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.

avacadooo I also sympathize with what you said about your best friend saying how amazing her pregnancy is. My sister is due in April and hasn't had a single symptom, keeps bragging about it too, goes to gym all the time, hiking trips etc etc., then tells me "just eat something and you'll be fine" - thanks! So annoying and it always makes me feel more alone in this and that I'm some sort of a loser (which we know we're not of course!)

I also can't blame you for thinking about terminating. First pregnancy for me too, and before I started on the meds, I just wanted for this whole thing to be over. Even now I still haven't really bonded with the baby, and I feel bad, though I hope it will change once I have my scan (next week). I can't imagine another pregnancy, with existing child to look after on top of it (I know it must be extra hard for all of you with existing DC)... although at least now I will make sure I have the meds asap - it got really bad the first few weeks without any.

I also want to say that what Lucinda and some others have said on the thread is true - it really does get better with time for most of us. My worst weeks were probably 8-10 or so, but since then there has been some improvement. Definitely nowhere near feeling great or even stable enough to be able to plan days out etc, but I throw up a lot less and the nausea is mostly very mild now (just the tiredness is still there) - so hang in there, it won't stay this horrendous forever (and I definitely couldn't imagine me saying anything positive like that a few weeks ago )

@evuscha it's a right pain isn't it? Luckily my Big sister suffered (not as bad as me) through three pregnancies so at least I've got someone on my side (she's also a midwife so double bonus) but when somebody rubs it in your face, I miss the gym 💔
You're not a loser!

I'm glad I'm not alone, I'm going to start planning my baby shower in hopes I might take my mind of it and hopefully bond with it a bit cause I had a private scan and it reassured me but a couple weeks on I feel nothing for it, maybe I'm just a weirdo?

Please tell me you aren't kidding when you say it gets better after 10 weeks? I'm 10 weeks today!

@toomuchfornow it's my first baby so I can't be the best person to answer and I have said I'll never do this again l, and I've cried saying I can't do it I can't do it and I'm nearly 12 weeks and I have somehow I will never know
Your previous pregnancy sounded difficult but as they say no two pregnancy's are the same so you may have the 'normal' sickness now and can get medication earlier to hopefully help you go along! The choice is yours and it's you that has to feel what you are going through
I hope you are okay on whatever you decide to do x

avacadooo that's great that you have some understanding people around you! And really don't feel guilty about bonding - I'm sure we will love them when they arrive - it's just been a bit hard to feel excited when being sick all the time.

Oh and I'm almost 13 weeks and really it has been getting better. I think my first improvement was when I started the meds - it was like a huge fog suddenly lifted. Then around week 10 it was really bad for me (but also because I stupidly tried to lower the dosage, not making that mistake again anytime soon)...but in the last few weeks it really has been improving. I even enjoy food again sometimes, whereas before I really had to force myself into it. My sickness is milder compared to some people on the thread though, I definitely don't want to downplay anyone's experience - but finding out the right combination of meds seems to be the key in starting to feel better.

I saw the post on FB from Pregnancy Sickness Support today with the overview of different kind of medication - hopefully the link works www.facebook.com/197019263655727/posts/2250982311592735/ - they have more details on their website. It was useful for me to understand that different types stop different things in the body leading to nausea and vomitting and that it is possible to be on multiple to get it under control. Now we just need more knowledgeable GPs!

The only good thing about feeling so awful when pg if you can call it a good thing) is that the newborn stage is magnificent as you just feel amazing not to feel sick any more.

Feeling bad this morning. Usually mornings are th only time I feel ok and at least I can count on being okish for a few hours but not this morning. I really need the loo but tried to get up out of bed and felt so sick I had to just lie down again. I’m building strength to get up.

I agree with the comments that it does improve. For me it started to improve around 14 weeks. I’m now 17 weeks. I still can’t really do anything or it returns straight away but it’s at the point where 60% of the time I feel like I can get through this so long as I take medicine, eat every 1-2 hours and rest. It’s when I try to do anything or don’t eat all the time it becomes back to the permenamt unbearable it was constantly before.

Right, I’m going to attempt to get to the loo, I think I may have to crawl I feel so bad. Wish me luck!

Another semi positive story. Although yesterday was a nightmare and work a struggle I am nowhere as bad as I was at 10-13 weeks when I was pretty much permanently in hopsital on fluids, couldn’t stand up and couldn’t drink. I now tolerate fluids well as tiny bits of food stay down and can vaguely function - but risk over doing it constantly (27weeks).
Also dont feel bad about lack of bond or contemplating termination. The combination of HG and previous miscarriages here mean I still don’t believe I’ll have a live baby and I’m not really attached at all. Plus I def would have considered termination if it wasn’t so wanted. Steroids changed my mind.

Yes, I spent several weeks googling methods of abortion, where I could go locally etc I was so desperate. If dh would have been more supportive of this I think I might’ve done it too. I think it’s hard to bond with somethibg that makes you feel so ill.

Reastie/Lucinda going back to work full time but if it's quiet we get away an hour early (7 hour days) and they are generally very good about staff welfare, especially when pregnant. I'll be in reception where it's normally busy for 2/3 hours in the morning then it's really quite chilled. If I need to go off again so be it.

For those struggling I'm another one feeling much better at 17 weeks, up until about 14 weeks it was horrific! I'm still being sick 3/4 times a day this week after it being half that last week but it's mostly mornings and I find getting out of bed triggers it but before it was all throughout the day and night. I'm able to do so much more during the day now whereas before I couldn't even get out of bed/off the sofa and I'm able to enjoy more food and drinks now. I've resigned myself to the fact that it's probably going to be like this for the rest of my pregnancy but I can mostly deal with it at this stage. At 9/10/11 etc weeks the worst part for me was not knowing when it would end and I really thought it might stay like that until the baby is born but there is hope!

I'm still struggling slightly to bond with the baby, I've just felt sick, not pregnant but finding out the gender really helped make it more real. From about 8-14 weeks I felt really low and it was damn hard! Don't feel bad about considering a termination, had it been an option for me I'd have seriously considered it too! It's the only way to make it stop but it's illegal here in NI so wasn't an option and that contributed to how low I felt because I was trapped with no way out. Please look after yourselves and your mental well-being!

norbert as others have said, please get on meds, good meds, asap. The RCOG guidelines actually recommend pre-emptive meds for subsequent pregnancies. All evidence suggests that pre-emptive, or at least very proactive medication is essential for management of hyperemesis and can stop it being too bad. A drug should only be tried for a couple of days to see if it works, and if not, something else needs trying.

mighttime that GP us talking nonsense. I'm taking ranitidine and ineprazike, both for heartburn, one at highest recommended dose (ranitidine) and the other at double the recommended dose. Gaviscon relieves symptoms, ranitidine and omeprazole work to stop the problem in the first place. Its ridiculous to just use gaviscon.

calmer congrats on the twins, and the cutting a couple of weeks off your pregnancy!!

avicadoo welcome. Unfortunately, your experience of being mocked and/or misunderstood is common. You'll find no mocking and much understanding here. We asked our cleaner to do 2 cleans a week, which has eased things for OH little - could you do something like that? Even fortnightly would make a difference. How insensitive of your friend.

toomuchfornow did you get meds at the GP? I can imagine how stressed/worried you are. You really could do with an actual real life person to talk thus they with; have you got anyone?

Oh, avocadoo the harming the baby thing: I pretty much lived off tinned peaches and scotch pancakesnin my first pregnancy And my son was 9lb and completely healthy. Our babies are little parasites; anything we do manage to get in will go straught to baby. Try not to worry too much about this side of things. Also, different women find improvements at different times. Unfortunately around 10/12 weeks was particularly awful for me, but that doesn't mean you will be the same. I'm about 20 weeks now and just starting to feel like I might be turning a corner. I've managed to lower my steroid dose slightly, and have been able to cope with doing more.

weebean how are you doing? Are you still on the steroids?

Baby bonding; I'm not bonding. Didn't last time in pregnancy. However, didn't affect how I bonded with my son when he was born, and I'm assuming it'll be the same this time. Its very difficult to bond with something that is the cause (unwittingly!) of such unpleasantness. And actually many women struggle to bond with their unborn babies despite having 'normal' pregnancies. We definitely shouldn't be beating ourselves up about struggling to bond!!

Re the bonding thing, when the mw did babies hb with the Doppler last week I really loved listening to it but at the same time the mw was looking expectantly at me for an emotional reaction and I just didnt have one. I felt like I should because that’s what was expected but I found it awkward. It’s like I know it’s there but I’m trying to hold back on attachment. It’s probably also due to previous mc making me nervous.

Eal I’m so glad you’re feeling so much better, especially given where you were just a few weeks ago.

Managed to crawl to the bathroom and guess what, the awful waking nausea that is usually just in afternoons and evenings was due to the need for a poo. I really am getting fed up with this now, it’s such a strong feeling of nausea in the build up every single time and I can do nothing about it. I’m still not sure if it’s due to the laxitive or just one of those pg. joys.

Wee I’m so glad things are bearable now.

@avacadooo my poach pal!!! Sorry to see you on here too. It's just awful isn't it. I've been off work since 13th December and I'm just itching to get back to the grind but I just can't at the moment. I'm 10+1 today xx

@eallison88 thank you! I'm so glad you had a 9lb baby that makes me feel slightly better.
I wish we could afford a cleaner I've tried asking my mum for help or company but she says she can't which is so unfair cause she helped my sister when she was pregnant.

This morning I stupidly drank water and had to screech at dh to move because he was heading to the bathroom 😂 the poor guy can't get a break. It must be like living with Jekyll and Hyde with me right now.

@canonlyhopexo noooo this is the one thread you don't want to see your poached buds on, I'm gutted you're suffering too. Are we due the same day? 💕

@avacadooo it's not nice is it. I just worry people will think I'm over reacting but unless you've had it I really don't think anyone can judge. I'm due 13th? Xx

@canonlyhopexo nah it sucks. You must be bored out your mind since being off I know I am, I've gone through every box set on Netflix 😂 probably going to get signed off sick for another week on Monday! That'll be 5😫 what about you?
How are you? You've been quiet on the chat?
Yeah same day😂 proper poached buds!

@avacadooo I'm so bored!!! I've also watched everything 🤦🏽‍♀️ I would've been off for 5 weeks tomorrow and due back 28th if things improve. I've been trying to read and catch up with everyone but I'm struggling to get through it all! I'm really finding I can't be bothered to do even the most basic things. I've got some books to read etc but I just can't bring myself to do anything 🤦🏽‍♀️ and I'm only leaving the house to go to drs etc so I'm worried now I'm going to find it easing myself back into every day life. Ah how funny we're due the same day! Has it gone slow or fast for you? Have you got a scan date?

@canonlyhopexo it's going so slowly but also helps I don't remember what day I'm on cause it's all a blur! Then I realise I'm 10 weeks in, what about you?
I was like that before the midwife but she told dh he had to take me on short walkies so I don't lie in bed all day, I don't know if I feel like a puppy or 3year old because he's enforcing them

@canonlyhopexo sent that halfway through writing it 😂 scan 1st feb when's yours?
Also just had my boss phone she's taking me off until 8th feb then I'm on AL then back 23rd February. 🙌

avacadoo try not to worry about time off work, either. I'm in my 14th week off. I am going back next week, but 2 hours a day and very much a trial to see how I cope. Rest is so vital with hyperemesis.

@avacadooo yeah I feel the same it feels like it's dragging then I think only another few months really! We need a loaf of bread so I might try and walk myself round to the corner shop. I haven't had a scan date through yet! That's good about your work and takes the pressure off. I have got annual leave left to book and also I think occupational health are going to ease me back in gently by sounds of it x

Stupid question alert, what’s a poached buddy?

Avacadooo have you got any Netflix recommendations? I signed up a month ago to help pass the time and find I’m overwhelmed with choice. Currently watching the rain and just finished you.

reastie Netflix: suits, the crown, the good wife (if it's still on), once upon a time, Grimm, iZombie, the good place. Amazon prime; Lucifer, outlander, greys anatomy, unreal.

@canonlyhopexo how come you don't have a scan date?
Apparently fresh air is good for you but it's too cold for walking around when you feel so crap.

@eallison88 it's good you're going back on a trial, my mistake was to be signed off then go back ended up really ill then got signed off again.

@Reastie we're on an August thread where a midwife said when you bath to lightly poach yourself in it 😂
The crown, Brooklyn 99, Sabrina, riverdale and gossip girl!x

@avacadooo midwife only added me to system on Thursday even though I saw her on 14th December.

@Reastie said midwife also told me that if the bath is too hot it will poach the baby in their own fluid. Hence why we say poaching lol.