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.

A big thank you to all on here for always being there. I hope to repay the favour one day!

I’ve had some dark times this week, I’ve fully questioned whether I could continue with pregnancy at all but thank goodness for my parents & other half. They’ve listened while I’ve cried & cried and got angry and thrown things. I end today feeling a tad brighter. I know realistically I couldn’t ever end this pregnancy by my choice but I’ve often wished to not be here at times & it scares me.

I started taking iron this week for anaemia & I think it’s been a terrible idea. I’ve been 10x more sick. So I’m stopping it tomorrow to see if that is the reason.

Scan on Friday.. how’d yours go today Sprite?!

Bol87 Never blame yourself for having dark thoughts when suffering so horribly. It is only human nature. Good about scans coming up for you and Sprite.

Hi, I’m officially into my 4th HG pregnancy now I’m only 7 weeks. I had a consultant appointment yesterday where I explained how many times I’ve been through this before and ondansetron was the only thing that helped me so could I just have this straight away she said they no longer prescribe this after a recent study and would only give me cyclizine. I’ve tried cyclizine every time and it never helped me just made me drowsy which I can’t be while having 2 other children to care for. I explained this but she said they can’t give ondansetron has anyone else heard this or had a problem getting it? I’m really struggling already I feel this is going to be my worst! x

Oh no, get yourself to a decent GP, preferably one who has given you Ondansetron in the past.

I’m on Ondansetron, initially GP prescribed but I’ve been admitted to hospital several times and had it intravenously and told to up my dose of pills by consultants there! I take 8mg twice a day and 10mg of Metaclopromide twice a day. It helps a lot but it’s still not a miracle cure for me sadly.

There is a recent study showing a very small possibility of a higher risk of cleft lip & palate from Ondansetron but it was a tiny percentage increase. I personally have read over the study several times & decided it was so minimal in comparison to basically dehydrating myself to death.

It’s def still being prescribed so I hope you can get hold of it. Pregnancy Sickness Support is a fantastic resource online & on the phones if you are struggling to get the appropriate support from the doctors! Worth a look!

Sending love 🧡

Hi all, I had my scan yesterday which put me at 11 weeks 3 days so due date is now 29th March meaning I'm a little behind what I thought I was. Slowly plodding along day to day but feeling mightily fed up already, but seeing the little bean on the scan reminded me that there is a reason I'm going through this. Also means we've told everyone now so if I need help or someone to cry to I have more people I can turn to. I hope everyone has a better day today

User1704 Welcome. Sorry, but I am afraid that so many posters have the name of 'User' and a number, that I have got mixed up, and don't know if you are a returner on this thread. You are very brave, going for a fourth. As you are a veteran you have no need of my spiel about kesostoxi, flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit, and the helpfulness of anti acids. I so agree with Bol87 that lots of GP prescrible Ondansetron because dehydration is far more dangerous to mother and baby than the very small risk of cleft palate.
As she says, it is a good plan to phone 024 7638 2020. Pregnancy Sickness Support will phone back with good advice. They have helped many on this thead.
Sprite25
I've added your new date. Sorry that you have an extra few days,but I am glad you enjoyed seeing the cause of the problem.

Due Dates
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 25 December
HermioneKipper 27 December TWINS!
putputput 9 January
Ribenaberriesgowoo82 28 January
Marshmallow 1992 29 January
MumbleLumble 19 February
Katela18 22 February
Bray23 23 February
Sprite25 29 March
Bol87 18 March
CatConfusion 15 April

Thankyou for replying gonna try and see a different doctor so annoying having to fight for what you need when you don’t have the energy!
Has anyone tried acupuncture for sickness before? If so did you see any improvement at all? X

Hello all. I was on this thread when I had my daughter and I'm about to start the ivf process again.

I wondered if anyone had any good tips for planning for a potential HG pregnancy?

It’s taken me a while to even consider another pregnancy but I do want another child and I’m getting on a bit so my ideal of waiting until my daughter is at school won’t work.

So. I’ve read everything the PSS (who I volunteer for and highly recommend you call for any access to treatment woes/if you want a peer supporter) has to offer and have been to my GP who was wonderful and gave me a prescription for promethazine to take as soon as I get a positive test (I’ll buy vitamin B6 to take alongside). He’s agreed to go straight to ondansetron if that doesn’t work and is going to refer me straight to consultant when I’m pregnant so I should be able to access steroids at 12 weeks as that is all that helped me last time (got them at 32 weeks last time 🙄) . There is an HG day clinic at the hospital I will deliver at which is good.

Anything else I should be doing to prepare (apart from intermittently screaming into a pillow in fear 🤣)? I’m terrified quite honestly and I have no idea how I’m going to look after my daughter if I’m ill again.

You're all total heroes. Keep plodding on. I can assure you from the other side that it's utterly worth it, even if it doesn't feel like it now. There is nothing like holding that snuggly baby, and the sickness fucking off with the placenta and you fancying ALL the food!

Sorry for crashing your thread

Just been catching up on the thread. Sorry to see the group is growing and so many people have been having a terrible time. For all the people struggling in the early weeks I’m just over 14 weeks now and looking back the earlier weeks were definitely much worse, with iv drips and minimal improvement from medications but can leave the house as I have some days which are so much better.

I had my scan and was given my due date, 3/3/19. My bladder was obviously empty and my efforts to drink ended up with quite spectacular vomiting in the room.

Has anyone had any issues with work? I have moved location, and thought it would be the perfect time to try and start working again but on fewer hours/days. This has been brushed off. I really don’t want to be signed off sick but I can’t physically work full time.

@justtheonethen yours is a really interesting post. I've just been to the GP and have been prescribed the same (although she hasn't mentioned the b6) What dose have you been given? I've been told 25mg twice a day but to start when I'm really sick? There was no mention of taking it now to prepare ...

This is my 6th pregnancy, 4th child and I've been prescribed this the last 2 time but it was such a long time ago I can't remember the dose etc. All
I can remember is how sleepy this drug made me.

I'm so confused at what to do for the best now. I'm currently 5+3 so know the sickness is coming soon. It normally hits me at 6 weeks :(

@Moonstone12 definitely preemptive is best. Have a look at the 'planning for an HG pregnancy' part of the resource section here.

www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/get-help/resources-get-help/

I've screenshot the relevant bit.
The dose is 25mg 3-4 times a day with 10mg b6 4 times a day.

GPs unfortunately are woefully uninformed. Please don't wait for the sickness, such good evidence it can be lessened with preemptive treatment.

You're a total warrior- 6th pregnancy

@Moonstone12

Glad the scan went well Sprite! Must be tough with the dates, I’m fully expecting to be put back a bit as well oddly enough. I think I had a long cycle the month we conceived! 😩

Stopped my iron today & boy, much better day. Nausea still pretty rough but nowhere near as extreme & no sickness. Could be a coincidence, I do get randomly better days but I’m staying off it for a little while to see!

Hope everyone is doing OK & great to hear you’ve reached a turning point twirls&curls! I can’t blooming wait to leave the house..!

Hello ladies, I got so desperate at the beginning of the week I started my cyclizine. I took it before bed, first thing in the morning and at lunchtime. If I’m honest it’s not had as big an affect as I’d hoped. It’s maybe allowed me to sleep a bit better but it made me really drowsy during the day. I’m still vomiting in between doses. I’m also feeling like I need to be sick but I can’t just after I take it. I’ve just tried 24 hours without it and overall I think I’ve felt a bit better during the day as I had more energy not that I can do much but it was nice to feel more alert. I was sick three times but got relief when I was. Is there anyone else who overall felt better off the medication? Is vomiting three times a day bad? It’s generally after my food has digested so I’m just bringing water up. I’m trying to keep eating and grazing to avoid this. I feel nauseous all the time and the cyclizine didn’t stop this. Im wondering if I should try and manage without drugs or ask the doctor for something else. I also have a lot of anxiety about taking drugs due to previous miscarriages so want to avoid if possible. If I’m still laid up on the sofa and vomiting I’m not sure I can justify the drugs. Xx

Cat, they can take a few days to kick in. You have to let them try and work before moving on. Don't feel bad about taking them. Cyclizine cam make you drowsy anyway, it's one of the side effects which is probably why you felt more alert the day you didn't take them.

Not much happening my end. No Wi-Fi until Saturday maybe. Baby due Sunday. I'm fed up. DM asked me today if anything has happened. Can't be dealing with questions this early on. I'm irritable from lack of sleep and sleeping on the floor in DS room last night because he wouldn't settle unless I was there with him. Ended up staying asleep. Didn't mean to. Ugh.

DH had an interview 2 days ago. Hoping he'll hear back but got another one on the 13th Sept if not for a better paid job. DS fairly good but driving me mad. He's still clingy.

Justtheonethen Welcome back. Good advice for others. I remember the name - will you change it to Justthetwothen? The only thing I can add is that I may have missed something, in that I didn't think you mentioned your plan for childcare? I am so glad you are a volunteer with Pregnancy Sickness Support. .
User1704 Acupuncture really helped me. But while it has helped others, not so much as me, so that I tend to think that the skill of the practitioner and luck plays a part.
Catcomposed Good advice from DeadDoorPost There are other drugs that you can try, if Cyclizine doesn't help, and the GP will not prescribe anything unsafe for you or the baby. It might be an idea to discuss your anxieties with her/him.
Twirlandcurls I am so glad that you feel a it better. I've added you to the Due Dates list. I am not well up on employment law these days, but I hope someone might be able to advise you. If not, it might be a good idea to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support with your query.
DeadDoorPost Cheering you on.
Moonstone I so agree with Justtheonethen.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
Due Dates
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 25 December
HermioneKipper 27 December TWINS!
putputput 9 January
Ribenaberriesgowoo82 28 January
Marshmallow 1992 29 January
MumbleLumble 19 February
Katela18 22 February
Bray23 23 February
Twistsandcurls 3 March
Bol87 18 March
Sprite25 29 March
Catconfusion 15 April

@LucindaE hello! You were such a support last time. I can't reiterate enough how amazing you are for keeping these threads going.
Yeah childcare. Not sure. Mum is nearby and offering help and I'm considering nursery but not until she's 2 which may be when I'm already pregnant. Need to give that some thought.

Cyclizine is a first line medication. It doesn’t work so well for many people sadly.. didn’t touch my vomiting what so ever & just made me drowsy! I hated the stuff.

Vomiting 3 times a day isn’t ‘so bad’ in theory but regardless, it’s blooming unpleasant & if tied with constant bad nausea, makes life miserable. I don’t vomit a huge amount on my meds (I take Ondansetron & Metaclopromide. I’m extremely sick if I don’t take them) but nothing touches the nausea really unfortunately. It’s debilitating. I struggle to eat & drink and that in itself is not good for me or baby! But stopping the extreme vomiting has been the main aim for me. I’m staying hydrated enough to keep me ketones at trace level!

Only you can make the choice about medication. I understand your concerns. But there are better meds out there than cyclizine. If you can grin & bear your current level of poorliness, it’ll be a long old slog but you’ll most likely come out the other side by 14-16 weeks. If it’s too much & you are getting dehydrated, get yourself back to the doctors!

Sending love. Pregnancy sickness is frankly awful.

@LucindaE @justtheonethen thank you for your advice. I have the pills now so will start taking them. Been feeling nauseous and dizzy today. Manageable but I know it's just the start. I couldn't find vitamin b6 in Sainsbury's so will hunt elsewhere for that xx

I also had a chat with the midwife today. She called about my booking in appointment and we discussed the hyperemisis. She said where we are they can now take you in twice a week for fluids to keep you on a steady level. Which I thought was quite good. Rather than waiting for dehydration and ketones being through the roof.

@Moonstone12 boots do the 10mg and amazon too. Definitely start now. If you start when you're ill they probably won't work. That's excellent news from your MW. That will really help.

Hello everyone. I recognise some of you but not all. I was thinking of you all earlier and thought I’d say hi. Ds is 3 months already. Honestly, if pg goes the slowest time ever once the baby comes time seems to speed up into triple speed to even things out somehow! Today is a bad day for me emotionally etc so I’ve been sat here crying and struggling but despite that it’s not even a slight patch on how bad things were when I was pg. having such an awful pg has in a way made things with a baby easier as life is just so much better without hg. So I’ve been thinking back to how I was which made me thing of you all. You are all so much stronger than you realise for just surviving through this, it was the hardest nine months (x2 as had it twice) I’ve ever lived through but in the scheme of my life I now have two fantastic dc and 9 months seems forever at the time but in my whole life it’s a little blink. I know how it feels to lie in bed unable to speak or move your head it’s so bad for weeks on end. It’s not living it’s surviving, it’s torture. All I can say is take every moment at a time and get the medication as quick as you can. I nearly terminated so many times in my first trimester, I couldn’t even manage to the next minute let alone the next day let alone the time to get an abortion. But I didn’t and I’m so grateful for my lovely Ds that I never thought I’d manage to have,

Dead, you’re so close, it’s nearly over.

Lucinda I hope you’re well and have had a good summer.

Had to say hi @Reastie, I can’t believe your DS is already 3 months, how has that time gone so quickly?! It’s great that everything is much better now post-HG, and I also hope you are well supported emotionally at this time enjoy your two DCs

Also popping back to say hi to everyone and send positive vibes from the other side! I have a 9 day old now and can't get over how nice it is to feel well again and like my normal self, even though it's only been a short time. HG was the hardest thing I've endured and as @Reastie said, it feels like time goes by so slowly that it's hard to remember your old life or imagine life after. Get lots of rest and take all the help and support you can, this thread and the amazing @LucindaE kept me sane when I things seemed like they would never get better.
@beforeIhit30 I hope you and your baby girl are well x

I echo @norbert23 only 9 days postpartum but feeling so much better. It’s also the other associated things, so there's the sickness and the nausea, and how that impacts on diet and drink, but also for instance blood pressure (mine tended low from so much resting so I would get lightheaded a lot and had the occasional fainting issue!), the reflux (apparently more common with HG and I had it quite bad), and no matter what I did I always seemed to be a bit dehydrated. But now I can eat and drink freely (as in, how I did pre-pg) and it’s fine, I don’t have to worry about bringing it up or acid, I don’t have to plan meals and medications carefully, I’m finally only taking my normal meds (not the ever expanding assortment I was on during pregnancy), I’m not dizzy, and I’m drinking loads of water so I’m far from dehydrated.

I’m focusing on recovering from birth now - nothing terrible endured but have stitches, piles (going down, yay!) and was quite achey/bruised from a rather intense final pushing session! - but overall I feel more comfortable, I can eat and drink, move about, sleep (relatively speaking!), all in all it feels like I’m moving forward to normality which is very welcome.