Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

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

Hyperemesis Support

930 replies

LucindaE · 10/12/2018 20:15

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.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Reastie · 18/01/2019 19:33

Prochloroperazine is a first line treatment in pg I thought. this website says it’s ok but not as well tested for safety as cyclizine/avomine.

Nighttimenope · 18/01/2019 20:10

m.soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/the-bone-crushing-nausea-of-hyperemesis?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bmj%2Fipad%2Fpodcasts+%28The+BMJ+podcast+%28iPad%29%29
I was sent this by my doctor chum. Once upon a pregnancy he asked me if I’d tried ginger.. this time he’s sent me a relevant podcast (which he has listened to) and together with his wife they’ve made us meals and offered childcare numerous times. Yesterday they took our 4yo swimming. Education is wonderful Wink Thought the discussion was great- I cried at times and felt like fist pumping at times. Hoping for change in how we all face healthcare with HG in the coming years!

CalmerComber · 18/01/2019 20:11

Absolutely awful day here too. Poor DD. I work 90% of full time in 4 days so Friday is supposed to be our nice day together and today she brought me some dinosaurs to cuddle while I was lying on the bathroom floor. Not so nice.

Tried to get a same day doctor appointment but there’s nothing. One GP is having an extraordinary clinic tomorrow morning because there’s so much demand for appointments. I broke down in tears on the phone to the receptionist and she couldn’t understand what I was saying at all so that made me cry even more!

Ate a slice of toast with cheese and ham (odd fridge raiding ‘meal’) at toddler tea time and feeling ok for it. Currently sucking an ice cube because I’ve got horrible mouth ulcers.

Hairgician · 18/01/2019 21:28

Thanks @lucinda

Onto 3rd pint of coke. Better than dehydration.
Anyone else obssessed with food at min cos you cant most things?? I used to get like that when dieting down for competitions. Would watch all the cookery shows going. Thats me now.

Teddyreddy · 18/01/2019 21:42

The not tolerating hormonal contraception thing is really interesting - I went through 4 different types of pill before giving up on them. I subsequently discovered my mum and one of my sisters (who both had hyperemesis) couldn't tolerate the pill either.

The spoons stuff is really helpful - my sister has ME so I was familiar with it, but hadn't thought to apply it to me. It might help with my Mum who as someone who vomited 10+ times a day is struggling to be sympathetic when she doesn't see me being ill, nausea is a lot more invisible.

I can't remember who posted about being off dairy, DD is allergic to dairy so if you want ideas for OK tasting substitutes I might be able to help.

beforeihit30 · 18/01/2019 22:53

Thanks Lucinda will definitely be checking in with GP about others on Monday, and think I got my hopes up a bit that I’d feel wonderfully nausea free on cyclizine Grin

I’ve also noticed a ‘spoons’ effect. I’m familiar with it as I have an autoimmune condition and although well managed I do have to balance my energy expenditure, I’ve just got so used to it over the years I don’t think consciously about it much. However with this sickness and I hadn’t thought of it in the same way either but it’s totally true - my sickiest days have been the day after I have tried to do too much (read: dared to leave the house for a short jaunt).

eallison88 · 18/01/2019 22:59

In contrast, I've taken the contraceptive pill in a couple of different forms (fairly sure the one i was put on post baby was different, but the details evade me) and never had any problems with them. And, without wanting to go all woe is me I think I'm on the more fun extreme end of hyperemesis, both in terms of severity (can you hear the violins!?) and longevity of suffering in pregnancy.

hairgician sounds a horrible day. I do hope you sleep well and tomorrow is a better day.

Prochlorperazine is very commonly used in hyperemesis, if it is working, please take it! Sorry o can't remember who this msg is directed at!

I'm off to read about spoons as it's not something I've come across....!

evuscha · 19/01/2019 07:10

I'm another one with the same experience with hormone contraception - I also couldn't tolerate it, even the low dosage ones made me nauseous. I think I read about it in some article about HG as one of the potential risk factors (having twins was another).

The spoons theory is also interesting, I have to read more about it. I keep overdoing it every time I feel better, only to have a really horrible day afterwards. (and by overdoing I really just mean a short trip to the town - not exactly running a marathon) Like you all said, it's hard to get sympathy when one isn't vomitting at that moment and nausea really is invisible - people expect you to get on with things when it looks like you're better.

I'm 13 weeks now - so much for the magical 12 week line - I'm just praying this won't last all the way til the end, I don't know how I would cope for so many more weeks to come Sad

Have a lovely and hopefully relaxing and uneventful weekend everyone Flowers

beforeihit30 · 19/01/2019 11:22

nighttime I just listened to the podcast, it was really interesting. Listening to that and reading this thread and some responses I’ve had, I’m surprised to wonder whether I could have hyperemesis, or hyper sickness was also used in the podcast (I’m guessing that’s the same thing?). Basically I have hyper nausea! I’ve had retching but not full on vomiting. But what is described is how I feel.

The cyclizine must be helping with something as I had breakfast for the first time today in nearly two weeks, no retching. Still feel awful though!

Also worried about hydration, I drink regularly and urine seems normal but starting to get a really dry mouth. Not sure if that’s a medication side effect. I’ll mention this to the GP but might start tracking fluid intake etc to be on the safe side.

evu if it’s any consolation I’ve always thought of it as the magic 14 weeks, that’s always been in my head as the ‘official’ end of first tri and that is when normal sickness ended in my first two pregnancies. Having said that I’ve no idea where I got that from though! Maybe a midwife once upon a time.

norbert23 · 19/01/2019 13:14

Checking in to say hi, I've got through the week and have been in bed all day, trying to rest without feeling guilty that I'm ignoring my DD. Cyclizine is working on the not being as sick side but if I'm tired it's regular retching and puking. I've eaten a piece of toast and a ham roll so far today so that's good. 8 weeks tomorrow, the worst is yet to come I think.

CalmerComber · 19/01/2019 16:56

Back to the dr this morning and I’ve cone away with metaclopramide to add in. Hopefully it works. The fatigue is just unreal. I napped for 3 hours with DD this afternoon and still feel dead on my feet. I don’t know if that’s the HG, the twins or just early pregnancy.

Hairgician · 19/01/2019 18:16

@calmer its probs the metaclopromide. They gave it to me iv in hospital and i was zonked most of the day.

Curry made for tea. Fucking cant wait.

Reastie · 19/01/2019 18:58

Listened to the podcast earlier and also found it interesting. I wish people would understand what I feel isn’t normal. A friend had dd and dropped her back earlier and I’d said dh would probably be the one to answer the door as I might be in bed and she didn’t understand that I just might not be able to get out of bed easily to come down and have a conversation with her. And she had told me a few weeks ago how much she suffered when she was pg.

LucindaE · 19/01/2019 19:07

eallision Interesting that you - who as you say, are at the severel end of the Hyperemesis spectrum - could tolerate hormonal contraception. When I took it, of course, decades ago, the doses were massive compared to what they are prepared to risk nowadays.
advocadooAs others say, to take it. By definition they cannot test drugs on pregnant woman,but it is considered very safe. If the doctor imagined that the dangers were greater than leaving you untreated, s/he wouldn't have prescribed it.
NighttimeNope That is wonderful progress!
CalmerComber Sorry about lack of appointments and misery. Congratulations on the Croque Monsieur, anyway . It could be all four things, HG, Metaclopramide, early pregnancy and the twins, plus having to look after DD and work: all six things!
Hairigician That is good about the coke.
beforeiam30 I am glad you are going back the GP's.
evuscha Most sufferers do see a considerable improvement between weeks 15 and 21. Even those who have the misfotune to suffer throughout are almost never quite as ill as they are in the early days.
norbert Congratulations on ham roll! I begin to wonder if I should add ham to the list of foods to try -and come to think of it, nibbles of cold chicken have sometimes beeen recommended on this thread, and not by fully paid up, card-holding members of the Ginger Brigade).
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
avacadooo · 19/01/2019 19:10

@LucindaE the guilt I feel over taking tablets has disappeared because I had a Greggs oval bite sandwich and a snapple and it's stayed down, I don't know what's going on but these pills are magical I still feel horrendous nausea but I haven't been sick for a couple of days so I'm taking it as a win!!

Blii · 19/01/2019 19:17

Evening ladies. Just checking in. Hope everyone is doing ok.
I’ve managed to stay out of hospital this week, although finding it hard to keep fluid down and my urine is definitely not healthy Hmm
Tonight though I feel a tiny bit better. I’ve not been in bed all day, managed the sofa all day instead and had a few chips for tea which have stayed down so far.
I have this awful spitting thing now, my mouth is constantly full of saliva and I have to spit it out, it’s so thick and horrible. Sorry tmi.
I’ve been craving fresh orange juice aswell which goes down absolutely beautifully but leaves an awful after taste in my mouth, can’t win!
I haven’t taken any medication for a week now either, it doesn’t work and just gives me constipation.
I’m 10 weeks now.
Fingers crossed for everyone the fog lifts soon.

emma1224 · 19/01/2019 19:18

I've come on to simply moan which is awful but I feel so rubbish I look so rubbish! I'm so ill and feel ill all the time I feel a shell of who I was and lonely
Signed off work because I can't psychically go! House bound because when I get up the room spins from my low blood pressure

and I feel worst because I'm feeling so down and guilty about not embracing things and I know so many people are going through this and worse and I wanna be able to handle it

I don't even need advice just needed to tell anyone else as my husband doesn't seem to care and I can't bare hearing you'll be fine anymore from my close ones 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

CalmerComber · 19/01/2019 19:27

Oh Emma it’s ao crap I’m sorry you’re feeling so awful.

I overheard DH telling one of his cousins over the phone that I'd had a “touch of morning sickness” and I absolutely lost my shit at him.

norbert23 · 19/01/2019 20:27

Well my ham roll victory was short lived, I've been in my bed / pit all day and finally crawled out for a bath after a tiny slice of toast. Threw up in the bath which was a new one but at least I'd washed my hair and I don't look like a greasy wookie anymore.

I have no idea how I'm going to survive next week and may need to be off sick, which is rubbish as I'm a teacher and I hate being away and the major guilt. Hugs to everyone feeling terrible xx

eallison88 · 19/01/2019 20:39

calmer hopefully the meto will make a big difference for you. Earlier in this pregnancy it worked well (in combo with cyclizine and ondansetron) for me. Unfortunately I developed a slight twitch in one eye so had to stop taking it. Do watch out for any twitching - rare, but potentially problematic (and permanent) for you. Any signs of twitching, stop taking and see your GP. However don't let me worry you, the vast, vast majority of women who take it do so with no problems.

emma complete sympathy. Well meaning loved ones can be hard work! And it is so difficult when you're sitting there feeling crap, hating being pregannt, when you know there are people who struggle to conceive. But you are absolutely well within your rights to feel all that you are feeling with regards the frustration and anger about feeling so awful - and it is completely understandable. This is hard!

blii good to hear no hospital visits! Well done! Do take the meds if you need them, there's no point suffering more than you need to!

norbert Its possible to add another med into the combination that could help with the nausea. Have a look at the pregnancy sickness website, or call the helpline on Monday (Karen is a font of knowledge! She can't always answer, but will always ring back).

beforeihit hydration: try not to worry too much about what you're drinking and whether it's healthy. If it's wet, its healthy! If its really tricky drinking, try ice pops/lollies or even sucking on ice cubes. Fruit can be good if you can manage it as well - juicy stuff like berries, melon, mango. Maybe OH could prepare fruit for you to pick at? I read somehwere as well that tiny sips of drink, that you don't try to swallow, just holding your mouth, still makes a difference. There have been times when I've literally swilled water round my mouth and spat it out. It's helped with nasty dry mouth feeling, and some, even if teeny tiny amounts, water was getting in to me.

eallison88 · 19/01/2019 20:42

Cross posted, norbert I totally understand not wanting to be away from your students (I work in secondary school), but please do be kind to yourself. Teaching is hard work, you're moving and talking a lot, and tied to timetables - a really bad combination with hyperemesis. If you need to be off (which it sounds like you could well do!) then so be it. Your students will understand and cope. Your school will certainly cope - andit may even be easier for them to find a long term supply for your classes, to provide consistency for your students. Please, please be kind to yourself. And make sure, at the very least, that they have done a maternity risk assessment for you that isn't a big standard copy and paste, that ensures you have staff in the room so you can leave if you need to that builds in breaks as much as possible. And that you are not doing any duties!!

norbert23 · 19/01/2019 20:58

Thank you @eallison88 I know you're right, luckily I teach in a primary school with lots of lovely people and a very lovely and supportive HT. I'll see what tomorrow brings and make a decision based on that. I may recharge my spoons overnight 😂

Just had 2 weetabix with a ton of sugar and cold milk and it was heaven!

SeaEagleFeather · 19/01/2019 21:06

I couldn't tolerate the pill either. Have ME and the spoons thing is quite helpful in weighing up whether I should do something or if the effort will mean my spoons are used up, which means going into the red energy wise and there'll be a price to pay (terrible mixed metaphors there!)

About the awful saliva. A nurse told me that if you can, try not to spit as it encourages the glands to produce more. Mind you sometimes you just have to as the saliva itself lead to vomitting :/

eallison88 · 19/01/2019 21:26

Spit thing: many of us take to carrying a spit cup! Or an empty carton with a straw - for the surreptitious, out in public/at work need to spit! I've been fortunate that this is one aspect of HG I haven't experienced in either pregnancy (think I've ticked everything else off!)

Weetabix milk and sugar... sounds lush!

Sleep well everyone.

Hairgician · 19/01/2019 22:19

Hugs to all who are feeling crappy today and yaay to those who managed food and drink.
I discovered a new drink today, robinsons lime and mint cordial. Its fucking lush, and a lot better than coke. Loads of ice and a straw and its so refreshing.

Swipe left for the next trending thread