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.

Thank you @silversplodge it's just such a nervewracking time! I'm scared of a mmc really but I guess there would be nothing to be done if that were the case. Thanks for the reply though

Thanks for all your kind advice. I haven't been as bad this morning and have managed some much needed fluid. I wasn't able to get a phone call from GP but did get an appt and in the end it was really for the best as it was a lovely Dr who I had not seen before but she was so kind and told me she had had hyperemesis in her pregnancies. She was very encouraging and has prescribed me prochlorperazine as well and gave me strict instructions to not hesitate in contacting them when I am having bad days so they can get me fluids when needed. Her encouragement was a welcome boost. I've got 2 weeks until the first scan so hoping this combo works and gets me through, really need to see this baby that's causing so much trouble.

Hope everyone is hanging in there and Reastie you are clearly not a fraud lovely. You sound exactly like a hyperemesis survivor and the nausea is horrifically dehabilitating. Don't beat yourself up

Thank you silver, mamma and smudge. I’m still at the point where it’s intermittent and manageable mostly but I e literally only just found out so things are only going to worse. I need to get on top of this and felt like all my work of building up relationship and trust in nice gp who knows the situ and background has just been slammed down.

I have a couple of domperidone in the cupboard from yonks ago and that’s in the second line recommended drugs so I’m wondering if I get desperate to take that but I’m unsure if it can be at the same time as cyclizine. Does anyone know if all other drug options can be taken alongside cyclizine? That was my understanding.

Mamma I’m so glad you got an understanding gp, it really makes all the difference and given she had it she will know how awful it is and the best treatments.

Kate I remember having days where it was suddenly better and having a huge panic then it would come back again soon enough and I would wish I hadn’t just enjoyed the rest more!

8 hopefully the end is in sight at 12 weeks, you e still got a few days until Monday.

reastie it has a bad effect on your life, limitting you and putting you through misery. You are not a fraud.

The Pregnancy Sickness SUpport line has a list of HG-experienced and friendly doctors. Give them a ring (they will ring you back if you leave a message) and ask if there are any in your area.

IIRC - i can't get at the British National Formulary but Im sure that cyclizine and domperidone are fine.

But, do ring a proper pharmacy and ask them this. Don't explain the circumstances. It might be better to say that it's for a friend! The reason is that pharmacists are liable, so they're not allowed to talk even though their knowledge of meds and interactions on the body is incredible. It's like an iceberg - when you talk to them, you see 2% of their actual knowledge.

Or ask the PSS line - the lovely doctor who is there (at least, he was 4 years ago - does anyone know if he's still working?) will tell you.

Kate Welcome. I had an mmc, and my recollection is that the symptoms don't vanish all at once - it's a gradual tapering off of all pregnancy symptoms besides sickness, so don't worry too much. As you say, it is too bad not being able to enjoy the respite.
silversplodge I am so glad that you have been referred. I do think, given that you are going through so much in the way of anxiety, that you need more emotional support. No wonder you are feeling desperate. I am wondering if talking to the wonderful Pregnancy Sickness SOS on 024 7638 2020 to see if they can offer a bit of one to one support. They will ring back with good advice, as SeaEagleFeather was saying to Reastie.
SunandSea Might it be a hormonal surge? Or, as others say, you may have been overdoing it and it might be necessary to cut down on the hours.

Mamabear I am so glad that you got a doctor who'd suffered from Hyperemesis herself, and I do hope the new meds help.
Reastie The nausea is defintely the worst thing, and unfortuanately, with many people, the drugs can stop the vomiting but not do much for the nausea. Are you getting down enough fluids? When might the humane GP be back? Have you got an effective anti acid? That can help a lot. My GP was the same, insisting on Gaviscon, but these days you can get Omprazole and Ranitidine over the counter and they are used in pregnancy .
SeaEagleFeather Great advice. Mother Hen waves a wing in greeting to all.

This is all we have left of the Due Dates list.
Due Dates
Two Drifters 28 November
Questabellatreetops 28 November
rotavixsucks 15 January
Olivecake 23 January

Mamabear I am really sorry. On the last thread, I confused a post of yours with SassehMonsta. That you had to have IV treatment sitting in an office, with the kids in the car, shows what a dismal state our NHS is in, my goodness.

< waves a wing back at Mother Hen >

wishing everyone a peaceful night

I’m 17th April but scared to admit that. Plus it feels a million years away!

Hello. I'm poking my head back in. I'm still surviving on ondansetron and cyclzine combo, which is keeping it to nausea and dry heaving on occasion. Early scan today at around 8+1, so may have a due date to add to the list later tonight, all being well.

If one more person tells me " at least you know it's all going well", I may punch them.

Start dry heaving at them, it'll at least get them briefly alarmed (joke!)

Thank you again for all th lovely comment. I emailed the lovely gp that I didn’t get yesterday as she was ill and attached the medication guidelines and made an appointment with her (it’s over a week away but at least hopefully it’ll be her). She replied saying congratulations and she would look into drug options for me. I’m so hoping she will help me through this.

Sea eagle that’s a good idea re ringing pharmacy for drug interactions advice.

Hope everyone is ok today.

Sass hope the scan went well?

Hi ive been quiet for a while as been medicated fluffy for about 8wks down to about 3 or 4 x a day vommiting.

Cant say its nice to see so many new faces as it isnt something id wish on anyone.

Hope you ladies are baring up? The advice I was given on here was invalluble in helping me.

22w4d now and my sickness came back with a vengance last week.

Turns out I have liver problems and my gallbladder is riddled with stones. Said my HG will have played a part with dehydration. As well as pregnancy cholestasis.

Has anyone else had this?

They are going to hold out as long as possible to operate due to pregnancy but its weekly scans and monitoring for me for forseeable.

Along side weekly antinatal appointments for scans of the baby as well.

Going to be alot more time at hospital.

@Mammabear13 stick to that dr. She will be a blessing.

My drs wife had it and really suffered. So he has been my go to man and I cant stress enough how much it helps to have a dr that understands. He didnt hestitate or question anything. And my care has been amaizing compared to so many others I speak to or read about.

It makes all the differance. As extreme as it sounds how ill I was feeling in the early days. I feel like I owe him my life.

oh god notquite that sound awful. I'm so sorry. Really really not what you need. At least they are obviously really keeping a close eye on you.

Got gallstones with last pregnancy. Had gallbladder removed at 7 weeks post-partum. Godsend.

Scan went wonderfully. Measured in at 8+3 which is 2 days ahead of my guess. Due date to add to the list is 28th May 2019. Eeeek a summer baby!

@SassehMonsta thats when I will be I think. They want me to try and hold out for my postpartum 6week check if I can. Will be hopefully healed from labour by then and feeding established etc.

They have said it should be just a day case and I can keep baby with me as a nursinf mother so thats a huge relief. Theyll relaxed visitor rules as well to allow someone to have baby when im in theatre and help me out etc.

Was it hard having op with such a small baby?

Glad your scan went will.

Thank you for the congratulations olivecake and for the kind words seaeaglefeather. I hope you are all doing ok.
I had to go into hospital with a suspected blood clot but they did something called a d dimer test which apparently shows I don’t have a blood clot. I still feel very anxious and worried about it however.
reastie the nausea is horrendous. Even if you are not being sick the nausea is quite debilitating and I think the fear of being sick is sometimes worse than actually being sick. I am not an emetophobe though so please ignore me if that’s not relevant to you at all.

Notquiteagandt That sounds awful about the gall bladder stones. Can they get rid of them later with laser as I've heard they can with kidney ones? I think a couple of people on here have had liver problems but I don't think it was that illness. It's instructive that dr's who have suffered themselves with this, or seen their wife suffer with this, are really sympathetic. I am glad you have one. and Mamabear has another.
beanhunter I will add you. I hope you are coping.
SeaEagleFeather Great advice as ever.
ReastieI am so glad you have an appointment with the humane one.
SassehMonsta I am glad you are surviving, anyway. Surviving Hyperemesis deserves a medal .

Due Dates
Two Drifters 28 November
Questabellatreetops 28 November
rotavixsucks 15 January
Olivecake 23 January
beanhunter 17 April

Sashamonsta Cross posted; I've added you. Gall bladder removal, ah. A summer baby indeed! A lovely time of year to be born.

Notquiteagandt Ignore my silly question over 'zapping stones' obviously, another thing altogether.
HotChocolate That sounds very alarming. I'm glad the test was negative.
Due Dates
Two Drifters 28 November
Questabellatreetops 28 November
rotavixsucks 15 January
Olivecake 23 January
SashaMonsta 28 May.

notquite you poor thing, hg is enough without anything else being thrown into the mix. I had 3 gallstone attacks during my last pregnancy but have managed to keep it at bay for now - I expect this pregnancy won't help. They are so horrid tho, I would easily rather labour any time! If I could I would stick with that Dr but unfortunately she doesn't normally work at my practice but was still a nice relief to see her.

And sending hugs for you hotchocolate that's quite a scare. Were they able to say what was causing the issue or put your mind at ease at all?

Anyone else on prochlorperazine (stemetil)? I am finding the tablets start dissolving on my tongue instantly before I can take a gulp of water to swallow with and the taste is horrendous...

Hi all, quick post cos concentration is a little tricky atm. I'm glad there was a positive email conversation with understanding doctor (Sorry, can't remember who that was). Gallstones on top of HG sounds shite.

Tomorrow morning hubby will be giving me my IM ondansetron jab for the first time. I've had it from my lovely GP for the last 3 days (inc today) he said it was ridiculous to have to schlep to the hospital every day for something he can do. He then asked us (hubby and i) if we thought it might possible for me or hubby to administer the jab. I definitely can't (I can't even take off a plaster I'm so scared of hurting myself!). Hubby reckons he can do it, so has watched and been talked thru it 3 times. Dr made it very clear that if hubby isn't happy then we can revert to him doing it every day, he'll fit me in. He's been an absolute star. Gave me a new prescription for 4 weeks of ondansetron tablets today. Asked me to try to reduce as and when I think I can, but told me to take what I need.

Made the decision today to put my son in nursery on one of my non-working days. I feel awful for it (He's never been, was due to start in Jan), and am really worried he'll think that I'm chasing him away cos of new baby. But I physically can't look after him. Today has been really, really difficult, and it's cos I've not been able to sleep and rest cos I've had him. So I knows the right thing to do, but I'm still torn up about it.

mammabear not prowhatever it is, but two of my meds, cyclizine and metochlopromide, are exactly the same. Its like someone has a really poor sense of humour that they make antiemetics taste so bloody vile that it makes you feel sick!!

Urgh, yes to taste of medicines (just to show you how scared I am with emetophobia I can’t swallow tablets as I panic it’ll get stuck and make me sick). I have to chew all tablets and cyclizine tastes yuck.

Oh no to the gallstones :(

@LucindaE I think you can zap them. But in the words of the sonnogrammer. "Bloody hell you are full of them" 😂 so think their maybe too many. Really nice guy. He even let me have a quick peep at baby which was appreciated.

@Mammabear13 oh no! Well hopefully shes got the ball rolling to at least get you a little relief hey.

And you are literally like the 5th person to say that labour pains are nothing to gallbladder pain so fingers crossed heres to an easy labour 🤞

@eallison88 im sure he just saw it as a fun day somewhere differant with new friends and toys etc. It will have been worse for you im sure. I bet he had fun. Hope you managed to make the most of the time ans get some rest i had meds I had to inject earlier on. I wasnt too confident. So they sent a community nurse out to sit with me until I had gotten the hand of it. Would this be an option if you need it?

Take my hat off to you ladies still working. Ive been signed off since 6 weeks and cant see me going back before maternity starts end nov. Dont know how you do it! In ore of you all.

I kept meaning to say about the taste of the tablets! Cyclizine is absolutely vile & even worse of it comes back up. So bitter.