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.

reastie yep state school so fingers crossed I'll be ok.

kleino I'm my first pregnancy the ondansetron helped with both the feeling and being sick. And I'd agree with blondes on eating thru the nausea if you can - actually puking food is much easier than your stomach turning itself inside out to try and empty every last ml of bile. Plus your body will get something out of the food before it comes back if it does. Every little helps!!

Most if not all of my vomiting this week and last has been either small amount of bile (even though stomach full of food) or just dry heaving. Its ridiculous and vile. Today though I have eaten edamame peas/beans, some poppy seed crackers, and a banana. I must have had a sandwich for breakfast or maybe some English muffins now that I can actually eat margarine again.

I hope this baby is ok. Find out on Friday at next scan/dating scan second time round. I am inexplicably nervous.

I think it's totally normal to be nervous sasseh. It's not like our pregnancies give us much peace of mind!

Hi everyone hope it’s okay to jump in here, been reading this thread and honestly don’t know how everyone can do this.

I’m only around 6 weeks and been sick for 2 been diagnosed with HG today and was prescribed cyclizine, was told that I need a repeat urine test tomorrow and if no improvement I will be admitted. I am absolutely terrified and I don’t know how to cope right now this feeling is horrible and it’s so early it makes me think such horrible things I just don’t know how to do this!

Thanks blondes and eallison for the comments.
Lostnames- I know how you feel. It was awful going through it the first time and as I didn’t know what to expect it was less daunting in some ways than this time and thinking what might be ahead. Did the hospital put you on an IV drip? First time around I had back to back drips and a shot of cyclizine and it gave me a good 24 hours of feeling great. I decided not to take the tablets they prescribed as I was too paranoid but I would advise you take whatever meds they give you. Also if you are vomiting lots and unable to sip water go to the hospital, don’t delay. The pregnancy sickness support helpline/website are great. Even just to chat to someone. Or of course the ladies on this forum who have been so great.
I am finding I am very low at the moment too as I am panicking about what might be coming but I guess just take it each day and keep on the meds. If they don’t work push for another type.

Hey how is everyone? I just keep getting cold sore after cold sore! It’s so annoying, I must be deficient in something from not eating enough. I have dropped down to 1 ondansetron a day (I’m 16 weeks) seem to be coping ok but feel exhausted. Work wrote a letter confirming that if I wasn’t back after my sick note ended, I would have another meeting with them to discuss my welfare and what support they can offer 😢 Feeling a little bit under pressure to go back. I mentioned a phased return the dr had suggested and they’ve put in the letter that I said the dr recommends a phased return? They also said I said it was hard to assess my triggers. I didn’t say that, I said it was hard to avoid them. I tried to explain the prospect of relapse if I return too early but they’ve put ‘you said tiredness triggers your sickness so you are anxious about returning to work’ I know my rights are protected but just making me nervous.

I see the midwife Thu, gp said she will probably do a doppler because I had thrush that seemed to clear up but then bled ever so slightly after sex and had more discharge and mild cramping. Hoping it’s just body moving.... but had to give them a HVS as well. Why’s it so nerve wracking! X

Forever I think spotting after sex is quite common. I had that last time and it scared me so much I was too scared to have sex again for months! But of course it was all ok. Sorry you’re having work issues, it’s very difficult isn’t it as my triggers other than smell, food, cooking are tiredness, anxiety and stress and just by returning to work I will increase the final three issues straight away. If it helps I spoke to citizens advice today and they said if my usual work duties cause a worsening in my symptoms I can request other duties under health and safety in pg. but I can’t say if the duties they give me would give me less anxiety and stress as I suffer with these a lot anyway! I’d just say don’t hurry back too quickly and make sure you’re happy with the terms.

Lost I feel for you all I can say is the only way I’m coping is to take every day at a time and every hour at a time. If I think abiut the months ahead it becomes too much mentally to bear feeling like this so I just get through each day and tick it off and days slowly build to weeks. I’m only 9 weeks but it feels like a lifetime.

Sass I hope today went better?

Another day nearly ticked off. Mws rung this morning and my booking in is scheduled for late next week. Feels good to feel things are progressing albeit slowly.

Today was better but I am having a nightmare with DH being a knob & very self obsessed and self centred, so I'm now very pissed off with everything. Fuck you DH.

@lostnames early days for you but sometimes it's got to get admitted. To get the fluids and start to feel a bit better

@foreverblue. Cold sores are normal. Body is run down
Don't be rushed back to work. I assume they they know you are preg?

Spotting is normal I was told but I was also told not to have sex in first 12w as was ivf then placenta was low so advised no sex during preg

@sasseh. Oh no. What did dh do

lostnames welcome and congratulations. I assume this is your first? If the cyclizine isn't helping your nausea/sickness then your doctor needs to prescribe something stronger alongside or instead of. Have a look at the pregnancy sickness support website, they have great information. there's also a number on the website you can call, and Karen who answers the phone is a fount of information and invaluable support. if you need admitting for rehydration then there is no shame in that! Most of us have been in the same situation (so far I've had two hospital admissions for drips, I'm about 2 and a bit months). Honestly, the rehydration makes yoi feel more human and thus more able to stand up for yourself and get the care you need and deserve. I'm terrified about the next 6+ months. I don't know how I'm gonna do it. But I do know I did it once before, all the while feeling terror and not sure how I would do it... this too shall pass! You get thru day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute if you have to. And you vent and moan here as much as you need.

forever what about upping the ondansetron to 2 or 3 times a day, would that help you to be able to work? Reduced hours, if possible, could help you feel more normal and could get them off your back. Just something to consider!

sasseh glad you've had a better day! Not glad OH has his head in his arse. My hubby drives me potty sometimes, but actually he is flipping awesome at fighting my corner and caring for me with this. Want me to send him round?!

We've decided to now be open about the pregnancy. We've seen baby and all seemed healthy. If anything was to happen and we lost baby now then I'd completely fall apart and we'd end up telling people anyway. It feels like a burden lifted - I don't feel like I'm lying or hiding things. We're gonna tell our son on Friday; we have our first official scan then and we'll get a picture to show him. I'm really excited about telling him but also really nervous!! I just don't know how he will react.

Sleep well everyone

Hi all,

Yes work know I’m preg. I don’t want to up the meds, I’m trying to wean down again to see how I go, but if I need them I need them. It’s more just the exhaustion at the moment and that makes my sickness worse x

Arghh please can I join? Just need to vent and read stories of others!

I'm 10 weeks, have had 2 miscarriages (one at 12 weeks) and therefore keep trying to be thankful. But oh god HG is just bloody miserable. Had cyclizine at first and travel bands, was 'managing' at work with subtle vomits when possible but got very dehydrated this week, have been in hospital for fluids and having cyclizine injected in my bum! Vomited into a bag there and bag while my poor mum drove. Feeling very sorry for myself!

Obviously off work this week and need to get new anti sickness meds, got the gp later today to discuss.

Handhold to all, very envious of people who don't get this in pregnancies!

Welcome toaster, and congratulations on the pregnancy. Sorry you're suffering; is this your first hyperemesis pregnancy? There's no shame in needing an admission for drip rehydration - most of us have been there at least once! I hope it made you feel better. Sounds like cyclizine isn't enough any more, please be assertive with your GP that you need something either alongside or instead. There's some really good info on the pregnancy sickness support website, and Karen who answers the helpline is a fabulous source of information and support. Hyperemesis needs to be treated aggressively and proactively. Try not to hurry back to work, out you can help it. One of the most important things we can do to take care of ourselves when battling this is rest. I've tried to do too much over the last 3 days and I'm certainly paying for it now.

Anyone else really struggling with wind? I'm belching all the damned time, big loud man burps that my husband would be proud of!!! As embarrassing as it is, it eases my stomach so much to have a good ol' - yet another lovely aspect of a hyperemesis pregnancy. There's just such joy to be had!

Thanks so much @eallison88 - I was diagnosed with HG in last pregnancy but that ended in a loss and it tapered off around 10 weeks so didn't actually last that long. Didn't end up in hospital last time although did have the meds.

My mum keeps freaking me out about cyclizine as I took it in that pregnancy above. But it's really widely used I think? Thanks for the advice re the website and helpline - think I'll get in touch!

Getting a bit of reprieve today but find that seems to happen after a bad day, then it ramps up again. Anyone else get that?

Cyclizine is the most widely used antiemetic and is widely considered to be completely safe. I've been taken cyclizine since discovering I was pregnant this time, literally 2 weeks pregnant, and I'm coming towards the end of my first trimester. Definitely not a med to worry about, but please make it clear to your GP that it isn't helping any more. I do understand why your mum is nervous tho, it's understandable.

for everyone suffering today.

Weetabix has officially made it to the number 3 slot for one of the worse things to throw up. (1. Being bile naturally and 2. Being medication (shiver) both of which I will likely experience at some point in the next 48 hours) but weetabix I can definitely do something about!! 😂

If we can't laugh...

Weetabix is grim. I think banana edges it as worse for me. Though nothing can take the place of the 30/40minute digested thus curdled rice pudding during my last pregnancy....

Today is a shite day. I'm going to sleep.

Haha @eallison88 rice pudding sounds horrific. Rice is definitely up there for me too. I have avoided rice this pregnancy. Bad memories 😂

for you. 12 week scan should be soon! We're due around the same time I think. Mines next Tuesday. Something to look forward to when battling the nausea and DH asking why I haven't emptied the dish washer today. Sigh ...

Oh god rice pudding sounds terrible!! Anything milky is the absolute worst for me, can't eat cereal or porridge anymore from the fear of it revisiting!

I'm living off crackers and fizzy juice at the moment. So much for a healthy balanced diet!

Ah @toasterstrudle I am with you on fizzy drinks. Diet Coke has helped me through many a meeting these many weeks. Milk / cereal is actually my revisit of choice. First thing every morning. Just not weetabix that was awful.

Mac Donald's is also up there. Gross!

@toaster welcome
And Congrats

@forvever. Take the meds. Don't wean off them and feel crap

I was on cyczline from few weeks till gave birth - it's one of the well known drugs and meant to be safe

Rice is the worst thing ever for being sick - it just keeps coming. Every fucking grain !!!

But I didn't learn as I have cravings for curry and rice. So would eat. Enjoy and 10mins later see the return of it

Ha yes! @Blondeshavemorefun every fucking grain. Pulled many muscles satisfying my stomachs insistence to be fully empty. Gosh I feel for you craving it!! 😩

@ksjourney it was bad - but whjatver i ate , it wuld return, but rice was the worst !!!!

yet i kept eating it with curry, as korma/tikke masla isnt the same with pasta

Just in case anyone us struggling with milk... almond milk is not a good alternative (tastes really strongly of almonds which shouldn't be surprise but...!). Oat milk is not bad. Tastes mildly of porridge so I suspect would be good for making porridge! Also makes a fairly decent chocolate milkshake. I hadn't thought of porridge... I might make myself some tomorrow for breakfast. I'll let you know!!

Sleep well. Another day over, well done everyone!

Argh! Last minute childcare nightmare. Son usually goes to my SIL on Thursdays for the day (normally a working day for me). Had a text at 6.40 saying one of her kids has a vomiting bug, said she can still have our son if we want. But we can't risk him getting the bug cos then nursery wouldn't have him tomorrow and I've got appointments at 2 different hospitals tomorrow. Am waiting yo hear back from nursery if they've got space for him today. If not then I'm on my own with him. Hubby is already off all day tomorrow with me and he can't he off today as well. I've already had a heaving spell this morning, which I'm fairly sure is due to having to be up and functioning and the pressure/worry of having to care for my very energetic son on my own all day. Til 6.30. Cos hubby has a very important late meeting. I could actually cry, except my son would see and it would scare him.