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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

985 replies

LucindaE · 22/06/2018 11:19

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.

Hyperemesis Support
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
LucindaE · 08/09/2018 21:40

Welcome to Unicornandbows and Chivari. Unicornandbows Iam sorry you feel so bad. Every half hour vomitng is awful. At this rate, you will soon be dehydrated. Have you got kesostix to check and see? They are good for checking the early stages of dehydration and are available from any chemists and they will admit you for fluids with a measurment of 3+. Have you got headache, dry skin, dry mouth and very scanty, 'builders tea' type urine? Have they got you on anti sickness meds? A good anti acid can make all the differnce. Are sugary drinks like flat coke or the juice of tinned fruit any good?

Chivari I am glad they have put you on Stemitil. Diarylite sound s good, ifyou can stand it. Interestingly, most can't. Crisps are a favourite, I think because salty foods, like sweet ones, seem to be te most bearable to most. A lot of women find that really good. If not, don't hesitate to ask for other meds. As above, a good anti acid can really help too and it's a good idea that you have some kesostix from any chemists to check for the early stages of dehydration.
Some drinks and foods that might help both. Flat full sugar coke, ice lollies, sips of the juice of tinned fruit, Dr Pepper, Lucoazade, fizzy orange, soda water, orange squash, fizzy water, Elderflower water, ice cubes, orange juce (if not too acid), lemonade, Robinson's fruit drinks and sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya). For food of a sort, cuppa soup, Scotch pancakes, baked potatoes, nibbles of crisps and chips, slices of melon and mango and cheap ice cream. Some swear by biscuits.

Great advice by Foodylicious and Hotchocolate. Smile [flowers)

OP posts:
Chivari · 09/09/2018 10:24

Thanks @LucindaE that is great advice! I had my urine tested yesterday and it was +1 so on the road to dehydration unfortunately. Tried my first meds this morning and for about 30 mins I felt back to normal which was heavenly but then have started to feel nauseous again. No sickness yet though....

Foodylicious · 09/09/2018 14:34

Chivari stick with it!
I think it has taken most of us 2-3 days on meds to feel like they have properly kicked in.

Chivari · 09/09/2018 18:57

Thanks @Foodylicious no sickness today which has been so nice. Been feeling nauseous all day though - bar the 30 mins the tablet works for. But managed to have a bit of bread and broth.

Any tips for dealing with the guilt trip with your loved ones? My DH has been amazing and looking after me all weekend but I feel so guilty I'm almost in tears as I feel I have ruined his weekend 😢

applesin · 09/09/2018 19:32

@LucindaE thanks, the cyclizine wasn't hugely effective last time but i didn't get a proper regimen sorted til much later and I'd been hospitalised last time. So I'm hoping it can help more now, it's still feeling hit and miss but slightly more bearable now so maybe it's helping a bit? I'm planning on seeing how I feel by Tuesday and going back to the dr but requesting a different one. Unfortunately I don't have much help but I think my in-laws could be drafted in if absolutely necessary - they're fairly willing but a lack a little in confidence. I'm definitely going for the "eat what I want" approach this time - last time I tried to be more healthy etc and ended up on an extremely restricted diet, pretty much baked potatoes and plain pasta, until about 25 weeks though the nausea remained for the duration.
@TwoDrifters my midwife is also at the GP surgery so that's no help though I could ask about being referred to a consultant if I got really desperate- last time I was under a consultant for mental health (HG exacerbated it). Or moving to a different midwife but I think the other one would be at the hospital which would be harder to get to. So there are options but I think I'll try and persevere with the drs for now and just see a different dr.
I do have some ondansetron from my last pregnancy which worked wonders. I'm saving it for extreme need though, I don't want to rely on what I have left only for it to run out and not be able to get any more. Hopefully I'll convince someone to prescribe it to me eventually.

LucindaE · 09/09/2018 21:52

Chivari I am glad this thread is helping. Great advice from Fooylicious.
applesin Sorry to bore on, but it might be worth phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 for advice on how best to get prescribed Ondansetron if Cyclizne isn't all that helpful.
Nobody should feel guilty about LO's. You wouldn't feel guilty if you had a broken leg (I hope). It's not your fault. It will be worth it, that's for sure.
TwoDrifters How are things? Hotcocolate, Lucybex and everyone?

OP posts:
beanhunter · 09/09/2018 22:05

I am really suffering with constipation despite lactulose and docusate. It’s making me not take my ondansetron which is then making sickness worse. Help.

LucindaE · 09/09/2018 22:22

beanhunter There are the suppositories from Boots, and I believe you can get a bowel rinsing out device online, which some women on this thread have found necessary. This sounds serious enough to ring the doctor about: they might have some suggestions. Emphasize you wish to avoid having impacted bowels, as can happen if it goes on too long and the treatment is unpleasant.

OP posts:
Sunandsea1 · 10/09/2018 07:43

I have dragged myself back to work last week but yesterday and today I experience an absolute setback. Can't move again!. I am 13 weeks... Is it possible it gets worse again before it gets better? I am scratching the bottom of the barrel.

Hotchocolate86 · 10/09/2018 07:59

I found it was quite normal to have a few good days and then be really ill again sunandsea. Especially once I got past the first few weeks where I was always really poorly. It always felt dreadful though as I had been hoping I was getting better so was always really disappointed by it.
Thanks for asking how I am lucinda. I’ve been having a rough few days. My nausea is pretty bad and I’ve had to up my tablets again to try and prevent any vomiting episodes. Also can hardly move due to what I think is spd. It feels different to last time though so I’m not quite sure. Still not much longer to go.

SeaEagleFeather · 10/09/2018 09:15

applesin could you go back to another doctor and take an advocate with you? Doctors sometimes listen better if someone else can explain that they've seen you upchucking 5 times in the hour.

chivari you should be able to take cyclizine and prochlorperazine together because they work in different ways (cyclizine and promethazine wouldnt work, but cyclizine and prochlorperazine should be fine). Cyclizine takes a few days to establish and it's not that strong - many people take it throughout the pregnancy and it helps quite a bit, if they get on with it at all - so I'm surprised the doctor didn't suggest taking it steadily.

mother Hen it's a little surprising that metoclopramide and ondansetron together was seen as odd because they -do- work in different ways so you'd expect a two-pronged attack to be a good idea. AFAIK there aren't any interactions between the two. Somehow cyclizine and ondansetron seem to be more commonly prescribed though.

applesin · 10/09/2018 12:11

@LucindaE I think I will call, yesterday I thought they might be helping and I'm not feeling amazing today but also noticing a lot of dizziness and they're definitely making me drowsy which isn't really ideal when I'm looking after my 2 year old. Thank God for YouTube is all I can say!

@SeaEagleFeather I haven't really got anyone to go with me, unless I manage to get a Friday afternoon appointment when my husband could go with me. I'll try that if I'm struggling to get anyone to take me seriously.

Is the dizziness on cyclizine normal? I really don't remember it being so bad last time. I've managed marmite on toast, a small glass of coke, and two cups of tea so far today which feels positive to me but still feel i need more fluids really.

@Sunandsea1 I find it can be really up and down, for me anxiety and stress is also a major trigger so trying to avoid that as much as possible is really important. Easier said than done I know.

SeaEagleFeather · 10/09/2018 17:45

it can be yeah, but dehydration will make you dizzy all on its own. It could be a combo of the two. If it's cyclizine-related it might pass in a couple of days

LucindaE · 10/09/2018 17:57

SunandSea I so agree with others; good days and bad days often follow each other in the early stages. If you went back to work too early can you get your sick note done again?
Hotchocolate That's dismal about the spd - what you don't need. Is there any chance of early physiotherapy for that. Sorry to hear you've had to up the meds for the sickness. This pregnancy has been tough - to put it mildly.
appleisn That does sound like not enough liquid, though congratulations on marmite on toast. If you do phone PSS while they have to phone you back, they are very helpful. That is a geat idea about advocates from SeaEagleFeather. [Mother Hen waves back madly to SeaEagleFeather ] Great advice as ever.

OP posts:
applesin · 10/09/2018 18:27

@LucindaE well I'm really glad I phoned as I've got a bit of a plan of action, and also there's a dr in my own GP surgery who's listed as being let if HG services in my area. I'm going to try and book an emergency appointment with them tomorrow, if they're working tomorrow. I may also ask to be referred to a consultant to take over my care, which is a city over but manageable if need be. Haven't really got the energy to fight but I really have to.

Yeah the lady on the helpline wasn't overly happy with my symptoms or fluid intake and recommended I call my EPU as it has a day unit for getting fluids. I couldn't get through though so I'll see how my attempts to see a dr go tomorrow. I've managed some more food and drink today. My wee isn't too dark but there's not much of it which is concerning, but I really don't fancy waiting hours for someone to call back from 111 or worse going to a&e.

Thanks for all your help and advice. Thanks

LucindaE · 10/09/2018 18:41

applesin I am glad that you are getting somewhere. Meanwhile, might ice cubes or ice lollies help at all?

OP posts:
beanhunter · 10/09/2018 18:51

Thankfully bowels happier today. Feel pretty lousy but only 1-2+ ketones so no point agitating as epau only see you with 3+.
Got my date through for unchallenged scan but it’s nit 7ntil I’ll be 13 weeks and it’s on my husbands birthday. As I had a Mmc diagnosed at that scan last time I’ll try and change the date I think.

Hotchocolate86 · 10/09/2018 18:54

lucinda the midwife offered me physio today but I said no as I am due to have a csection in 3 weeks and I figured by the time I got an appointment it wouldn’t be worth it. I do however have a tubigrip thing I was given in my last pregnancy that I’m using if I have to go out. The midwife said to keep up with the paracetamol but with being on cyclizine, ondansetron, ranitidine and my thyroid meds I’m hesitant to take too many. I’m sure I must rattle as I walk. It has been a tough pregnancy but I’m sure it will all be worth it in the end.
applesin I hope you manage to get some fluids tomorrow. They really do help.

applesin · 10/09/2018 19:02

@LucindaE I will try the ice cubes and lollies idea, got a good stash cos it was so hot! Only problem is the toddler comes to steal them lol. 

@Hotchocolate86 thanks, I will do my best. I think my best bet may be getting the GP to refer me to the EPU as it was impossible to get through to them today, I just couldn't get past the machine to a human.

silversplodge · 10/09/2018 20:49

Hi
I'm new here. I'm 10+2 and feeling so lousy.
Been admitted once so far and got a couple of bags of fluid, felt so much better although it was more of a side issue - really admitted as bleeding heavily and feverish.
I've been seeing my GP, who have been good about prescribing meds but quite dismissive about my having had 3 or 4+ ketones for a couple of weeks now. Apparently it is expected as I'm not eating and not remarkable in itself. I've had cyclizine, dissolvable stemetil and also had metoclopramide. Still losing weight and unable to leave bed despite this so have today been prescribed ondansetron too.
But I'm a bit weary to take. I've looked on the 'bumps' website about it and the info is less reassuring than for other meds - lots of uncertainty about cleft lip and heart defects. What do others think? I feel i'd almost prefer to just be admitted and topped up with fluid again, as un-fun as the 8 hour wait in a+e was for that last time (Apparently picked a REALLY bad time to go and it was rammed). I felt better for a good few days after last time.
I know it is used a lot on America but is it maybe better to wait until after 12 weeks to take when more critical development has happened?

applesin · 11/09/2018 10:52

Hi @silversplodge I'm sorry you're feeling so rubbish. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along after me, but i would really encourage you to take the ondansetron. As far as I am aware the information so far suggests that it is not likely to cause defects, I think in some of the cases they've looked at the women hadn't started taking it at the time the defect would have developed so it wasn't caused by the drug if you know what I mean?

All I do know is it's a really effective drug for nausea, is on the guidelines as a 2nd line drug (so not the first thing they'll give you, which is what they've done) and as far as they can tell - safe. Moreover your dr will have done a risk assessment for the risk of giving it to you versus the benefit to you. At this point, with how ill you are, making sure you are able to eat and drink is really important.

Here's a link from the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support on ondansetron:

www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/help/women-suffering/treatments/ondansetron/

applesin · 11/09/2018 10:53

@silversplodge also meant to say I took it in my last pregnancy and it made all the difference, I haven't been prescribed it yet this time but I want it - it's that effective (for me at least).

Chivari · 11/09/2018 10:55

Given up with the Prochlorperazine and started in Cyclizine which is so far so good! Feeling mostly normal today...if a little weak.

Thanks so much for everyone's support and encouragement.

Boredoftryingusernames · 11/09/2018 11:24

Silversplodge given that you are still losing weight and have tried several other medications I would also strongly advise you to take the ondansetron, losing weight and being ketotic obviously isn't good for you, especially when pregnant. I found the ondansetron at least allowed me to keep down enough food to halt the weight loss, although I still felt dizzy, nauseous etc.
Apparently the initial studies did show a potential increase in heart and palate issues, but later larger studies didn't find that. The results in the smaller study could have been skewed by a few babies in which these defects occured that may have had nothing to do with the ondansetron which made it appear like a side effect of the drug - if it was a drug side effect the larger studies would have found the same (and didn't). As you mentioned it is a frequently used drug in the USA.
Lucinda always says that in all the years of running this thread, and women on various drug cocktails, there has been no known issues relating to the drugs for the babies.
Obviously it's a risk/benefit decision for you, maybe calling Pregnancy Sickness Support and talking to one of their advisors would help you make the decision. Hope you start to feel better soon.
Not long to go now Foody and Hotchocolate, hang on in there! Hi Lucinda - all going well here!

beanhunter · 11/09/2018 11:29

Ondansetron makes everything better for me. However it has destroyed my bowels so am back to square one and taking nothing as cyclizine makes me dizzy

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