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.

Hollyhop17 Welcome. Sorry you feel so foul. I hope it eases for you soon. Most people feel a lot better at some point between fourteen and twenty weeks, and even the unlucky ones like Mellebacca in her last preg don't feel anything like as bad later on as in the first tri. Sorry to hear of repeated retching; my usual question -have you got kesostix (available from any chemists) to check for dehydration? Unfortunately, while meds can make the vomiting controllable, they often don't do much for the nausea, which is nearly as bad. Do you find the juice of tinned fruit or the tinned fruit (peaches, pears) iced lollies, ice cubes, soda water, choclolate milk shakes (or non dairy ones) sips of flat coke, or slices of iced melon any good? You have come on on a Saturday, which tends to be quiet, but you've had great advice from Melleebacca already.
I gather that doctors count every heave as a vomit, so you count with one of those awful once a day heaving sessions, according to their calculations, as being sick ten times a day. That might be worth mentioning if you do ask for other meds.
Melleebacca Sorry you are missing the fun with OH and LO.
fourcorneredcircle I hope that new bed is a dream!
SociallyAcceptableCookie I hope you manage to get those pesky ketones down.
HaichM I am glad the booking in appointment went well.
Waves to Blondes and everyone.
Watch me cross post with someone; I always do.

Thanks Mellee. Sorry to hear you are suffering as well. I can't possibly fathom being pregnant again. 16 weeks is what I have read pretty consistently. That 3 weeks seems to far away...

Hi Lucinda, thanks for your considered response. It is full of information I didnt know. I dry heave at least 20 times a day. I thought since I was rarely physically sick that it couldnt be hg. It is the nausea that absolutely kills me. I havent tried the kesostix, so will go and get some tomorrow if possible. My doctor said I need to go back once a week to check my urine. I dont know anything, but my urine is always pretty dark which I mentioned to my GP. I am actually sat here in tears, since week 6 I have been violently retching and assumed I was making a mountain out of a mole hill because I wasnt being physically sick. I am able to drink some weak squash, but often feel so sick I dont drink much. Thanks again for your reply

Holly - I always said one and done. Yet DD is such a delight. Hubby just bought me a video of her reading her books in her room quietly, so cute! My stepmum had HG as well. She says gradual improvements happen in 4w blocks, 12, 16, 20, 24 etc. the key is gradual, it doesn't happen overnight.

Thanks Lucinda. Had an emotionally tough day yesterday, so trying to get a good day of rest in today.

Holly - that's definitely HG. I'm 8w, and I heave up to 10 times a day. But only vomit on one occasion every day. The nausea is sucking my soul tho

I dont mind the physical sick so much, though as mentioned it is usually loads of times in quick succession. But I do get 5 minutes or so relief, which I rarely get with the nausea. Cyclizine and metoclopranide did nothing so I am now on promethazine twice a day which was helping but for the past two days has done nothing. I salue you, I have no idea how I would deal with this if I already had a child to look after as well.

I didn't know that about dry heaving. I do that so many times a day, especially when I move around. I've quickly learnt which ones are just that and which ones need me to find a toilet very quickly.

Sorry you're having to join us Holly. I am 11 weeks and generally feel miserable. I'm jealous of your weak cordial. I have yet to find anything that it is really happy for me to sip. I can definitely advise the tinned fruit and ice lollies. Tinned peaches work especially for me. My issues are nausea, retching and a horrible taste/aftertaste which makes the nausea worse. If I'm sat down nausea isn't so bad unless the taste is strong, but still not as bad as when I move around.

Dark urine usually means you're not having enough fluids (mine was pretty much orange when I got admitted) but the drs go off the presence of ketones in it. They go from trace to 4 and if you get to 3 you need to go and get some fluids IVd, if you get to 2 you need to take steps to eat and drink whatever you can. I got to 4 and stayed that way for 36 hrs in hosp with fluids so I was really dehydrated. As strange as it sounds, sometimes eating does help, even when you feel really sick.

I also remember the episodes you are describing really well. I had them a lot with my first. The ones where I was sick once and then anything I ate or drank or thought about sent me running back to the toilet until it seemed like I didn't even have any bile left to bring up? I feel for you if you are suffering those. My meds and 2 flavours of flavoured water which never made me sick are what go me through HG with DS. Unfortunately my HG symptoms are pretty different this time. I would say one of the most important things to remember is that it is ok to feel like crap and to feel sorry for yourself. HG is horrible. Don't feel guilty for doing what you need (I am also off sick atm and DH is doing the housework and childrearing pretty much on his own) even if that's a day/week/month under the duvet. Your responsibility is you so your baby can continue to get what it needs from you and you're able to function when he or she is born.

Also, you are not alone. HG can make you feel isolated and separate and often without the energy to socialise in any way. That's normal (unfortunately) but we are here going through similar things and it helps.

Anyway, that turned into a longer post than I anticipated. Rest well Mellee. Hi to everyone else. Take care.

Thanks Haich. I find that HG strengthens my marriage. With hubby doing everything he understands me more and I'm more grateful for his support.

Holly. Bless you. It's crap. I was very sick and nauseous 4/14w. Then slight improvement and again slight impro at 20w. Tho have weeks 24and 28 seem to have got worse

I still take max dose or cyczline 3(3 a day) as when I think Feb doing ok go down to 2 I'm sick again for a few days

He really not nauseous now tho early weeks was awful and would literally throw up with no warning

Coop 10p are my best friend - never leak and this is essential when driving 80m down the m25 throwing up with no warning and trying to steer to slow lane /hard shoulder

I've got 10/11w to go (29w) and will arrive at pink castle 💓💓

Can't wait to 1) hold bubs and be mummy 2) not be sick

3. eat all the food. I was on a 14 month long chocolate binge after DD, but that's over now 🤢

Hi everyone, and Hollyhop17 sorry to hear you have to join us I'm into week 9 now (I think, no dating scan yet) and generally feel awful now. I stopped the Cyclizine but I need to go back to the GP for something else I the neasea is debilitating. Everyone has given their usual excellent advice - for me the tinned fruit was fantastic as I hadn't tried it before and I can still keep it down! I'm still only able to sip Pepsi or milk for the heartburn but I know I'm not getting enough fluid. I will buy the sticks from the schemes to tomorrow as I'm concerned that it's another 10 days before I see the midwife. This morning I've been a shakey mess, which I know isn't a good sign. DH crushed some ice and made me a slushy to slowly try which helped slightly. it's times like today I really don't know how I made it through the last two pregnancies

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I'm sorry you are all suffering too. I have woken up feeling really bad and had two retching sessions already I am worried that the tablets arent having an effect anymore. Has anyone else found this? My GP said if these ones didnt work, I was out of options.

Haich, when I am physically sick it is exactly like that. It is bile and I really strain to bring anything up at all. It literally makes me red in the face.

Pip, no idea how you are on your third pregnancy, did you have Hg for all 3? I have warned DH that we will be adopting after this. Ashamed to say I really hate being pregnant

Holly yes I am currently pregnant with our 3rd, although DS arrived at 27 weeks so missed the 3rd trimester! For me the sickness and nausea disappears the minute I deliver the placenta, and then although I can obviously remember how horrendous I felt, it's very difficult to capture the exact feeling. I think us women have it that way in the same way as childbirth. So I end up thinking, yes I'd love another and this pregnancy could be different- which of course it's not. Definitely the last one for us. Having a one year old and feeling this bad is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy tbh

Holly yes I am currently pregnant with our 3rd, although DS arrived at 27 weeks so missed the 3rd trimester! For me the sickness and nausea disappears the minute I deliver the placenta, and then although I can obviously remember how horrendous I felt, it's very difficult to capture the exact feeling. I think us women have it that way in the same way as childbirth. So I end up thinking, yes I'd love another and this pregnancy could be different- which of course it's not. Definitely the last one for us. Having a one year old and feeling this bad is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy tbh

Yeah I read if you have hg in your first pregnancy there is an 80% chance of getting it in subsequent ones. I suffer from a mental health condition as well, which I think makes me dwell on it even more. I just feel like I couldnt cope with this again, barely coping now...

Hope today is a good day for you Pip.

Pip: tinned fruit is a lifesaver. I think without it I would have been readmitted at least once. I should warn you that my mw said they can't test for ketones, they can only test for proteins. I didn't realise this so I'm glad I've bought some, though I've only used them once so far (I know I'll get obsessed if I use them every day). I said at the start of this pregnancy that I won't have another as it has been worse so far than last time but we've always said 3 or 4 so...

Holly: that was me last time and I had pre-natal depression so found it really tough. I survived and had a very healthy baby. I'm on ondansetron this time and Mellee is too. It definitely helps me keep food down, though doesn't help with the nausea too unfortunately. Don't be ashamed. I didn't like being pregnant (only thing I liked was feeling baby move) and am not liking it this time either so far. What we go through with HG is horrible. Personally I'd think there was something a bit strange if you were enjoying this stage.

Make sure to rest and just try your best. That's all we can do. Distract yourself if you can (TV can be good) and give yourself a break. It's not easy but it will get a bit better.

Hope everyone is managing to rest and enjoy their weekend

Pip - I'm dreading week 9. If I remember from DD, it and week 12 were the worst.

Holly - yes, if you get HG once, you're quite likely to have it the rest of your pregnancies. But also, every pregnancy is different. I'm not as sick this time around, as I know what is coming and have a big old stock of ondansetron to get me through (plus, I know what works so no playing around with meds). Also, I hate being pregnant. So much. It makes me a shell of the person I am. I hate having no control over my body. I don't even like feeling the baby move (at the beginning, it just makes me sicker). But I love being a mum, and that's why I'm going through this hell again. Once baby is born, food is amazing, sleepless nights are manageable (because at least you're not puking), and you can lie on your stomach again.

Had a really rough day yesterday, despite not getting out of bed. Whenever I sat up, a small amount of vomit came out. Except after dinner when everything came out. Spectacularly. Got my mummy coming to look after me and DD today.

Sorry it was so tough Melle, hope today is a bit better? Glad you have your mummy to help. DH and I are a bit isolated from both families, plus mine just think its morning sickness and I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. DH is awesome though, so cant really complain.

Are others pretty much housebound? I am so sick of my bed, my couch, daytime tv and food tasting awful when I manage it. The few times I have gone out, it has been exhausting and though I am not sick much, the retching is pretty embarrassing... I feel a bit overwhelmed with the miserableness at the moment. The nausea has been unrelenting today and I think god I'm only 13+3. Sorry for the pity party...

Hollyhop Don't apologise for moaning, it's what this thread is for.
Has the doctor tried stemetil (I never can spell that) the one that dissolves on the tongue? A lot of women on here have been helped by it, but many find the taste disgusting. There is Ondansetron, the strongest of the drugs, but it is expensive, though not as expensive as it was. I'm not sure if you are on any drugs already that might disqualify those and I am not medically trained or a pharmacist. It might be worth ringing Pregnancy Sickness Support 024 7638 2020 for advice on meds. They will have to ring you back, but they will, and they have really helped women on here to obtain meds.
Melleebacca Sorry about such a horrible day, oh dear. I think women who go for it two or three times deserve a medal.
Blondes Is today a good or bad day?
Pip and HaichM I am so glad tinned fruit and its juice has helped.
How could I forget sparkling elderflower water? It's got a high sugar content, too, which is probably why it can help as sweet and salty things seem so often to be the most bearable.
On the vomiting heaves thing, it is so confusing. I think the dr's mean by how many vomits, how many times you actually heave in a vomiting session. I find that confusing myself. Where they stand on dry heaving, I don't know, and on a bad day one can dry heave so much that it goes into the hundreds..Much sympathy for those suffering that horror.
We haven't heard from CaptainWarbeck for a while, which is a shame, as she is a few away from the bottom of the list now.
Sorry if I've missed anyone.
DueDates

LightTripper 3 March
Mama Ermintrude 3 March
Blondes 30 March
NerrSnerr 18 April
Castlefeck 19 April
moonoverthewater 10 May
user1477 14 May
IAmSeriousAndDontCallMeShirley 20 May
Robber Bride 29 May
LHReturns 1 June
PeaceLove 3 June
Boobs 6 June
South London 6 June
fourcorneredcircle 7 June
Pastiemaid 12 June
squeezypeasy 13 June
Babyand 23 June
Captain Warbeck 24 June
SociallyAcceptableCookie 5 August
JimmyJay Early August
HaichM Early August
Pip1982 20 August.
Melleebacca 22 August

Sorry been out all day. Today a good day thanks. As was yesterday :) so hopefully back in homeward bound :)

Sorry everyone suffering and wow at 3rd preg. Although bubs is ivf I wouldn't be getting preg again naturally if I could after this. Felt so awful in the first 4/5mths and TBH only survived as was in bed and slept /rested lots

Being sick with bile is awful and always said better to eat and be sick then sick on empty stomach

I too had no idea about the dry heaves counting! There were days when I would do nothing but retch with no actual vomit. I hated them, they always really hurt and I'd pull my stomach muscles. Thankfully, at 19 weeks I haven't had that for a little while (maybe since 16 weeks?). I'm still having a bile run every day and several days a week where I vomit at least once more, the nausea has dulled and now is only really bad first thing, last thing at night and if I get too tired. I'm still taking cyclizine x2 daily but it's rare I need my third. It will get better, I hope sooner than this for those still suffering. Hang in there

Now, and this is purely for my own reasons, I was talking to a friend earlier today about HG as she'd had it, we also discussed medicine and operations etc. too. We got on to blood groups and discovered we were both RH- she had an RH- cousin who had HG and I have another friend who is the same rare blood group as me (which is the only reason I remember... I'm not actually a medical nerd... ) who also had HG. Is this just anecdotal? Or are lots of you RH- too???

Thanks Lucinda. No my gp hasnt mentioned that. I am currently on promethazine, but it isnt helping anymore. Thanks for the helpline, I will call them tomorrow. I am also due July 20 :)

Hollyhop I am glad you are going to phone the number. I've added you to the list of due dates.
fourcorneredcircle It is very confusing - I think it is the number of heaves per actually vomiting session they count officially- but if you go on retching and retching with nothing coming up after that, I wonder? That is the worst thing about vomiting sessions in a way. Where they stand on dry heaves as one staggers about the house, which one can do almost continually, I honestly don't know.
On being rh negative, that's interesting. My own blood type is very boring, o positive.
Blondes I am glad it is a good day today.
Waves to all.
Due Datess

LightTripper 3 March
Mama Ermintrude 3 March
Blondes 30 March
NerrSnerr 18 April
Castlefeck 19 April
moonoverthewater 10 May
user1477 14 May
IAmSeriousAndDontCallMeShirley 20 May
Robber Bride 29 May
LHReturns 1 June
PeaceLove 3 June
Boobs 6 June
South London 6 June
fourcorneredcircle 7 June
Pastiemaid 12 June
squeezypeasy 13 June
Babyand 23 June
Captain Warbeck 24 June
HollyHop17 20 July
SociallyAcceptableCookie 5 August
JimmyJay Early August
HaichM Early August
Pip1982 20 August.
Melleebacca 22 August

Thanks Melle, Haiche, Blondes - everyone! you may be right about week 9 because quite honestly, I'm absolutely miserable today. Been sick 5 times, and that's on top of the neasea that's only not debilitating if I'm laying down. I can't eat anything that I enjoy - at all - and trying different combinations of everything just to get some fluid into my system is bloody exhausting! I need some sort of improvement asap

Hey four - I'm O neg, which supports your theory. Glad you're slowly feeling better. I'm always at my best around lunchtime. Too queasy for breakfast and dinner usually comes up within the hour.

Pip - I feel the same. 9w tomorrow 🤢. I remember 12w being hard mentally because you think you should be better and you're not. That's my darkest point.

Just found out close friends are expecting too. It's bittersweet hearing that they've had no sickness at all.