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.
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.
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.

Forgot to add, have a lovely time away Lucinda.

Washing has gone out on the line today here as well!

House viewing on Thursday, 5pm.

Am allowed my anti sickness tablets for the GTT but midwife was useless for ages until she realised I have ongoing HG and backed down. Even told me to ask GP to prescribe heartburn tablets as I'm suffering badly.

Yes Elkie and if I didn’t have HG I’d still be grumbling about pregnancy symptoms! It’s only now I’m living this that I think average pregnancy gripes are better. I am glad I’m having this baby, and not sure I want to do it again!

Indeed Blii much harder to keep on top of it and I seem to have piles left, especially of linens. Hope you feel better. DH has started sending me off with biscuits and a drink in my bag whenever I leave the house (which is usually just to go for an appointment or school run!), for this reason, getting hungry and nauseous and lightheaded and ultimately feeling worse.

Hope you feel better soon too Reastie. In the nicest possible sense, it isn’t your problem your work need to manage your replacement without your input, obviously your colleagues have spotted an issue and they can raise it with other managers instead of you. It’s not like you can spend your sick leave and maternity leave regularly double checking and sorting things. If DH could see this he would let out a hollow laugh, but I am also gradually learning that I just need to leave them to it!

I was planning to go back to work when baby is about 8 months - I went back when DC1 was 6.5mo and when DC2 was about 7mo so this would actually be my longest mat leave. But if we can find a way to afford it I’m thinking I would like to take my full entitlement of one year (my enhanced pay is for 6 months, and I have a little over 6 weeks of annual leave accrued, so that much time is covered financially meaning only needing money saved for about 1.5-2 months of my salary). To take a full year would be an extra 3-4 months, but at the moment I just feel like I want more time. Because of being so ill now, I want to be off during next summer (my mat leave is due to start at end of August at 39 weeks, but obviously would start 3 weeks earlier in beginning of August if I’m still signed off at 36 weeks). I think I just want to spend my summer next year with the DCs and enjoy it, with actual energy and physical wherewithal, rather than spend it commuting! So basically I want to go back in September 2020 (including my annual leave entitlement which I need to use up before physically returning to the office, otherwise I would have a ridiculous amount of leave accrued). DH wants this too, he’s looking at how he can bring in some money to make that happen (currently SAHP but also building his own business and we’ve gone into ‘serious mode’ with it now). I’m pretty relaxed about it but if we can do it I think it will be great. I may be romanticising it right now and this time next year I could be really keen on returning to work

Before thing is the colleague that told me won’t tell the managers as she doesn’t want to cause trouble. I’m going to send my work cover an email and cc in manager directing her to the work she should be following. Honestly, if I don’t do this it’ll be worsenin the long run as I’ll come back to a disaster zone, which tbh might happen anyway! Blii I’m 34 weeks now so not going back until after mat leave!

Dead good luck for gtt and glad you can take medicine at least.

Before I’m taking the whole year off. It’ll mean things are tricky financially but for me it’s worth it, and I agree that we miss out on so much when pg we deserve some time to be off with the dc.

Am planning on taking metcoploride in the morning as a trial for how it makes me feel now ready for csection (when they want to give it to me pre section). First trimester it made me worse so I’m quite scared about it but I want to try it a few times now before the operation so I know if it’s worth taking rather than waiting until the op and findnit makes me worse then. Also going to do the same with randitine.

@elkie - having a toddler must be hard. My elder is 6 so was more self sufficient.

@reastie - if you can bare it just leave the work replacement to it. You don’t need the stress and it’s a long time until you are back and if you aren’t fit to be there don’t try and manage remotely - it’ll be very stressful.

@bili - Fry up sounds tough.

@dead - def get anti acid tablets. Made such a difference for me.

Deaddoorpost, reastie, lucindae thank you all so much for your kind words and support. I know you have all been through what am currently going through and i cannot thank you all for being there for me with your words and thoughts xx

I am my absolute best to literally live one minute to the next, my wonderful and beautiful mum came to see me today as i live over 100 miles away and I literally just broke down. My husband is trying his best and I have the most amazing SIL who has put me up in her guestroom with ensuite and told me to stay there till I turn that magical corner........

I truly hope and pray you are all doing well or as well as we can during this disease and that is what I am going to call it. It deprives you of everything you have ever known and strips you down to a complete other person whom you have never met before or recognise. I actually thought at one point I was suicidal as I have suffered with depression for many years but realised I cannot do that to my 8yr old or the life inside me no matter how bad things are.

I have given up on the meds I am afraid to say but have a consultant app next fri so will see what he or she says.

I know I dont always comment or reply but I read and lurk as it gives me strength. Lots of prayers and thoughts with you all.

Can I just ask, do you all take pregnancy multivitamins? I'm having such a hard time swallowing mine, just the thought makes me shudder. I'm taking the big brown Pregnacare ones and I absolutely dread taking them. Are there any easier alternatives?

@composed It sounds like you're in a really bad place 😥 I really hope the consultant can help you. I too have had dark thoughts, your description of HG is spot on. Sending strength to you.

composed I'm sorry to hear how difficult you are finding things at the moment. Know that you are not alone . Please don't leave your consultant apt without new meds to try; there is definitely something that will work to help you, it's just a case of finding it.

clare the vast majority of us don't manage the pregnancy vitamins; you're right they're huge and difficult to keep down. I didn't manage with my first, and didnt bother trying with my second! Ibhave a vague recollection of my midwife telling me that own brand vitamins tended to be smaller and easier to swallow... might be worth exploring?

@composed. Glad you’ve got family supporting you. What meds are you on again? Are you worse without? I couldn’t have stopped. Hope consultant appt helpful.

@claredb - I didn’t manage. Occasional folic acid and that was very intermittent. My small does not seem to have been affected. Babies really are little parasites who leach all the goodness (it’s a good job she’s cute!)

Composed i hope the consultant apt arrives quickly for you and the wait not too long. I’m glad you’ve got family supporting you, that makes all the difference.

Clare I never took any big pg vitamins. All I ever managed was a folic acid tablet or a spray pg vitamin (easier to tolerate than swallowing a tablet but it seems to have been discontinued now as I can’t find it anywhere). I didn’t even manage that every day and only took until 12 weeks. I believe all you need to take is folic acid for first 12 weeks but vitamin d is also advised now (but you can get this if you manage to sit outside from sunlight) and iron can be good because pg women are often lacking, but I haven’t taken any iron personally.

So I’ve just taken my first metcoploride after it making me wors in first trimester. Am feeling scared it’ll do the same again but want to try it again so I can say to consultant next week at my csection planning apt once and for all of they should give it to me before the op (which is their standard anti emetics drug). Side effects say drowsiness is very common, hope it isn’t as much as cyclizine initially is!

I caved and made a gp app this morning as I had one of my worst days yesterday, I asked for new meds over the phone he wants me to go in to check my urine but I can’t wee! I know I am not dehydrated as when I went wee yestrtday it was not dark and I forced myself to have irn bru, I just wasnt able to eat.

Ive tried stemetil after all the other ones and was hoping to ask for ondansetron(?) but I am actually scared to. My gp’s all 3 of them are reluctant to prescribe anything and even getting stemetil was a battle as the hospital had to call them and fax over some guidelines before they agreed (although they never put it on repeat). I suffer from
anxiety and now worried I will leave that practice with no result

Back from gp and I basically said i wanted zofran as ive tried everything and nothing has worked not to mention me being at the end of my tether. She gave it and gave lactulose.

Upon coming back home I took one along with a bit of water (first time having water in over a month) decided to have a lay down and cue spectacular vom session. I did see the whole pill, is it safe to take another does anyone know or should I wait?

I pray everyone is having a better day today x

clare No bothering with vitamins here either. I found they made me worse.

comoosed it's absolutely fine to take another one. Go for it!

@ClareDB I find vitamins difficult. I can handle combined vitamin d and folic acid so take that. I tried pregnacare liquid recently and was sick the next 2 days (not sure if coincidental) so stopped that. Last pregnancy I was more diligent and forced the pregnacare tablets down but had to take them literally in the middle of a meal to stop the awful stomach fizzing. I think the current advice is just take folic acid (to 12 weeks at least) and vit d so I'm going with that.

@composed really hope the new drugs help, I would take another if it came out whole. Any chance of taking it without water if water is a trigger? If you can just keep one down for an hour it should help so hang in there!

composed If you only took one, and it was 4mg, then you can take another - the max dose is 8mg three times a day. Most women find it makes a difference for them, so I hope you are one of them. I am pleased your GP was sensible and prescribed it for you.

That’s good you’ve been prescribed the ondansetron composed. Definitely take the laxative! Those ondansetron poo’s really are the worst! My doc told me if I’m sick within half hour after taking it then I can take another.
Clare I took a pregnancy vitamin religiously in my first pregnancy but never in my second. Both boys care out fine. The baby takes all your stores anyway, so you’re the one who’ll suffer. I did manage to take pregnancy pills a few times in the beginning of this pregnancy but have stopped now.

I never got my blood test results back. I was a bit worried the other day because I cut myself shaving and didn’t know, next thing there’s a huge trail of blood down my leg and bloody footprints in the hallway. I’ve never experienced that before, I’m wondering if it’s to do with low platelets. I think the drs would call or send me a letter though if there was anything to worry about.
Hope everyone is having a good day and enjoying the sunshine. It’s hyperemesis gravidarum awareness day tomorrow. I have a Facebook post ready to post in the morning.

@ClareDB I took just folic acid tablets too, the multivitamin ones made me too nauseous. I remember reading somewhere (RCOG guidelines?) that iron containing tablets can have that effect - taking iron still makes me really nauseous. If like me, you have a huge stash of multivitamin tablets bought on offer - they are almost identical to the breastfeeding ones so I'm aiming to use them up then.

@Reastie fingers crossed the metaclopramide has been OK for you - were you on ondensatron when you last took it?

My nausea is definitely going in the wrong direction again, evenings after the kids have gone to bed are now a right off and I'm back to clock watching when I can take my next medication. Its so frustrating to be going backwards with so much of pregnancy left to go....

Hi,

I've now been suffering from HG since around 5 weeks, now 8 and 5 days. I've already been hospitalised 3 times, latest being yesterday. I'm out now and managed to eat and drink which was amazing but I know the nausea and sickness is going to be back in a day or two, nausea is already returned. I'm just feeling really down about things. I've been off from work which I feel bad about and I also feel terrible that I can't care for my 3 year old properly. I had a perfect first pregnancy but this time I don't even want to acknowledge it, have no interest in looking at baby things and of course I'm so worried I'm doing damage to my developing baby. I was so careful the first time, vitamins every day, only water, healthy diet. This time is so different. I don't eat or drink for days as it all comes back then I get a bit of respite from been on fluids in hospital, then I take my chance to eat when I can and it's obviously not the best stuff as I'm just so hungry!
Feeling annoyed also as midwife in hospital kept saying to avoid this you need to keep eating and drinking, I said to her I was but nothing was staying down. Not even ice chips! It was like she thought I was intentionally denying myself food and water!
Sorry that was a bit of a rant!
Just needed to get it off my chest!
Just trying to power through this awful condition

Hi all, gentle hugs and sips of squash all round.

Sorry for being absent for a few weeks - I’ve not been well but I’ve been better than I have been for a while so I’ve been enjoying spending some time with DD and I’ve been at work!

28 weeks with the twins now and I’ll get my section date soon - they will be here by mid-July! Feels so soon. HG really has robbed me of this pregnancy so I feel like I’ve not been able to enjoy it at all really and now it’s crept up on me and the babies are nearly here!

Hope all are as ok as can be expected xx

Thank you all I did end up taking one a few hours later in the end as I found myself getting a bit nauseous, however I managed to spend a few good hours on the sofa today as opposed to the bed!

Unfortunately I am plagued by insomnia and have been since the early weeks, the things we go through (think I would take the insomnia over the throwing up anyday tho!)

I can’t thank you all enough for your kind words and support, having gone through a really dark time recently its meant a lot. Unless someone has gone through HG themselves no one can even begin to imagine how hard an illness it is xx

tarara get your GP to prescribe meds. If you've been hospitalised you need them. It's how we're all managing (just) I understand about not wanting to acknowledge the pregnancy. I was the same last time.

I'm eating cereal for the first time in over a month!! WITH MILK and don't yet feel sick. Fingers crossed it stays this way.

Still losing weight at the same time as putting it on with the baby. I think she's going to be a big baby. Either that or I'm carrying a lot of water. But I can see the difference around my face and chest where the fat has gone, and can feel that some has gone from my back. I just wish it would come off of my legs and bum now

Calmer I forgot you're having twins! July sounds so good. I wish I was coming close to the end! My absolute latest date will be Sept 20th and knowing my luck that will be exactly what happens. DS was 9 days late but may have been because of the sweep 5 days before. We'll never know for sure. I thinking I can have a sweep done before my due date (may play up the HG card a lot as a reason) my due date I'll be happy.

Dead I read that in pg it’s natural to put on weight in the thighs, some kind of biological reason for it that I’m not sure of, so doubtful I’m afraid even if you keep losing weight. I know mine are a lot more chunky and I don’t usually hold weight there. Well done on cereal with milk, that’s fantastic. I still can’t manage normal milk in cereal and have to have rice milk. In my head I want to drink a glass of nice cold milk but when it comes to it it turns my stomach!

Calmer I’m so glad things are a bit better. From what I’ve seen often things do really seem to improve for those with twins, a bit like they get double the sickness with double the hormones from 2 babies but then do improve sooner too. Although that’s a complete non scientific observation!

Composed insomnia is the pits, just when you think at least at night the hours will go quicker through sleep and you’ll get a temporary rest from feeling sick you then can’t sleep! Is the ondansetron helping at all?

Tara ignore your mw, see a gp and get some medicine.

Teddy thanks for asking about the metcoploride. I did indeed feel a bit more sick after it yesterday and I definitely felt hunger sooner after breakfast than usual so had to have an early snack. It didn’t disagree with me per se like it didninnthe first trimester but it didn’t feel like it helped/agreed with me iykwim. So I’ll be discussing it with either consultant or anaesthetist at apt’s to see whether they suggest taking it before section or giving it a miss. Next trial is to take it on an empty stomach rather than with breakfast as I suspect, given an empty stomach in itself is a nausea trigger for me, taking it on top of an empty stomach might not be a good thing.

Blii you’d assume you’d get a call if the blood test flagged up anything but I have heard of test results getting lost or the info not reaching the person as needed. Can you call your gp surgery or mw for the results to check on them at all?

Happy hg awareness day!

Mw tomorrow so setting myself up for a trip outside the house.

Hey all just popping in to share with all you strong women an article written by the BBC today:
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-48228937

I have 3 weeks left to go and nausea hasnt come back in any significant way for the last ten weeks 🎉

Flowers and strength to all of you currently going through this extremely difficult (unbearable) time there is a light and beautiful baby at the end of this journey 💐

i can not express how much The support on this thread got me through some really dark days... happy reading