Hi Mamma and kayleigh and Norbert everybody else with second time sickness or thinking of trying again (sorry if I got any names mixed up!)
I had nasty sickness with my DD, and then again with a MMC and just now with my current pregnancy (now at the top of the due dates list and feeling relieved/smug - if you need to virtually hit me please feel free!)
I found it harder this time in terms of not having that hope that it would be over soon, and also in feeling like a crap mum to my DD because for weeks and weeks I just couldn't really do anything with her as I had to be horizontal as soon as I got home from work or I'd be vomiting all afternoon/evening.
However, the one positive is that you know what to expect so you can get on the drugs much quicker, and be much quicker to go back if things don't seem to be helping enough (and still throwing up 10 times a day is not "helping enough" in my book - I was never that sick!) It does depend a lot on having a good and supportive GP though, so I very much second the advice that if your GP won't help you with different drugs you need to call the number at the top of this thread and get their advice on who you could go to see locally who will help you. The other way to get proper help is less ideal, but a lot of people here have found they finally got proper treatment after being hospitalised. Obviously that means getting really ill first so it's not ideal, but it's a good reason to get ketostix so at least if you are dehydrated you will know and that should get you into the hospital, where you have a better chance of being prescribed more effective pills.
With my DD I was given prochlorperazine (I think) by my GP, but I wasn't given very good advice on how to take them, so just took them here and there when e.g. I had a meeting I didn't want to physically throw up in, and taken like that (one every 2 or 3 days) they did nothing for me at all. So I gave up on them and then was too sick to have the energy to go back to the Doctors, so I just kind of sleepwalked through the sickness, not realising how much better things could have been if I'd been given the right drugs.
This time, knowing how bad it was likely to be, I got cyclizine very early on (actually from a nurse sonographer ... you never know who can help you - so make sure everyone knows you are struggling!), which seemed to help for a week or two, and then when that stopped being enough I got metoclopramide from the GP as well and took the two together until about mid-way (I kept trying to reduce my dose earlier and regretting it). I also got better advice on taking them (3 a day, spread through the day, so they can build in your system) and although it was all still pretty bloody miserable it was so much better than first time. Since then it's just been a grind: I've been nauseous in the afternoons/evenings throughout, but just to a boring level since about 20 weeks - occasional retch but no throwing up any more and I very rarely even worry that I might as it's so much less intense than it was.
I think also knowing that (all being well with the pregnancy) it would be my last time this time really helped. I have said to myself "I never have to do this again" so many times and I think it has kept me sane.
Rest definitely makes a difference too. I was less busy at work this time so able to go home a bit early and sleep through the worst part of the day (afternoons/evenings for me). I definitely noticed when I was busier at work the sickness got even worse. I know for SAHMs and with some jobs this may not be an option: but for most employers it is much better to lose you in a planned way for a few hours each day than for you to push too hard and end up in hospital.
Lucy I'm so sorry you are still suffering. Any news on the infection? Are they able to treat you at home?
P.S. had our growth scan yesterday and all looks good despite the single umbilical artery - which is further proof that you should always listen to Lucinda. She knows.