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.

I sat to sort through my son's washing basket.... 20 minutes ago. I can't get up! On the plus side I've made a few phone calls that I needed to make...! sasseh did you know you need to inform your car insurance company you're taking insulin? If you made a claim and they didn't know they're likely to refuse to pay out. Ive just told Aviva and theyve just made a note on my policy. No mention of extra costs or anything (watch me get a letter thru telling me how much extra I have to pay!)

I'm about to crawl over to son's bed and see if I can pull myself up! I have no strength in my legs anymore. maybe I need to follow reastie's example and get me a bike! I have been thinking about doing a bit of gentle swimming...

Eal I have something called a turbo which the physio recommended to me pre preg to still do exercise with an injury I have. It means it turns my regular outdoors bike into an indoor bike :) . I recommend it for gentle exercise as you can go very slowly. It puts less pressure on my joints than walking (where my increased weight makes it harder) and tbh just the thought of driving to the swimming pool is too exhausting, and I don’t want to come over all sick whilst in the pool/getting changed. I sit upright rather than have hands on the handlebars as I find it a bit easier and more comfy with a bump.

I’ll join the exhausted club! After doing a little cycle I’m now shattered. I, looking forward to hopefully having a nap after lunch. I mean, I’m always tired but usually I don’t feel like I’m going to fall asleep standing up whilst I’m not doing anything at home.

Eal, there shouldn't be extra costs, I don't think they are allowed to hike the price because of temporary insulin - at least, that's what my Diabetes team told me! I have asked my dad (multiple times) to inform them, as I am a named driver on his multicar policy, as it's actually his cars I drive (we swap around a lot, Yaris, Focus, Fiesta, as there are 4 of us that drive, 1 learner and 1 who doesn't drive yet).

Today is going slowly, I have housework to be getting on with once I'm home (house inspection tomorrow) but stuck at work until 2pm. only an hour and a half to find something to do in - filing no doubt. Baby is very active.

Eal, have you managed to get off the floor yet?!

I did indeed make it off the floor. I even managed to get the wash into the machine! Continuing the achievements I've also managed to crack on with my wipes and successfully injected myself without being talked thru it. I've actually just weighed out 15g of salad cream, cos then that's only 2.3g of carbs. What is my life coming to!?

elkie hope everything is going... swimmingly (?) with the constipation. It’s rotten when you’re constipated, but the prospect of actually going eventually can be quite worrying!

eallison great that work are very open minded about it, but yes it’s the mental wellbeing, stimulation etc that work can bring which you really notice when it’s not there. I guess it’s a case of also not being able to really do anything else either to occupy the work-shaped hole in the day to day routine My dad is similar, he thinks it’s great I’m signed off he’s a union man in quite an ‘old school’ job and he’s a big fan of getting everything you’re entitled to out of work! He laments the fact that I don’t claim back every single hour I work over my contract...

I think I might be inadvertently creating work for myself though. I’m sorting out a dual fuel switch and changing policy and provider for home contents (seemed like as good a time as any to review these)... also wrote to the school e-safety lead about safe search engines (and lack thereof)... drew a diagram of our bedroom and have now worked out how we can move to the furniture to fit the cot in... just switched pharmacies to one that is slightly more convenient... DH keeps coming to me and saying, “You know, you’re signed off work to rest. As in not work. Not is you can create new work”

Bought some maternity clothes online from H&M. Haven’t shopped there in years (for myself, the kids have loads of joggers and hoodies from there) but a lot of people recommended their maternity range. I’m really pleased with it! I’m rubbish at buying casual wear (I’m not glamorous or anything, I’m just much better at finding clothes I like for work than for weekends etc and always end up looking a bit frumpy in casual clothes!). Got two pairs of jeans, some vests and two long tops. Jeans are great, as are the tops, fabric is actually quite good as I was worried about being itchy. Vests are brilliant! First vests I’ve bought in years that properly cover my bra even under my arms, I have an unnecessarily large bust with huge bras to match so they’re never covered fully by vests but these ones actually do. It’s genuinely been a little boost to how I feel, as I now feel more comfortable and less scrappy looking for my short trips out, to docs etc. 15 weeks but 3rd pregnancy so bump is coming out much earlier this time so really needed to move onto the big elasticated panels!

norbert Aha. I didn't know what they were called, but I do remember those things. I am sure you look nothing like that shake.
beforeihit30 Ha, Ha, call me Madame Whiplash. Have you tried Bravissimo? Not for Hyperemesis, but for bras.
www.bravissimo.com/ being a 32F since daughter was born (I was a mere 32DD before then) I do find them really helpful for a lovely variety. Wise decision on work.
eallison Your boss is quite right. You need to take care of yourself. Never mind what your annoying in-laws' say. I doubt one of them could handle what you have been through. Mother Hen will peck them.
ElkieMacjibe I think you are right about work. Your health and that of the baby come above everything.
Watch me ... find my whip (for gingering doctors, dismissive in-laws etc etc).

I'd also recommended molke bras as pregnancy progresses. Am also a large chested woman... currently rocking a 32/H chest (un-pregnant I'm 28FF). I refused to abandon my underwire last time, but the molke bras are so damned comfortable and supportive, even without the wire. Im gonna buy myself a second after payday, so i cab wash this one (ive basically jot taken it off since it arrived 10days ago) They're not particularly discrete, but when I asked hubby if I looked ok before going out Saturday morning (cos loads of the bra was on show at the top of my dress) - he just thought it was a top under my dress. Not cheap, but no bras our size our! Also, apparently great for breastfeeding.

And yes, my immediate boss is very supportive. The Head less so...

Hi all! Not doing a great job of keeping up. Feeling pretty fed up and sorry for myself. I went back to the cyclezine because the other stuff didn’t work. It’s helping with the sickness for sure. But I still feel nauseous & tired all the time.
I’m just bored & fed up & miss work and generally being able to function! I keep telling myself that I will dream of this kind of rest when the baby arrives, but I’m finding it hard to appreciate at the moment.

9 weeks tomorrow. This is the stage it really ramped up last time, so I’m a bit nervous. But hopefully the rest & medication has me ahead of it this time.

@eallison88 my friend was telling me about those molke bras the other day. Might check them out as I’m starting this pregnancy a 34g. I bf’s ds for 2.5 years and the never went back down again! Lord only knows how big they’ll be by the end of this journey.

Hope everyone is ok. Sorry for the me, me, me post.

cattaxi Sympathies about being at a horrible stage. I hope the meds make a big difference to last time.
Goodness, everyone, there seem to be a fair proportion of heavy bosomed slightly built woman on here. Is this some sort of predisposing factor?

I am also narrow-ish and ample bosomed!! (30 FF before this pregnancy, but now bulging out of 34 ff at 22 weeks)

Has anyone tried acupuncture for HG symptoms? I'm actually feeling desperate and I'm going to book in. I won't get my hopes up but I need to do something.

Ha ha @LucindaE we do all seem to be quite norky! I wonder if anyone has researched for a link between hg and breezy size 😆

@moonkid no, but quite a few people have mentioned to me that it might help. None of them had any hg expertience, just positive acupuncture stories. I’d be really interested to know how you get on.

Is anyone having cravings? I had a massive urge today to eat celery. Dh got me some on the way home and i’ve Got through heaps. WTF? Not my usual beige carb fest! Would make a much healthier alternative to my cravings from my last pregnancy - nath sponges & gravel 😂

*breast size

Another busty puker here! 32 f before pg but no idea now, it's my job for the weekend as all my bras are too tight! Those cheap bra extenders are handy but I think I need some proper fitting ones now.
I'm sorry you're having such a rough time @cattaxi I felt really similar on cyclizine- I think it's good in lots of ways but the rest side of it is equally important. It will get better but I know in the thick of it it doesn't feel that way. Try to sleep as much as possible!
Your line manager sounds really kind @eallison88 I hope that rest / insulin / carbs help you feel a bit better, it sounds so tricky balancing your food out.
I'm up at this stupid time feeling sick but not being sick, I hope that I can go back to sleep soon so that I don't feel so rough today. Two quieter days ahead and no late meetings so I can shuffle home and watch a bit of Moana with DD and have cuddles 😀

Lucinda haha oh yes I’m a fan of Bravissimo, got some really comfy sleep bras and a bralette from there recently. I’m now a 32J I was a 32E before I had DC1, and it’s all just hormones, I can’t breastfeed/can’t produce breast milk so I’ve never increased because of that and every time I go up in size it stays.

There does seem to be a pattern of busty sick women here

Did another brief jaunt today. Woke up at 11am, went out about 1-3:15pm with DH (sorted some stuff at the pharmacy, then had a short break in a cafe before picking up DC1 from nursery). Followed by 2 hours in bed staring at the internet, then fell asleep for 3 hours now I’m too awake!

Wishing you the best to get through it cattaxi that time (around 9-10 weeks) does seem to be a particularly rough stage for ramping up for a lot of people but hopefully it will calm down after a few weeks, even if not gone away but at least more manageable.

I was last measured a 34H at Bravissimo which I couldn't quite believe 🙈 I went into non-underwired Bravado breastfeeding friendly bras when my son was born and never got out of them. Underwire is sooo uncomfortable now. I'm destined to never have separate boobs again!

I’m the opposite, flat as a pancake.
Husband is loving my new bustier look, he can look but can’t touch. They’re soooo sore. I’ve not worn a bra since Christmas. Only on Sundays when I have work. Haha

After a week thinking my hyperemesis was under control (and eating real food!) It's back with a vengeance these past few days, despite the rotation of 50mg cyclizine and 50mg of Ondansetron.
Feeling sorry for myself as i just had teeth removed and not even sparkling water is staying down again...
Really demoralizing as i don't have a partner (wants nothing to do with me or baby) so I'm living with my parents, and as understanding as they try to be, they don't get it. Mom always says," i don't get it, you haven't even eaten anything, how can you be sick?! Try eating toast etc etc. It will get better at the end of the first trimester... Etc etc"
I'm fourteen and a half weeks and if anything it's been worse...
Ugh.

I've gone from 34d to 36dd and even that bra isn't fitting anymore 😂 any bigger and they won't look in proportion to my body!

@Parent19876 ah the age old nonsense of it'll get better by the second trimester 😂 I love being hit with that one! However it will hopefully get better I'm on week 18 and it's been rubbish but week 17 was amazing, the only way I get through it is to take it week by week and remind myself it's not as bad as week 10, that week for me was my worst!
Try some red lucozade as that has been a lifeline for me and it makes sick taste pleasant.

I need new bras so thank you for the molke recommendation, have never heard of them before. I’m wearing my ‘fat’ bras atm (ie ones I wore before I lost weight that I had stashed in the loft) which are varying sizes and fit me to differing amounts.

Had mw apt today which was very good. I hadn’t heard from the mh team I was referred to. Apparently they have discharged me as they rung twice and I didn’t answer the phone. No message left, no letter to ask to ring them. Mw was cross and is chasing it up and told them on the phone it wasn’t good enough . She’s also asked if I can email her my essay I wrote about my issues during this pg and where I am so she can make sure everyone has a copy that needs it. It’s esswntially me explaining my issues and struggles as I can’t verbalise it properly in appointments. She has said she wants the maternity ward at the hospital to have it before I go , triage to have it should I ever need to go there so they are aware of me, and all specialists I will see to have a copy. I told her how every apt I wanted answers to questions and specifics written on my notes (eg last time I requested could I have on my notes that they give me an anti emetic during labour if I requested one. No one was willing to write on my notes that this should be done. I was told it shouldn’t be an issue but would depend on the day who was working. It gave me so much anxiety not having anyone say ‘yes, of course you can, let me write it in your notes’) and no one would and she said she will refer me to a consultant anaesthetist to discuss some of my issues and she will speak to him beforehand to make sure he knows the situ so he will be specific this time. She said that should work! I always feel so positive after seeing her. I just hope that things go as well as she says they should. I mean, it’s one thing her circulating my background and pg issues so people are aware, it’s another for anyone to actually read it and bother to take any notice.

Mw couldn’t help at all with bm issue though, said I’d already tried everything she would recommend.

Parent are you sure on 50mh ondansetron? Max dose usually is 8mg 3 x day.

Beforeihit well done for making it out.

Norbert hope today wasn’t too bad for you

Cattaxi I haven’t had any cravings but have had foods I’ve fancied (as opposed to not being able to face). In my first trimester I ate a lot of butternut squash lasagne. So random but it was all I could face and want for weeks! I think there must’ve been some nutrient in the butternut squash I needed or something.

Parent I am so sorry you are facing this on your own. You are being very brave. What meds are you on? Can they add any? Are you on an effective anti acid? Don't despair; this does get a lot better for most people at some point between approximately 15-20 weeks. Even the unlucky sufferers who have it throughout, only rarely feel as bad later on as they do early on.
Moonkid I did find Acupunture very helpful. I was in a bad state as I had been refused all meds (this was years back). I was much improved after treatment. I think it has helped most people who have tried it but not to the same extent as I found. It is definitely worth a try.
Bili
Sympathy to all.

Reastie Cross posted. Glad that was a constructive meeting. It certainly isn't good enough that you were discharged .

Another fairly flat chested sufferer here, although I've been either pregnant or breastfeeding continuously for the last 5 years so have had a decent chest all that time. If I'm anything like DM they'll shrink to almost nothing once I finally stop breastfeeding though .

@Parent Weeks 9 to 11 were the worst for me, I think that's when the hormones peak before the placenta takes over. For me it's been a slow rather than overnight improvement since then some ups and downs - which can be very frustrating but overall by 19 weeks I'm now in a much better place.

It must be in the genes. Although no one in my family has had hyperemesis before. My mum suffered nausea whilst pregnant for the whole 9 months with me and my brother but she said she could eat and drink ok, it wasn’t debilitating.
What’s everyone managing to eat? I’m 18 weeks and all I want is potato. But deep fried crispy potato, I just had harvester cheese and bacon potato skins and they’re amazing. I still can’t stomach anything healthy. I’ll eat cucumber and the occasional broccoli but it’s hard. I feel bad about being so unhealthy. Still not up to my pre pregnancy weight either.