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.

David: I bet your wife appreciates everything you are doing so keep doing it. As well as all the things already mentioned, one of the things that got me through the horrendous start was just cuddling with my DH at the end of the day when DS was in bed. If I was well enough we watched an episode of something, otherwise I would just use him as a pillow and try and relax. I definitely found reminders that I wasn't useless or a burden helpful as it is so easy to feel down and miserable a lot. Also, it might be worth seeing what mental health support is available where you are. I was referred to a mental health midwife and I know others on here have sought help too. It is easy and common to feel really low and struggle with depression when suffering like this. I had antenatal depression with my DS and came close to it again this time. Finally, check how long it takes for her tablets to absorb. Ondanestron takes 30mins so I tried to stay lying down as soon as I had the tablet for as long as possible to give it its best chance.

I did write a message a day or two ago but it seems to have deleted it. Sorry to everyone who's been gingered or seen dismissive medical people recently. It still shocks me when I hear stories like these.

Holly: I can't believe the wait you had at the diabetes clinic. What happens now?

Can I just check - period-like cramps, does that sound like Braxton hicks? I remember having them from week 36-39 quite regularly but can't remember what they felt like. I guess as well I shouldn't start hoping that just because I've started having them earlier this time, that labour will be earlier... boo.

Hope everyone is doing Ok today.

Hi David

I think we can all relate to what your wife is going through - hospital gives short relief, but needed relief. The tablets just don't work as well as the same medication on IV. How pregnant is your wife and what medication is she currently on? If things aren't helping there is always another level of medication they can give - no one wants to be on medication in pregnancy, but sometimes it's the last resort and all we can do to survive. It is so hard on the partners who are the support network for women with HG. I know my partner is finding the whole experience very stressful as he ultimately feels helpless even though he is doing everything he can, as it sounds you are too.

Welcome to David42. Now, there's a co-incidence, there was talk on this thread about the best things people can do to help and here you are asking how best to help even more with your wife. Sorry she's suffering so badly. You've already had great advice. Have you bought kesostix, to keep a check on the levels of dehydration - available from any chemists? I hope that she will soon turn a corner; almost nobody suffers as badly later on as they do earlier - for most people, some relief comes somewhere between weeks 14-20. Sorry, I should remember how far along she is. Ordering audio books (looking at print or screens can be sickening) might help? I don't know if she could sand the smell of flowers (even non scented ones) so I don't know if to suggest those or not (I didn't mind the scent myself).
Telling her that she is still lovely? Reading to her? (I love that when I am ill). Getting netflix? Sorry if anyone else has made these suggestions, my brain seems like a sieve this morning.
FlapAttack Ah, Tenby, that is lovely! I have a friend who lives not far from there. The sea air often really helps people. If you love Wales, can I recommend the Gower Peninsula too,and the Llyni if you haven't tried those?
DeadDoorPost Don't worry - you'll find your baby wholly different from everyone elses'! There's a whole new side of you that will come out. I bet you'll be saying: 'I can't believe how besotted I am!'

HGpg my wife is 10 weeks at the moment medication she is on that i know of is cyclizine oastradane and something else

lucinda i will look into those strips and doing eveything else u have suggested so just trying to get her through it as best i can

but thank u all for your help with this

How are we all today? I'm back at work and although Im fighting falling asleep under my desk and throwing up... I'm actually happy to be back to some normality. 🙂

Hi ladies

I've convinc d myself I've had a mmc my nausea is really not there in the mornings anymore and I haven't threw up for days and days - I'm still taking ondansetron but at nighttime the nausea is quite bad.

My boobs aren't sore anymore and I just have this sinking feeling that something has gone wrong since the last scan

Have a scan booked Tuesday so not sure whether to just wait it out or do something else? I've just got this deep down horrible feeling

How far along are you again Flossy?

8 weeks on Saturday. I'm tempted to go the epu but I'm. It sure if they would see me

Just dashing on to say David A lot of sufferers find ten weeks is the worst bit. There's a big hormonal surge then, I think. I wonder if its worth asking about anti heartburn medication from the GP. That's often a cause of nausea. Also, has the surgery given her anything in case the Ondansetron cause constipation? We have to be graphic on here, that is a common side effect.
FlossyFlossIt's a good idea to go to epu if only for reassurance - you could 'develop' some cramps or something? . Have you had mmc's before - if so, much sympathy - it makes one so nervous. You may just be having a few good days.
OnNature'sCourse Mother Hen says don't overdo it.
Thingymaboob I've just thought. I wondered this about fourcorneredcircle. Would taking an anti acid first thing help, or am I being annoying and have you tried not?

flossyfloss That is meant to be a wink with the post, indicating a few symptoms 'developed' but it looks more like an inappropriate smile. Sorry.

Oh no Lucinda I understood! - thanks xx I have had a previous mmc. I'm really convinced it's over I think I need to take myself to epu or the anxiety isn't going to go away

I've found that taking the excess acid has helped reduce my nausea and vomiting to some extent. I was using Gaviscon and now ompremazole (sp?).

David, hats off to you! No one else had any idea what I was going through aside from my husband. You're clearly very supportive, and I'm sure your wife is grateful. You're already doing a lot to help and have had some great advice. The Pregnancy Sickness Support website and helpline is worth a read, a great resource for both sufferers and their family/carers.

Flossy, sorry to hear you're so worried 😕 Tuesday is a long time to wait. If you can't get a scan at the EPU, can you afford a private scan for your sanity? My symptoms have come and gone, so it could just be varying hormone surges.

Holly, how are things?

I tried epu they wouldn't scan me today said they would book me one in a few days - pointless as I have mine on Tuesday xx

Wait.. are period-like cramps normal or not normal during pregnancy coz I get them every few weeks or so. Bearing in mind I'm 15 weeks.
flossy I'd just try and get a scan or speak to the hospital. I always trust my gut with things like that because you never know. My gut has never been wrong. Even if it's for peace of mind.

Oh flossy I feel your pain I had a semi normal day yesterday and by that I still mean nausea but no vomiting which is the first day in 5 weeks but I had cramps that have gradually got worse and I'm bleeding a bit today. Phoned epu midwives and they just said to monitor for next 48hrs and if it gets worse call back to reassess.

I really wish they had just gave you a scan to give you an answer rather leave you hanging, I'm so sorry. Hugs from me.

David - 10 weeks is a really bad time for most with hg, as Lucinda said. I know I was at my worst/lowest then for sure.

Flossy - that's so unhelpful of them, not the reassurance you need. I know I had 3 days of suddenly feeling fine around 12 weeks, and thought the worst - needless to say on the 4th day the puking returned with a vengeance.

The gut feeling thing doesn't help me as I was convinced there would be no heartbeat before the first scan and I was wrong so I think the anxiety is down to previous miscarriages.

The nausea is back for the afternoon and I'm not feeling good so maybe that's a good sign. Still no sore boobs like I did have though

Flossy, I had a whole day around 8 weeks where I hadn't vomited once and I totally freaked out. I was also worried as my site boobs kept coming and going. I bottled it up all day, panicking I'd had a mmc, then burst into tears the moment DH got home. After half an hour of sobbing and stressing, DH left the room to change..... two seconds after he walked out, I started projectile vomiting. He backed into the room, eyebrows raised and I said "don't.....say......a......word!" better vomits!!!!

So symptoms really can come and go. If the nausea is back, you're probably just having a variable day. You'll probably end up vomiting by tomorrow and not know whether to be relieved or pissed off!!!

Is a private scan an option? I went once at 11 weeks when I was worried, as the NHS wasnt much help at 3pm on a Friday and my scan was on the following Tuesday. I'd have gone potty. It was the best £89 I've ever spent.

Sounds horrible but I was told by EPU (in one of my anxiety ridden moments) that the reason they don't scan right away at the sign of trouble, lack of symptoms etc is that there is a chance everything in there could look ok and then it not be the next day. Ie they don't want to give false hope which is why they say wait 48hours until getting scanned.

Absolutely horrible and of no use to us impatiently waiting and worrying.

I remember my early days, I wanted to throttle the wee women at EPU who told me to "worry less" and "let things be as they will" but I do, in my sane moments, understand why they do it.

That said, I'm 15 weeks today (yay!!) and all of last week my symptoms faded with the exception of my nausea at certain smells. But this week my goodness they are back, boobs, back, ligaments, pelvis... Everything hurts and I want to throw everything up.

Symptoms come and go, listen deeply to your gut. Sit in a empty room and focus, I find that helps my "moments"

Hope all is well Flossy if only we could get a little check window installed, or a app, when we are pregnant... How nice would that possibility be.

Love and hugs xxz

flossyfloss Hugs from me too. I was really nervous after having an mmc before, so if you've had one, it really is difficult not to think the worst. It is unkind of your hospital not to give you a scan for reassurance if you've had mmc's before.
DeadDoorPost Sorry, didn't mean to make you anxious. By 'cramps' I meant the strong ones you'd have which are like a mini labour - not those mild pains that one seems to get in the early months. I had those particularly round the time when the period would have been due, and I think that's typical.

OnNature'sCourse Ah, I see! That makes sense, anyway, though it is very hard to go through.

The puking is back one sad face as I feel rubbish but one happy face that I am not symptom free!!!

Yay! Told you It's a real mixed feeling isn't!!!

flossy hopefully it's at least reassuring!
Also seconding a private scan, I keep bleeding in pregnancy and it's always preceded by a day where I feel good-no vomiting, nausea or tiredness, no boob soreness so on. Everything has been fine so far, and the symptoms always come back.

David my DH is doing everything at the moment, all housework and cooking etc on top of his job, and he's knackered. He thinks he's hiding it from me but I can see he's exhausted. Make sure you look after yourself as well.

OnNatures I'm 15 weeks today as well! Woohoo!

Yay for the puking flossy