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, phone them on:
024 7638 2020
Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy
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.

Am I the only one with a growing excitement for updates from Dead ?!
I hope she is on her way to or already enjoying warm cuddles with Baby Door!

Seahorses fully appreciate your POV. Hopefully this pg for me (DC2) will end well, then NEVER AGAIN. I don't even have it half as bad as some people.

Winky I'm so sorry you're going through this. I would NEVER judge a woman for a termination, least not over HG. I have often considered it myself and I am at the more forgiving end of the HG spectrum. I hope you have good support in real life. I suspect Lucinda is right about the scan - it helped me immensely. HOWEVER as I said, many suffer a great deal more than I unfortunately.

I've often been grateful that I live in a time when family planning/termination/easily accessible ondansetron are available. Had I been born 100 years ago and had no access to medical care or contraception then I'd have either died or have killed myself. Sorry if that sounds hard but it's true. I had excellent physical and mental health prior to this pregnancy, and now I'm a shadow of my former self. Thankfully things have improved drastically recently but then mental scars are very much still there.

Take care of yourself

Seahorses sorry for your loss and good luck in the future regardless of whether you plan any more children or not

Winky So sorry to hear the pain you have been clearly going through, I am sure whatever you do you will make the right decision for yourself, it is important to take care of yourself

Dead Eeek I am excited for you! Wishing you a healthy labour/birth

Well GP appt didn't go as expected. The process at my practice for a same-day appt is it basically has to be vetted by GP over the phone first. So a GP called me and then genuinely said "oh it's just morning sickness, I'm pregnant at the moment I know it's not very nice", said "we could give you more medication but I don't think we should" and said "drink smoothies" to improve my constipation and said I should be drinking 2-3 litres of water a day. I could barely get a word in edgeways. I tried to explain I really cannot drink that much as when I try I vomit but she just ignored me. Then she went "how's work?" and I explained I've been signed off since 6 weeks and she went "Oh!" and laughed then said "take care, bye!" and went! I have an anxiety disorder so I didn't feel like I had an opportunity then to ask her for another sick note for work despite explaining than when I move about I vomit. Stupid woman made me cry for ages . And I still don't have a sick note for work so now I will have to call again later in the week but I am not speaking to that doctor again she was awful and has proper set off my anxiety .

Meadow that is awful behaviour from your GP. There is 1 out of about 7 at my practice that has a similar attitude. I'd ring back tomorrow and demand to speak with someone else. Then, if you can manage it, complain to the practice manager.

It's in their favour to medicate you appropriately (esp if you're in England) ratger than see you hospitalised.

Winky hugs and**

Seahorse best of luck whatever you decide

Batman I totally agree. Thank goodness we live in the age we do. I also had pretty robust health mentally and physically before this, I too am a shadow of myself.

Meadow I'm horrified. That is awful. How ridiculous for her to project her own experience on to you. Definitely phone again, definitely don't speak to that useless doctor again. I'm so angry for you .
I would call the pregnancy sickness support number as they can help you get access to meds. The number is 024 7638 2020.

I'm feeling so awful. The journey has kicked the shit out of me, I am so so sick.

Batman So totally on the same wavelength as you! Suicidal thoughts were totally there for me at some point in the pregnancy, especially at the pits between week 7-13.. horrible times.. make me shudder. But others who are currently going through the first trimester martyrdom,it does get better i promise. Please do not let my post discourage you! It slowly but surely does get a tad bit better everyday. Relapses here and there suck and especially fatigue can make things worse hut as long as you are taking it easy,your survival instinct should kick in by 16-20 weeks!

justtheonethen poor you darling,you really need to rest up now and hopefully you'll feel better VERY soon!

Meadow I do totally sympathize as I have an goddamn awful GP myself who wasn't bothered much about my hyperemesis then or about my SPD now
Do try the other GPs but in case you get no luck, you could try avomine over the counter for now and call PSS who'll suggest good helpful doctors in your area. Do hope you get lucky with another GP though and get your sick note sorted out along with medications.
P.S - I would have vehemently insisted that it is NOT JUST morning sickness to that stupid GP of yours. Relentless nausea and getting sick as soon as you move is definitely not JUST morning sickness.

winky and seahorse Hugs.
Meadowhay Poor you! Hugs. What a self centrred, insensitive doctor. Has she never heard that Hyperemesis is different from Pregnancy Sickness? I so agree with justtheone about it being a good idea to phone the Pregnancy Sickness Support people on the number in her post and in the introduction.
BATMAN and Shehz I am so glad you are happier now and the scan encouraged BATMAN.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

Winky there is only so much anyone can cope with, I hope you have good support in real life and can access councelling.

Meadow that is infuriating. Is there anyway you can bypass your useless GP and go straight to hospital.

I think that having hyperemersis can take such a huge toll on your mental health. It is worth bearing in mind that every NHS authority should now have a perinatal mental health team who can provide extra support for women who are experiencing mental health problems in pregnancy. If you are struggling ask your midwife if you can be referred. I was referred because I have Tourette's but part of their remit is to help women who are experiencing mental health problems as a result of medical problems in pregnancy. They can also work with women who are planning a pregnancy and for a year after birth. What this over long rant means is please ask for help if you need it.

I've been in touch with loads of different GPs at the surgery over the last few weeks and they've all honestly been excellent except for this one. I wanted to be more assertive with her but I have an anxiety disorder and I really struggle to speak to doctors in general, and anyone at all on the phone, so I just clam up and can't get my words out . I even get DH to book the appts for me as I can't speak to the receptionists. I will get him to call again maybe on Thursday and say I need a sick note and specify that I don't want to speak to that GP again. I may complain about her but I'm not sure there will be much point...I don't really want to draw attention to myself in the practice any more than I am already by requesting an appt pretty much weekly for the last few weeks, sometimes more .

Elephant The midwife asked if I wanted to be referred to the perinatal mental health team but at the time I didn't feel there was any need but since the HG has been on-going it has been deterioriating my mood. I'm still not sure I would benefit from any mental health intervention though or even that I would be able to engage with any atm. I am in the process of coming off my antidepressants as well (I didn't need them pre-pregnancy anymore, just hadn't gotten around to weaning myself off), so DH is keeping an extra-close eye on my mental wellbeing too.

One of our guinea pigs is also really ill at the moment and I can't play much part in nursing him so that's another nursing role DH is having to do on top of caring for me . And we are both anxious about our little fluffball. He is being syringe-fed every 2 hours at the moment as he will not eat himself still.

On the plus side, DH got a job, part-time but he may be able to get overtime too so that's something at least. He is in all day on Friday for his induction so we are planning to move me to my parents on Thursday sometime and I will stay there overnight possibly til the Saturday so then I won't be alone all day and DM will be in to help look after me/get stuff for me to reduce the vomiting. I am already dreading the 20 minute car journey there bleurghhh...

BabyDoor arrived exactly 1:30pm this afternoon after coming into the birth centre at 9cm dilated... considering the midwives weren't really expecting it. He's healthy, seems to be latching ok and I'm recovering. Will update more tomorrow as I've not slept in about 40 hours or so.

Congratulations door. He's gorgeous

@DeadDoorpost congratulations. How wonderful. I know you feel tired but do you feel less sick? I'm so happy for you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Congratulations Dead!!! He's gorgeous!

Elephant you're absolutely right re accessing mental health services. I didn't think I needed it, but now that I'm (hopefully) over the worst of it I can see that I need some support. Seeing MW tomorrow so will be asking for a referral.

I have to say that this thread, and you lot, have brought me great relief and support over the past few months. to you all. Never underestimate the power of sisterhood

Dead Massive congratulations!! He is perfect❤
almost tearful
Go get some well deserved rest!!
Hope the nausea is completely gone for you.

Dead yay that is fabulous news, he is beautiful. Well done and congratulations!

Batman I totally agree with you, I feel very grateful to live in a time where there is help available for this (even if it's still often not as good as it should be). I also often think about women in other countries who might not have access to the medication and support that there is in the UK and I wonder how they cope - it's horrible to even imagine.

Winky I'm so sorry you had such an awful experience with your GP, that really is appalling treatment. It's so hard having to try and explain or justify yourself to someone who is just not listening, I found that when I was really in the thick of being ill I just didn't have the energy to put my case forward so the anxiety on top must make it really difficult. As others have said, pregnancy sickness support should be able to help. You are perfectly within your rights to be having weekly appointments or more, HG is a serious illness and you are not just 'making a fuss' you are asking for treatment that you really need and they should be listening to you as that is what they are there for. Good news about your DH's job though, sounds like a good plan to be with your parents for a bit.

I'm feeling quite good today which is such a nice bit of relief. Things are not very easy at the moment in the Emu household as DH is struggling with depression and is also working very long hours, so much as he wants to support me when I am sick he just can't sometimes. Which I do completely understand, but also find hard.

Oh Dead he is absolutely beautiful. Well done on getting there at 9cm. You should be so proud at that. Squishy hugs for you both 😍

Door you utter !

He’s so perfect! Look at his rosy cheeks and glowing skin!

Hope you’re resting up x

Oh dead he's so beautiful, congratulations! Now get some sleep!

I am so angry for you meadow that GP was out of line. I know anxiety might make complaining impossible (have suffered from it myself, thankfully much better now due to therapy) but complaining about the GP that treated me terribly a couple of years ago made me feel so much stronger and better, so if you can, maybe with your OH's help, it might help plus help future HG sufferers. In the meantime definitely ask to talk to a different doctor.

Sorry just realised I meant to write meadow in my message - hope that was obvious (clearly hadn't woken up yet!).

DeadDoorPost What a lovey baby. What great news. Welcome to the Pink Castle at the end of the Hyperemesis Horror Game. [grin . . I hope you managed a good sleep and now feel on top of the world.

Meadow sorry your guinea pig is poorly . It's horribly worrying when pets are unwell. Glad she's got a job, that takes the pressure off a bit.

Emu glad you're feeling a bit better. Sorry to hear about DH struggling with depression. Having a partner with HG must be very hard to manage without depression and job stress, I do feel for my DH. He's brilliant but I feel like such a burden.

Bad day today, think I'm paying for that long journey. Just lying in bed feeling sorry for myself.

Thank you just, yes I think it's really hard for him. We'd both like to be able to support each other more I think, just hard when we are both unwell.
I'm really sorry you're feeling so rotten, it's awful when you feel floored by something like a long journey it just takes so much rest and recovery to begin to get over it - and you had all the emotional impact of a funeral on top of that so I'm not at all surprised you're feeling it . Lying in bed sounds like exactly the right place to be x

Yes sorry, of course you wish you could support him more, sorry didn't mean to diminish what he's going through, think HG has made me a bit HG centric!
Yes bed is the right place, so fed up though.

Congrats dead. Gorgeous.
Hugs to everyone. Sorry, not really read through everything. Having a bad day here. The joy of meds being withdrawn. Need to go and do some digging and see what else I can do. Dr is against ondansetron and cyclizine isn't cutting it.

Hi ladies, how's everyone feeling today? I am 34 weeks now and my NCT person emailed this week to ask if we had any aversions to smells as she uses an essential oil diffuser in her classes. Strong perfume smells definitely a trigger for me so had to tell her but now anxious that I'll be singled out as the fussy one and don't want to alienate myself from the group. 😩😭