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

Hyperemesis Support

996 replies

LucindaE · 23/07/2019 15:09

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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MissPepper8 · 09/09/2019 00:15

Hi everyone, 13 weeks today. Struggled last pregnancy with HG but not half as bad as I am with this baby :(.

Got hospitalised at 6 weeks this time, I don't want to go back in at all so been plodding on. I've had some bloody awful days.. Like yesterday I can't clean or cook without feeling like I'm feeling very unwell, out of breath and going to faint.

I haven't seen midwife since 9 weeks, due my scan on Tuesday. I don't know how much more I can cope with it.

I can't manage much, sticking to dry snacks, anything like a heavy meal or fluid comes up. I also don't want to drink? Total appetite loss. Don't fancy anything to eat or drink because of the appetite loss and because I feel so sick and nauseated.

It never ends, I cried yesterday (know I'm pathetic) but I haven't had a decent day or meal in 10 weeks and I can't be a mum to my toddler, we did so much before I got pregnant.

I have a few ondansetron, I'm worried it'll harm the baby, MW when I did see her also advised me to wait until 2nd tri.

snipples · 09/09/2019 03:46

Sorry everyone is struggling so much. @MissPepper8 you are not pathetic. It just takes so much from you and it's galling to get to 13 weeks and still feel so shit. Despite everyone promising it gets magically better after 12 weeks. That was how I felt anyway. Can totally identify with feeling rubbish about not being able to be active with toddler. You'll get there. We all will. Just keep going. Really hope you feel better soon.

I am really struggling with finding things to eat. I take the odd notion for things and then it all comes up and puts me off. I don't feel hungry as such, more weak and I know I need to eat something. Hopefully it eases up soon x

MissPepper8 · 09/09/2019 09:38

@snipples Thank you :), so happy found this thread, been really struggling with this lately.

I keep getting told by family it'll get better, when they know I was like it with DS until he was born. I suppose its their way of trying to make you feel better.

I can't explain it feel really unwell, like a depressed feeling when you've got no energy to do anything and I'm feeling a bit down right now cause near ever day I feel horrible.

Yeah that's like me, toast and crackers are good for me but I've gone off toast now.

I get food aversion too, thoughts/smells can set me off running to a loo. I honestly wasn't this bad with DS, it's miserable.

Catconfusion · 09/09/2019 12:09

@MissPepper8 I’m so sorry you feel this way. I’m 9 weeks and feel very similar. You’re not pathetic. People don’t realise how debilitating it is. It sucks all the enjoyment out of life and being pregnant. I do hope you can start the meds now you’re further along. I’ve had two mcs so I’m petrified of the medication which I know is a little irrational. Cyclizine did very little for me so I know I need something stronger but would rather take later on if I’m still suffering. It’s just so hard knowing what to eat. Most things seem bland and unsatisfying. I’ve been snacking on crackers and ice lollies. Just want to be able to manage some healthier food. This thread is a great thread to vent and it’s good to know we’re not alone! Xx

Moonstone12 · 09/09/2019 14:58

Ladies can I ask some advice please.
I'm taking 25mg of phenergan twice a day as prescribed by the doctor but I've read that I can have this up to 4 times a day. Can I just take it more often without doctors consent? I don't need a prescription for this med as my pharmacist pointed out it's cheaper for me to buy over the counter than on prescription! I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that increasing my dose is ok without having an argument with the gp xx

Em6826 · 09/09/2019 16:18

I'm checking in from week 12... a couple of weeks ago I hit a complete mental and physical wall, had several long cries and then went to the dr for new medicine (a swap from cyclizine to phenergan). It definitely works better for me although slowed rather than stopped the throwing up, and also is more of a sedative which doesn't help work much.

Dr signed me off for a week and I ended up taking off two, as well as telling my boss a bit earlier than I'd hoped to.

If you're reading this and considering taking time off (and able to) I would say do. It's not until I really stopped that I realised how much I'd been pushing myself and how exhausted I was. It also forced me to drop work stuff rather than half trying to do things with zero energy, which helped a lot with the stress I was feeling.

I can't say that I feel good now, but I will say that my appetite seems to have returned which had been getting me down more than I realised.

Hopefully onward and upward, but not getting ahead of myself.

Bol87 · 09/09/2019 19:35

Sending love to those suffering.

I’m finding life really tough at the mo, at the moment it’s not just the sickness but trying to survive with a two year old. She is so energetic & bright (not a boast, she’s just learning a million things at the moment, her brain is on overdrive).. bored out her brain at home with me on her none nursery days & subsequently throwing a million tantrums. She’s also started having a loada potty accidents when previously she was 100% dry. I try not to cry in front of her but even the two hours between her getting home from nursery & bedtime is so hard. She jumps all over the sofa & me and the movement sets of my sickness.

My other half is fantastic & taken some annual leave to support me but he’s now running low. He’s also poorly at the moment, so I feel extra guilty. I feel so worried about how long this is going to last & how to be a parent! I’m sucking it up as much I physically can but can feel myself at breaking point.. I just long for the 3 days she’s not around in the daytime & I feel so awful for feeling like that. She’s my absolute world.

Hyperemesis really destroys your life. I’m so envious of those who can get in & enjoy their pregnancies!

LucindaE · 09/09/2019 22:20

Low29 Welcome. Sorry you feel so bad. Do ask for meds. The doctor won't prescribe anything harmful. It is known to be more risky to be dehydrated than to take prescribed meds. Here's my normal spiel.
Things do get much better between weeks 14 and 20 for most people. Even for the unlucky ones who suffer throughout, it is never as bad as in the first dreadful bit. A good anti acid can make a big difference to the sickness. Those on Ondansetron will usually need a laxative. Some drinks and solids that have helped others: flat full sugar coke, ice lolllies, the juice of tinned fruit, Lucoazade, fizzy orange, fizzy water, 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, baked potato, Scoth pancakes, biscuits and cuppa soup.
Have you got kesostix to test for deyhydration, available from any chemists? They are not the best method compared to scanty dark urine, dry mouth, headache, etc, but A and E departments do take them seriously.
MissPepper8 Much sympathy. Do ask the doctor for meds. Nobody likes to take meds but with Hyperemesis it is necessary to avoid dehydration as you know better than me, and that is much more risky for you and the baby. Many studies have shown that Ondansetron is generally safe with only the smallest risk associated with it. I expect your MW was playing safe. As you are a veteran you don't need my spiel but I hope the one above might give you some ideas about possible fluids.Please don't fret about LO, who will forget about this period of comparative negelct. There is no greater gift than a sibling.
I hope you did not suffer as badly in the end as at the beginning last time, as that is very unlucky?
Catconfusion Good advice.
putputput I am so glad you are functional again, if stil medicated, and able to be a mother to your LO. We missed you. You should have vented through your bad times; that is what this thread is for. Two children is a ncie sized family, anyway.
Moonstone I hope someone can give you some advi ce about dosing of Phenergan.
Bol87 I do feel for you. But all the evidence from veterans on these threads is that your LO will soon forget about this time when you weren't fuctioning properly. It is very hard on those with LO's.
Em I am glad that you feel a bit better on this new medication.
snipples Good avice from you and everyone. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
Moonstone12 · 10/09/2019 18:59

Urgh... I'm having a super bad day today. I have managed to move from the bed to the sofa but that's it :( I feel constantly like I'm going to throw up or pass out and just can't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Ive upped my dose of phenergan to 3 times a day and just hoping that helps.

I'm also feeling so guilty that dp is working, looking after the 3 kids and trying to help me. I'm just so useless :(

I'm only 6+1 and I know there is so much more to get through :(

Sorry for the moan xxx

LucindaE · 10/09/2019 19:53

Moonstone Poor you. You are much more of a veteran than me, so I hesitate to make any suggestions. Unfortunately, as nobody has been on able to post advice about dosage and Phenergan (sp?) it might be worth phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 for advice about that, and what other meds mght work with it? You are very brave to go for it again. Sorry, I can't find your comments about if you had been on Ondansetron. I think there may have been a medical reason why you couldn't take it? Does an anti acid help you at all?
At what stage did you get any improvement in previous pregnancies? Is there anyone who might be prepared to help with childcare etc?

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justtheonethen · 10/09/2019 20:21

@Moonstone12 I would take the dose that the PSS state which is 4x a day. I would have no qualms doing that. Also if it's not helping go and get something else. Massive sympathy, I was like that last time and it's just horrific.

DeadDoorpost · 10/09/2019 21:39

Still no baby but my nan has taken a turn for the worse so I'm expecting her to leave us soon and then baby to arrive. Happened with DS.

Sorry for the downer post.

snipples · 11/09/2019 07:26

Oh sorry to hear that @DeadDoorpost - life can be quite mysterious sometimes when it comes to timing. I hope it doesn't pan out that way for you.

@Moonstone12 apologies I'm not familiar with that drug so don't know the dosage but just wanted to say hang in there. It's horrible and overwhelming in the early weeks.

As for me, I reckon I'm only keeping down about a third of what I'm taking in. Already 3lbs down in a week. It's not much compared to what some of you are dealing with I know, but it's enough for me to feel dreadful. I'm finding a bit of comfort connecting with other HG mums on insta. I set my own up if anyone wants to look @the hg Chronicals (with an underscore between each word - sorry it won't let me type it for some reason).

I'm finding it quite cathartic to share the daily shit storm that is HG on there. And thought it may perhaps raise much needed awareness. Any friends very welcome!

snipples · 11/09/2019 07:28

Like this

Hyperemesis Support
Moonstone12 · 11/09/2019 08:35

@snipples found you on insta and gave you a follow. Love your videos! You also look fantastic! I can hardly get my head off this pillow lol

snipples · 11/09/2019 08:46

Thanks @Moonstone12 - no one in my office knows yet so I'm layering on the makeup and filtering everything to death. I'm green underneath I promise!

Bol87 · 11/09/2019 12:13

Oh goodness Snipples, you are abroad- how do you cope with the heat?! I’m unbelievably glad it’s moving to Autumn in the UK, I can’t bear heat when I feel poorly!

I’m fed up today.. ticked over to 13 weeks & no real improvement. I’m struggling with the side effects of Ondansetron the longer I take it. My stomach is so sore, it feels like it’s weighed down with rocks. I take Laxido as I need but weirdly, I find it makes me a bit dizzy which I really hate. Has anyone had any success with any other laxative? Does Luctalose work?

putputput · 11/09/2019 12:31

Bol- lactulose works for me when really needed but I get awful stomach cramps from it. If you're second trimester then you can take bisacordyl, that's pretty effective.
I also found thiamin B6 supplements helped with the constipation.

Does anyone have low iron levels? Just had a call yesterday from hospital that my ferritin level is 8 (should be over 15)... again thanks HG! I've been started on supplements but they're considering a transfusion if levels don't improve.

Lcw29 · 11/09/2019 15:03

Thanks @LucindaE . I have been given some tablets for really bad days. So hopefully that will help me cope. Drinking loads of ice cold water

snipples · 11/09/2019 16:29

Oh I so identify with the weird stomach on ondanestron- I feel so so bloated and gassy and unable to poo even though I feel like I'm on the verge of shitting myself constantly (soz TMI).

Re coping in the heat, yeah it's pretty grim here at the moment, I'm in Dubai and the humidity here is crazy atm so can't go outside for fresh air just yet. It should get better in a month or so.

MissPepper8 · 11/09/2019 16:47

@bol87 I'm not a regular person at all.. Been on laxido for years, rarely see benefit of it and the taste right now I can't handle.

Lactulose works but my stomach was in crampy agonny with 15ml dose, if you try it go for 5ml and work your way up x

MissPepper8 · 11/09/2019 17:07

@Catconfusion Sorry you feel awful too, I love being pregnant and the confidence it gives me but the sickness takes everything from me. I feel like a shit mum right now, DH works from home (thank god) but I have no energy, Im exhausted, I nearly passed out cleaning my bathroom yesterday, I can't manage carrying my two year old.

I had two mcs, so I feel with you on this, I'm petrified of hurting the baby with tablets. I tried cyclizine but they gave me side effects, but like above maybe now I've had my scan and baby seems OK ill try once or twice a week cause I haven't had a good meal for 8 weeks. Crackers are good, I just went to aldi to get my favourite ones lol.. Highlight of my day haha.. Big hugs to you x

@LucindaE
Thank you :), I saw baby yesterday, he/she was going crazy so that's made me more reassured everything was OK. Maybe I'll try a day or two a week on ondansetron. Everytime I've mentioned them (even yesterday to mw) I got "best not, it'll pass soon" and "eat healthy". God sake.. Im like a nutty dieter, haven't had a burger in years anyway but I'd love a box of fruit right now 😂😭

Ah it's weird i don't fancy anything to drink.. My mouth is really dry and gross. Usually I'm a diet coke person but I can't stand it. I try small sips of stuff but it repeats on me terribly and water/non fizzy comes straight up.

As a question to other ladies, is this part of HG? The reflux? I have awful reflux. I had it with DS a little towards the end but I get terrible burning in my chest, it makes me more sick.

Bol87 · 11/09/2019 18:33

Grr.. the advice to not use medication makes me cross. Midwives should not be saying that to people with HG or severe sickness. My midwife was thankfully the total opposite and immediately printed me off a list of medication options, numbers to call if I needed fluids and offered me a home visit at 16 weeks if I need one.

I understand personal concerns but medical professionals know these medications are almost certainly safe & there are meds to work up from cyclizine. It’s not that or Ondansetron. There are other meds in the middle..

Sending thoughts, please don’t be afraid to take the meds if it’s unbearable.

Ps. Yep heartburn can be part of HG. I get it on & off. When it’s on, it’s blooming unpleasant. I take gaviscon & Tums regularly & for now, they are doing the job. Last pregnancy, I ended up on ranitidine but I’m managing so far. Thankfully, you can get it over the counter (Zantac) so in an emergency it’s easily available!

MissPepper8 · 11/09/2019 19:17

@Bol87

Yeah it's pretty shit.. Are you in the UK? My hospital labour ward got shut down due to infant death inquests. So I'm not staying here, I'm going 20 minutes away from home but (to my point), it was a bit of a mess there when I went. A senior midwife scanned me, they then had one midwife seeing us ladies while the other scanned.

Midwife I saw knew I had previous HG (I said I vomited until the day DS was born, even had 7 bags of fluid during labour), I said I was hospitalised 5 weeks ago with it as I needed fluids. But yeah that was her advice, eat healthy and try not to take them.

I've got gaviscon but it doesn't seem to help, I had omeprazole with DS. Mw wouldn't give them to me, said try see my Gp.

LucindaE · 11/09/2019 20:16

DeadDoorPost I am sorry about your grandmother. As you say, elderly family members to seem to pass on often just before a baby arrives. It has happened a good few times on these threads. It is sad they don't meet the LO, but I suppose we are all connected.
MissPepper08 I am not medically qualified,but Cyclizine has been used safely in severe pregnancy sickness since the 1980's at least. Your midwife is playing safe, but the doctor would not have prescribed anything hazardous. I understand being nervous, as I had an mmc myself. It spoils everything. Much sympathy. On acidity, it definetly makes the sickness worse. A good anti acid makes all the difference. Ranitidine and Omparazole are very effective.Goodness about that temporary closure.
Low29 Cyclizine has to build up to be effective, so taking them on bad days doesn't seem to me a good idea, though I am not medically qualified. It might be worth asking on Pregnancy Sickness Support on
024 7638 2020.
putputput People find that the drop form is less nauseating. Many find the tablet form makes them vomit, so do ask for the drop form if necessary.
snipples Three pounds in a week is a lot. I haven't used INSA myself, but 'The HG Chronicles' sounds good and dramatic!
justheonethen Good advice for Moonstone.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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