar face that is doing this for a second time (why!?!).

Me - home again after holiday. Have upped ondansetron to twice a day. I'm on a vomiting streak of three days so far. I burst into tears every time I puke. Mentally feeling v v low. Have midwife appt and doctors appt today. Hoping to have dating scan on Friday. Hubby goes back to work tomorrow, so just me and DD for a couple of days. Eeek.

Melleebacca - that makes sense, just keep hoping to find some magical cure for this (wishful thinking, I know)
Anyone further along in the pregnancy that can give me any hope of improvement?

Anna - this is round 2 for me. DD is 14 months old. I was very sick with her from 5w5d till 16w, but real improvement was after 20w. Last vomit was at 26w and nausea was bearable until the end. Didn't know how bad I was until she was born and I ate the best hospital food ever.

Pip are you on medication ? Cyczline helped me but some need more drugs And yes sleep helps

ANNA welcome - sorry so poorly. Hopefully the cocktail of drugs will kick in
soon

I'm 28w and saw improvement 14 and 20w. Then dipped 24w

Mel. Sorry you feel so ill as well - hope dating scan brings a smile to your face

Yesterday was rough. Drank Glucose and gagged several times. Managed to keep it down for the two hours. Then threw up at hospital. And on way home and felt crap all day and went to bed in afternoon and slept 3.5hrs

Fine today and gawd did bubs move yesterday. Very active. Prob due to sugar rush as usually only have water

Hi Anna. Glad your work have been understanding so far. Hopefully they still will be. It's not your fault or your choice to go through this, so it's in their interests to to be flexible so you don't end up making things worse.

I am now 32 weeks (hooray!) so an old lady of the thread, and now my nausea is very light - just a background annoyance but not something that is right at the front of my mind 24/7 like it was. It really varies by person, but as a general guide there is often an improvement at around 13-14 weeks (this is when normal morning sickness often ends) and another at around 20 weeks. I stopped throwing up (with meds) at about 16-17 weeks this time, and (without meds) at about 20-21 weeks with my DD. BUT I started to feel at least a bit better at about 14 weeks both times I think (at least to get a bit of energy back which makes everything easier to deal with).

I would suggest trying to put back your restart date at least to the middle of next week if possible (so you can start with a short week) and then suggest shorter hours to start with. E.g. if you did 10-3 or 10-4 you could miss out on the worst of rush-hour both ways, making your commute a lot more bearable, plus hopefully you won't be so tired out.

Do you have certain times of day when it is better or worse, or is it just constant? I'm always worst in the evenings, so with my first baby I actually used to start and finish early to avoid the worst times for sickness and avoid the worst of rush hour (I'd go in before rush hour in the morning, and then leave before rush hour in the afternoon). Because of child care for my DD I can't do that any more, so just had to do short days this time (but I think the short days also helped me cope).

Sorry yesterday was so rough Blondes :(
Was that for a GTT? Those do seem vile and cruel for people with sickness.

Oh blondes. That's so awful. You managed superbly considering. The sugar does make babe dance which does not help the nausea. Hopefully you keep getting better.

Hi LightTripper, I have to keep telling myself that, all of my friends who have had babies had lovely pregnancies,hardly any sickness, which makes me feel worse! -.-
It's so good to hear you're feeling better! I'm hoping with the help of ondansetron, I'll go to same way!
Each day can be different, some I don't feel to bad and others I feel rough the whole day, it seems to be bad all morning, until around 2pm ish, then will sometimes come back again late afternoon and and then usually before bed. So there's not really a good time I could work :/
It's good your employer worked with you to find the best hours to work, hoping mine will too! :)

Hi Blondes, thanks, I'm hoping I'll be over the worst of it soon! Sorry you had a rough day too, although it's a lovely scan picture :)

I just stumbled across this thread and have been reminded of the misery of HG which I experienced throughout all 3 of my pregnancies to a greater or lesser extent. I remember the frustration of not being able to explain how utterly dreadful I felt and an awareness that people around me thought I was mentally unstable (which is what I became!) but were too polite to say!
I just want to send best wishes to you all as I know what you are experiencing.
On the positive side, whilst I had many friends who found the new born stage a challenge after 'easy' pregnancies, I was absolutely on top of the world and completely energised. During the last trimester I was able to function pretty normally and eat fairly normally (but absolutely no garlic!) but from the moment of birth the relief was amazing amd instant.
Good luck everyone, keep thinking about those little ones who will soon be in your arms, it will be so wonderful!

South: yay for radiator smell gone!

Pip: I know exactly what you mean, though my sickness not so bad atm, started crying with the practice nurse about how I miss food and drink and being able to enjoy and how miserable I was feeling. Think she thought I was a bit crazy.

I keep getting annoyed by people trying to make me feel better by saying it'll be over soon. It doesn't work. It just reminds me how long I still have to go. I just nod now and wail internally.

Four: glad you're feeling a bit better, hope it continues.

Anna: sorry you're here but this is the best place if you have HG. I'm finding it so helpful and reassuring. I had it with DS too but was told nothing about it and didn't know this existed so did it all on my own. Would not recommend. You won't feel like this for the whole pregnancy but at the beginning it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am 10 weeks along and struggling. Would defo recommend more time off. I'm on week 2 atm and trying not to worry about going back in 2 weeks. My manager seems to be willing to work around me so I may be able to get shorter days to start.

Blondes: yay on the scan, nay on the glucose. You survived and it's done.

Me: was feeling better at lunchtime. Had managed an ice pop, some tinned mandarins, porridge and a pasta and sauce. Then I started getting sleepy, had a nap, then had another when my headache and othe achiness came back. Then felt terrible. Tried some more fluids which quickly reappeared. Think it's my ondansetron wearing off as this has happened around same time last 3 days so I've had another dose rather than waiting 12 hours. Being sick with a runny nose is no fun. Think I'm going to have to go to the docs tomorrow re: the bug too so will need some sort of bath or shower (yay!)

I'm really nervous about trying to eat or drink again tonight because I still feel really sick. But if I just go to bed it's 3 days where I've not eaten or drunk from the afternoon till the next morning and that's not going to help me stay out of hospital or get better.

Thank you for the encouragement wildernesswandering!! Yes we need to remember that this sickness has a time limit with a wonderful prize at the end. My 1st pregnancy was worse than this one, in hospital by 12 weeks, kept food down with meds for the rest of the pregnancy but felt really tired like I was 100 years old. I remember it was a game changer if the bus stop I had to go to had a seat or not and one time just sat on the curb munching some crackers and abandoning all dignity while waiting for the bus!! But then I had my baby and my normal energy levels and appetite returned which was great. V tired from labour and looking after a newborn but not hg tired! So I agree we can be better prepared for the change from pregnancy to being a mum!

Meleebacca, hi and sorry you are going through hg again with this pregnancy! All the best for the next 2 days, that your little one is in an extra contented and calm mood. The other day I was so drowsy looking after dd that I only had 1/2 an eye out, thank goodness she didn't come a cropper because she is trying to explore everything at the moment!

Hi to everyone else and hang in there. Blondes that is a gorgeous can picture! Pip1982 how are you doing? Big hug.
It's probably been said before but one tip that helped me last time when I couldn't get liquid down, could sometimes get some slices of tinned peach down.

Hi all. So sorry so many are so poorly at the moment.

I'm 19 weeks today and commuted in despite strike. Travelling with pregnant friend/colleague (same who held hair back when vomiting in Sainsbury's) so other commuters horrified we are travelling in a pair! But makes it so much easier for me. Sick bag still in coat pocket!! Feeling absolutely exhausted and have a very foggy mind. Alarmingly foggy at times but I know it's meds. Will think to start to cut down from next week if feeling like I can.

To those earlier in pregnancy, please listen to your body, take time off work, drink squash instead of water and eat anything however small/weird/healthy/unhealthy just so you have food in you and find the medical cocktail that works for you. I didn't turn a corner until 17weeks... long after the promised relief of 12 weeks and that corner wasn't paradise by any stretch.

Love the comment from a new mummy after HG, that's the second time I've heard how amazing it feels after giving birth after suffering all pregnancy.

To anyone who is suffering heartburn, treat that with something more than gaviscon and renny (I have ranitidine) because it reduces the sickness being exacerbated.

Planning a relaxing candle lit bath in my new (ish) bathroom tomorrow night. Watching jungle book tonight. I'm back to being desperate to wash hair just no energy. When in the shower I spend the whole time spitting to avoid sickness for some reason!