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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

995 replies

LucindaE · 17/04/2019 20:13

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.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
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6
Reastie · 21/05/2019 16:04

Before that’s a really good way to look at it. I HATE being so lazy, and I hope dh doesn’t think I’m milking it (pretty sure he doesn’t...) I do worry people think I’m being a wuss. I put a fb post up on hg awareness day last week with extracts from pss about what it’s like to have hg and had people commenting saying they had no idea it was so bad and feeling very sorry for me, which felt in a weird way nice that I could educate them and explain I’m not just making it all up and trying to have an easy life by staying at home all the time. I think people genuinely have no clue what it’s like. Until I read this I didn’t believe I had hg, and then so much of it rang so true for me and it was like someone understood me, someone had gone through this before, it wasn’t just me, I wasn’t making something of nothing. Because it’s not just the actual sick bit, it’s the triggers, the mental toughness, the isolation, the misunderstanding.

I’ve found dh and dd both more appreciative of me now. Dh is grateful on the days I can manage dinner for him and dd, dd always comes and thanks me when I manage to make her bed as she appreciates it and knows I can’t always manage to.

Composed just try to remember you will be able to take dd again. This won’t last forever, despite how it feels like a lifetime.

I have a consultant apt tomorrow, this is a big one where we discuss the section in a few weeks. I’m so scared I’ll be met with ‘it depends on the day’ answers to everything. My community mw assures me this shouldn’t be the case as the consultant will have my history. I’ve been waiting to see a consultant about this since I was initially told they would help me with it 15 weeks ago! Supposedly the mh nurse will also be in on the apt but I’m not sure if she’ll be any use. She was very unwilling to help me at my apt with her a few months ago and said she couldn’t help with getting a plan in place for my section. Suddenly my mw speaks to her on the phone and she can.....but she takes more than 3 phone calls from my mw chasing her up about not arranging an apt, so I’m not holding my breath of her helping me fight my corner for things. I’ve got everything written down about the section to go through with the consultant which I hope is the best way so I don’t forget anything and we can work down the list. Things like usually you have to go to a group session before the section to find out about what happens during the section but it happens in the evening. Innthe evening I literally do nothing but lie in bed and feel very sick if I try to do anything (yesterday I tried to hoover my room in the evening. I managed half the room and then had to lie down with my eyes closed for an hour recovering) so I can’t see I’ll manage to attend, and if I do I’ll be so stressed about being out on an evening feeling sick that I won’t take it in. I’m asking for them to give me an individual session or to give me a phone call or leaflet with the info they would give. Things like this, I hope they will help me with.

ClareDB · 21/05/2019 16:21

@before I love that outlook on it, thank you for taking the time to write all that, I think we all need reminding sometimes.

My DH managed to get the ondansetron after phoning around. I've only been prescribed 4mg twice a day though. I'm beginning to think I should have gone down the hospital route. The GP didn't say anything about lactulose, can I get it without a prescription?

ClareDB · 21/05/2019 16:25

@before I didn't know there was a link between HG and hypothyroidism! I've been taking them before bed but recently my sickness has been at its worst in the evening so I think I need to change it up again.

Blii · 21/05/2019 16:56

ClareDB Make sure you take a laxative daily with the ondansetron!
That’s strange no one else has felt hiccups. He hasn’t had them so much today but still been doing them on and off. It makes my bump jerk.
Hope the consultant goes ok tomorrow reastie.
I have midwife on Thursday and more blood tests. Then first growth scan on Friday. Everyone says I look small for 27 weeks, but we shall see. I certainly don’t feel small Hmm

composed · 21/05/2019 17:10

Blii when i was pregnant with my first she would hiccup in the evening without fail daily, quite strange till I worked out what it was!

Reastie hope tomorrow goes well, fx the nurse will be better than she has been by the sounds of it x

Clare you can buy lactulose I think but I asked my gp for it as reading from this the constipation when taking ondansetron goes hand in hand.

Reastie · 21/05/2019 17:26

Thanks for the good luck. Given mh nurse told me the fact I was feeling sick was a psychosomatic response gives me zero confidence.

Clare I don’t know about lactulose but I take movicol which you can get otc (it’s safe in pg but don’t tell pharmacist as they are weird at selling to you if pg despite the leaflet inside saying it’s fine). Fwiw try 4mg but know if it makes no difference you can up it to see if that helps better. Just make sure you check with gp or else they won’t give you enough pills! It’s good they’ve give you the version that melts in your mouth as I think you’re less likely to vomit it bacj up again. It’s a more expensive way of giving the medication so the fact your go is willing to prescribe that is promising,

beforeIhit30 · 21/05/2019 19:42

Reastie that’s a really good link. I also didn’t think I had HG, until after joining this thread and listening to the BMJ podcast (which I’ve finally found again! Link here if anyone wants to listen). I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow, despite the not very helpful MH nurse; they must have another way to give you all of the information you want and need, outside of an evening session.

Clare good to hear your DH tracked down some ondansetron. You can buy lactulose over the counter, Boots definitely sell it but most pharmacies should. It’s about £7-8 for the large bottle (500ml I think). I’ve bought it before when we’ve run out and needed some ASAP so no time for a prescription. I didn’t know about the HG/hypothyroidism link until my second trimester this time around (this being my third pregnancy). My TSH super spiked, when they were expecting everything to plateau with first tri out of the way, so it was all a bit unusual compared to all of our expectations; that was when some of the doctors started to mention the connection. I did a bit of Googling and whilst there’s nothing conclusive, it turns out it’s quite a well known relationship! I’d had no idea. It’s meant I see the endo consultant more regularly, normally it’s one appointment then just manage remotely with regular TFTs but for now I’m seeing them approx. once a month.

Blii DC1 seemed to hiccup constantly in the womb! It is odd, having a rhythmic jerky movement like that.

LucindaE · 21/05/2019 20:14

beforeihit30 Very wise words. Flowers My goodness, you sound as if you are normally very busy and active.
Reastie I do hope things are worked out at the appointment with the consultant tommorow. It is dreadful that the MH nurse has been so useless.That is a distressing dream, but one does have grotesque dreams in pregnancy.
DeadDoorPost A great idea about using that dream for a story. After all, that is how Frankenstein came to be!

HermiioneKipper added you.
ClareDB I so agree with ohers; a laxative asap is requisite but I am so glad you have got another medication.
composed Don't feel guilty about DD. If years of these these threads show anything, it is that they get over this period of comparative neglect very quickly. I am glad OH apologised.
Bili I had to laugh about the flying spiders dreams, though I am sure it wasn't funny at the time. I still remember DD's hiccoughs after all these years.
Bentley I do hope the jacket potato doesn't reappear.
Waves to all.

Due Dates
bumblebee 20 May
Nighttimenope 13 July
evuscha 26 July
emma 4 August
CalmerComber 5 August TWINS
Teddyreddy 9 August
advocadoo 11 August
canonlyhope 13 August
Bili 16 August
Hairgician 16 August TWINS!
norbert 26 August
beforei hit30 3 September
stroen 4 September
DeadDoorPost 8 September
1Potato 8 September
MoonKid 1 October TWINS!
ElkieMacjibe 12 October
TwoShades1 17 October
cattaxi 19 October
BlodwynBludd 16 November
Composed 30 November
ClareDB 27 December
HermioneKipper 27 December

OP posts:
DeadDoorpost · 21/05/2019 23:17

Well, there goes being able to eat anything in fajitas. Just spectacularly threw dinner up. Throat hurts, and to top it off, I don't seem to have cleared all the phlegm away I originally went to cough up.
I'm only 24 weeks but boy am I ready to give birth. I'm done.

HermioneKipper · 22/05/2019 08:41

Morning ladies, hope everyone had a good night.

Poor you @claredb but at least they gave you the good stuff, really hope it helps.

@deaddoorpost so sorry you’re still being sick at 24 weeks, it’s so beastly isn’t it.

@reastie have all my fingers crossed for your appointment today.

Not great with me yesterday as had my booking in appointment with the midwife and she sent me straight to the hospital saying i was really dehydrated. Long horrid day there in a chair as no beds but the drip helped and they gave me ondansetron through the cannula as well. Was a nightmare getting a vein as I was so dehydrated they struggled to get one. Felt like a very sore pincushion. They wanted to admit me but no beds so sent me home at about midnight which was the best thing in the end I think as I was desperate for my bed. They sent me home with ondansetron tablets but didn’t say anything about lactolose so thanks for the tips all. Will send husband to buy some today.

Going to force myself to eat/drink as much as poss as def don’t want to end up in there again

DeadDoorpost · 22/05/2019 09:47

Hermione glad you got sent there and glad you got ondansetron. Don't be afraid of going to hospital again if you feel you need it, or asking GP for more help if it started to become ineffective.

I'm still feeling awful from yesterday but I've managed a banana so far. Stomach also hurts a little but I'm guessing that's the effects of the tablets more than anything else. That and maybe the fruit I've been eating. I'm so glad I'm not suffering from constipation this time. 3 weeks was the worst from DS pregnancy. It was horrendous.

Definitely going to try and do some writing today. Even if its just some planning. I also need to map out the world in more detail so that should keep me busy. I'm going to see my nan at her church thing again today, but being picked up afterwards so I don't have to worry this time.

ClareDB · 22/05/2019 10:18

@reastie Good luck with your appointment today.

@Hermionekipper Sorry you had to spend the day in hospital (especially in a chair!) How are you feeling now?

I think I'm feeling a little better today, hard to tell really though as my sickness is always worse in the afternoon/evening. I'm having a bit of a down day though as we were due to go to Turkey for 2 weeks next week and we had to cancel ☹ I should be getting ready and packed but instead I'm trying to hold food and drink down. I know there will be other holidays and mine and baby's health is more important but I was so looking forward to it. I'm hoping we can claim on the insurance. The GP said they'd help out with that.

Hope you all have a good day x

Bentley111 · 22/05/2019 10:31

@HermioneKipper what a horrible day for you yesterday. I'm glad your midwife recognised you were dehydrated though and got you the help you needed. Hope you feel a bit better today.

@DeadDoorpost I'm just gone 6 weeks and feel ready to give birth 🙈 I can't imagine still feeling like this at 24 (although I know chances are I will, should I make it that far).
Are you an author?! My DF wrote a manuscript before he passed away a few years ago and just before I fell pregnant I started to go through and edit it. Haven't felt up to doing much the past couple of weeks but would love to try and finish it this pregnancy if I can.

@ClareDB glad to hear your DH tracked you down some ondansetron. Hope it's working for you Thanks

The promethazine is definitely doing something, it's knocking me out and has reduced the vomiting to only really post-food, but absolutely nothing for the nausea at all. DH thinks I should wait another day and give the GP a call tomorrow am if I'm still not feeling better.
DH is being so kind and lovely but I know he is really struggling with me being so down. He's so excited about this baby and I'm finding it impossible to muster up enthusiasm about anything right now.
He cooked a lovely veg soup for me yesterday evening but this morning the entire house smells like chicken stock 🤢 so I've been retching whilst trying to air it out. He can't smell anything.
Just managed to eat a small fruit salad and I'm sat in the garden. Feel so guilty not working, especially as I work solely remotely, but I genuinely couldn't stomach the thought of sitting at my desk right now.

Reastie · 22/05/2019 10:40

Clare sorry about your holiday, that sucks. Fwiw we’ve had no holidays either (and luckily hadn’t booked anything needing cancelling) and due to sick pay and reduced income it’s likely we might not have a holiday this year at all. Our last holiday last summer was rubbish as dd got food poisoning and was sick for half the holiday . I remember before we ttc I booked insurance for our 2 holidays last summer as soon as we booked the holiday as I was so worried I’d get pg and have to cancel the holiday from this and didn’t want to lose out on any money! Fx the ondansetron makes a difference to you. If you find this afternoon things are getting worse again I’d be tempted to call your helpful gp to ask if you can increase the dose.

Dead hope you get some writing done today.

Hermione that sounds awful, but at least you got a drip and got to come home.

I’m really anxious about my appointment and whether they’ll agree to my proposed plan. It’s based on a friend who had an anaethetist with a special interest in the area and I’d like to think they’d try to accommodate my requests, but it will make the section more expensive and take more time from nurses etc (eg having fluids on arrival, ondansetron via iv on arrival) than a regular one, and knowing how rubbish things are atm with costs and nhs I’m not holding my breath. I’m so scared they’ll refuse a plan and I’ll come home with no allowances or support. The only good thing is I’m 35 weeks and hopefully they will do it at 39 weeks which means fx I have only 4 weeks until it’ll be all over.

TwoShades1 · 22/05/2019 11:01

Glad to hear some people have got some medication! I’m on day 4 without ondansetron which is my longest stretch, so hoping that I won’t need to return to taking it. Can I just say to anyone who has recently been prescribed ondansetron, take laxatives! Especially if your not eating and drinking normally. Seriously take the laxatives and be prepared that you might need to combine a couple of different ones and take quite high doses. I got advice from the hospital about what I could use together and dosage amounts.

ClareDB · 22/05/2019 13:56

Has anyone felt extra dizzy when they've started taking ondansetron? I don't know if it's the ondansetron or dehydration/low blood pressure but I'm super dizzy today, much more so than normal x

DeadDoorpost · 22/05/2019 14:09

Bentley I'm a writer, but not a published author. I am a published poet though. Only a few things but still. Been published since I was 13. I'm friends with several published authors etc though. Yay uni.

I'll get some done later on today. Currently seeing some aunts with DS.

composed · 22/05/2019 14:10

clare can’t say I have felt extra dizzy but you’ve been through it a bit by the sounds of it. I am so glad you were able to get IV fluids you didn’t sound too good from your earlier posts.

I managed a shower today but it has taken me back a bit and feel grim add a migraine on top and I don’t think today is going to be a good day! I really hope this 4yr study will yield a cure for hg.

Reastie let us know how you get on at the appointment, fx the outcome is positive x Sorry if I have missed anyone xx

DeadDoorpost · 22/05/2019 14:15

Clare it sounds like the dehydration and the heat tbh,

composed · 22/05/2019 16:45

first time i have been sick in over a week ad just after having taken my ondansetron. Worst thing was it was rice Sad

Reastie · 22/05/2019 18:56

Over 3 hours at the hospital this afternoon, can’t believe I managed it! So consultant was fantastic. Totally supportive of what I asked and will do what she can within the limitations of the hospital although can’t guarantee anything. Best bit of news is she’s happy for me to have an early section at 38 weeks (which I wasn’t expecting her to agree to) so that means fx only 3 more weeks of this hell left! Mh nurse was nowhere to be seen for the apt but it didn’t matter as consultant had actually read my history beforehand. She hopefully will write up about ondansetron during and before section, although having it on arrival in the morning will be difficult because of staffing. She spoke about ondansetron suppository as another option but said I then couldn’t have a top up of if if needed during theatre so the better option is injection/iv. She was the first doctor to ask if I had been offered steroids for the nausea and take me seriously. I actually think if I had seen her earlier on she would have put me on steroids! She was refreshingly informed on medication and risks. So, she’s said to me I have to decide if I want a steroid injection before the csection. Apparently there’s a 4-5% chance baby will have breathing problems being born at 38 weeks via section. We can reduce this risk by a steroid injection before the section but apparently the steroid injection itself has a risk that some studies show a potential link between the steroids and babies brain development later on. It’s not proven but it’s a risk. So, either way I have a risk whatever the choice. Wwyd?

Clare I’ve read ondansetron can cause headaches but not so sure about dizziness. Is it on the list of side effects? It could be dehydration or low bp.

Composed that’s rubbish. Have you overdone it or is it just one or those super annoying things? I guess the migraine wouldn’t have helped.

Dead I’m very impressed with your poetic skills in print.

Two shades that’s great, fx you don’t need it any more!

So I’m waiting for a relapse after the eventful and stressful hospital appointment. Had to see a mw and a nurse as well as consultant and it all took ages. In 2 weeks I’ll be at the hospital for appointments 3-4 days I’m the same week and next week 2 appointments!

Blii · 22/05/2019 19:32

Composed I havnt eaten rice since I found out I was pregnant back in December. In my last pregnancy 4 years ago i threw it up and it came out my nose and mouth. I just can’t deal with rice. Anything else is ok to vomit compared to rice. Urgh.
That’s good news reastie! I wouldn’t have the injection at 38 weeks but ultimately it’s your choice and you should do what you think.

I’ve felt quite well today. Had a dizzy spell earlier but that’s because lunch was due and I’ve not been sick today.
I still have excess saliva though! It never lasted this long with my last pregnancy and I’m worried it’s going to continue after the birth. I still have to spit constantly if I’m not chewing gum. It’s revolting and is my current worse symptom!

Hope everyone is getting by and doing ok. Flowers

ClareDB · 22/05/2019 19:53

@reastie So pleased you had a good appointment! Personally I wouldn't go for the steroid injection. I have 3 children that were born at 38 weeks/37 weeks and 36 weeks and none of them had breathing problems and I wasn't offered steroids. They weren't sections though so I don't know if that makes a difference. I would have thought that any breathing problems at 38 weeks would be minor/short lived. Obviously just my opinion though, I'm no expert!

Dizziness is listed as a side effect of ondansetron but an uncommon one, like 1 in 1000 or something!

LucindaE · 22/05/2019 20:12

Reastie Happy news that the doctor was so good. I am happy for you. I would avoid the sterioid injection if it was me as the breathing difficulty complication is a low risk, but that is just me. Much sympathy over a holiday ruined by food poisoning. I was one of those affected by a salmonella outbreak on the Algarve in the 1980's - that's how old I am!
HermioneKipper That sounds horrible about that waiting on a chair and no bed. I am glad they gave you fluids and discharged you with Ondansetron and that you'll be sure to get effective laxatives.
ClareDB Ah, that's a shame about the cancelled holiday.
Bentley That is very nice that you are editing your late father's manuscript.
DeadDoorPost Congratulations on pubished poetry. Not such good news about still suffeirng at 24 weeks. I hope it ihas at least improved from the first tri.
Composed That's dismal about a migraine. I hope it has cleared up. That sounds dreadful about the rice.
TwoShades1 Great advice about laxatives and Ondansetron.
Bili A rice bad experience is not one lightly repeated...
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked...

OP posts:
Reastie · 22/05/2019 20:12

Clare apparently babies born with section have much higher risk of breathing problems because of not going through the birth canal so not having fluid squeezed out of their lungs (I think). Risk is 2% at 39 weeks (when thy don’t offer steroids) and 4-5% at 38 weeks. So I have the injection to reduce an actual risk but it then gives potential long term theoretical but unproven risk of adhd or mental health problems further down the line (from what I can tell from googling). Really not sure!

Blii it’s amazing how debilitating the saliva thing is and how horrible it is. It doesn’t sound bad until you get it and know hw horrible it actually it to put up with.