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.

I am confused about ondansetron having a cumulative effect - I can't find anything online explaining how the mechanism of action makes it have a cumulative effect, and a few GPs and pharmacists I've spoken to have told me not to take it on days I can manage without it and only to take it when I'm very sick, rather than telling me to make sure I never miss a dose. Can you direct me to somewhere that explains it having a cumulative effect? Obv I'm prepared for those HCPs to have told me incorrect information but I also can't find anything to the contrary of their advice either? I could get DH to call PSS tomorrow maybe and speak to them about it.

Meadow Only anecdotal I'm afraid. I know if I miss a dose or take one late I set off an awful relapse! I have to take it every 6 hours or I am a total mess. Sounds like you need a different drug if it's not working for you.

Natsku ouch. Not sure what to suggest. Call midwife?

I don't know why your gp is saying wait to be really sick before taking it though, seems like bonkers advice!

Meadowhay A good idea to get DH to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support for expert advice. I'm dyslexic too - and never knew that about short term memory!
Natsku I think it used to be 36 weeks in the UK, supposedly the baby just puts on weight after that and the lungs are fine, but maybe they have decided that these days at 34 weeks? My knowledge is out of date.
The midwife sounds so tiresome. A good idea to query.
Congratulations to those who are able to eat fruit. Interestingly, not melons and mangoes here.
Waves to justtheone Harebell and everyone...

at Lucinda
How are you?

Hello everyone! Can I join?
justtheonethen has told me about this thread which I wish I would have found all these weeks ago!
I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby, a little boy!
I started feeling nauseous 24/7 at week 5 and started throwing up at week 6. I was admitted several times with 4+ of ketones, was unable to leave my bed for 5 weeks, got really down mentally and finally Ondansetron was given to me at week 12 and made a huge difference. I need to take it at 6.30am every day, otherwise I start throwing up by mid morning.
It's been up and down since week 12 but two weeks ago I started feeling really sick again and I am now terrified that Ondansetron is starting not to work anymore.
My hospital has been amazing but my GPs and my community midwife have really not been good. They keep wanting to get me off Ondansetron as they say there are risks but if I don't take it, my little one and I aren't going to make it. I just feel completely useless and like it's all my fault if anything happens to him because my body isn't doing what it is supposed to...
People saying it is 'just morning sickness' are really not helping... I've never thrown up like that in my life and I've had gallbladder issues in high school and food poisoning a couple of years back.
My OH has been amazing though and I've really scared him a few times.
Sorry for the long post, I hope you are all alright, it is so hard!

Welcome orange . This group is amazing, it's saved my sanity a few times.
Same with midwives being rubbish, it's so frustrating. Mine totally brush off how I'm feeling. I would be upping the ondansetron now if it's become less effective. I'm having the same problem now after it being up and down since week 16 and I'm hoping to try steroids next as I'm already taking 8mg three times a day.

OrangeCloud18 Welcome. I am glad justtheone has pointed you to us. Sorry you have been so ill. It's bad that your GP and midwife are making you feel guilty for taking meds. If the consultants didn't think that the risk of being off meds was greater than that with your being on them, they wouldn't have put you on them. Many many women on seven or eight years of these threads have been on these threads on a cocktail of medicines as the only way to keep them out of being hospitalized all the time and no abnormalities associated with the drugs have ever been reported. Plus, the websites mentioned in my introductory article have information on studies on meds and the lack of evidence that they do harm. Have they tried you on something besides Ondansetron? Cyclizine, or anti acids? Anti acids like ranitidine or omprazole can make a huge difference. Really sorry that you are having a relapse. It may be a hormonal surge - I believe there is one around 30 weeks? It may be worth phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020. They will have to phone you back, but give great advice.
At this stage, you will know what liquids you can stand, and what limited foodstuffs, and I expect you've got kesostix?

justtheonethen Poor you. I hope you get effective meds soon, and the symptoms become less severe naturally.

justtheonethen That sounds such a contradictory message from me. I meant, I hope you get effective meds for the present, and so many sufferers get relief sometime between weeks fourteen and twenty-one. Even for the unlucky minority who suffer throughout, it is never as bad as in the nightmare early weeks.

I'm 28weeks Lucinda!

I really hope some relief is round the corner.

I hope you get some relief soon just you really need it.

Welcome Orange sorry your GPs and midwife are being so rubbish, print off the information about the medicines from the pregnancy sickness support website and show them and keep showing them. I've had trouble fighting to keep on my meds but eventually got a letter from a more senior doctor (I guess a consultant in the UK) so now I get my meds until the end and no one gets to argue it.

I just went to bed last night, the midwife told me that when I get the pains I should go lie down in a warm bed (I took a hot water bottle with me) and see if they go away, then if they don't I should go to the hospital. They went away eventually but I noticed this time that my belly goes hard so I guess they are contractions but maybe braxton hicks and I'm just unlucky enough to get painful ones? I'm quite worried now that the baby is going to come early so I finished packing my hospital bag last night (well sans the nursing bras as they haven't arrived yet). I looked up the guidelines here in Finland and it is indeed true they don't try to stop labour any more after 34 weeks and don't give steroid shot after 34+6, I'm sure it must be based on research and evidence (there was a lot of writing but it was very technical language so I just skimmed it - it seems the drugs used to try and stop labour have a lot of side effects for mum and sometimes for baby so I guess they decided that by 34 weeks the risks outweigh the benefits of using them) but I really really don't want to have this baby before January at least, want to get Christmas over and done with, plus a December baby would be the youngest in class at school which sucks really (cut off for school year is the calender year here)

Oh got a reply from the ask a midwife service - they said that measurements can vary according to baby's position so I guess basically not to worry too much? Not going to stop me worrying though! But I think that's my anxiety rather than rationality.

How you feeling today Nat? My bh have been quite painful this time it's not fun. I'm hoping baby stays put until Jan, it's just nicer to feel they have baked a little longer and you are more mentally ready for it.

Orange that was a hard read I'm so sorry you have suffered so badly. Your body is doing a great job at growing your baby though be proud of that. It's just making you suffer. I kind of see it as an allergic reaction to all the hormones needed to grow such perfect wee things and your wee boy will be. I'm in my second hg preg it will be my last though it's just too hard and like many on here suffer up until just after labour. It is not just morning sickness....... what does that even mean??? You don't just say to someone with a norovirus or food poisoning that it's just sickness . Any way ignore the idiots and glad you have a supportive partner.

How are you feeling today Just?

Was feeling ok until I carried the washing basket upstairs, that set off pain in my belly so I've decided now no carrying anything even remotely heavy. Also think I might extrapolate that to no more vacuuming and mopping or anything like that...

I think OH is going through a version of nesting our house is old and the sockets aren't grounded so he's started putting in safe grounded sockets. It is quite handy having an electrician for a boyfriend! Just hope he finishes soon because he's turning the house into a mess while doing it.

How are you doing Mustang one day overdue, any signs today?

No signs Natsku lol this baby seems pretty comfy. My pubic bone feels like it's trying to split in half so I'm assuming that's the prostaglandins softening everything for labour. Mini has another cold virus this time with a cough and a cracking temp, it really is one thing after another with him at the mo. He eats pretty healthy and gets a multivitamin everyday it's bloody annoying.

Yeah I think if you can get all the heavy lifting and more trying of the housework tasks taken care of you totally should. Oh a tradesman very handy although most my friends say they are a nightmare when it comes to doing things in their own house. Let him nest I say lol.

Oh dear, hope mini gets better soon before baby time! The pubic bone pain does sound like preparation for labour.

The midwife gave me some bits of paper and I just read them - basically when to go to the hospital and what will happen when I get there but I'm hoping they're out of date (probably, they're dated 2005) because it says when I get there, there will be 'the hair removal' (i.e. shaving pubic hairs) which I really don't want! Also the enema but that was still done when DD was born, might still be done now. And a shower so I guess I won't bother showering at home.

Oh my god that just made me want to curl up in a ball and die!!! Why remove pubic hair??? The enema not great but I can see why they might want to do that if they can saves extra mess. My body had a massive clear out before labour (tmi) but an enema would have been a waste lol. I also liked standing in the shower and letting the heat and pressure of the water on my lower back so if they are happy to let you just stand in there and Labour for awhile that sounds good.

I was supposed to get a sweep today which I cancelled as I just thought I'd rather just go naturally over the Christmas period if that doesn't happen I have one on the 27th but then I'm assuming they will be booking my induction that day as well. I'm relieved now considering how unwell mini is I'd have felt bad leaving him. Obviously it all could still happen naturally but I'm fine with that.

The enema was unpleasant last time but I reckon it did help with making the first post-birth poo easier as there wasn't so much to come! But noooo to removing the pubic hair, they didn't with DD so hopefully that was quite out-dated. I think I have vague memories of taking a shower there before changing into the hospital nightie and going up to the birthing room - probably really appreciated the shower after the enema

What would you think about having a Christmas baby? Would hate that! Hope you go naturally though and don't need to have an induction.

I know an induction seems likely at the mo. Meh what can you do I'd not love it for them but as they got older I'd maybe ask them if they wanted to celebrate on a different day.

I imagine a shower after an enema quite pleasant. You might be right on the first poo front especially with stitches and things. I'm a hair fan and it just seems so undignified for someone to come along and whack at it with a bic I'm hoping that's outdated for your sake.

Heard of some people celebrating the half birthday instead when they have a child born near Christmas.

Oh for crying out loud. I jus wrote a massive long post, commenting on what everyone has posted over the last few days and my phone freaked out and now it's gone. Curses. Hello everybody anyway! Natsku, I hope labour holds off for you. Your mw sounds like a horror. Mustang, I hope everything goes smoothly for you when labour starts. Hello to Orange and Harebell and to just - it's so unfair that you're still feeling so bad after trying all the different drugs. Shehz, hope your baby shower goes well, and Meadow, I'm glad your birthday went better than expected, though not being able to eat an Indian is torture!

I've been vilely sick all day after overdoing it yesterday. Going to get on the phone to the GP tomorrow to see if I can take more ondanestron and if she can extend my sickline - by "overdoing" it, I mean leaving the house and sitting in a car then sitting in a hall for three hours all in. No way will I be able to work in January. My throat is raw from vomiting too. Moan moan moan!

On the upside, I've bought Robert McFarlane's "Lost Words" for me baby

Mustang I'm cheering on mini2! Hope you manage to go natural and avoid Christmas Day
Feeling rubbish but thank you for asking, you're so sweet.

Natsku hope your pubes remain intact . I would quite like an enema beforehand though.

Goats you poor thing. Totally sympathise with how little is required to 'overdo' it. Definitely increase ondansetron if you can and get signed off longer. Definitely doesn't sound like you can work.

I'm having a shit day

How is everyone else today?

I expect I've asked this about 100 times already but did people take their meds as normal on GTT day? I keep forgetting to ask midwife and it's just after Christmas.

Hi Ladies, sorry havent had a chance to catch up much on new thread!
I was just wondering for those who are signed off sick from work, have any of you been referred to Occupational Health?
Had to call my boss to give her an update on whether I'll be back in work in January (because apparently I can see into the future) and she mentioned that long term absences have to be referred to Occ Health. But i really cant see the point for hyperemesis, because I cant see what adaptations they can make when I work in a school cuz I cant work from home, my breaks are set to when kids breaks are so I'm a bit miffed at the point of it to be honest and of course worried that like a lot of people the person I see won't understand the whole recovery/relapse thing with hyperemesis and the importance rest plays.