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.

Hi Pink I can relate I think. This is my third pregnancy, but first with hyperemesis, so it took me by surprise. Before I got pregnant I was due to start a professional course (6 months so still could easily complete before maternity leave) and take on a new project (which again, I could leave in summer for maternity leave). So when I found out I was pregnant I figured great, timing still all works out. I started with the horrendous nausea and sickness around 5 weeks and started to come through the other side somewhere around 16-18 weeks, I’m now 22 weeks and feeling better but still nauseous, occasional vomiting, feel really tired and can get super light headed (seem to have low blood pressure), so I’ve been off work now for 4 months I felt guilty and keep questioning when to return to work, and every week I find myself still having difficulties even just staying awake all day or managing with nausea, so not sure how I think I’m going to manage an actual job! It’s disappointing but you’re unlikely to do this many times (as in have children, obviously it’s up to you! But as in on average people have two children, some decide on three or four but it’s increasingly less common), so this time out of your whole working life will ultimately be a short period even if you have to be signed off from work for a while. That’s what I’ve been reminding myself, I’ve got at least a good 35 years ahead of me in my working life, possibly longer, so this time might feel like I’ve dropped some stuff unexpectedly but in the long run I’m sure I, and we all, will do plenty more hopefully you get a better doctor/HCP ASAP so you can get on medication.

Reastie this is my second UTI in this pregnancy so it’s not like I’ve been overrun with them, I just haven’t had a UTI probably since I was a teenager (none in previous pregnancies) and now I’ve had two this year and just a bit puzzled as to why! But I do recognise they’re more common in pregnancy. I’ve calmed down now there are ABs at the hospital waiting for me to pick up so trying to get them this afternoon if I can, or tomorrow morning if not (morning looks a bit more feasible but MW did say I could pick up tomorrow if I can’t make it today). They’re likely to give me the nitro-whatsits which did make me more nauseous and really groggy feeling last time but they’re effective so I guess that’s the main thing.

@LucindaE I have no idea why she was phoning me because I pretended I hadn't got the call 😂
They still haven't sorted my mat leave so I'm stressed with that and at work yesterday the service user (a guy) wanted me to pull up my top and show him my belly and made me so uncomfortable about it I could have cried. Said because I didn't show him I must be really hairy.

@Reastie sorry mh are being so shit 💕

@PinkSpring I want to thump that nurse for you 😡

@DeadDoorpost that's awful, try not to stress though as it'll make it worse 💕

@cattaxi I get bad sinuses and to get some relief I suck my thumb against the roof of my mouth and press my fingers Inbetween my eyebrows quite hard and rub, it sometimes drains them worth a try?

@eallison88 how's the wee one doing?

Sorry to anyone I've missed but it's nap time and then a chippy for tea when I arise 😂🤤

Welcome to PinkSpring I too, am very with that nurse. Ignorant and presumptious! I am so glad you are arranging to see a doctor, who will hopefully take notice of your history. Another medical worker who deserves to have her head held under a cow's behind! As you are a veteran, you don't need my suggestions of: do flat full sugar coke, the juice of tinned fruit and ice lollies help' and ' have you get kesostix'.
Reastie So sorry to hear of this inefficiency.So infuriating! Ido so hope it gets sorted out. What a ridiculous system at the GP's.
Advocadoo This is shocking. I am outraged at this, too. How dare he say such things? Is there an HR department you can report him to for harrassment? What an idiot. Men like that haven't moved on from circa 1969.
DeadDoorPost That is such a disappointment; poor both ofyou; I do think they could have said that the job was dependant upon these test results. Perhaps they are a bad organisation to work for generally, and it is a good thing in the long run?
I seem to be ranting furiously today...
eallison What wonderful news about Aneurin. Thanks for such a lovely message of encouragement for everyone.
mawtobeofthree Sorry you had such an unnerving experience. I do hope the Omprazole helps if the other two aren't very good. Some find that the tablet form of Gaviscon gives you less of a bloated feeling than the liquid form.
beforeihit30 Second uti? Poor you. Ouch about those chronic BH contractions
Cattaxi Sorry about cold.
Teddyreddy How are things these last couple of days?
Waves to all.

advocadoo Sorry, I keep spelling your name with a capital 'A'. I hope you get my message, anyway. This is not acceptable. It seems to me that he is acting like this because it sounds as if it is a disorganised place where the thinks he can get away with it.

Hi everyone, I'm feeling better now I'm on day 2 of metoclopramide, still not feeling good but not as horrendous as I did prior to taking it and I've only vomited once today! Thanks for the heads up on the possible side effects @eallison luckily none yet!

@pinkspring That is exactly what I was afraid of when I went to see the nurse at my GP practice. Luckily she called the doctor in and he was much more proactive. It's shocking how little some people know about HG. Why should we made to suffer like this until we're so ill we need to be in hospital? It's just not right! They wouldn't do this with other conditions! As others have suggested, printing out a copy of RCOG guidelines might be a good idea.

Best wishes to everyone xx

@LucindaE it's fine I haven't noticed how you spell my username😂
I reported it to my boss and their solution is to ignore it and ask me to go and care for him by myself for a few hours, I refused because I'm honestly repulsed by his behaviour. He's known to manipulate carers because he likes to be in control and he's started making it difficult for my by deliberately moving his bed down so I have to lean over the bars with my bump then laughing when I struggle! There's no protection in this company still haven't had a risk assessment! I don't want to go back to work 😫

avacadoo he's doing awesomely. Out from his disco lights (Have I said) and in a cot next to me on the ward tonight:) hopefully this will make the night feeds a little easier!! All the nurses and docs are talking about getting us home as soon as possible. I'm working hard not to get my hopes up tho, as I don't wanna end up disappointed if we don't make it as soon as they're suggesting
I had a little happy cry earlier when I was cuddling my big boy who was holding my small boy. I felt like my heart was going to burst!

@eallison88 oh my god that is fantastic!!! 😁😁😁

In desperation I ordered an £80 bracelet thing from amazon that promised to reduce morning sickness - it basically is a tens machine for your wrist.

It doesn't work - it's going back

Hopefully I can get some meds tomorrow

Ohh pink let me know if it helps. I’ve been wearing the regular travel sickness bracelets. I’m not sure how much, if at all, the regular ones I have helped but psychologically it’s something I can do. I’d imagine the effect of tens would be a bit more effective as it goes deeply and I have had great success with acupuncture in the past for a different issue.

Eal what incredible news, that must be such a relief he’s doing so well.

Avacadoo work sounds awful. I’m appalled.

Clare I hope today is better too.

Beforeihit fx the abs work quickly.

Friday today, so another week nearly over in my constant countdown. Tried some yoga this morning but struggled with it and now sitting recovering. 32 1/2 weeks and I can still stand up from cross legs on the floor without any hands —just— (even if I do wobble and stumble up a fair bit now. I can still do it though!).

Pink I hope you get something that helps better than that bracelet. I benefited from Acupunture; here I was lucky, as many find it helps,but onlya little. I don't think I've heard of anyone gettingr relief from wristbands and similar.
Advocadoo This is outrageous. I am assuming you are a care worker, and this man has learning difficulties or some other problem. Have you got a Cizitens Advice Bureau anywhere near which might advise? His being allowed to get away with such behaviour is outrageous. They should send a man to care for him if his attitude is so creepy. I know it can be very difficlt to complain about a bad employer, as they just tend to dismiss one as a 'trouble maker'.
Reastie Waves.
Happy news about eallison.

Sorry, that message was for advocadoo not Advocadoo: I'm doing it again.

reastie I'm not sure I've been able to do what you described since childhood!

Well you definitely couldn’t do it a few days post section I don’t think eal!

they use it as a life expectancy test!

When the occupational health dr tells you it might not be hyperemesis because that usually resolves by 12 weeks when the hormones drop 🙄
I set him straight and to be fair he was quick to agree this could continue all pregnancy and he would tell my work that.
At least he didn't ginger me...

Ha! Hyperemesis resolves at 12 weeks... I wish it did!

Seems like it runs in my family. Turns out my nan's sister also had it.. so that makes me the 4th one at least. It's nice to have people telling me they understand. I've been open about it on FB and there's been a few women tell me they've had it and that I'm brave for doing it a 2nd time. They also said they'd hoped I wouldn't suffer, bless them.

Hello everyone

I have been reading this thread for a while, I am currently on my 3rd hyperemsis pregnancy after a mmc last dec which was beyond horrific tbh and the medical care during that time was abysmal. I am now 10 weeks and have been off work for over a month during which time I bled quite heavily and thought we had miscarried but thankfully the baby was still there. I struggle on a daily basis with this illness, I am on meds stemetil which have helped wit the nausea but the complete isolation I feel and lack of living for want of a better word is mental torture. I have an 8yr old for whom I have been an absent parent for better part of a month, guilt that I feel I will never get over. My plan this past few weeks have been complete bedrest and eating little and often even when I dont want to I force myself. I am allergic to water and this is the case everytime hyperemesis hits so I have J2o and appletizer with as much ice as possible. I suppose more than anything I am looking for support as no one else around me has gone through this. Sorry for the loooong post its the first time I have been able to get my thoughts out

Welcome composed, sorry you’re here we all know exactly how you feel and 10 weeks is actually one of the worst. Was for me anyway. I’m also on my 3rd HG pregnancy. The guilt is hard to deal with, I feel it too, even at 25 weeks I’m still being sick and feeling sick all day so I hardly do anything with my children. I just think that they won’t remember these hard times.
My two don’t really take any notice when I throw up now, it’s become so normal for them. I do hope you start to feel slightly better soon. Take it Day by day, hour by hour. It does get better, promise.

I went to work today, I asked about my extra shift and they said they’re not sure because I will only be back for 3 months, but they will let me know for sure once they have spoken about it. I’m not sure if they’re legally allowed to cut my hours. I don’t really want to start any arguments, I don’t have the energy and it would feel awkward if I felt I came back on my extra day because I kicked off. I don’t actually care if they don’t let me because working does tire me out but the money would certainly be very helpful.
Hope everyone is getting on ok.

composed don't worry about it being a moany long first post! it's completely normal for women who get HG to develop antenatal depression, or low moods. And it's not surprising really when you think about how bloomin miserable the whole thing is.
I too have to force myself to eat a lot of the time, and I find drinking difficult too.

Hi, new to this board. I'm 11 weeks and a mess. I have been sick at least ten times a day for the last week. I have been prescribed cyclizine but it knocks me out so I can only take it when I have someone to look after my toddler. I had hyperemisis in my last pregnancy but I could crawl back to bed when I needed. Now I can't. I haven't even kept water down. I went to the out of hours gp and have really high ketones. Been sent to a and e but there is a massive wait and really smelly people here who have made me sick again. Can anyone advise? I really just want to go home away from the smells and call my own doctor next week but I don't understand the risks if I do that. Has anyone been in this position? I'm just so tired and thirsty and confused.

@composed week 10 was brutal for me in fact I use it as a at least I don't feel as bad as then when I'm being sick, so I'm sorry you're on it! Long moany posts are allowed here!!!

@BlodwynBludd I have no advice but welcome! I would stay in a&e though until they sort you out a bit.

@ElkieMacjibe if only it resolved at 12 weeks! What an idiot.🙄

@Reastie legally they cannot cut your hours because you're pregnant and you've been off for pregnancy related sickness so they are breaching your contract if they don't allow you back.

Today could not have gone worse, the office at my work massively put me in the shit. Left me to do a bowel care and shower routine for the service user and didn't find cover. Then told me I should have left him in a shower chair naked for three hours until the next shift when I told them I was forced to hoist him myself back into bed putting myself at risk and it was a really dangerous situation. They didn't appreciate me yelling at them saying how they put my baby at risk and they'd aggravated my hyperemisis by stressing me out. They don't give a shit and blamed me for moving the guy when I had no choice!! So I told them I wasn't going in tomorrow because I feel so nauseous and now my back is wrecked and my poor stomach keeps getting painful cramps cause of it! Gonna risk a bath but dh may have to pull me out of it!!

Just wanted to say that I’m still here! I tend to lurk! I’m just over 16 weeks now and whilst I’m still taking ondansetron, it’s only one a day and I’m about 60% back to normal with life. Still really struggle with cooking, so I’ve been using the slow cooker and oven (basically stuff I can shove in and walk away until it’s done.). I’m keeping on top of house work now and working a little bit from home. I have started to get some lower back pain which I’m not happy about as I don’t even have a bump yet! I’m still slimmer and weigh less than pre pregnancy, but I’ve gained a little weight from my lowest point and have a greatly improved diet which makes me feel happier.

Thank you all for your kind words, that is horrible about what happened at work avacadooo! Do you not have a HR dept or someone you can complain to?

I know that fingers crossed we will all eventually get to the end and hopefully all this will be a distant memory! Just trying to take it liteally one minute at a time, I can’t think about too far into the future as I don’t know when this will end so don’t want to give myself false hope and be disappointed when it doesn’t. The whole change at 12 weeks I don’t think exists for hyperemesis sufferers!

@composed nope no hr but the woman on the phone is like the director of the company and she blamed me for having a moral compass and not wanting to leave the guy in a dangerous situation. So I'm trying to get the owners email and I'll raise it with him because I can't walk today and it's flared the hyperemisis up but I can't be sick cause I can't bend down..

How are you doing today? Take it one day at a time and looking back you'll have survived another week and it's one week less of hell xx