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.
On my image of a pink castle: that is an image I use because when I was little, my family had a Snakes and Ladders board with an image on the last square of a pink castle in the clouds. As Hyperemesis is so like a grotesque version of Snakes and Ladders - eat a meal, go up a ladder, first thing in the morning bile run, down a snake - I have used the image of that pink castle on the last square of that Snakes and Ladders board as a metaphor for the happy end of Hyperemesis.

eallison Goodness, that treatment has been so generally poor, I am glad that you have been told by the consultant now that you will be prescribed steroids. As others say, from all I have seen on this thread, your boy won't even remember this, and there can be no better gift than a sibling. I do wish I had gone for it again. You did the right thing.
Wise words from TwoDrifters Jsjourney, Reastie and Evejacksxxx.
MauisLeftNipple Well done on putting threee to bed last night. I hope you got some rest then.

I’m sorry it’s so tough @eallison.

If you read back I had similar battles as an inpatient to get the care and steroids I needed. They were reluctant as I didn’t have loads of ketones despite the fact I was losing weight and dehydrated and couldn’t stand up. There is some reluctance to prescribe them in the first trimester as there is some evidence they can interfere with the babies development. How many weeks are you now? I started them at 11 as a compromise but only after a week of being an inpatient. I still had 4 days of needed fluids as an outpatient after that but it was def the start of things improving. I was started on a low dose and then increased after 48hrs.

Afm I am missing my steroids. Back to vomiting and being exhausted though still able to drink and keep some food down but it’s crap.

bean I'm sorry you're feeling so rubbish. Just as I was giving up hope of any progress tonight, the consultant I spoke to earlier came back (6.30pm - she'd been in surgery and came straight to me when she'd finished). With no drama she told me that she'd spoken to a colleague and I would be starting steroids tonight, with a weeks prescription and a review next Friday. She was at pains to make clear that it was not limited to a week, but she wanted to review it regularly. I had a little cry of relief. Within 20minutes a nurse gave me my first dose. I'm having oral only, they want to observe first 3 doses but reckon I should be able to go home tomorrow. This combined with a couple of hours with my son (who basically spent the whole time charming everyone and winning biscuits left right nd centre!!) Has resulted in me feeling so much more positive. I feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel now. And I got another look at the wee thing causing all of these problems! S/he was waving this time, rather than hiding and keeping it's back to the sonographer (Like yesterday!). So that's a boost as well. It's been interesting that the consultant today was confused why yesterday's consultant had ordered the tests he had. And the sonographer doing today's scan of liver/kidney/stomach/etc was unsure as well, said it's not normally done in hyperemesis cases. So a little frustrating that a different consultant yesterday might have sped things along.

A note of recommendation: if you end up in hospital, do make use of the chaplaincy service today. One of the chaplains basically spent the day with me today, around when hubby was here. She came with me to my scan, kept me company while I waited and generally kept me sane. No pushing of any religion or even prayer. Just a calm listening ear. So don't feel alone if you're admitted to hospital. Ask for the chaplaincy to be called and they will come to you and spend time listening to cry about how awful everything is.

I can't remember if I said that I was moved out of my side room this morning into a ward with 2 other women (and an empty bed so possibly someone else). So I'm not particularly hopeful of much sleep, but at least I know i should be in my own bed tomorrow.

I hope everyone else is feeling as well as possible. Another day done ladies, well done!

Good news. What dose are you on? If they help but still vomiting you shouldn’t have to wait a week to increase dose.
I’m alright. Just crap to be vomiting again. I’m still so much better than I was.

10mg prednisole, I think.

10mg once a day? If so there’s no way that will be enough. I started on 5 3x per day but didn’t get relief until I went to 10mg 3x per day and had to fight hard for it.

No, sorry, seems to be 10mg 3 times a day (I've had two 10mg doses so far). I've definitely had much better nausea overnight and thus morning. I even ate buttery toast (which was a sure puke trigger) after my secind dose at 2.30am today. So I think it's working! Breakfast will be a good test, tho my nausea is always best at the start of the day then gets progressively worse throughout the day.

That’s good x

Eal, so pleased that you are finally getting the help and support you need!!

I, stupidly, forgot.to collect my prescription from my drs yesterday so will run out tonight. I have spoken to 111 who said if I have the box with my name on or the green prescription thingy, I can get an emergency supply from the pharmacy.... Sadly I threw the boxes away last week when I cleaned my bag!!! So now waiting on OOH appointment.

So I was rehydrated the other day at hospital and had some IV anti emetics
I'm not having much luck today on the ondesetron and I feel worse now then I did last time with the drip which was required
They kept saying to me to come straight back if I feel bad because it's important to make sure my kidneys aren't put under pressure
I don't know what to do because it's really really uncomfortable at hospital and they ddI say they would want me to stay in (which I can't do I just have a real emotional block with hospitals?)
I was on a bench chair in the a&e last time
They were so nice to me but it was really uncomfortable
Then I was in a soft chair which made a huge difference but I was actually without a curtain and it's horrible being sick in front of people
If I feel as bad or worse then I did with 3+ ketones what do you think?
Is it too early to ring the EPU to dis diss with them?
I would rather avoid a&e also from an infection control perspective

At my worst (when not in hospital) I was in for fluids every other day.

shouldi definitely call the EPU, this is the sort of thing they are there for. Don't leave it too late. They should also be able to provide you with some ondansetron. Please give them a ring, and if can, let us know how you get on.

The steroids are amazing. Had 3 doses and I feel like a new woman. Part of that is definitely the endorphin high of not feeling constantly sick. But the steroids have made a huge difference. Consultant has just been round nd confirmed that I'm going home today, back on Friday for a review. Trust policy is steroids can be prescribed for up to 10 weeks, but if possible they'd like to avoid the full 10 weeks - which is fine with me, if I don't need them I don't want them!

@eallison88 oh gosh that's great news but also an extreme measure to have to take in order to control the vomiting. It's so tough isn't it?

Re : ondesetron. I have 84 pills of it at home but it's not been doing a fabulous job. I just feel haggered.
It says on the trust website they deal with bleeding etc but no mention of HG
So I'm sort of not sure what to do.
I could call them and ask but I'm not sure if they can help and I do feel quite embarrassed
I think if I feel like my heart is pounding again later then I'll go up to hospital
I am so afraid of getting an infection in canula site as I had multiple very serious infections in my last pregnancy although it was from another source

Shouldi definitely ring them because if they can’t help they wiuod know where to direct you to where they could help. Some hospitals have a special hg clinic (is that the right word? I’m not sure) that they may get you to ring. I know exactly what you mean about staying in hospital being a mental anxiety issue for you as I’m the same (although for probably different anxiety based reasons). All I can say is I wiuod have thought the earlier in the day you get in the less likely to stay. It’s such a shame we can’t do fluids at home as that would make it so much more straight forward! But even kate Middleton ended out having to go to hospital.

Eal that’s fantastic they’re working so well, it mist seem like such a relief. It’s sad that you had to go through the low to get them though.

shouldi as others have said, ring the EPU for advice. Either they can help or will know where you need to go. And go during the day as that will be infinitely better than ending up on a&e on a Saturday night!!

💕💕💕 thanks all
Ill keep you posted x

Just discharged and going home. Looking forward to a good sleep!

Hurrah!

All snuggled up in bed, an hr after taking my meds late (by an hour, too busy with DD) and dinner is staying down. Bedtime is done, and now I can chill, on my own, audio book on.

Such a contrast to when I took my meds late 2 weeks ago!!! Is this a good sign? I bloody hope so!

I got my medication sorted easily earlier - Dr called up and left me a prescription for 20 tablets, although it took 4 pharmacies and an hrs wait to finally get the medication in my hands.

Realised I'm running out of pills and docs said they wouldn't be available until weds so I've been taking 2 a day instead of 3 and haven't been sick!! So happy.

shoulddoitspoiltI so hope you get the advice and reassurance you need. Much sympathy about horrors and feeling so bad. I hope this time you get a bit more privacy if you do have to go in.
eallison Good news.
beanhunter It was awful for you when you had to go in every day. I'm glad things are a lot better than that, now, but sorry sickness persists.
SassehMonsta Oh good! Enjoy the audio book.
MrsReader That is good news.
Generally better news all round today, then.
I am going to have to flap over to Denbighshire to stay with my brother for a few days. However, while I am away, lovely Blondeshavemorefun will be checking in on the thread. She suffered throughout, and has an adorable baby girl now.

Sorry, I posted that too soon. I meant to say that I will be back on 22 nd November. Look after yourselves, everyone. Blondeshavemorefun
just for you

sasseh that's a very good sign, I'm so pleased to read it!

Oh mrsreader that's annoying, you poor thing! I hope you're managing and it's not too difficult.

shouldi I hope you've got the care that you need.

I just ate food. Actual lamb. And actual roast potatoes, roast parsnip aaaand roast carrot! Aaand, I'm not battling to keep it down. Struggling not to get giddy and carried away with myself.

Hope everyone has a peaceful night.

Aww @eallison88 that's great! Sounds yummy. I'm starting to think of eating better now, better late than never lol

Have a nice time with your brother Lucinda

It's funny that this time I'm actually preferring fairly healthy food, whereas last time healthy food was a disaster zone! Don't beat yourself up about what you manage to eat mrsreader. As the consultant said to me yesterday "salt, sugar, water, that's what the body needs". Yes There are more healthy was of achieving that and less healthy... But if you're achieving it (despite your bodies best efforts!!).