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.

Same here with the boobs hollyhops!!! Sorry you are feeling the same but comforted it's not just me.

Wearing by old nursing bras already which offer no real support so my shape is just awful.

I promise you my hair is bad, reaaaally bad. I've been over two weeks without washing it, It's long and thick and I've been trying it up in buns for over a week now so it is actually matted in places and making my head itch will need to look the tangle teezer out....

I've just came in for a bath but don't like washing my hair in the bath so tied it up in a bun again. I can't see me wanting a shower after this so at least another 24 hours feeling like this. Ugh just feel gross. Can't be bothered though. I just don't feel like myself at all. My eyebrows are another horror story........

Definitely not just you. I have afro hair and not able to relax it while pregnant as the chemicals can be harmful. So I have been avoiding doing anything with my hair as it is so thick. It took me ages to get it even wet in the shower this morning.

I have outgrown my first mat bra so need ro work up the bother to go into town to get a new one. I hope your bath is a relaxing one. Dont worry about your hair, no judgement here, nor I'm sure from anyone who knows you.

Sorry everyone is feeling a bit rotten. I think not being able to enjoy the sunshine over the holiday break sort of rubs the HG in your face even more

Oklahoma, I'm sorry to hear the odansetron isn't helping yet. Are you taking the maximum dose prescribed? If not, probably worth doing that at first and hopefully you'll feel an effect as it gets into your system. Odansetron can be given with other drugs (cyclizine, promethazine and possibly others). While I find the odansetron good, it hasn't completely eliminated my vomiting and I do (my to my displeasure) need to also take promethazine too, to keep on top of things.

As for personal grooming..... hmmmm! It's getting better but was bad for a few months! When I wasn't getting out of bed, I probably only managed to shower twice a week as I felt too weak to stand up in the shower. In between I wash just using a bowl and flannel. At points I say in the bath and got DH to wash my hair for me. I've only recently started shaving my legs again (and pregnancy hormones are making my hair and nails grow really fast so I had yeti legs!). Just do what you can, I think shaved legs is pretty low priority when you feel this rotten.

I'm so-so. Doing ok. I didn't crash totally backward after cleaning. I've felt ok for maybe 60-70% of the day, but had waves of nausea and exhaustion so I had to lie in bed for a bit. Haven't thrown up but a lot of dry heaving yesterday. Pretty much just hanging around the house, although trying to make a creative bread project thing today - which probably won't and I probably won't want to eat lol! Oh well, the creating bit is the fun.

Oh good luck with the creative bread! Let us know how you get on

Last week I made a couple of loaf cakes, could only manage small bits myself but liked to see them being enjoyed and it was good to enjoy making something for a change.

Well I forced myself to wash my hair! Wrapped in a towel right now as I definitely don't have the energy to dry it but I do feel a lot fresher. Sadly legs and eyebrows are still in dismal condition and there is no chance of makeup but still, small victories!

Well done Magnum, hope it has given you a little lift. Good luck with the bread Lemon. I'm just back from a walk around the block. DH forced me out of the house as I've been crying this morning. Thoroughly, thoroughly fed up with being pregnant now and would happily have him today at 26+3...

Hi ladies, can I join the club? I'm 15 weeks pregnant and have been ill since the end of January. I am beginning to feel more than a little sorry for myself and struggling to feel positive or excited about the baby. I'm sorry to see so many of you are suffering, but rather selfishly it helps to see it isn't just me! Hopefully being part of the group will stop my panicked googling of 'will HG kill me' on particularly bad days!

Welcome pass!

As it's been said so many times you are welcome to join the most undesirable club in town!!

Congrats on your pregnancy, is this your 1st? Sorry you are feeling rotten though. It's so hard but you are in good company

Oh Holly I know when I was feeling really rotten, nothing made me feel better. But is there anything you can do to cheer yourself up? A favourite movie? Or favourite book (I bought audio books when I couldn't read, it took my mind off things a bit). HG can definitely put you in a really low mood. Hope you feel a bit better soon.

Well done for getting washed Magnum. Hope you feel a little better. I could find the energy to dry my hair either.

Welcome Pass! Sorry you're here. I'm also 15 weeks What date are you due? How have you been coping so far? Are you on any medication and is it helping?

Bread is done. The recipe was very puffy so everything looks very bloated lol. Just letting is cool now and will see how it looks

Well done on the bread Lemon. I've just got in from the garden. Went out for 20 mins to pull out some weeds and try and cheer myself up, not worked really and now got a back ache from bending down. Nothing is cheering me up today, I keep thinking I'm just going to go to my MAU and demand to be induced. Cannot see past feeling this low, my mental health has completely collapsed.

Welcome Pass, sorry you have to join us. Hopefully you are on some meds.

Passthesickbucket Welcome. Sorry you sometimes feel that you are dying. I hope it eases for you. My usual question - are you on meds and have you got kesostix to check for the early stages of dehydration?
They're available from every chemists. How do you find any of these bearable: flat, full sugar coke, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya) sips of the juice of tinned fruit (peach and pears especially) Edlerflower water, ice lollies, ice cubes, frozen flat coke, Dr Peper, soda water, Lucozade, fizzy orange, cuppa soup,jelly, cheap ice cream nibbles of chips and crisps.
Oklahoma Poor you. Oh dear, headaches can be a side effect, a few others have had that. Might be worth mentioning to the Dr, though it may be hormonal and not related. Have you got pre-emptive stuff for constipation that is sadly likely? As you're a veteran, I probably don't need to ask. Would it help to have cyclizine added or does it make you too woozy? A lot find that combination useful, sometimes, surprisingly, with B6.
MagnumAddict
Don't blame yourself for being snappy. On grooming when suffering- unthinkable. I had fair hair (now largely silver) that it looked so dirty if it went unwashed, I that forced myself to do that every few days, but as for such matters as shaved legs or make up, totally neglected, and often, and teeth often left uncleaned, too, just to add to the glamour. I am sure you all look much nicer than you think, Hollyhop MagnumAddict and Lemondrop.
Congratulations on the gardening Hollyhop, the bread Lemondrop and on hair wash,MagnumAddict. Great advice on audiobooks Lemondrop .
katemeister I am glad you are taking pleasure in small things. It is the best approach.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

Thanks for the welcome!
This is my second, I have a DS who is nearly 2, who I am struggling to keep up with. I am lucky to have family close by, who have been helping out a lot!

I am on a cocktail of medication, ondansetron, cyclizine, metoclopramide and prochloroperazine, they aren't doing much good, as I still have near constant nausea and struggle to keep anything more than a sip of water down. My Dr thinks the next step should be a picc line if I can't get my weight loss under control, has anyone had this? I don't know much about it!

My due date is the 4th of October, I'm trying not to count down the days!

Well done with hair washing magnum, it seems so odd that small things turn into achievements, hope it makes you feel better or at least more like yourself! I currently look like I have spent months stranded in the wilderness, baggy clothes, pale skin, matted hair coming out in fistfuls from my head but growing wild from every other part of my body!

I hope you managed to enjoy your bread lemon

Oooh it's exciting to have someone else who is due to close to me. I can't imagine doing this with a toddler running around too, Pass! You poor thing, you sound like you're having a much harder time than me

Holly, I definitely think you need to talk to your midwife and GP if your mods is getting so low. HG is bloody hard, but it might have trigger antenatal depression? Worth asking if you can get any more help.

Hoping a food pic here won't make anybody feel sick. I'm really sorry if it does. Here's my bread. I'm a huge Harry Potter geek, I had a go at making Jacob's pastries from Fantastic Beasts. Bread recipe was super puffy though so everything is fat lol. I doubt I'll eat them but it was fun to make and probably the first time I've done anything "normal" or for pleasure since I got sick! Three good-ish days in a row, not sure it'll last the full weekend though! Knackered now, going to sit down.

pass sorry to hear you're suffering.

holly I think a chat with MAU will be a good idea. Not sure they would induce you this early though as baby is still growing lungs I think but it would be good to actually get some info. I'm not suffering as bad as you (I'm 2 weeks behind you) but I've noticed a serious increase in my nausea and my dizziness and whatnot is still making things really hard and I wonder how I'm going to manage at work. I'm trying to make the most of the break and trying not to think about it too much. I'm sorry I'm not much help.

The bread looks ace Lemon and well done on the hair magnum. I'm afraid I've managed/forced myself to wash my hair every few days and I've got away without waxing more than once as my hair isn't really growing that fast, neither are my boobs (like at all) so I have nothing but sympathy but agree grooming should come down the list.

I'm sorry everyone is having a rough time and hope it improves soon. Take care and try and stay positive.

Pah, I knew it was too good to last! Throwing up tonight Going to get an early night

Haich, have you been getting dizzy normally from HG? Lack of food? I'm not sure how far along you are but dizziness can also be a symptoms for preeclampsia. Just thought I'd mention it so you can keep an eye on it. Might be worth mentioning to your midwife?

Hi All. I loved all the comments. I am also a hairy, unwashed beast. I wash every 2-3 days and wash my hair once a week if lucky (but did cut it really short only a couple of weeks before getting pregnant). Got really snappy with hubby this morning for going off and having a super long shower while leaving me with a hungry dog and toddler. Especially cranky because I'm due for a wash today, and was hoping for a few minutes of quiet.
Hubby keeps telling me I'm pretty etc, and it pisses me off because I feel so gross all the time. I don't think glow is a word for this pregnant lady and I avoid the mirror because I feel like I've aged 10yrs in the last few months.
Had really bad constipation the last 4 days, which makes the nausea worse. If it ain't coming out one end, it doesn't like going in the other.

Lemon - what gorgeous bread. I love puffy bread. So jealous as my hot cross bun loaf turned out a bit dense.

Pass - I don't know anyone who has had a picc line for HG, but my mum had one recently for an illness. Pretty much is a method of getting meds intravenously straight to the heart. Meant to help with keeping the concentration of meds high and where it needs to be. My dietician put my next step as a nasal line to get food to the stomach if I continued to lose weight. But I've gained back 3 of the 6kg that I lost so far.

Holly - you need to see someone. They won't induce till 37/38wks if you're really bad. But you need to talk to a professional about how you're feeling. I wish I could give you a great big hug and tell you how amazing you are for struggling through this journey.

Hoping everything is great with castlefeck and she's made it to the pink castle...

Absolutely raging at my DH who has suggested some sort of small victory because I havent been sick today. I wish I had, I've felt horrendously nauseous all day. Im not cleaning my teeth tonight as I know it will set me off.

Going to bed feeling like I am slowly descending into madness. I cant possibly cope with feeling sick anymore. I'd frankly rather be dead.

Holly, I'm really worried about you

Men can say such silly things. I'm sure he was trying to be helpful and thought he was cheering you up/being supportive, but I don't think anyone who hasn't been through it can understand how debilitating the nausea is.

Please, please speak to someone soon. I know it's the bank holiday weekend, which is unhelpful, but maybe there's an out of hours you can call tomorrow morning? I really think you need to let your medical team know how you are feeling.

Have you got keto sticks? I'm wondering if you've got really dehydrated which is why you're feeling doubly crap lately? Maybe going in for a drip and even some IV drugs might make you feel a bit better? Did you ever find out if there's a HG day clinic near you? If not, go to A&E tomorrow and push to get out on a drip. It could help you feel a lot better, at least in the short term.

Holly - I agree with Lemon. Sometimes you don't even feel dehydrated and you have some water and feel a million times better. If you're still feeling awful tomorrow, go to A&E for some fluids and some attention. My depression symptoms fade when I'm with professionals. Something about hospitals makes me feel safe and cared for.

I'm sorry so many of you are feeling awful. In 99% of cases hg goes away once given birth

The feeling of being able to eat anything and not be sick is amzing :)

Hoping this will give you some hope

I also have an over helpful gp. Bless him and have stashes of cyczline if anyone would like some

Message me and will pop in the post for you

Some doctors are helpful. Others aren't

Also good to try and get ranitdene if heartburn is bad or good old gaviscon

I drank a huge bottle weekly and yes baby blondes had lots of hair bless her

Sorry about all those typos in my last post.
Hollyhop You poor thing. I'm late coming to give this advice, but how are you today? Any better? If you haven't got kesostix, have you got a headache, blurry vision or dry skin or mouth? That 'I'm going mad' feeling is in fact typical of dehydration. Cyber hugs. I do feel for you.
You've had great advice from Leondop HaichM Melleebacca and others already, and I can only agree with it.
Lemondrop Those pastries are lovely! I wish I could do something so impressive by way of baking.
Who was it who did that unsympathetic cat Hyperemesis meme? I wish I knew how to do those, too...
Blondes Lovely to hear from you. I hope you are flourishing and I am so glad being sick is a distant memory. You are so right; 99 per cent of people will indeed feel fine as soon as they've given birth. I had awful heartburn and then DD only had a nap of fair fluff on her head when born, but your DD certainly has an impressive head of hair.
Passthesickbucket You are very brave to go for it twice. It will be worth it. I wish I had.
Apologies to anyone I've rudely overlooked.
Due Dates
Due Dates
Castlefeck 14 April
HurryUpApril17 17 April
NerrSnerr 18 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
Mardybum2017 25 August
MagnumAddict 1 September
littlepooch 2 September
MamaBear 7 September
MrsK8541 15 September
MuvaWifey77 17 September
Lemondrop09 30 September
RubyReins 3 October
Passthesickbucket 4 October
Heartburn247 23 October
FluteyTootey 26 October
mrsgembles 27 October
putput 17 November
Oklahoma 22 November

Holly, how are you feeling today?

Lucinda, I just downloaded a free meme maker app on my phone. You can pick a photo or upload your own then add the words. It's really easy. The free ones are a bit limited in the available pics, but you can just steal a picture of Google and upload your own.

I'm choosing to see the positives today. For the first Easter Sunday in many years I have not overindulgence in chocolate!

That's the spirit Oklahoma! How are you getting on? Are you taking anything else with the odansetron? If not, I'd ask about pairing it with cyclizine or promethazine. You'll have to see what works for you (cyclizine did nothing for me, but helps others).

Just checking in to say hi. 33 weeks and still vomming. Fml. I'm in the top half of the list now, though.

peaceloveandbiscuits Lovely to hear from you again. Sorry that the misery goes on. I do so feel for those who suffer throughout, or for whom it comes back in the third tri, and I hope it is at least, less violent than it was early on, as is usually the case?
Hollyhop How are things - dare I ask? From the silence, I suspect you have been admitted.
Oklahoma Thanks for that - I'll have to see if I can download a similar app - I'm a Luddite, I don't have a Smartphone...On combinations and Ondansetron, below I was urging the same thing below as Lemondrop - She Who Makes Wonderful Pastries. PausePlayRepeat the once Caramello is such a cook - and it must be hard when your sufferings reduce the kitchen to Room 101.