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.

Hi ladies. 28+3 now, and wondering if anyone else still getting random nausea and vomiting despite being mostly OK for ages? Un-medicated for 6 weeks now but with random lunchtimes of needing to dry heave/small vomits. Maybe once or twice a week! Arggh. I'm still working, another 4 weeks left (including this one) so a total of 17 days left as I have some holiday to take too.

Eal, the diabetes with the HG is VILE combo isn't it? I had to completely give up on focusing on my blood sugars because there was so little I could eat - eggs and chicken off the menu as awkward vegan here. So I gave in between Christmas and New Year and got put on metformin and now 2 types of insulin. I can now eat, and can eat carbs for breakfast again! Thank fuck, also white bread too, as the insulin and metformin help so much. You CAN do this, I promise. Have you joined the Gestational Diabetes Mums UK group on facebook? They have an amazing page and great website that has helped SO MUCH.

Reastie, go and rest up now! Stop that housework rubbish and chill for a bit. Im about to wrestle DD to the dentist for the first time, so I am saving my fighting for that.

Hi to everyone else!

Apologies to Eal for not moving threads 500+ messages ago, and therefore missing the questions earlier on about GD. Oops.

SassehMonsta Lovely to hear from you again. Might it be a hormonal surge? I do hope it settles. Great advice for eallison better later than not alt all on this complicated subject.
Reastie Goodness; 30 minutes on an exercise bike? Mother Hen clucks and says in your 'delicate condition' ten minutes would be too much.
Norbert Remind me the hours you are doing? I am in awe of those who manage to struggle into work. Teachers do seem to force themselves do it. One poor woman on here had to be sick out of the classroom window. I wonder more don't have disasters like that.
eallison That is unlucky. I didn't realise steriods had that effect. If you have a high metabolism, no doubt it will all burn away in no time after birth. Seven and a half stone is very light.
avocadoo I had a message from you, and can't read my own handwritng. That is how bad it is.
beforeihit30 Congratulations on those activities.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi guys, yes I teach primary so it's a busy day but also a very female led, supportive environment which I know I'm lucky to have. I did a 9:30 - 3 ish the first week back but normal hours last week, if I get bad at any point I could go with no hassle as long as there's cover. I do have a bucket and a cupboard just in case and I've told the kids who've been great 😀
I felt grim this morning and when I got home but it's nothing compared to the worst weeks, I can eat and drink as long as I'm careful & bland! Sorry you've had a rough day @Reastie hope you're in bed soon and get some sleep, house work can wait!!! I'm off to sleep now with my two cat nurses who are hogging the middle of the bed, but too cute to move x

Hi folks, sorry to hear everyone's struggles. It does sound like overexertion (or even a little exertion) is a big trigger for us all.

I'm 11 weeks tomorrow and this week has been awful. The vomiting has definitely died down with the combination of Ondansetron and stemetil but I'm finding the nausea almost unbearable. It's making me so exhausted but agitated. I think others (who haven't experienced the joy of HG or know about it) don't appreciate all the little symptoms which come along too, not just the vomiting and nausea. I feel drained, weak, dizzy, my concentration is so poor, I'm forgetful. My legs are aching from being in bed all the time, I feel like although this illness has caused me to loose weight I'm like a big blob as I've no muscle tone left. I'm also obsessing over food I can't eat, like actually fantasising about it. Are you guys the same?

The other thing I wanted to talk about was how I feel HG is really affecting my ability to bond with my unborn babies. I don't feel pregnant, I feel like I'm dying. I don't feel any connection to them. I don't feel excited or able to plan ahead. I know this is due to HG but it's horrible and I feel so guilty and ungrateful. Any tips on trying to feel the feels??

Sorry I meant that to read sorry to hear of everyone who is struggling as in I'm sorry you're struggling too - think it maybe reads wrong! x

So I've cleaned the bathroom, changed the bed, dusted the house and hoovered, did all the washing and cleaned out my precious hamster. I will regret this in the morning but at least the house is clean 😂 dh is being left with the kitchen.

@moonkid I feel ya, I'm 18 weeks and I can feel it start to kick which I am not appreciating right now cause it's very odd. It feels like this imaginary being that will just turn up in August. I've found buying some clothes for it helpful and next week we find out what it is so I'm hoping I'll suddenly feel closer but doubt it. It's nicknamed parasite by us because it's sucked the life out of me!

@avacadooo well done on all the tidying, I hope hg doesn't make you suffer for it.

Oh it's horrible isn't it. In my first pregnancy I used to refer to the babies as parasites as that exactly what it felt like. This time I haven't even referred to them as anything, it's like I can't even imagine they're there.
I think finding out the flavour will help, it did help me in my first pregnancy as I could name them and start to imagine them. But it feels a long wait til that day. Hope it helps you too x

moonkid I get other symptoms too, particularly the weakness and light headedness/dizziness. I tire so easily, and it’s not just average pregnancy tired, it’s another level tired, just like the nausea is not average pregnancy nausea, it’s another level nausea. I get sore spots from being so sedentary and keep having to reposition. And I spent quite a while food fantasising! Especially when I was around 7-12 weeks, 5-12 weeks as a whole was a pretty rough time but I remember feeling like 7-12 weeks was particularly hard. I’m 15 weeks now and it’s not amazing, but I have had a day here or there where I’ve felt okay, or okay for half of the day, and the bad days aren’t quite as bad as they were. Still rubbish enough to spend most of my time in bed, but I’ve had more days where I’m awake for longer (she says, having slept for the better part of Saturday and Sunday ).

I also think the bonding (lack thereof) is normal. I have moments where I revise lists of things to do and buy (I do love a list), but most of the time I just don’t have the energy for it. I have moments where I think, “Yes, I am pregnant, right?”, it should be obvious given the sickness and my rapidly expanding belly but I have my moments However, I sometimes deliberately look at generic images of newborns to remind myself what I’m waiting for and also, genuinely, someone’s description on here (apologies, can’t remember who) of having their baby and immediately all of the sickness disappearing and enjoying some toast and their newborn just conjured up this lovely image and feeling for me, and so I remember that often as something to look forward to. I think the next scan, finding out the sex and reaching a stage of feeling movements will also bring it all closer. And hopefully, that coincides with symptoms easing up too!

So I've just had a really positive apt with my two diabetes consultants. We've decided to start me on insulin with lunch. The diabetic specialist was clear that we are not treating diabetes with this, rather we are managing the spike in my sugars levels that the steroids cause after lunch. It also means I'll be able to have more carbs with lunch, which will help with the nausea. Both consultants were also clear that being on insulin will not place unnecessary limits on labour. Absolutely no ruling out of a water birth. But that it's not really worth talking about birth plans til closer to the time, when they will have a clear picture of what I'm taking and what dose, and respond accordingly. He also said that he has supported and managed a home birth for a lady taking insulin, so nothing is totally off the table. I Feel very supported and encouraged again. The other consultant suggested bringing in a little more carbs generally if it'll help with the nausea, that my sugars readings are low enough to take a little more carbs. They were both really encouraging and positive about how well I'm managing my diet in relation to the hyperemesis. So I've come away feeling supported and encouraged. Am now waiting for my prescription of needles and insulin. The midwife told me to get my prescription, nip to Sainsbury's and buy myself a sandwich (or other carby lunch) and come back for 12.30. She will then teach me how to inject and talk me thru various bits. I'm nervous cos I'm terrified of needles. But happy this is the best move for me and baby. I was really worrying about how the daily sugar spike at 3pm ish was affecting baby. Hopefully this will stop that daily spike and keep baby safer.

The bonding thing; it's only since little one has been moving so much that ive felt any emotional connection. I reckon totally normal when we struggle as much as we do and feel as crap as we do. Both of my babies have been referred to as parasites throughout both pregnancies. Its technically completely true!!

Eal, how bloody brilliant! Pleased you have supportive team in place - I am categorically not allowed a home birth, just because of GD diagnosis. Grrrr. Good job I don't want one hey!

re: Parasites, that was how my husband announced to his office, via email, that I was pregnant again - that he may be off work for a bit as I have a parasite that should resolve itself within 9 months.

And about bonding, I didn't feel I started to properly bond until we had a few scans and found the gender out, and I was feeling less sick. That helped! Now, both myself and DD are besotted with him :) Can't wait for him to arrive! Should be here in around 10 weeks, maybe less.

sasseh I've been pleasantly surprised how supportive the diabetes team have been, havingheard how supportive some diabetes teams are - like yours, by the sound of it! It is indeed a good job you don't want a home birth. We decided early on no home birth this time, but I am categorically giving birth in a pool. And if someone wants to stop me then I will hire a pool and do it at home!! I am not giving birth flat on my back this time! (Unless there is a bloody good medical reason, explained fully and clearly to me, that I understand and see the point of!).

That’s great eallison88. Puts your mind at ease having great professionals around. I hope you get the birth you’d like.
I agree with the bonding, at the beginning I felt absolutely nothing and just wanted it to all be over. But now I’m starting to feel a little better I feel the bond is coming. I can feel baby move, mostly when I lay still and on Sunday I didn’t feel any movement at all and was getting quite worried, so that shows that I do care. I guess because baby is so small he can hide in there and not be felt depending on his position.

I agree with everyone on the bonding. With dd I felt very little bond whilst pg as it was hard when she made me so ill. I think I didn’t quite believe there was an actual baby in my tummy until she was born! This time I feel more bonded as time has progressed but I hate doing online pg yoga stretches where they get you to put a hand on your stomach and ‘breathe love to your baby’ type exercises. I just don’t want to! Not that I don’t want to love it, but I just find I’m too distant from things to be able to want to do that kind of thing.

This morning felt rubbish, a bit of an improvement this afternoon touch wood. Having a gentle day after doing too much yesterday. Think I’m gettin a cold too. Oh joy.

Bean are you feeling any better on your viruses now?

Norbert how goes work?

Eal I’m so glad you had such a positive appointment, that sounds like the best answer for you for sure to allow you a bit more carbs to cope. Is the nausea persisting from when it got worse a few weeks ago?

Avocado well done on the cleaning. The other day I cleaned the kitchen sink (as in a proper scrub and delimescale). I can’t actually remember when I last did that, possibly over 4 months ago . I hope dh has given it a wipe in the interim .

Moon I have zero muscle left. On good days I do some pg yoga and some poses I would find very easy pre pregnancy I find very tough going and can’t hold for more than a few seconds. It’s like I’ve lost all of my strength.

Sass it’s hreat you’re off the meds but pants you’re not completely there. Don’t know what to suggest, might just be one of those things.

Reastie I am sure you do have muscle tone left, to be able to do half an hour on an exercise bike! Congratulations on sink.
norbert I am glad you have that 'Security Bucket' in the cupboard. It is sweet that the kids were sympathetic. What normal hours does a teacher work - I bet they are long? What is a 'Weeble'? My ignorance is limitless.
avodcadoo Moonkid and everyone concerned about bonding, you should not fret, because it will come. I was ill after the baby's birth (I will go into that another time) and I did not bond for a couple of weeks but it all came. Of course,those who already have LO's know this already: even if there is no bonding with the birth , the most sensible advice I ever saw in a book was, 'Just act as if you love the baby and the love will come'.
advocadoo Mother Hen clucks and flaps and says that was too much work.
eallison That is wonderful about the constructive meeting with the diabetes consultants. I am so pleased for you.
Sassehmonsta Ha Ha about joke. I hope that things improve a lot from this point.
Bili I am glad things are a bit better.
Waves to all. Watch me cross post.

Hi all, I've been reading but not posting as I forgot my password and couldn't find the energy to reset it. Pathetic I know!
I'm sorry everyone's had such tough times, but glad everyone is still surviving.
I'm in a difficult stage of wanting to clean and prepare for baby, but feeling dreadful and ending up back in bed if I do more than an hour or so, so it's taking a long time to achieve anything.
I've also got the dentist tomorrow which is worrying me that I'll come over horribly nauseous when she's poking in my mouth. But I feel I really need to go now as I've only got 3 weeks till due date - been booking and cancelling appointments since November as just not been up to it.
Has anyone managed to get to the dentist during a hyperemesis pregnancy?

silversplodge Several people on here have; they did warn the dentist and dental nurse. They all seemed to cope OK. I went when recovered save for terrible heartburn that made me vomit occasionally, so that doesn't count really. Wishing you the best of luck. I do hope you can rejoin us soon.

Here is a peppa pg weeble - I do have vague memories of more 80s ones though @LucindaE
I love how everyone's bump is called the parasite, I told someone at work the first week back it was a parasite and luckily she thought it was funny, I'm not sure everyone would get it. I've been looking at photos of newborn DD to remind myself how cute and snuggly she was in the hope I can feel more connected but it's not working yet! Once I know what it is I think it'll help.

@Reastie the kitchen sink was one of the most disgusting areas in my house 😂 dh did not clean under the dish drying thing.

Ended up experiencing triage tonight because I couldn't breathe, got ignored for the majority of it and forced to wait for a total of 5 hours for a blood test, ecg, blood pressure and the Doppler. They were so rude and I never want to go back, if it happens again I'd honestly rather drive an hour and a half to another hospital. Dreading giving birth there.( it's Edinburgh royal infirmary is there anyone out there that's had to deal with their shit before?)
Just got home and the taxi ride was awful my seat belt was broken and I swear the guy was drunk.
Sorry for moaning I know everyone has it worse but I'm tired and grumpy and was also stabbed with the whooping cough jag this morning so my arm is so sore 😭

@norbert23 I had a weird yellow teddy one of those as a kid 😂

Every time I read/re-read your “Watch me cross post” Lucinda I hear “Watch me whip (whip), watch me nae nae...”

I’ve not managed either silver although I'm earlier on, I’ve been meaning to for ages but not confident yet. I also used to get therapy massage monthly (deep tissue, osteopathy, manual therapy etc) but haven’t managed since the new year because I just don’t know how I’ll be in advance. It’s enough to soldier on with mandatory appointments, I’m not brave enough for optional ones yet!

Oh dear avacadooo that sounds rotten, hope you’re feeling better at least. And I hear you on under the dish drainer! DH is great but he never ever thinks to clean there and I find it gross, it needs regular wiping!

Went out again today, needed to because my prescriptions were accidentally sent to my former pharmacy (only just changed so kind of to be expected), it’s further away so got that and had a small bite to eat. Went straight to bed once home to try and conserve energy, currently tired and a bit nauseous and slightly nervous as to how I’ll feel tomorrow

Had to log onto my work laptop yesterday to approve a batch of expenses for one of my team (I’ve delegated approvals to her on the system in my absence, but she can’t approve her own!). I thought it would be a good test of seeing what it’s like to be at my laptop, at home. I quickly came to the conclusion that if my job just consisted of deleting emails and reading policy on the intranet then I’d probably manage but it was quickly apparent that I have neither the physical nor mental reserves at this stage to actually deal with anything.

On a normal work day my phone rings a lot (I’ve been avoiding answering my personal mobile or replying to texts as it is it’s too draining...), I get a lot of emails, and my job (as it was, not entirely sure in the new world of restructuring!) consists largely of either telling advising people on what to do, handling people who are unnecessarily wound up and smoothing things out, and making sure stuff just runs. Quite a bit of performance management issue handling (I have a great team, just a couple of complex individuals let’s say!). And a fair dollop of reassuring some very senior people that everything is fine and I’m handling [insert whatever random and usually inconsequential thing has popped up today].

The thing is I actually quite like my job and don’t mind all of that! But for sure I can’t get back to that yet. It was good to be reminded of that. Plus logging on meant I could check my remaining annual leave allowance and I now know firmly when I want to finish (not sure when I have that conversation and with whom, given line management changes, but at least I now know!).

Can’t remember who asked but yes am a lot better than I was. Can now at least keep up with my fluid needs so haven’t needed to be admitted again. Made it back to work this week, perhaps against my better judgement but finish next Friday so very much winding down and handing over the loose ends and determined not to run myself ragged.
35 weeks today and counting.

That was me bean! Glad you’re better than you were. At least you know not long to go at work left.

Did 30 minutes on bike again this morning. I know, I’m just asking for feeling rubbish aren’t I. But I feel like I should try and keep it up. I was so fit pre pregnancy and am so weak and wobbly now I just feel like I’m utterly failing if I don’t try and keep up something. I took it more gently than last time and don’t have any expectations to manage anything for the rest of the morning. Id really love to cook dd and dh a nice dinner tonight, I’ve got a tin of pineapples out and a recipe out on the kitchen for pineapple upside down pudding and am living in hope I felt up to making it this afternoon for them but will have to see.

Beforeihit I totally get the not having energy to cope with work. My mental energy runs out so quickly and I just can’t do it!

Avacadoo what a rubbish experience. Can you change where you give birth? Hopefully it’s just a one off unlucky experience and it’s usually much better.

Hi ladies, I've been a bit quiet past few days. I looked after my son yesterday morning then battled the storm to walk him to nursery in the afternoon. It has absolutely wiped me out today! I am supposed to have him today too but I signed him up for an extra nursery day last week knowing I was unlikely to be capable. Was thinking I might be well enough for work next week but now rethinking. Dr signed me off for next week anyway now so might just go with it. Trying to tell myself work are hardly going to be hugely grateful when I return, I will likely just be screwing myself over.
In more exciting news, 10 week scan booked for next Fri. Hope the bean is still ok despite all it's putting me through!
No plans for today except rest and attempt to drink some prune juice. The constipation is killing me. Wish me luck, I'm scared what might happen 🙈

reastie the nausea has stopped getting worse, but hasn't really gotten any better. Am hoping that with insulin and slightly more carbs it will settle down again.

beforei I'm desperate to be at work too, I love my job. I was intending to go back to my 2 hours next week , but now I'm not so sure. My line manager had a very lovely chat with my hubby yday (we were together and they had a work meeting) where she told him that she had been worried about me last week, and she thinks it's time to be signed off til mat leave at 36 weeks. In her words, there are more important things than work and I need to look after me and baby. Hubby explained that the mental side of work is important for my mental health and line manager said "oh there are far more fun things she could be doing for her mental health!". Bless her. I'm still not quite ready to accept no more work til after mat leave, but I'm certainly more open to it than I was. I think lack of family understanding is a factor in the decision too. Not my family, my dad's wanted me signed off til birth since about week 5! But hubbys family still cant seem to understand that I'm still ill, I still need the steroids (yesterday I got "I thought you were weaning off them?"... Yes, I am, as and when I can!), don't seem to be able to get their heads round just how exhausted I am all the time. At least with my 2 hours I can say I'm trying!