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.

Meg another on that dose here. I’ve been on that dose since about week 7 or 8 and now 20 weeks. Have managed to reduce to 4mg on some evenings then I can. I’ve got a consultant apt on Wednesday and I’m scared stiff they will say I have to reduce the dose or take it out completely. It was a fight to get it and the GP is desperate for reassurance from consultant. If they are of the persuasion I shouldn’t be taking it then I’m so worried it’ll be taken away from me.

Eal that’s rubbish about your work. I know if I returned to work, even on reduced hours it would be expected that for those hours I’d have to be working at a pace which I just can’t do atm. And the pressure and worry makes everything feel worse. Ignore the manager as you know your limits and tbh I think you’re being incredible on the hours you are right now. I never managed to return to work last time as it just made me worse, even on reduced hours, and I was very unreliable with attendance as it depended how I was on the day. I remember they had a supply filling in for me so I’d always have her in the lesson if I had a funny turn but it got to the point where work said they couldn’t keep both of us on at the same time for the same lessons so either I had to do it on my own or I had to admit defeat and letting her take over and get signed off again. For me it wasn’t worth the being so ill from pushing myself at work, even on limited hours.

I have been thinking of WeeBean and wondering how she’s getting along at work.

@eallison88 thank you for the reassurance.

I've been in tears ever since she rang. Why why why do these Drs all have to contradict each other. It gives you no faith.
The original Dr had experience in obstetrics and was very happy prescribing it when he saw how bad I was.

This one, the complete opposite. Made me feel so guilty, like I'd somehow managed to wangle a prescription of something that's harming my baby. She only agreed to renew because I was so distressed and I agreed to half the dose and tell the consultant.

Gosh this really is so miserable isn't it.

Thanks also @Reastie

I will have to tell the consultant and hopefully they will be able to reassure and not take it away.

Meg eallison has given great advice. By definition, drugs cannot be tested on pregnant women. Therefore, it takes a long time and many many surveys for a drug to be considered safe, like Cyclizine, which has been used for about four decades. However, while no drug is 100 per cent risk free, the doctor would not have prescribed the drug unless s/he had decided that you were at more risk from severe dehydration. In the nine years that these threads have been going, I have known I suppose hundreds of women on a cocktail of drugs for this scourge without damage to the baby.
norbert It is tough. You can glow after the birth, anyway! Remember that famous figures have photoshop and a team of make up artists at their command...
eallison Oh dear, that does not sound like a supportive line manager. There is no point in her sulking; you mustn't overdo it.
Nighttimenope Wise words.
Elkie Sorry that the vomitng has started so early. I do hope you get effective meds. Do think of asking for an anti acid and if they offer Ondansertron, a laxative...
Reastie Sorry about bad day yesterday and Reastie and Advocadoo, sympathy over MIL problems.
RockinRobin Sounds a good plan.
Advocadoo If things get worse, don't feel that you have to keep off meds. The disapproval is all based on outdated views. Decades since unborn babies were damaged by mothers taking a drug called Themadolide, which hadn't been properly tested. That would never be allowed to happen under today's guidelines.
beforeihit30 Most people find ten weeks a dismal time. I hope very much that things soon start looking up.
SeaEagleFeather I am so glad that this thread helped you then. I remember you said that the Netherlands is very anti any medication.
Sorry if I've overlooked anyone.

It's the standard dose, meg.

You've run across yet another doctor who doesn't know the guidelines ....

Thank you all so much for the reassurance.

I am very emotional at the moment. I feel like I've forgotten what it's like to feel well and I miss my life! This ill informed Dr, is all I needed today.

Thanks again

Hi ladies, hoping I can join,

14 weeks today and lord above I feel terrible. Have had this since 4 weeks and don't know how I've survived this long 😔. Have been given cyclizine but it makes me so drowsy I'm not able to take it in the daytime as I have a 15 month old and it knocks me out and I sleep for about 2 hours.

I need to ring the Dr's tomorrow for something else as this doesn't even stop the nausea anymore. Is there anything you ladies have taken which don't make you drowsy?

So sorry you're all going through this horrible HG. It's so deliberating xxx

Welcome littleV. There’s lots of other meds you can try. Definitely ask the doctor.

I don’t really have anything new to bring to the thread, I read almost every day but nothing has changed with me really.
I do have this disgusting lump feeling in the back of my throat though, I’m not sure if it’s heartburn related (no pain, or any other heartburn symptoms) or if it’s because I’m not swallowing my spit. I’m able to take sips of squash now but it just never ever goes! I end up gagging because of it and then I vomit. And then it comes back! Grr.
On a positive though, I have a craving! Fresh orange juice... it’s soooooooo nice straight from the fridge, I cannot get enough. Just wish it didn’t leave a funny taste :(
Anyway, hope you’re all ok. Ploughing through.

Thank you @Blii, hopefully they won't fob me off! It just takes so much for me to make a phone all without wanting to vom!

I had the lump in my throat and they said it was reflux, so before I got to bed I have a rennie and it seems to help, but I have to have it right before bed otherwise... vom... yes to the orange juice too 😍 i hate the after taste so keep some mints handy and they're okay till the taste comes back. Tried to explain it to my husband today that it's like I haven't brushed my teeth for 473838 days 🤮

littleV welcome. The sleepiness might pass after 3-4 days and if it does, it's a good med so it's worth persisting a little longer. If not though, then as blii says there's lots of others.

Wishing everyone a peaceful night

Gp appointment booked for later this morning.. My surgery is so frustrating. You can only call at 8am for appointments that day. I was 4th in the queue but no appointments left by the time I got through so they offered me an 'emergency' appointment. Feeling guilty now because I described it as extreme pregnancy sickness and think I may have exaggerated anyway I hope to update you later and say I have a prescription...

@ElkieMacjibe don't feel guilty... hopefully they give you something to help ❤️

elkie this is an emergency. This is proactive on your part to try to avoid ending up with a hispital admossion for rehydration. It's a similar set up at our GP surgery. Either you schedule your illness 3 weeks in advance or you ring and get an emergency apt for that day. Best of luck with the appointment, and do stand firm and make sure you're prescribed something.

elkie write down your symptoms, the nausea, how often you upchuck and a rough guideline of how much you're eating / drinking in 24 hours, and how you are functioning.

When you're faced with an iffy doctor, it can be hard to say what you need to say. Writing it down and even touching the paper in your pocket can help.

I have the cyclizine the dr was actually quite nice despite asking if I had tried ginger.. I referred to the NICE and RCOG guidelines and she asked if I was 'medical' (I'm not, clearly). Anyway let's hope they work and if so I will battle for another appointment next week as only have 10 days worth. She did say to hold off taking them until I couldn't keep anything down, I'm ignoring that. Also hoping they don't send me to sleep as have some work meetings later

Another question for you wise ladies - breastfeeding and cyclizine? Dr said no.. From what I've read it just might reduce supply. I only feed once in the morning anyway.

Elkie I’m glad you got cyclizine and agree, start taking it straight away. I haven’t known anyone struggle to get that on repeat once given so hopefully you’ll be fine, just make sure you chase up the next prescription when you still have a bit left so you don’t run out! I always panic about that. I can’t help re bfing I’m afraid but I did take cyclizine for the first day or two after dd was born and I bf but I didn’t ask anyone . If you ask the chemist they will likely just say no because they seem to say that to most things about pg and bfing ime. Have a google or ring pregnancy sickness support who I’m sure will be more knowledgable about these meds.

Consultant apt is tomorrow but I’ve discovered she has a mental health interest so I’m hoping this will mean she can see the effect this has mentally on me and won’t deny the ondansetron from continuing. It’s at 3:20 and afternoons aren’t always great historically with this so I’m going to rest all morning in the hope I can’t manage the trip.

elkie I'm glad your GP was sensible enough to give you a prescription for cyclizine. Do take it now rather than waiting. If it doesn't work, or stops working, do go back and ask for something else, either as well or instead. Often cyclizine works really well in combo with something else.

If you ask the chemist they will likely just say no because they seem to say that to most things about pg and bfing ime Chemists can be liable if they give advice about using a med which is a bit off-use so they have to be very careful.

If you talk shop with them then often things are ok to use in off-label ways but you must know what you're doing - some things can be very dangerous and some meds combine badly. Others are absolutely fine. You do need to know which is which though.

I wish the makers of cyclizine would get it approved for morning sickness

Hi ladies, sorry for the absence.

Ok so I've only been sick twice this pregnancy before today, and then today I've been sick another 2 times. Ondansetron doesn't seem to be cutting it, I've managed to get some Avomine tablets for the flight on Saturday but really don't think they're even going to make a dent. My ondansetron supply runs out in the next few days and my records are in the process of being transferred from old Doc to new Docs. Is it worth trying my new Drs or is there someone else I can try? I'm in Kent.

deaddoorpost what dose ondansetron are you taking? That can go up to 8mg x3 daily, if you're not already there. I'd get on to your new GPs s soon as you can to ensure continuous coverage.

Panicked myself now. In response to elkie query about cyclizine and breast feeding I got to the BNF page about it. It seems it is ok occasionally in breast feeding but may reduce supply or make baby a bit sleepy.
But I also saw if taken in the latter part of 3rd trimester it can cause irritability and other problems in the newborn. I'm now thinking do I need to stop it? I'm just about 32 weeks.
Wish I hadn't read that now.

Let me be clear, I’m no medic.. but surely dehydration is worse for breastfeeding (supply and overall success) than cyclizine could be?! I can’t soeak to sleepiness or irritability of newborns, but neither can I see how they can draw their evidence. I know it’s anecdotal, but my lovely chum had the healthiest wee baby at 35 weeks gestation despite taking cyclizine and other meds throughout (he was early due to pre eclampsia.) I had the same conditions (hyperemesis and early delivery due to pre eclampsia at 36 weeks) and by contrast my wee boy had a very rough start and ongoing issues. I wasn’t taking cyclizine beyond first trimester. I don’t know how they can say what causes what without thorough studies!

Dead I’m in Kent too! Give the new gp a go and I started on 4mg dose and it didn’t do much but 8mg helped more significantly.

Seaeagle oharmasists can be so knowledgable and helpful and maybe I’ve just been unlucky but whenever I’ve asked them about taking medications in pg they have just said I can’t take (even if the medicine leaflet says I can in pg). They’re very good at ‘knowing drug interactions.

Silver I never knew that about third trimester and cyclizine. I took it throughout last time under doctor guidance and they didn’t mention this, neither did the mw. Dd wasn’t overly fussy or had problems in the early days, but obv don’t have a comparison.

I hadn't heard that either silver. This is a thing where you might need to talk to a consultant. Normally it only stays in the system a few days. Also I suspect it's a case of -can- cause irritability, not -will- cause it. Many thousands of women have taken it without problems right until the end.

If you wanted, could you try cutting out one table in the day and gradually go down like that?

reastie best of luck tomorrow with the consultant. One with an interest in mental health who can look at you body and mind sounds ideal ...

Hey everyone. Hope all having a better a week.
Feel like a fraud in here atm tbh. Managed to do sunday dinner, then lay comatose for 2 hours after it. Managed to eat well lastvcouple of days but soooo lethargic and sleepy!! No energy for anything! Took a notion for spag carbonara and spag bol today so made those.
Addicted to cooking shows at min, esp the pioneer woman, diners drive ins and dives, and jamies quick and easy meals.