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.

Hurrah hotchoc - some good news :)

Thank you everyone. The good news is much appreciated.

Hello, apologies in advance for a long and self centred post! I would love some advice.

I'm 8+5 weeks and wondering if my sickness is bad enough to seek help or if I am just being a diva.

I have felt constant nausea since 5 weeks, it abates for couple of hours if I can eat a small meal (e.g. sandwich) which I do once a day but mostly I feel too sick to eat anything more than snacks. I guess I eat probably a third of the calories I would normally, and I'm losing weight. Don't have scales so not sure how much.

I'm vomiting about every other day, yesterday I had three sessions, reckon around 30 heaves (weird to count like that!). Day before two sessions and similar amount, just emptying stomach totally. I feel like throwing up a lot more but manage to 'hold it isn't.

So I am keeping some food and fluids down which makes me think it's not so bad. On the other hand I feel so weak and nauseated that I can't do much else than lie in bed. Can't stand being in the kitchen, cant face even walking downstairs to get lucozade!

My part time job as a gardener is really difficult and I'm missing jobs now as I don't have the energy to be using power tools and doing heavy work. And throwing up during a job isn't pleasant for me or my clients who work with me!

So basically I don't think I meet the criteria for hyperemesis as I can keep down food and water (probs 500ml a day stays in!). But is it normal to just feel constantly on the verge of vomiting, to the extent that you resist moving around the house?

Please feel free to say that's just pregnancy, I'm really trying to gauge whether I'll be laughed out of the doctors for complaining so will be okay to hear it here first!

Thanks for reading and respect to all of you going through such severe difficulties.

Pearcrumble That is certainly not making a fuss about 'just pregnancy sickness'. If you can't get out of bed, then it's serious. Do go and ask for meds and do recount those heaving sessions as doctors tend to count each heave as a vomit, for some reason...I didn't know that when I suffered. Emphasize on the phone that you are having trouble even keeping much liquid down to get an emergency appointment. Also, do buy some kesostix - while, as you will see from others, they are not always a reliable indication of dehydration, if you have 3+ ketones hospitals will take you seriously.
Some liquids that have helped others: ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, flat full sugar coke, ice cubes, soda water, Elderflower Water, fizzy water, lemonade, fizzy orange, orange squash, orange juice (if not too acid), Robinson's fruit drinks, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya), Lucoazade and Dr Pepper. Some foods of a sort: slices of melon or mango (some pulverise and freeze melon in ice cube trays and find that helpful), nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, tinned fruit (especially peaches), baked potatoes and Scotch pancakes.
Waves to all.

Pearcrumble sorry to hear you are feeling so bad! Lucinda gives great advice - I just wanted to echo that if you’re losing weight and can’t get out of bed and can barely keep anything down you are not being a diva at all and definitely need to go to the doctors. Some medication now could make a huge difference before it gets worse.

I’ve had a really rough few days - every time things get a bit calmer and I have a few days with only a couple of episodes of vomiting, I start to think it’s finally easing off and then it’s followed by a period of all day every day puking again 🤢

Hope everyone else is doing ok

Olivecake Sorry that you're having those bad days. I hope the good days get more and more. Good advice to Pearcrumble.

Olivecake What meds did you say you were on? Can they improve on them?

Hi how is every one doing pear crumble you are not being a diva go to the doctors for meds before it gets worse
Olivecake really hope you start to feel better soon I'm fed up to been sicking up blood this morning think it's left over from nose bleed from last night gross but nose and throat connected aren't they I'm fed up with doctors after the last one refusing to up my meds and saying it's just the heat everyone is nauseous and dizzy in this weather and sickness is just part of pregnancy.... Don't you hate these people... I know sickness is normal but being bed bound for a month is not. got12 week scan next week just praying to get some relief soon after that can't take much more of this hats off to you in third trimesters you aer absolute troopers hope you get some appearances soon from your little ones

Thank you very much @lucindae @olivecake@ttc2017 for your advice and reassurance!

Ttc I am sorry to hear that - very horrible. Do the GP's still refuse effective meds? When do PSS return - it's really bad they're off for a week.
Pearcrumble Do tell us how you get on.

I hope everyone is coping today. Here in Mid Wales, it is much cooler...

Weather continues cooler. How is Ttc and everyone?

Hope you’re having a lovely weekend Lucinda and enjoying the slightly cooler weather. It’s cooled down a little here too and is much more bearable.

I’ve actually been feeling not too awful this weekend, have been sleeping really well the last two nights which I think makes a huge difference. One thing that’s really bothering me is my swollen and sore gums, months of constant vomiting and brushing with only kids toothpaste have left them really puffy which gets me down - did anyone else experience this? Did they go back to normal after your sickness went away? I’m still not ready to go to the dentist as I’m gagging at even the thought of something being in my mouth but don’t want it to get worse :(

Hope everyone else like TTc and pearcrumble are doing ok this weekend and have managed to get help and meds

Hi glad u have had a better weekend olive I'm not sure about the gums I've had lots of bleeding from mine which is horrible and I to am avoiding dentist at moment.

Hi lucinda hope you have had a good weekend I had a day Friday where I felt slot better did a load of house work and thought it was finally lifting a bit but yesterday and today sickness has crept bad again and energy gone only actually being sick about once a day though it's just the nausea

I spoke to pregnancy support line they said same thing docs should give me the meds and they don't know why they being difficult about it but think I have to accept it I can't change it just got to ride it out and hope they next few weeks get easier.

I hope every one else is OK and had a good weekend x

I'm 40+2 today....mildly nauseous most of the time and vomiting some mornings.
My grandma (my mum's mum) suddenly became ill on Saturday and died on Sunday night. I was very close to her and I'm super emotional (and hormonal).
My mum is here with me to help out with childcare when I have the baby. My grandma lives a 3 hour flight away....the logistics of funeral planning are too much for me to comprehend. I don't think I'll be in any shape to get on a plane anytime soon either depending on how the birth goes (and when it happens!) I'm SO ready for this baby to arrive. Went 3 days over with my other 2 so I'm really hoping it's soon....

Hi ladies... hoping one or some might be able to talk me down from my panicked state.

I'm 3+4.. iv been hospitalised twice for dehydration so far. I'm on metoclopramide, ordansatron & cyclazine for my sickness.

This is my third pregnancy and first time suffering with HG. ( even carried twins first time round)

I had my 12 week scan and everything looked great and normal for that stage. Nuchal measurement was 1.2, so also really good. Went off to do my bloods and await results.

Results came back as low risk for downs at 1:165... despite the low risk notice I knew I was close to the cut off of 1:150 and I recal being 1:6500 with my son 6 years ago ( I'm 36 now)

I called the dr on my letter who advised that my Hcg levels were high, twice the level they would normally see at this stage ( hello.. vomit fest here) and my PAPPa was a little low which is why my risk number was at that level.

My question is.. do hg sufferers have this issue? Is hg linked to downs? Have any of you been through this?

I'm booked for the harmony test now privately on Thursday for more reassurance

Thanks in advance for reading and replying xx

Hi Ladies,

I hope you don't mind me joining the conversation without reading all 200+ posts. This is my first pregnancy and started feeling quite unwell at about 7 weeks with non stop nausea (it really is 24/7), vomiting, loose stools, extreme exhaustion, dizzy spells when standing up (probably due to dehydration). Deep down I knew I could not go to work. I can manage the days only when lying down flat (I know this sounds melodramatic but it is just the truth). I went to the GP to get some meds which he did and on top signed me off work for 2 weeks but I feel so guilty to leave my team hanging it upsets me quite a bit. How have you managed sickness and work?

Welcome to Sunandsea and kmreeve
Sunandsea Really sorry you are sufering badly. Lying down is the best treatment, along with effective anti sickness meds. Which did they give you? An anti acid can really help. Unfortunately, people do tend to be off for a good few weeks with this. Don't feel guilty; it's serious and you can't help it. Don't try and struggle back too early; that's a mistake too many women on here make, only to have to go off again. Some liquids that might help: ice lollies, flat full sugar coke, the juice of tinned fruit, ice cubes, soda water, fizzy water, Elderflower Water, lemonade, Lucozade, Dr Pepper, orange squash, fizzy orange, orange juice (if not too acid), sips of chocolate milk shake (maybe soya), and Robinson's fruit juice. For foods of a sort, cuppa soup, nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, baked potatoes, Scotch pancake and slices of melon and mango.
kmreeve I am sorry about your worry. The other test results sound good though. I am not a chemist, or medically trained, so I couldn't say - but I wonder if the chemicals somehow associated with Hyperemesis do have an effect on the results? I do know a few people on this thread have had seemingly high risk of Down's for their age- in my case, I had the same risk as a woman seven years older than my age, I was 36 and had a 1 in 33 risk, the same as at 43 (all was well but the wait is dismal). In those days, they could only do CVS or an amnio,but I believe they have other tests now - sorry, it is a long time since I suffered (my daughter is 24 on 23 of this month).

It is certainly frustrating to have had with a twin pregnancy without Hyperemesis, and then to get it with a singleton. I hope your latest hospitalisation was your last. On some drinks that might help, as above. Do you findan anti acid helpful? Has the doctor given you a laxative for the dismal constipation which accompanies using Ondansetron?
Ohiwa I am so sorry for your loss. It is extra hard to endure,not being able to go to the funeral. Might it help to plant a tree in honour of her memory, with the Woodland Trust in hername, or if you have enough space - at home? I found that a minor comfort. All good luck for baby arriving soon. Do keep us informed.
Olivecake I am glad you are sleeping better. I honestly don't know about swollen gums. Mine bled a lot, like Ttc's, but didn't swell. I hope someone can advise you. Ttc I am sorry that Pregnany Sickness Support didn't have more concrete advice than that! Was it you who said that you were very petitie and had other health issues which limited the amount of meds suitable?

Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

LucindaE

Thanks for your reply! I was horribly constipated but iv been taking a teaspoon of lactulose and nibbling ( when I can) on liquorice.. it's helped a lot! I'm on prescription landoprazole for heartburn ( the type that dissolves on the tongue) so far no heartburn - yay!

My risk was 1:165 with chemical breakdown as follows:
bHCG: 2.4
PAPPa: 0.5
Nuchal 1.2mm

I'm just hanging on till Thursday for the harmony test... and then the results...

kmreeve

Geneticist not medic, but no, HG is NOT linked to downs or any other genetic condition. HG is probably heavily genetics influenced but it’s not linked to any trisomy.

There is a theory that some cases are linked to higher HCG or higher sensitivity to HCG but that doesn’t mean that HG and downs are linked.

The risk just on your age alone is 1:270 or 1:200 depending on whether you will be 36 or 37 at term, so this is only a slight increase in background risk for you. If it helps, 1:165 is roughly an 0.6% chance. When you turn it around like that it’s maybe a little more comforting?

Good luck with your harmony test, hope it goes well and because waiting isn’t easy.

I should also say that weight goes into that calculation (although weight doesn’t affect the risk at all, the bloods need to be calibrated.)

I do wonder (and this is purely my own speculation!) if the weight changes seen just over the week or two between bloods being drawn and the calculation being plugged in and the possibility of slightly higher HCG do skew risks for women with HG. I know my weight was dropping by 1-2kg a week at that stage and that would affect the probability even though it has no bearing on the real outcome.

Note that that’s NOT the same as the actual risk changing, but it might give an artificially high risk factor. It would be very interesting to look at in the light of what lucinda says about HG sufferers having inflated risk numbers.

(Mother hen you have probably figured out which name I was under here before but I’d be very grateful if you don’t mention it - the feminism board has been under attack by some very unpleasant types trying to out women recently and I de regged and reregistered to ensure anonymity.) xx

I'm assuming ( as I'v absolutely no knowledge on this) that high hcg is what triggers HG?

We actually don’t know. It’s been one of the possible suspects for a while but only some women with HG have elevated HCG.

www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/03/researchers-converge-possible-cause-severe-morning-sickness

Two specific genes have been implicated but we still don’t know the mechanisms behind it.

I suspect that it will have multiple causes.

It's a pain in the arse either way!! 🤣

It is! I’m 38 weeks now and it eased off a bit after 20 and is now back with a vengeance... it’s awful.

Hope it works out for you :)