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.

Hey @StarWanderer - don’t worry, it’s not in your head. It’s just a really horrible, horrible period of pregnancy I find I have better days and feel so hopeful that it’s the start of it ending and then bam, back to square one the next day.

I’m on the same drugs as you and they really don’t touch the nausea do they? I’ve found myself so cross & frustrated that they don’t work in that regard (probably daft as they do at least stop most of the vomiting). Nausea seems to be the one thing no-one knows how to fully treat. It’s unpredictable. For some, basic cyclizine takes away the nausea, for others, Ondansetron works. And for the unlucky few, nothing really works. I found my nausea was unbearable from weeks 7-11, to the point I was in hospital as I couldn’t eat or drink (plus vomiting in my case). It’s eased up slightly now (14 weeks tomorrow), it’s still pretty horrible and I’m still finding it hard to eat much but it’s def a little less extreme. I’m hoping it continues to get a little better over the coming weeks!

Sending lots of love, it’s so hard and there is so little anyone can do.. just look after yourself, take time off work if you need, sleep through the worst of it, cry, get frustrated. I found an angry outburst helps sometimes!

Thank you so much Bol, reading this has made me cry again but least I have a smile now too that you understand it. No one around me seems to understand and my husband is so so lovely I feel so guilty he's doing so much. We both work from home for family business so I'm lucky that I can take time off if I really need to so long as we get someone in to cover me. The financial cost of an HG pregnancy is something too isn't it!
Your idea of sleeping through the worst is a great idea.
You've done amazing to get so far, it feels like a massive mountain at times, can't ever imagine holding my baby (have an 8 year old already).
Honestly can't thank you enough for responding. Xx

@Starwonderer hang in there hun. It's so hard and people that haven't been through it dont understand fully. Ive been back in hospital today at the EPU for the 7th time and they gave me ondansetron and metoclopramide via IV. I feel so much better as home medication just doesn't work. I've been told to go in every 2 days to get topped up. I'm 12 weeks tomorrow but no let up yet on the vomiting and nausea unless I'm in hospital. I would try to get in and get some fluids and iv meds and it makes me feel so much better.
Sending you a big hug.

@abbs1 just reading this and am on a drip in hospital, you're absolutely right. Hope you are feeling much better and it gives you some relief. I'm scared to be here as hate hospitals but praying this will help even if just temporary. Your advice tells me I'm in the right place and not being a drama llama. Hope you have a restful evening love.

@Starwonderer oh I'm so glad you're getting some help. Ask for iv ondansetron and metoclopramide it really does help. Hope you feel better soon hun and get a restful night.

So glad you are getting some fluids @StarWanderer .. I felt so much better after a couple bags. Still nauseous sadly but less of a complete zombie. I never enjoyed any of my hospitals stays, not so much from being worried but just the noise all night long! Once, I was with an old lady who snored so loudly the nurses came round with earplugs for the rest of the ward 😆 thankfully I had my headphones and put on an audiobook! I hope your night is more peaceful if you are staying in!

I’m always here to listen & handhold. I find talking gets me through the worst days. I have a very supportive network but I agree it’s hard for people to understand if they’ve never experienced sickness & nausea this badly. It’s a bit like people telling you how tired you’ll be with a newborn, you nod and go oh I know, must be exhausting but until you are in the middle of it, you don’t really comprehend it! This is my second and I’ve forgotten in two years! In fact, I’ve forgotten the majority of newborn anything! I just know for all it’s trials, it’s also wonderful and why I’m doing a second (and 100% final) HG pregnancy!

I couldn't get on yesterday, for some reason. It just wouldn't let me post.

Welcome to StarWanderer. You've already had great advice from Bol87. Eveyone is very helpful on here. As she says, things to get alot better for most somewhere between weeks 14 and 21, even for those who suffer throughout it is almost never as bad as in the first tri. As you are on Ondansetron, I'm assuming you have a laxative for the dismal side effect of locked bowels? A good anti acid can make a big difference, as below. Some food and drink which has helped others: flat full sugar coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, soda water, Lucoazade, Lemonade, fizzy orange, 7Up, Dr Pepper, Iron Bru, fizzy water, tonic water, Robinson's fruit drinks and tonic water, sips of chocoalte milkshake (maybe soya), orange squash, orange juice (if not too acid) and ice cubes. Some foods of a sort: nibbles of crisps and chips, cuppa soup, slices of memon and mango, cheap ice cream, tinned fruit, jelly, biscuits and baked potaotes.
Catconfusion I am so glad to hear the super Zantac is helping a lot. If you do need the Ondansetron, don't forget to get in a laxative, if the GP didn't provide one; it locks up the bowels for most people.
What I was going to post yesterday, only I couldn't get on Mumsnet ...
DeadDoorPost I am so delighted for you I have to congratulate you on lovely Charlotte again . You have given great advice on here. I hope you will call in regularly if you have time.
Marshmallow Sorry you still feel bad at 20 weeks. Some sufferers have had relief well after that, so I hope you join them.
TwoShades1 I am sorry to hear that stress is making you feel worse. I am so glad you are within sight of the Pink Castle.
Catconfusion Effective treatment of acidity can make an astounding difference, so I am so glad Zantac helps. I hope the Doctor can help further.
Waves Bol, Snipples and lovely to see norbert and Reastie again .
Basil90 Thank you so much for your lovely message of support for current sufferers. I am sorry you suffered up till labour.
On the unlucky few, very occasionally , say with about half a dozen of the sufferers who have been on nearly ten years of threads (weirdly, I had this, though I didn't suffer for long otherwise) it can linger in a less violent form after birth, and seems to be connected with breast feeding hormones. It always vanishes when one stops, anyway.

StarWanderer Cross posted with you and abbs1 so adding to my post below. Sorry to hear you have been admitted. It will really help. I forgot to ask my usual 'have you got kesottix to check for the early stages of dehydration as while they aren't always the best sign, A and E departments take them seriously' spiel. Obviously, you must have been badly dehydrated.

abbs Glad you are getting regular top ups.

Hi all,

9 weeks pregnant here. 2nd time. HG so much worse than the first! Constantly in hospital. Off work. Fed up!

Hi. Sorry to see so many people struggling. Just in case this helps anyone..... I went to the dentist for a routine check up, said I was worried about my teeth with all the vomiting. She said to use children's tooth brush and also a children’s toothpaste as it has the same amount of fluoride but the taste is milder. I tried it (Tesco do a lovely strawberry ice cream and the Colgate one is a slightly fruity taste!) and it actually helps, much less gagging and retching when brushing.

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing @Twirlsandcurls Strawberry toothpaste is a godsend, I cannot stand mint. Normally I love it but both pregnancies, one of my biggest aversions.

I’ve been really worried about my teeth but cancelled a recent appointment as I was worried the prodding in my mouth would make me throw up on the dentist! So good to hear they recommend kids toothpaste! Here’s hoping I’m doing enough to keep them relatively healthy..

Hey all!

So I thought I'd update you, re the sickness. I'm lucky that for the last few weeks before I was able to be off meds and the majority of the time felt ok. I felt sick during the labour but didn't throw up this time.

As for afterwards... no sickness, food aversions seem to be wearing off and my appetite is coming back. The only thing I'm still struggling with is milk, where it makes my stomach hurt if I have too much.

Charlotte is a little bit jaundiced still but not at a worrying level, and is pretty chill most of the time. DS is getting used to her and calls her "haaat"

Thank you all for keeping me company over the last several months. I'm glad it's over, even if the "when's the next baby then" comments have already started 😖😑

@LucindaE thanks for keeping the threads going, and thanks for helping with both HG pregnancies. If I ever return... god help us all...

Hi all, haven't been on in a while as was starting to feel like I was getting over the worst of it, then had an awful day yesterday of throwing up til my throat was sore 🙄 it made me feel really down and I tried looking for this thread and couldn't find it so just re-marking my place. 13 weeks and counting (so miserable I can't wait for this to be over)

Hi @sprite25 ! I wondered how you were getting along, I was hoping your quietness meant you were feeling a bit better! Glad it has been a little bit but sorry you had an awful day yesterday Fingers crossed the bad days become less frequent as you move into the second trimester.. I’ve hit 14 weeks today.. we are plodding on! Here’s hoping the next 6/7 weeks bring some relief!

RaynorEsme2019 Welcome to the thread. Sorry you are suffering badly. You are round the worst bit for many. Did you get relief later on in your first pregnancy? I do hope they can find an effective regime of meds for you. As you are a veteran, you don't need my 'have you got kesostix; though they aren't the best way of testing dehyration A and E departments do thake them seriously' 'A good anti acid can make all the difference' and 'Do you find ice lollies, full sugar flat coke and the juice of tinned fruit any good' spiels. The first tri is awful for most people, but things do improve for almost everyone even in a second pregnancy where it has turned out worse.
Sprite25 Welcome back. Sorry about that bad day. This thread does move on quiickly, so I am glad you have marked your place, though I hope it was a temporary glitch.
Twirlsandcurls Thank you for calling in with the dentist's advice. A lot of sufferers find a big toothbrush and mint toothpste real triggers. I so agree about a child's toothbrush and child's strawberry toothpaste. Oh dear, you missed my mentioning it in the introductory post, and probably suffered unnecessarily with adults toothbrushes and strong toothpaste all this time. Good to hear from you again. I hope things are generally looking up.
Bol87 I do hope you get an improvement soon. You always give great advice. Here's some
DeadDoorPost Another lovely photo fo Charlotte. I am so glad that this thread helped you. We will miss your helpful advice so I do hope you will find time to call in now and then. How insensitive that people are talking about a third knowing how ill you were.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi, yes in my first pregnancy I felt ok after 15 weeks ish.

All the meds that worked last time aren’t working this time which isn’t reassuring!

Been in hospital so much that I’m now having meds via IV. The guilt of taking so many meds when pregnant is crazy isn’t it?

Hope everyone has had a non sick day. I’ve had the worse so far 😩

Hi all it’s been a while but many congratulations to deaddoorpost, little Charlotte is beautiful and so glad fhe sickness has gone away for you.

It is so sad hearing so many are suffering but the early days are always the hardest I find, fingers crossed as the weeks go by you each get a little reprieve at least I hope. Meds and rest were my saviour during the hardest times and I have been off work since april and wont be going back till mat leave ends next yr, so please don’t feel guilty if you have to be off work its the best for you, your body and baby.

If you have little ones already i know how hard it is to be for them as you once were but know that this is for a short time in the grand scheme of things so please don’t try to feel too guilty about it.

Eat and drink what you can when you can even if its ICE COLD COKE. Go to the docs, a&e or early pregnancy unit when you are unable to keep meds/fluids down and take an advocate with you as it is so hard to even get words out at times when you are in the thick of it.

I’m just over 29 weeks now but the midwives think I’m measuring at 32 weeks not to mention the possibility of gd and pre eclampsia. Having another growth scan tomorrow after reduced movements yesterday which was scary.

Use this thread to rant, ask for advice or just state how you feel anytime everyone is so supportive and as many have said many thanks to Lucinda for having kept it going for so long x

I hope you all won’t mind if I drop in every now and then as I do still read to keep up just have limited energy now it seems to be getting harder as the weeks go by in terms of dwindling energy levels xx

Any advice on vitamins? Last time I took pregnancare in liquid form but it isn’t working this time. Wish there was a sweet version!

Hi all. Just checking in. Sorry to anyone who's still really struggling. It is grim. @RaynorEsme2019 for vitamins I haven't really been able to take any either. I couldn't swallow the pills and the liquid stuff just made me gag. My doc said the key time to be having them is pre six weeks anyway so not to worry now. I'm 8 week. I know official advice is to carry on a bit longer but she said it doesn't make a huge diff so I'm just gonna leave it.

@StarWanderer so glad you managed to get in for some fluids and IV. I really hope that makes you feel a bit better. It's def not in your head although it does feel that way sometimes I know!

Welcome to all the newbies.

I have had my Zofran dosage increased and am now taking it in liquid form. Seems to be helping so far. Long may this last!

composed Lovely to hear from you. Sorry to hear about pre-eclampsia anxieties. I am so glad the thread has helped a bit. Yes, do please keep calling in when you have the energy - your advice is always appreciated .
RaynorEsme Don't blame yourself about having to take meds; better the very small risk than the much bigger dangers of being dehydrated. I do hope you get relief at around 15 weeks this time, too.
Snipples I do hope the liquid Ondansetron/Zofran helps.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Oh interesting you can have it as liquid @snipples .. I’ve never heard that mentioned before, only IV & tablets (and I know they do pumps in the US). Glad to hear the increased dose is helping, that must be a relief! My doctor has always made me on edge with doses.. I upped myself from 12mg a day to 16mg (thankfully a hospital doctor agreed) & I’m still often told to try and get it down but I’m just so sick if I do!

I’ve had a reasonable couple days the last two.. still feeling nauseous as hell but at a bearable-ish level. I managed to actually play properly with my daughter in the garden & take her to the very local swings which made my day

I tend to feel dreadful after a day of being ‘more active’ (more active for an 80 year old.. I miss my old self) so we’ll see what tomorrow brings. I dread Fridays at the mo as it’s my day of sole responsibility for my bambino. I hate dreading it as I love our Fridays usually but not with HG Fingers crossed..

Thinking of everyone suffering

@Starwonderer really hope the fluids and meds have helped you. Dont feel bad if you have to keep going back I've done it 10 times now and is the only thing that has been keeping me going.
@snipples really hope the meds work for you. I found iv meds is the best for me as pills didn't work.
Due to me going in everyday as nothing working apart from fluids and iv medication im now on a home visit team with 2 visits a day for fluids and meds and had to be started on steroids as I csnt go in everyday and they haven't got space to admit me. I've got my 12 week scan tomorrow so excited but nervous to see my little bub. Hoping it's all good.

abbs1 I hope the new regime is effective. All luck for scan.

Bol87 Congratulations on taking your daughter to the swings. I am sure she loved that on such a sunny day. .
Here is the new Due Dates list. Two sets of twins left: we had four at one time: a record.

Due Dates
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

Can I add my due date please. May 1st.

This week has been particularly bad for me. I have hardly made it out of bed and my hair hasn't seen a hairbrush since Sunday 😭

8 weeks tomorrow and no light at the end of the tunnel. In my head I know I'll be ok eventually.... I'm just trying to deal with each day/hour/minute at a time.

Lots of love to all x

Hi all...ive been very quiet but have been keeping an eye on this thread..im 11 weeks now and still suffering 😢 have hardly been out of bed in 5 weeks which has left me feeling so down and useless...hard to see any light at the end yet...does anyone else feel like this or am i just going slowly crazy lol