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.

Foodylicious Ice cream seems ideal in this heat!
crescentmooned Welcome back to a brave veteran. What was your user name before? Don't despair, as you remember well, that first tri is the worst, even for the unlucky ones for whom it continues, and you say you got relief last time. Can they give you anything stronger than cyclzine as it doesn't sound as if it's helping as much as it might? I am sure you remember my blurb about flat full sugar coke, the juice of tinned fruit and ice lollies etc from before. Are you monitoring with kesostix? A good anti acid can make a big difference, too. How are the childcare arrangements? Sorry - this seems to be a questionnaire.

Not a rant at all cresentmooned

And other people are just knobs. It's not our fault.

Glad you have the cyclizine early. Mine started a little earlier this time (5 weeks) a d would have got more out of hand if I hadn't started Promethazine so soon (7weeks)
I was off work weeks 6-12 last time and thankfully this time I was already on AL around week 6.

I'm 29 weeks now and can't remember when it stopped being so shit, but it did ease off a while ago. Well, relative to those first few weeks of hell.

How long have you been on the cyclizine for?
Can you up the dose or go back to docs if it's not working enough?

Thanks, yes I remember! Just ordered the sticks off amazon and just be able to have ice lollies today, spent most of it sleeping to be honest. It has been hard, we don't have anyone to help with childcare as we live away from family but my husband is very flexible and has been amazing, though it is extremely tough. I have been on cyclizine for a week, the GP did mention zofran? But last time I still had the gagging, some vomiting and constant nausea so I am not sure if any meds actually can rid it fully? What I am worried about is that I can't remember if it just gets worse and worse? I suppose that is just something I have to wait out and see. I know last time I had some relief 20-32 weeks and then hit me with vengeance at the end. I really feel for everyone suffering, it is awful and so isolating

crescentmooned I do feel for you. It isn't fair! I so agree with Foodylicious feel free to moan all you like. That's what this thread is for. A lot of people find Ondansetron a life saver, as long as they're given something for the constipation that is a side effect, like Lactulose. I am glad OH can help a bit and that it got better for you for at least the middle bit of pregnancy last time. Unfortunately, it can come back at the end, though never as badly as in the first tri. I am afraid that most meds often stop the vomiting, but not the nausea. It does vary between people and meds. Sorry to bore on abut anti acids, but they can make a difference. It is a long haul. But your LO will have a priceless gift in a sibling. I wish I had gone for it twice.
Foodylicious Great advice. I am glad it is at least less hellish for you now.

Hi been hiding away worse then ever then ended up in hospital on drip yesterday and today started bleeding brown bloodim so scared they won't see me til Thursday to scan me as nature has to take it course either way really hope this bleeding stops never had this before

@Ttc2017 oh that sounds so scary and horrible - I’ve heard lots of ladies experience some brown blood though and it doesn’t mean the worst, brown blood means old so could be some left over blood from implantation. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you’ll get good news at the scan. Hope you’re at least feeling a little better after the drip? Getting those fluids back can make a big difference.

@LucindaE instead of the drinks they gave I just followed your advice with regular alpro chocolate soya milk and it’s been the only thing I can drink for the past two months - has to be icy cold and with a straw but it’s pretty much saved me so I should thank you for that!

Hope everyone is coping in this heat - I’m blasting fans and covering myself in ice packs.

Hi ttc. I had brown bleeding in my last pregnancy and it was terrifying but things turned out ok. It’s very scary but it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. Fingers crossed for you.
I have been on holiday this last week. It was cooler where we were which was lovely. We had to take it very slowly though as I couldn’t do much due to feeling queasy.
I haven’t caught up on all the posts from the last week yet. Sorry to hear about everyone that is suffering. It is very difficult in this heat to feel so sick as well.

Ttc That is so upsetting and horrible waiting. As others say, brown blood is less to be alarmed about. I know when I miscarried the brown blood turned to bright red very quickly. I amsorry you have to wait for the scan. Hugs.
Olivecake I am so glad that you found that tip helpful! Milkshakes are very nutritious, soya being full of protein, so that's excellent. Waves to
Hotchocolate and everyone.

My goodness, I do feel for Hyperemesis sufferers in this heat. It was a summer like this when I was expecting DD, but I was only suffering from residual heartburn that occasionally made me vomit by the time it got really hot.

I know what you mean Lucinda, the heat definitely isn’t helping with either the sickness or the dehydration. I feel like such a Scrooge but really would just love for some cooler days! I’m feeling slightly more positive today as I hit 14 weeks so officially out of the first trimester, so starting to feel like I’m getting somewhere. Just hope the hyperemesis starts to let up at some point!

Hope your scan goes well today Ttc2017 thinking of you.

Olivecake Much sympathy. It's perfectly sensible to wish for rain. The crops are failing due to the lack of it, and of course, this is true even more on the continent. It seems the Gulf Stream failed this year. I think we need a rain ceremony!

Hello ladies! I’m so glad I’ve found this thread.. boy have I been suffering! This is my first pregnancy and I’m 21w1d. I’ve been suffering with hyperemsis since week 7. Had to go through a few different GP’s before I found one that didn’t tell me to “just ride it out”! I was given cyclizine which worked for about 6 days only. I was then given prochlorperazine followed by metoclopramide neither of which did anything for me. Switched gp’s again and my current dr signed me off work at the end of April. He gave me promethazine to try which stopped most of the vomiting but just completely knocked me out! Also left a hideous taste in my mouth which meant I didn’t want to eat or drink anything. At 13 weeks I rushed to a&e as I woke up with to some bleeding. Spent hours in there and then they tried to just fob me off until they tested my urine which had high levels of ketones. I was put in a drip and given an anti-d shot as I’m rhesus d neg. ableeding was an apparent tear from all the vomiting I’d been doing. Dr has not prescribed me anything further and I stopped taking the promethazine because that stopped working too. I’ve been signed off workthis entire time and my MH has been plummeting to say the least. My hubby works on the 3 big cycling tours in Italy, France and Spain which started in May so he’s away a month at a time and home a few weeks in between. He is amazing and did fly back when I had the bleeding in May but it is so hard being this ill and being on your own. He’s offered to not do the final tour in Spain but I won’t let him especially as I’m not working and earning. I’ve really been panicking about being off work and am worried they might just sack me before I can take maternity leave. My vomiting has gone down to about 3-5 times most days but the nausea is still horrendous and I get awful headaches and lightheadedness every day now. Have any of you been signed off for the whole of your pregnancy?

I have to say, there were times I wanted to terminate this pregnancy which I’m not proud of but my hubby was told that his chances of getting me pregnant were pretty much zilch and we tried for about 8 months before we basically kinda gave up and then bam! So awful as I was feeling I knew I couldn’t give up.

I’ve seen everyone talking about odansetron - I have a MW appointment on Tuesday and I’m going to ask her about trying it.

Thanks ladies and well done all of you for getting through this awful condition! Only thing that keeps me going is feeling my little feisty one kicking me all day but to be honest that sometimes makes me feel even more sick!

P.S. sorry for the long ranty post 😅

JoeBridg Welcome. I am sorry you have had such a dreadful time.
It is very isolating, so I do feel for you with your OH being away . You will find much support on here. Ondansetron certainly has helped very many on here. But do ask for a laxative - a side effect is dreadful constipation.
Also, an anti acid can really help with the nausea. Not sure if you're on one? Have you got kesottix just in case you get really ill again - you can get them from any chemists. At this stage, you know what liqids/foods suit you. Some that have helped people on here: flat full sugar coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Elderflower water, soda water, fizzy water, lemonade, fizzy orange, Lucoazade, Dr Pepper, orange juice (if not too acid), orange squash, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya) and Robinson's fruit drinks. Foods of a sort:
nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, tinned fruit, Scotch pancakes, baked potatoes, cuppa soup and slices of melon and mango.
Everyone: I have to go to a jolly funeral, and should be back on Sunday. Meanwhile, wonderful Mustang has promised to look in now and then and hold the fort (form the Pink Castle at the end of the Hyperemesis journey). Do take care in this heat.

Agree with u this heat is hell! Scan went all well saw heartbeat and baby fine have stopped actually being sick so guess meds are helping that but the nausea and death feeling is still unreal still don't feel I can leave house or do anything as feel constantly sick and tired it's so isolating isn't it no one under stands how bad it is except you guys can't wait to be as far along as you are olive I keep praying for this trimester to end every day feels like a week and I'm wishing my days away at the moment which is horrible

So glad to hear the scan went well TTc! Seeing that little heart beating away makes you realise this will all be worth it one day.

I completely know what you mean about being isolated and wishing the days away, I’ve been off work and on bed rest since beginning of June. I’m bored out of my mind and barely see or even speak to anyone as I just don’t even have the energy for visitors, plus all my family and
Most of my friends (besides my boyfriend who is here) live in a different country so I’ve been feeling very alone and sorry for myself. I think I’ve watched almost the whole of Netflix!! I do find ticking away the days does help, looking forward to each new week and looking online or in books at how the baby is developing each week helps me to focus at least a little. Plus this group is always great for a moan and some support!

JoBridg sounds like you’ve been suffering horribly - Lucinda’s advice is amazing and I’ve found it to be a big help to me, and hopefully some better medication will help
With your suffering. I’ve been off work around 2 months now and can’t see myself going back any time soon unless things dramatically improve. Being off work does make me feel quite guilty and anxious to my boss and colleagues but there is literally no way I could work right now and my doctor completely forbids it (they also said I should stay in bed 24/7 pretty much so definitely no working!) has your work at least been understanding? Mine have been and they hired a temp to replace me whilst I’m off which gives me some peace of mind too.

Lucinda sorry to hear about the funeral, Hope it goes ok

Lucinda I'm sorry about the funeral, hope it goes as well as it can. Thank you for your advice. Some of the things you've mentioned have worked. I definitely find it easier to keep fruit down more than anything else. I also have a bottle of freshly squeezed lemon juice which I have little drops of to help with the taste in my mouth. I sometimes mix it with a bit of Himalayan salt water and that seems to give me temporary relief. I'll ask the doctor about everything you've mentioned. I do take Gaviscon but it doesn't seem to help much.

Olivecake I'm sorry you're in such a bad way as well! It is a little bit comforting to know that there are others who are off work. How far along are you now? The guilty feelings do keep plaguing me but I keep trying to remind myself that this is probably the only time I'm going to be pregnant and I have my whole life to work! My work have been understanding for the most part but they haven't hired a replacement so they are struggling and do keep asking me pretty much every week if I might be coming in so I find that a bit difficult to deal with. I have basically been in bed most of the time as well. Things seem to be a tiny bit better if I lay still.

Hopefully things will get better for all of us and we'll be able to get some good enjoyment out of our pregnancies 🤞🏽

Hey ladies, how is everyone doing? Hopefully the rain has brought cooler weather for all and we are all managing a bit better.

Back, everyone. The funeral (and wake) wasn't too bad as those things go, thanks for asking everyone, when suffering from the horrors of Hyperemesis.
Ttc Good news about scan. It is a question of etting through each day in the first tri, nobody could enjoy life in such a state.
JoBridg I am so glad that some of the advice has helped. Tinned fruit - especailly peaches - has been a life saver for many on here. Gaviscon made me vomit amazing pink foam now and then, I remember. Ranitidine and Omprazole are generally thought by sufferers to be a lot more helpful in the way of anti acids.
Olivecake Thank you. Good advice. I saw some really interesting old silent films of Netlix when I was staying with my daughter a few months ago. I am glad your workplace have hired a temp and that must make you feel less stressed about being away. The doctor is wise. Bed rest is the best thing for this, if you can possibly do it.
Lovely Mustang Thanks so much for watching over things in my absence.
I hope your lovely boys are thriving.

Im back. Im now 18wks. I am sick at least once every day first thing then have 2 or 3 days a week where it is non-stop all day and i cant eat or drink anything. Because of the sickness i cant keep my other meds down; antidepressants, diabetes, vitamins etc so im freaking out a bit. Im going to my gp tomorrow to see what she suggests. Currently on cyclizine. But i cant work out when is best to take it. I have tried setting my alarm 30mins early and taking it then getting up later. I have tried taking it first thing with a plain biscuit. But I can always taste it when im sick. What is best? What do you think she will recommend? A different medication?

Hi ladies. How are you all?

Think I may have finally found a medicine that works touch wood down to around vomiting 3x a day now and only up 2x in night. Which is a huge improvement. Helped my hernia and ripped muscles settle down too.

So Ondansetron and its horrible side effects. Anyone have any tips? I never realised how painful trapped wind can be. Not to mention the constipation.

Its nice to not have a concaved stomach anymore though. Even if it is just bloat

I also have had my booking in appointment with the midwife. Who was so lovely. Reccomended I get on the books for the maternity mental health team. Not because I wanted / needed it. More she recognised being bedbound is isolating and lonely and puts you at high risk of being depressed. So wanted to keep an eye out.

Which I am sure you are all recognising from your posts. So ladies who are feeling this. I would deffo mention it. As they have been so helpful. Its reassuring to know its there if needed.

Has anyone else also been placed as high risk due to HG? Threw me a little to be honnest. But sure few changes to birth plan I wanted isnt end of world.

Back, everyone. The funeral (and wake) wasn't too bad as those things go, thanks for asking everyone, when suffering from the horrors of Hyperemesis.
Ttc Good news about scan. It is a question of etting through each day in the first tri, nobody could enjoy life in such a state.
JoBridg I am so glad that some of the advice has helped. Tinned fruit - especailly peaches - has been a life saver for many on here. Gaviscon made me vomit amazing pink foam now and then, I remember. Ranitidine and Omprazole are generally thought by sufferers to be a lot more helpful in the way of anti acids.
Olivecake Thank you. Good advice. I saw some really interesting old silent films of Netlix when I was staying with my daughter a few months ago. I am glad your workplace have hired a temp and that must make you feel less stressed about being away. The doctor is wise. Bed rest is the best thing for this, if you can possibly do it.
Lovely Mustang Thanks so much for watching over things in my absence.
I hope your lovely boys are thriving.

Pob13 Do defintely ask for more effective meds. That sounds awful. There are several they might recommend. An anti acid might help too. I hope others might be able to recommend the best method of taking them. I think they are just being careful with the 'high risk' description.
Notquiteagandt Can the doctor prescribe a laxative such as Lactulose? Don't let it go too long so you don't have to have painful treatment to flush out the bowels. Again, an anti acid might help. I am glad the Ondansetron is helping a reasonable amount.

@LucindaE so they suggested increasing the cyclizine to 3 times a day. So should i just take it religiously regardless if i feel ok or not? Maybe thats where i am going wrong.

From all I have hard, defintetly. It's effect builds up, I believe.

I'm back to spewing up my own saliva again and so dizzy and weak I'm in bed how do you know when you should go back for fluid at hospital I'm sure I must be dehydrated not been able to swallow water for days all I can swallow is apple juice which probably not great just drinking that although not drinking huge amount. Back to only being able to stomach burnt toast and even that makes me feel sick sorry for a whingey post but feeling very fed up been crying and feeling like this is never ending. My house is an absolute mess and I'm usually so on top of clutter and dirt kids have been eating every where and any where and I haven't had the energy to clear up after them my mum has been a great help but I can tell she is getting fed up with this now and I am to. Ten weeks now but that still seems like such a little way in the grand scheme of things keep promising the kids I will make it up to them when I'm better but God knows when that will be I really thought week 9 was the worse and I had turned the corner but apparently not it's continuing to get bad again.