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.

Welcome to kep1979 and Laura2507
kep1079 I am glad you have had a few non Hyperemesis pregnancies, anyway. It is a puzzle why some woman get it in later pregnancies but not in the first. Is it that the hormonal balance changes? Do go to your dr asap to get meds - with luck they may be effective enough for you to keep on working but I must be frank and say most women with this can't work for a few weeks in the first tri at least. Do buy some kesostix which can be useful for checking for dehydration in the early stages. How do you find flat coke, the juice or even fruit of tinned fruit, slices of melon - maybe frozen and ice lollies or maybe cheap ice cream. There's cuppa soup (a recent recommendation from Blondes). Don't wait for things to get worse; it seems the quicker you get treatment, the easier it is to combat; some neurological response in the brain I don't pretend to grasp. Take heart, almost nobody suffers as much as in the first tri.
Laura2507

I wonder if the doctor is hoping that the symptoms will improve at fourteen weeks, hence the 'only take them for a few days' advice - as in bad MS that tends to be the time it improves if it hasn't at 12 weeks?
With Hyperemesis, some women do experience relief round then - but often it is later, typically somewhere between 15 and 20 weeks? How much has she given you?
BlahBlahBlahEtc I am so glad that the cheap ice cream has helped!
4+ ketones sounds awful.
HurryUpApril17I so agree about Pregnancy Sickness Support. They have helped so many women on here. Really sorry you are still suffering at 29 weeks. Four admissions sounds awful.
Lucy Nice to hear from you again, but that's awful about liver damage. I believe the liver regenerates unless the damage is massive (ie, George Best)? The bone density sounds miserable, too. How do they rectify that? Do they give you calcium? For all that, it is good the vomiting is settling.
peaceloveandbiscuits So glad the meal stayed down.I hope you were OK in the night?
Blondes I'm not surprised you are fed up with losing meals out!
Here's the due dates list.
Apologies if I've rudely ignored anyone.
Due Dates
LightTripper 3 March
Mama Ermintrude 3 March
Blondes 30 March
HurryUpApril17 17 April
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
whoate 1 August
HaichM 1 August
SociallyAcceptableCookie 5 August
JimmyJay Early August
SickRose 18 August
Pip1982 20 August.
Melleebacca 22 August
MagnumAddict 1 September

Quick question for you all regarding meds. Doctor wasn't happy with how little of an effect cyclizine is having anymore so has now prescribed me promethazine hydrochloride and ondansetron. She wants me to try the promethazine first and if that doesn't help then to move to ondansetron. Has anyone tried the promethazine? How long should I give it a go for? I've noticed that most of you are on ondansetron so I'm guessing that works fairly well, I'm tempted just to go straight for that.

I went from cyclizine straight to ondensetron, it worked a treat for 2 weeks but now it's having no effect on me so back to the gp I go.
Apart from my experience though, I've heard nothing but good things about ondensetron.

I had promethazine I think, is it the one that you take at night? It made me very very groggy in the morning, but did work.

SickRose I'd give a new drug 3 days, you should notice an improvement by then. Ondansetron made me feel less sick in two hours. Just awesome!

Lucinda The liver damage they think will heal itself, it's a type of damage associated with malnourishment, & not sorosis - thank goodness. The bone density is for good. I have osteo anyway, so it's not good news.

It's a good job this little guy is cute! 8 weeks today 🙂

LUCY. 8w already. Wow. How are you feeling now?

Laura. I'm the same as you. Haven't enjoyed being preg much tbh. The severe sickness and constant nausea and retching in first 5mths wasn't great - but overjoyed to be preg as taken 10yrs and 5 private ivf

But would never get preg again naturally even if I could , let alone ivf

Be typical after all this time that I get preg the first romantic session we have 😉 So will be using contraception. Ever thought I would say that !!!

Light - Thank you for your advice. I've been hesitant to change midwives especially after seeing the public OB and being treated the same way. Turns out in NZ, everywhere except Auckland has a severe lack of understanding and support of HG. My midwife's best suggestion was to get sick enough to be admitted into hospital as I would be able to see all the specialists within days as an inpatient vs 6w as an outpatient. I spent the whole appointment bawling my eyes out, which is very unlike me.

Waves to all. Keep on surviving.

Mellee: I hope you do manage to change mw or at least educate one better. That attitude is not helpful at all. I am calling the mental health mw tomorrow so you won't be the only one. I think the only thing that has got me through the last few weeks of real down periods and lots of tears is trying to find comfort where I can. DS has been really accommodating about the number of cuddles and kisses I want for example and thinking about my mental health boost pampering sessions coming up helps too.

Sprite: defo moan away, that's what we're here for.

Holly: hope you've managed to see another more sympathetic GP or get some advice from somewhere.

Lucinda: it's some sort of pregnancy-onset vertigo. I've never had it before. Nor the migraines. The tablets he gave me weren't working so I've stopped taking them but have to wait until next week to see him again. I'm hoping he can do something about the vertigo and dizziness (I think he said something about my ear and eye being out of sync) because I really don't know how I can plan and deliver lessons, mark and do all the paperwork if I continue to have such issues to such a degree.

Today was my birthday. I have managed not to be sick. I made it out to lunch with a friend yesterday and had a great time even though I didn't each much. Today I have chilled at home with Bridget Jones Diary DVDs (will watch the 3rd tomorrow if I can) and focused on eating what the HG seems to like this week: honey cheerios, apricot yogurt and clementines with one small glass of lemonade and some bucks fizz. I even managed birthday cake. No doubt tomorrow I will suffer.

Sorry I'm not replying to all the messages I've seen, my eyes are going and a migraine is starting.
I hope we've had some better days and that everyone has a good night.

Sorry haven't had a chance to catch up properly except the last page. Hello to fellow sick-bucket holders new and old!
Well I have some great news to share, had scan on thurs and saw my little one bobbing around, all ok I think although we have to get results posted to us as they were runnng really late. Got a due date finally of 11th Aug! Yes...a date to pin my hopes on for the end of hg!!
On the less good side I have felt much worse in week 13. Been just trying to hold it together and not doing much. mellee I remembered your warning that this is a low point as you hope it might ease off at this point. I also have been a bit low as I was also desperately hoping for some improvement this week, despite advice and personal experience that this is not usually the case!! Have been muttering 'how long' to myself in not a very helpful way.
Never mind, onwards, day at a time!
I am also experiencing great torment and suffering right now as my husband had the bright idea of cooking mackerel for his tea. OMG the smell is AWFUL!!!! Have barricaded myself in my room but the smell is finding me. Sigh!!!
Wishing you all a settled evening far away from pongy odours!!
Xxx

Haich. Happy birthday. My df's as well 50th

Daffodil. Yah for a dd :)

Haich - Happy Birthday! I know how tough it is to try and celebrate when you feel awful. You did so well! I'm postponing my 30th till next year.
Thanks for the support. Midwife rang to say that I have been referred to maternity mental health. Guess the tears worked.

Daffodil - congrats on the scan and having a DD! You can now start counting down the days. Week 13 is hard mentally, please have lots of support. I've been bawling almost every day. Because I know that every day I'm still sick is another day that I'm going to need to recover.

DD is being a delight. Keeps jabbing my water straw into my mouth every few seconds to try and get me to drink. Thinks it's hilarious.

Hi all, hope everyone has a good day. DD was at nursery yesterday and I just stayed on the sofa, I'd like to say it made me feel better but it didn't. I feel bad moaning when I know so many have it alot worse then me, I just know from experience that this horrible feeling seems to last forever, not like a bug where you know within a week you'll feel better but this goes on for months. I just want to stay in bed all the time but know I can't with DD. DH works long hours and some nights so feeling abit on my own at the moment.

I've taken my first promethazine this morning but I'm feeling very nauseous. It might be down to nerves as it's my nans funeral today. But I'm so worried about not making it through the funeral or worse vomiting half way through. I'm really tempted to just take an ondansetron as it seems to be so much better, just to get me through the day.

Hang on in there sprite
Think I'm in a similar position. I have much milder symptoms than last time but am feeling just as desperate. In a way because we have been through this once it's sort of worse as we remember what a long haul it is.
I had a couple of days leave from work this week with dd at nursery and I spent it in bed feeling rough. Kind of resented the fact that I felt well enough after that to go to work. Dh works some eves and weekends too so it can be hard. You're not on your own we are here! How old is your dd?
Hope you have some nice moments with her to cheer you up. My dd still giggles at herself when she sneezes and the cuteness of that makes me forget the miserableness that is pg for a few seconds!! Don't have any other advice really except I think you are doing pretty amazing going through this and looking after a little one.
Hello to everyone else.
Also big happy birthday to haitch cross posted with you last night. Have a couple more slices of cake, the virtual ones can't make you sick!!
Xxx

Sorry cross posted again I type so slowly!
All the best sickrose for the funeral today. thinking of you and so sorry you have hg symptoms to contend with as well on such a difficult day.
If I were you I'd neck an ondansetron, it seems to work for me and I think you should go for whatever will help you out most today.
Right got to try and show my face at work -guilt-
Xxx

I'm being sent back to hospital..yuk. my keytones are 4+ again. They don't have any beds (again) so it should be another extra fun experience in a&e.. yay.

BlahBlahBlahEtc Oh no. Poor you. This is bad. You will feel a lot better, of course,but it's dismal if you have a long wait in A and E. I hope they put you on fluids while waiting. Maybe they will add another drug to Ondansetron now which might make it more effective.
SickRose I am sorry about your grandmother's funeral. Was it you who said earlier on the thread that she was very ill? I am sure it won't do you any harm to be on Ondansetron early, but i believe the other has a strong sedative effect, so can be useful if you feel stressed? If you start on Ondansetron, be prepared for constipation. Lots swear by the jelly suppositories (but you have to get someone else to purchase them, though they use them for pregnant woman in hospitals).
HaichMBelated Happy Birthday from me [flowers[.
I am glad you managed to eat something. I hope the GP can come up with something for the vertigo. My migraines were terrible in the first fifteen weeks - it's so difficult to distinguish sometimes between them and dehydration headaches - but they did vanish after that, and I hope yours do too.
Melleebacca That does sound dismal. In fact, it is only in recent years that Hyperemesis began to be taken seriously in the UK and effective meds likely to be given. I am glad you have got a mental health appointment. What meds have they got you on, remind me? LO sounds sweet with the straw.
Lucy Sorry about bone density, but glad to hear LO is thriving.
Blondes That is indeed an irony. I hope recent dinners have stayed put.
Daffodil I am glad you have a date. Yuk, mackeral - that is torment.
sprite25 I admire anyone who manages to cope with a toddler and this. Who wouldn't moan?
Watch me cross post...
Due Dates
LightTripper 3 March
Mama Ermintrude 3 March
Blondes 30 March
HurryUpApril17 17 April
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
whoate 1 August
HaichM 1 August
SociallyAcceptableCookie 5 August
JimmyJay Early August
Daffodil 11 August
SickRose 18 August
Pip1982 20 August.
Melleebacca 22 August
MagnumAddict 1 September

Hi all

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post. I haven't read the whole thread because I don't have the energy, but I thought you could help.

How do you know when you've crossed the line from bad morning sickness to HG? Is it defined by not being able to keep anything down?

I'm 6+2 (I think, chance I'm 2 weeks further along) and my sickness started a week ago today. It's been relentless. Nausea 24/7, literally no let up. I'm not vomiting large amounts, but I am wretching uncontrollably and bringing up some bile.

I am able to keep some food and liquids down, which makes me think it's not HG, but it's getting worse. I have no appetite. I've forcefed myself 3 digestive biscuits over the whole morning and sipped about an inch of orange squash.

I started taking cyclizine yesterday, but I think I threw up too soon this morning for it to have an effect :( I'm about to take my second pill now.

I'm not drinking huge amounts and I'm not peeing much so worried I'm getting dehydrated.

It's debilitating. I have literally been in bed for a week. I haven't left the house, I've only left bed to go to the loo. I'm WAH, but literally from bed. It's so hard, I can't think straight.

I don't want to do anything, I don't want to watch tv. Reading my phone is hard work. I have been able to read a book but even that seems like too much effort so I've ordered an audio book!

Because I can keep some food down, I feel like I should just wait and see how the medication goes. But my inability to do anything is overwhelming and I'm worried about dehydration. Do I wait or talk to my Dr again?

Lemon: I'm not an expert or anything but that sounds like HG. I started at 5wks with what I thought was just v.bad NVP this time (this is 2nd pg) and really struggled. Ended up in hosp at 7+4 with dehydration after 2 days non-stop vom. Being able to keep some things down does not mean it isn't HG. Everything you describe is me to a T, especially in the early weeks. Unfortunately, even with meds you will probably still find this debilitating and all kinds of horrible. I would recommend talking to your GP as dehyrdation is a common issue. Sending you lots of cyber hugs.

Mellee: thankfully my 30th is next year but yes bdays and celebrations are hard with HG. Fun! I'm glad you've been referred and I hope it doesn't take long. Never underestimate the power of a crying pg lady! Oh, and congrats on the scan.

Daffodil: I have to say I have found the last few weeks since wk 13 hard. It is hard not to keep an eye out for some improvement and feel disappointed when it doesn't really arrive. Congrats on the scan. I am in awe that you are going to work.

Sickrose: sorry you're having to go to a funeral and I hope everything goes well. I had exactly the same worries when I went to one a couple of weeks ago. I managed but I had a sick bag and tinned peaches with me the whole time.

Blah: I'm so sorry you're back in hosp again. I hope a&e don't make you wait too long for fluids and that everyone looks after you well.

Lucinda: exactly! I do wonder if my dizziness and migraines are worse these last few weeks becase I'm drinking so little. I don't feel as bad as I did when I was admitted but it's hard to know if I'm just a little dehydrated because I am apparently eating just enough to keep my ketones down.

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone. Nausea is worse today as I expected and DH is defrosting beef even though my HG doesn't seem to like the taste or texture of it at all and last week when he cooked something with it, I ate one piece and then just ate what else was there. The smell of it cooking and even the leftovers in the kitchen make me want to gag, so tonight is going to be fun.

Off to ring the mental health nurse so I wish you all well and hope today is bearable for all

Lemondrop my heart goes out to you. I was in exactly the same situation as you! Please call the pregnancy sickness support charity asap, or get someone to call for you (I got my mum to as I was too ill to make the call), they can tell you the name of a "Hyperemesis friendly" consultant close to you. Once you have their name, go back to your GP and ask for a referral. And switch to the hospital they are based at. Also ask the GP about other anti-sickness meds that you can try if the cyclizine isn't working. Cyclizine didn't work for me, I'm on Metoclopramide (10mg) and Ondansatron (4mg) both three times a day. I am now almost 30 weeks.
I was told the anti sickness meds are most effective if you take them before the nausea/vomiting is at its worst.
Best of luck!

3 hours before I got fluids this time but im admitted now. Not ideal with a poorly 2 year old at home but hey . Thanks for your support guys it means a lot. I hope you're all managing as well as you can today.

Lemondrop09 Welcome. You've had some great advice already from HurryupApril17 and HaichM. It might take a couple of days for the meds to work but I so agree about phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 for advice on getting more effective meds. Do get some kesostix - available from any chemists - to check for the dehydration you are worried about (it seems later on they measure starvation but either way more than 3+ ketones means that you need to be admitted for fluids). If your urine is dark and scanty, unfortunately you are probably dehydrated already.
Do you find sips of flat coke, or the juice of tinned fruit or the fruit, - peaches especially, ice lollies, ice cubes, soda water, elderflower water, chocolate milkshake (maybe soya), slices of melon (maybe frozen) or ice cream or cuppa soup or nibbles of crisps any good?
A lot of people find reading print impossible when suffering badly: audio books sound like a good idea. Just listening to the radio is all a lot can do as they hate looking at a screen for too long.
BlahBlahBlahEtc What a dismal wait - but I am glad you were admitted.
HaichM It is difficult in that case, and one has to rely on the colour of the urine and how often you go and dry skin, etc.
Waves to all..

Lemon that sounds like HG to me. I second (forth?) the advice above.

Blondes the sickness lifted once I cut right back on breast feeding him. Bit gutting that I can't exclusively breast feed, but at least he gets some breast milk. I can function better now, desperately trying not to vomit whilst feeding a baby is not fun.

Happy birthday, Haitch !

Lemon drop - the definition of HG is subjective especially as it is characterized mostly by weight loss and how long it extends through the pregnancy. In my opinion, morning sickness makes you feel crappy but you can still work, and continue your normal life, whereas HG starts early and pretty much forces you on voluntary bedrest.

Haich - maternity mental health rang yesterday and I have an appointment in a week. When they said they can help, I almost burst into tears, again. Hopefully you get help quickly too.

Blah - I so hope this round of fluids help! I always felt more relaxed at the hospital, because whatever happens, I was in the best place. Hope that helps you too.

SickRose - I'm so sorry about the funeral. I hope you managed. Unfortunately nothing really helps the relentless nausea except lying still. Hope you had a good support network to help you through the day.

Lucinda - I'm on ondansetron 8mg twice a day, and laxol to counter the constipation.

Waves to all.

Lucy - cross posted sorry. I'm glad the sickness let up finally. It's very hard when your parenting plans don't come together, but as long as you and bubba is healthy, that's the best. I hope you're enjoying the additional energy