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.

Thanks all for the sympathy, it’s been making me more miserable than I would have thought because of the disrupted sleep. I got a bit emotional this morning (which to be fair is my first major hormonal emotion moment this pregnancy, which is pretty good going for 34 weeks!), just a bit weepy and all “I can’t doing anything!”, DH gave me this face and said “You’re growing a baby, that’s pretty much all you should be doing right now” and I eventually calmed down and had some breakfast

Teddy I take Gaviscon Advance after every meal and before bed and have just started taking Omeprazole tablets. This is helping, but I also need to watch the timing of dinner - I need a good 3-4 hours from the start of dinner before attempting to go to bed (so starting dinner by about 7pm for me), which I usually do, but last night for instance we got sidetracked as we had family visiting and we ate at 8:30pm, I tried to stay up a bit longer but could only go so long so had some choking last night but there was less acid than before and the acid itself wasn’t as... acidic, if that makes sense! So it was easier to settle back after but still not great for sleep. And you’re spot on about the sleep, that’s really the issue as it’s making me much more tired during the day which just makes everything feel a bit worse. Sounds like a really tricky balance between managing HG and managing blood sugars Sorry it’s not feeling positive about the induction and birth, are you able to explore that with them at least in terms of trying to improve on your previous experience? It’s not nice to not feel confident about how birth is going to be managed. I can’t remember when you’re due and can’t scroll back, but hoping you don’t have too long to wait.

beforeihit30 I believe 9th August for Teddyreddy's due date. Much sympathy over your emotional outburst - I think you have done brilliantly if you have only had one after having to deal with Hyperemesis throughout pregnancy, and now a lack of sleep due to that acidity.
Teddyreddy That is really tough about having to balance carbs and Hyperemesis. Did the medics have any good suggestions about that?
I was wrong. We won't need a new thread until tommorow at the earliest.

It must be something in the air @beforeIhit30 I've also had a huge cry and grumble about being so useless and how uncomfortable and achey I feel now. All I want to do is lie down and have naps! 4 days left of school and then I have a massage booked for Friday, I can't wait!

I also had a good ole cry the other night.

Currently got heartburn again. Yay.

And Braxton Hicks. Only they're a bit more painful than just tightenings.

@beforeIhit30 that sounds nasty with heartburn. I found certain foods were worse for me in setting it off - I couldn't eat anything sweet after about 2 pm or it would be awful at night. I used a food intolerance symptom tracker app logging everything I ate for about a week along with symptoms to work it out, and it did make a big difference to me. I've struggled with feeling useless this pregnancy too, DH is running around doing everything and I still get grumpy with him because I feel rubbish and then I feel bad for being grumpy....

@norbert23 sorry you are struggling too.

I did better with the HG and carbs yesterday - I've discovered that while low carbs plus protein makes me nauseous, low carbs plus fat doesn't have the same effect although it's obviously less healthy.... I've got an appointment with the consultant midwife tomorrow to talk things through, hoping they can budge on a couple of the standard protocol things that bother me the most.

norbert Ooh massage sounds like a fab idea! Enjoy!

Oh DeadDoor how frustrating, I had bad BH in my second pregnancy and it’s really uncomfortable (and can also be quite disconcerting too) coupled with everything else you certainly deserve a break (and a cry, and whatever may be of comfort).

That’s interesting Teddy I’m the same when not pregnant (as in, pre-pg my normal diet is low carb and high fat), I also found even then that low carb and protein made me feel really nauseous and within a couple of days I just wouldn’t want to eat at all! Whereas with fat I feel very well and satiated. If it’s of any reassurance, it isn’t necessarily terribly unhealthy, especially when you are low carb. You get more/most of your energy from fat instead of carbs in that scenario, and there’s been quite a bit of research into how that affects things like cholesterol, heart disease etc and it seems to not be an issue for many people (the Diet Doctor website has a lot of links). Anyway I don’t want to sound like I’m trying to sell you LCHF just that high fat won’t necessarily be unhealthy for you, especially as there are a lot of ‘good/good-ish’ fats, and either way, main thing is that for now you’re fed and nourished and blood sugars are under control, and it’s good to hear you’ve got a food combo that works better for you to keep you going

Stocked up on postpartum medical supplies today, I’ve got everything from anusol to witch hazel

Haha beforeihit30 I’ve also stocked up on anusol today. I’ve got the dreaded piles already though what do you do with the witch hazel? Perhaps I should get that too. I’m terrified of what they’re going to be like after pushing! Argh.
My heartburn has really ramped up today. I usually only get it at night but it’s been on and off all day today. I’ve done quite a lot of washing though and been bending down a lot. It seems to be water that makes it worse bizarrely. I have not drank anything put water and Diet Coke in months so there’s no way I can stop drinking the water.
Just wishing these last few weeks away now.
Hope everyone is ok!

Hi all, just checking in. I'm 17 weeks now and I've improved so much this last week. I really felt like it was going to be that awful until the end so I'm so relieved. I hope that's not rubbing it in to those who are still suffering who are further along than me. Just wanted to give some hope to people that are in the earlier stages. I'm not 100%, still on metoclopramide and still got some nausea but it's manageable and my anxiety has calmed right down so I think it was linked to the HG. I hope everyone is managing with the heat xx

Blii sprinkle witch hazel on maternity towels and it helps to cool and soothe when you’re feeling a bit sore and swollen. Learned that from MN years ago and it’s stayed with me! I also have some piles but they’re not really noticeable, as in I know they’re there but it’s not uncomfortable. But after my last two births it’s been the piles that have really bothered me and made it harder to sit normally, so I’m prepping myself!

Clare glad to hear you’re experiencing some much needed and deserved relief, both for HG and anxiety calming down.

ClareDB That's wonderful news! It is very good of you to give an encouraging message for those in the early stages; I am sure nobody will think you are rubbing it in.
Oh dear, commisarations to Bili for piles and heartburn, and DDP for painful BH and heartburn, and everyone with heartburn. It really is miserable. Teddyreddy and beforeihit30 That is really interesting about low carbs and fat being a healthy diet; I do hope they can make some constructive suggestions, Teddyreddy.
Still sixteen posts left on this thread. Definitely a new one tommorow, I think.

I've had to constantly up my tablets to 2 now as 1 isn't cutting it. This heat isn't helping. We're expecting 35 degrees on Thursday. Not impresed

Hello! Joining with a call for help. I'm 5wks 6 days and have been nauseous since the day I got the BFP (it's what tipped me off). Yesterday morning I only stopped myself puking on London Bridge Station by 10 mins of heavy breathing and today was day 1 of throwing up my toast. (Thankfully, working from home so no risk to fellow commuters).

I'm seeing the dr on Thursday (just to check in and get a referral to a midwife). Is it worth pushing for medication at this stage? I don't want to be a drama llama but feel genuinely terrible, and if this continues to get worse work will be a real struggle...

@Em6826 You're better off trying to get medication as early as possible as it's been shown that the earlier you take them, the easier it is to cope. I didn't get meds until i was 8-10 weeks pregnant last time and lost 35lbs in 7 weeks. This time I got them almost instantly and managed to only lose 14lbs this time round by the same mark.

Hi Em welcome and sorry you’re feeling it right from the start. I agree DeadDoor, there’s a lot about how starting medication earlier can make a big difference. I started nausea and sickness just after 5 weeks and within a few days knew it wasn’t just standard/manageable morning sickness (this is baby no. 3 and whilst I didn’t like morning sickness before and I had a rough-ish time, there is a big difference! I certainly felt I could manage before much more easily with the usual tricks, it was just a bit rubbish). I started medication just after 6 weeks when I saw the GP for general pregnancy stuff, I was struggling to work so she signed me off and put me on cyclizine. It knocked me out for the first week but after that it wasn’t so drowsy, but it did help to manage the vomiting. Things carried on from there and eventually it became clear that I had HG, but I’m pretty confident that if I hadn’t had the meds so soon that I would have been in a much worse place especially when it ‘peaked’ around weeks 8-13. A lot of women put it off thinking, “It’s not too bad yet, I’ll wait another week or two” and that was my thoughts initially but luckily I had found this thread, and my GP happens to be fairly clued up, and between both I was encouraged and reassured to get medicated ASAP and I really do think that’s made a difference. Also exertion can make it so much worse (and by exertion, I mean even what you probably consider normal daily activity, like going to work, doing the laundry etc) so if you can get signed off for a bit that could help a great deal too. It meant that I told work much earlier than planned about my pregnancy, as pregnancy sickness is treated differently and I didn’t want them thinking I just a cold or something and expecting me back right as rain when I couldn’t guarantee it. But I was comfortable doing that, hopefully you feel comfortable letting your work know as it brings your employment protection into play and means you can focus on your wellbeing rather than trying to hide your sickness under different guises and potentially face absence action at work. I told my line manager, and someone I managed who would be covering me temporarily, so that between them they could speak freely and ensure everything was taken care of. Once I felt comfortable doing so (and had been off sick for ages so people were wondering!) I emailed around everyone else to let them know why I was so sick and why it was unpredictable.

DeadDoor forecast for 37C here on Thursday... I’m not physically, mentally, emotionally prepared for that I think I’ll be hiding indoors all day sat in front of a fan drinking ice water.

I'll just greet EM6826 with my usual spiel and then I must start a new thread, with space running out.
EM6826 Welcome. Sorry you feel so foul. You will find a lot of support here - or I should say, on the new thead I will link asap. You have had great advice already about how i t is best to catch this early and get meds early and lots of rest. If the first ones they try don't work don't hesitate to ask for others. A good anti acid can make a huge difference, too. Do invest in kesotsitx as while they are not the best test for dehydration A and E departments in hospitals do take those measuremets seriously (I hope you won't get to the stage whre you need IV fluids but just in case). Some drinks and solids that have helped others: flat full sugar coke, ice lolllies, the juice of tinned fruit, Lucoazade, fizzy orange, lemonade, Robinson's fruit drinks, Dr Pepper, orange squash, tonic water, Elderflower water, Elderflower coridal and tonic water (eallison's tipple), soda water, Iron Bru, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya), orange juice (if not too acid) and 7Up. Also, someone recommended piles of ice in drinks. For foods of a sort, nibbles of chips and crisps, cheap ice cream, tinned fruit, slices of melon and mango, biscuits, baked potatoes, Scotch pancakes and cuppa soup.
Much sympathy to all suffering in this heat. Off to start the new thread; back soon with the link.

Hi everyone! I'm not really sure on whether I have hg or not as not been diagnosed and guidelines seem to vary so much. I've felt extremely nauseous from before I got my positive, now 7+3.

Told my mum last week I was pregnant and along with the 'yay's and congratulations she told me she had hg with me so not sure if that puts me at an increased risk?

Anyway the past 2 weeks I've been feeling extremely nauseous (many a time hugging the toilet expecting vomit (and almost praying for the relief it brings) and nothing. Being sick 1-3 times a day atm but feeling constantly like I could be any moment.

This is being made a hundred times worse by constant dizziness, like the room spins after too many drinks 😭 feel like I'm being a drama queen as so many are fine in pregnancy but I'm struggling to do day to day things, went to bed yesterday at 7.30 just to stop feeling awful.

Really sorry for the many who undoubtably have it so much worse and hope everyone feels better sooner rather than later (also really hope I haven't offended anyone by posting here as not sure my sufferings are anything in comparison) 💕

Abi58 Welcome. I am sure you are not being a drama queen. That does not sound like a normal level of sickness for the stage and Hypermesis does have a hereditary component sometimes (though I hope our daughters escape this). I wonder if you could take a look at the advice given to the new poster below about the neeed for early meds, the need for bed rest until you have it under control if it is severe, and suggestions for drinks etc as I have to post a link now before we get completely filled up on this thead? Follow the link in the post above to our new thread.

New thread here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3645842-Hyperemesis-Support

@LucindaE thank you ☺️ I went to the drs last week and they gave me cyclizine hydrochloride but I've worried about taking meds (my grandma took the thalidomide - I know there is now much more research but it makes me nervous)
Yes I've read that thank you ☺️ so so helpful! I have an exam this week but after that I only have work to contend with so hopefully I'll feel a lot better if I can rest more 🤞🏻