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.
It has been suggested that I add some practical tooth cleaning advice: a lot of sufferers find using a child's small toothbrush and strawberry toothpaste far less nauseating.
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.

@Notquiteagandt congratulations- I hope you can go home soon! X

Notquite congrats! I had experience with dd losing weight after birth but I don’t think it was due to fluids etc as I had a csection, it was just her losing weight to find her natural norm. But the mws fussed hugely about it and (I was back home by this point) kept threatening me that they would forcably take her to hospital is she lost x more weight. They really scared me. I had to do bottle formula top ups on top of bfing (which completely mucked uo bfing as dd then got nipple confusion but I stuck with bfing and eventually things were ok). Eventually dd evened our and began slowly gaining (thank goodness) and things were fine but I remember thinking the mws were making such a huge drama of it. I had suspected gd and dd was big (nearly 9 lbs) and I really don’t think anything was wrong. FWIW I think they have to be very careful and strict on this, i was told if dd lost a certain percentage of body weight she would have to go to hospital, whatever the supposed or actual cause. So they may agree with your logic but have to play it safe. I suppose it’s a good thing as it would be worse if they weren’t careful about stuff and mistakes happened, but I know that doesn’t help you right now. Have they got you to do bottle top ups if you’re bfing? Hopefully things will even out soon and I know it’s frustrating but it is good they are being so careful. I can’t remember how much weight dd lost initially and for how long but if I find her red book I’ll look it up and let you know how long it lasted.

@Reastie she has lost 13% of her body weight. Think upto 8% is allowed. We hadnt been discharged yet due to jaundice. But they would have readmitted me for sure. There is an other woman on the ward whos had to come back in.

I am expressing to get my supply up giving that and using donor milk.

Its hard as she hates the bottle. The teat confuses her.

Thankfully the hospital have been fantastic and are v.v.v. pro breast feeding so encouraging me loads.

@SeaEagleFeather absolutely. None of my family or friends suffered with HG and while my mum and sister have been incredible and offered lots of help etc they don't know how mentally draining it is. Knowing i can come on here and have a read through, a moan or ask some questions really is so helpful.

Thanks everyone for all being there for each other x

@Notquiteagandt congratulations to you all. I hope you get to go home soon and I'm so glad you had relief as soon as your beautiful one was born xxx

Notquite I know you’re itching to get home so it might be frustrating for you, but reading your update made me all warm and fuzzy inside congratulations and I hope you’re both very well and home soon.

SeaEagle yes! Pin cushion is right! I’m giving my poor veins a rest before they go at me again!

For those of you that have returned to work or increased activity, on what basis did you decide that? (Apart from maybe ‘need money’!) Sounds silly but I’m trying to work out when I’ll know I’m well enough. Last week I had one good day, so I figure it would feel a bit like that, but I’d need that to be fairly consistent before I could trust returning to work, and I’d probably need to give being more active a go first too (I’m talking leaving the house every day for a short walk at least, nothing wild). I guess I’m at the point of feeling “will this ever go?”, and I know sometimes it doesn’t it’s just on my mind a bit more at the moment.

@canonlyhopexo I'm actually gutted we don't have the same due date anymore!
I don't like that we're all so ill but it feels like being part of a kick ass super group!

@SeaEagleFeather it's great being able to dust especially when you've left house work up to a man for the past 8 weeks. We do not share the same standard of clean!

@Notquiteagandt congratulations!!

I think I've been a bit of an idiot, I had crazy heartburn this morning that it woke me up so I chewed a gaviscon and went back to sleep. Had to go to the toilet to be sick at 10:30 and it was mostly slight pink foam and blood but I was more retching and burping. Dh and I decided I'm still best jumping on the train to my mums an hour away and if I feel dodgy go to a&e there cause dh is working all day and my brother can take me and my sister works in the hospital too.
I don't know whether to get checked out or just see if it happens again?

Thanks for the new thread - Placemarking!

Yes, I am mentally feeling a bit better. Now I don't feel so out of control with flu/cold/cough/ear infection. Yesterday was rough as I had another sort of insulin added to my life, so now on 2 lots of insulin and metformin, all around dinner/bedtime. I am eating custard filled doughnuts today in protest.

You poor thing @avacadooo that sounds horrible, maybe go with your gut feeling about being checked. Hope the train journey is ok and you get there without any stress.

I'm the same as you @beforeihit30 and really unsure about next week, I'm almost 11 weeks now and this one has been hard, I've done barely anything other than drive to and from nursery and have a bath once. But today feels a bit better so far but it's like the chicken and egg scenario- is it because I've rested all week? I need to decide soon though and also have to battle for a sick note extension if I do 😬😬😬 time will tell I guess and at least it's almost half term.

Beforeihit40 I’m struggling with the same thing. I’ve managed 2 trips to hospital in the space of a week which lasted a bit under a couple of hours but they did me in, I had to rest the rest of the day and the next day and I felt rubbish. My plan is to build strength gradually and take it from there. Last time I was back at work on restricted hours by now but I also had a sub that could take lessons if I was having a bad day or even take over mid lesson if I had to leave. This time I don’t have that so I need to feel that I’m reliable enough to work and that I will physically manage it. Atm I won’t manage it without taking a huge step backwards. I’m getting really frustrated! This morning I managed to tidy half of dds bedroom (before I ran out of energy and had to give up) so at least I’ve achieved something.

notquite big congratulations at reaching the end of the road! I don't know about weight loss in tiny not sorry :/ but hope you can get home soon

avacadoo lucinda always says that if it's only a little red blood then not to worry, its jsut a slight tear because of the strain of upchucking. But if it's dark and like coffee grounds it's coming from deeper down and you need to ask advice immediately. I'd agree though, keep alert and go to A and E or ring for advice if something seems off.

before, I would think a short walk outside is an absolute minimum before you should think of going back, but it's about what you feel you can do. One good day in a week isn't all that much though ... except that it's probably a sign of better days to come.

norbert in your shoes and given how you've been, I wouldn'tt think of returning until week 14. the sickness is so variable and tiredness makes it so much worse, going back to work will give you a setback, even if it's worth it for the mental relief (and money). Going back too soon will set you back further though. At least get half-term out of the way!

Thanks all, good reminders to take it easy

norbert we’re at similar stages, I’m just over 10 weeks and my current sick note runs until I’m 12 weeks but I can’t see yet how I suddenly return to raring to go in under 2 weeks! I have the same thoughts, like are my good moments because I currently spend nearly all my time in bed?!

Same Reastie small things can seem to really take it out of me. At work we’ve managed a form of cover for me to run until end of March which is good, it’s after that we have a less clear plan but I don’t need to think that far ahead (as DH keeps trying to remind me, I don’t actually need to think about it at all, it’s my boss who would be doing the thinking! It’s not like I can drop in with, “Hey, what about Sandra down the way, maybe she’s free?”).

SeaEagle yes you’re right, and very sensible, I probably (well, actually) need to be capable of sitting at a computer/taking calls/attending meetings for approx. 8 hours a day, and be able to do my 1 hour commute both ways at least 3-4 days a week. So... that puts it into some perspective although I think they’d be happy for me to return part time if needed, I’d still need to be up for half of that then. In which case I’m definitely a way off of that!

How soon is too soon to join? Had a positive test today. I’m not even 4 weeks and i’ve Been puking for the best part of a week.
Had HG in my first pregnancy up to about 28 weeks. Have spent all afternoon in confused tears of joy & horror at what might come.
It was so hard last time & life is much harder now older and with ds and dsd to look after.
I know it’s early days & anything could happen, but I just need to say my fears out loud & this seemed like a good place. Shit!!

Sorry you're suffering already @cattaxi hopefully you can see a gp soon and get some help x
I think we must be about the same @beforeihit30 I think my due date is sept 1st which I really hope doesn't turn out to be end of August - they're always so little at school when they're that late in the summer but have to start almost a year before they should! I don't think I'll be in next week anyway, by the sound of it my HT wants me to think about a phased return after half term and take it easy. I'm so lucky - part of it is working in such a female / child centred environment and the rest is that she's just such a kind and supportive person. All I have to do is talk to dr grumpy about extending it a week... 🙄

Hey norbert I’m due 3 Sep I have really mixed feelings, they’re either the very youngest or very oldest and I’m not sure what’s ‘best’ my main worry is school starts on 4 Sep, so I need some solid plans for going into labour on or after my due date! DC1 was born at 39 weeks whereas DC2 had to be induced after 41 weeks, so I’m working on a schedule of somewhere between late August and early September and one way or another a busy start to the new school year!

Yes you're right! No idea what I'm going to do, luckily my DD will be 4 and I think she'll have some settling in half days first - that might be more awkward though! We shall have to wait and see, I'm more worried about how on earth I'll get her to school on time with a newborn!

I forgot about settling in norbert! DC1 is starting Y2 so just goes straight back but DC2 is starting Reception so they stagger the start dates... He’s likely to be given an earlier start date so that he joins the class with fewer children in it (both DCs have SN and are in mainstream and that’s they’re usual approach). And I’ll either be in labour or with a newborn. I feel like September is going to require military precision planning

At least tonight I’ve had some relief from the recent unrelenting nausea so I’m enjoying being in the living room with family for the first time in what feels like ages (probably only about a week but still).

@Notquiteagandt congratulations! My first lost 10% after fluids in labour. 13% seems a lot though for it to just be the fluids. DC1 also had jaundice, it can make them very sleepy so they fall asleep before they are full. Is that possibly part of the problem for you? We ended up topping up breastfeeding with formula for a few days too, but I was able to drop it once we got home.

cattaxi congrats, and get yourself to a doctor and ask for meds immediately. That you're this sick this early isn't that great a sign for future sickness, I'm sorry to say

Cyclizine is a good start, and the rest are
Metoclopramide
Prochlorperazine
Promethazine
Domperidone
Ondansetron

it might help to take your partner with you to support you especially if he can confirm how sick you were the first time; somehow doctors seem to take people more serioiusly if there's an advocate.

These meds -are- safe and go along with the College of Obstretricians and Gynecologists guidelines, so if a doctor tries to say you can't take them - you can.

Thanks @seaeagelfeather.
I had cyclyzeine last time. It kind of worked in that it completely knocked me out & I wasn’t puking while asleep, so kept some fluids down like that.

I’m feeling rough again this morning & had a faint line on a test. Going to keep testing for the next few days. Hopefully the sickness is remnants of the bug we’ve all had this week. If i’m Still pregnant & sick in a few more days, I will definitely visit my GP.

I hate that i’m Feeling terrified rather than excited.

Cat agree see a doctor as soon as you can, the earlier you get meds the more effective it’s oikely to get it under control. I was completely terrified when I got my bfp too, infact I was terrified of getting pg when dtd when we were ttc. Seaeagle has great advice.

I thought I had it all sussed with bms now on movicol having gone first things every day last week. Today I haven’t been and feeling worse, grrr.

That sounds like a really lovely evening @beforeihit30! I need to try and get up and downstairs more this week. I have woken up with a sore throat and sore sinuses so I feel pretty rough. 3 yo is out with my partner but next door are doing diy so no extra sleep! Hope everyone else is having a nice quiet day x

@Cat- a sick bug and straight into pregnancy was what happened to me this time ! We were all recovering from a sickness bug and my nausea just wouldn’t lift. Knew I was pregnant, took a test the next day when my period was due and yup.
There’s good evidence to suggest that if you get medication before you start vomiting, you are much more likely to have a better time of it. I knew this and went to the doc as soon as I got the positive, and asked for cyclizine and got it. I’ve needed no hospital stays this time and I’m positive that’s why! I know it feels awkward to ask before it even starts, but it can mean you don’t need stronger medications and/or hospital treatment so it was definitely worth a try for me. Have a look on the pregnancy sickness support site for further/better info!

Thanks @nighttimenope. The same happened to me with my first pregnancy - bout of vomiting @ runs, then continued nausea & positive test.
I’m pretty tough today. Only been sick twice, but very exhausted. Will definitely head to the gp next week.
I’m having lots of pulling & cramping. I can’t decide if it’s something to worry about, or if my womb is a bit more sensitive after having a c-section.

@notquiteagandt

Congratulations!

My DD was born artificially heavy due to fluids too and dropped two centiles. She’s glued to the same centile line since then and is now 22 months. I remember the doctors not being keen on my exclusive BF because they couldn’t judge in mls how much milk she had had but I persevered. Remember centile charts are written for FF babies. Good luck and I hope you are home soon xx