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 everyone. I hope it's ok I post here.
So it's pg #3 for us. (My third. Dh 1st) and as planned and hoped for that this pregnancy is I just don't know how I can continue. I'm feeling sick all day and night (less about the 3-4 hours I sleep from crying exhaustion) and I'm sick every time something passes my lips.
I don't get sick pay from work and i can't afford to be off (even on SSP....) I had HG with both previous pregnancies and somehow managed. I haven't the foggiest how. Maybe because I'm older now? (My youngest is 5). I was also on ondansetron for them and doc seems reluctant to prescribe them now.
I don't really know what I want. Other than to sleep because it's the only time I don't feel so bloody wretched.
Any tips or advice? Or anything is welcome. I don't think I've ever felt so low as I do now. 😢

Alice8688 Welcome. As you are a veteran, and I only suffered once, I feel pesumptious advising you! You will already know about how A and E departments take kesostix measurements seriously, even if they aren't the best test of dehydration, and I am sure you know what liquids suit you so my 'Do you find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit' spiel is unnecessary, and you will be all to familiar with the need for laxatives with Ondansetron and that 'a good anti acid makes a huge difference' (there's an alarm going on about contaminated Ranitidine at the moment, worse luck). Can they add to the Ondansetron with Cyclizine and Vitamin B6? People often find that the most effective solution. I am surprised that the doctor is reluctant to prescribe Ondansetron if you have suffered twice before. It is worth ringing Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 76358 2020. They will have to ring you back b ut they give good advice about obtaining meds. On being off work, it is really diffcult, but realistically, in the early stages at least most sufferers can't work through this. Can you possibly work from home?
Catconfusion Oh dear about stomach ache. I hope it goes off soon.
This may have nothing to do with anything, but is there a virus going about, because I have had the most awful stomach ache for the last few days? I hope they sort out the Ranitidine scare asap.

Thanks @LucindaE it's definitely not a virus. It's a pain I've had before with the pregnancy when my tummy's been bad. I've moved back to Ranitidine and the pain has gone. I'm generally feeling better so have a feeling Omeprazole isn't going to work. The GP wasn't worried about the scare so I'm trusting her judgement. It would be nice to know it's been sorted out though.

Hey @Catconfusion - I had dreadful stomach ache for two days. I considered stopping but found ranitidine wasn’t really cutting it so persevered. No problems now, although I still get acid reflux overnight despite Omeprazole supposedly stopping production.. it’s crazy how bad it can get in pregnancy!

I think if it’s so bad, you’ve done the right thing. I guess Ranitidine is a considered risk like everything else.. it sounds minimal, they are overly cautious in the US due to people’s ability to sue drug companies. It’s not so easy in the UK, you don’t get the same law suits!

Thank you @LucindaE I am a veteran! But right now I can't imagine why upon WHY I agreed to #3. It's making me feel like I don't want to continue (even though I know there's no other option....and like I said. Planned baby) but I just can't voice this to anyone irl because I sound so weak. I just can't (nor do i have the energy to) explain how I'm actually feeling. There are no words for how depressed I feel about this.
The work thing is a real problem. Because we aren't poor nor are we rich. But we manage with what we have. So I go to work to get paid but I'm worried about losing my job because I'm so shit at it when I'm there 😢
I'm so sorry ladies. All I've done is moaned and whinged. 😔 which I'm sure isn't it what you all come here for! Sorry xxxxx

Thanks for getting back to me @Bol87 . It is unbelievable how bad acid gets. I've found two equidistant doses of Ranitidine a day really helps. I just couldn't stand the stomach ache and the Omeprazole wasn't really getting rid. It felt like I had no acid so digesting food was a problem.

Definitely a calculated risk. My doctor really wasn't bothered and has seen similar scares with other drugs. I'm really regretting trying to swap as I've had an awful week. The week before was bearable on Ranitidine so hopefully I'll be better now. It's my dating scan this week so I do wonder if it's partly nerves.

Glad you're feeling better despite the acid at night. Xx

Bol87 I am so glad that the stomach ache does go away.
Catconfusion As the doctor isn't worried because of other similar meds scares, then probably as you say it is best to take the 'calculated risk' which sounds very small.
Alice8688 At least your work can't penalise you for pregnancy related illness. Have you let your manager or HR department know - in confidence, if necessary? When did it ease a bit for you in your previous pregnancies? As you know, things get a lot better for almost everyone, even the unlucky minority who suffer throughout almost never feel as bad later on as in the early bit. I do hope you are able to get through to Pregnancy Sickness Support if your GP is being grudging about meds, which is unreasonable when you have suffered twice before.

Corr, I am having a really fed up day today. Having a bit of a dip & the nausea is getting me down. It’s been a tad more tolerable of recent but for some reason really ramped back up the last couple days. I’m just SO fed up of feeling sick & not wanting to eat. It’s just relentless. I know rationally I’m so lucky the meds stop me mostly throwing up, but god, do I want to just feel normal again. To be able to eat dinner with my other half, to enjoy a chocolate bar (so silly but I miss the enjoyment I get from it usually!), to just be able to enjoy day to day activities. I can do things now but all I can think about while doing them is how sick I feel!

Anyway, whinge over. Maybe an early night & a decent sleep will help.. shame I need at least 3 wee’s a night! My need to wee constantly seems to have started early this pregnancy! I’m carrying pretty small so baby can’t be squashing my bladder that much yet surely?!

Love to all suffering 🧡

So tonight I have discovered something I can actually drink! A while fresh lemon squeezed into hot water with a spoonful of sugar (can you tell I have a cold!)
Tastes like lemon sherbet and I've actually really enjoyed it.
Not sure if it will help anyone but thought I would share x

Thank you for your kind words @LucindaE I've now been admitted to hospital for IV anti emetics and rehydration. I blacked out last night (I was terrified) and docs have said they want to reset my system and hopefully get on the stronger meds. I've spent most the day crying. Feeling like a shit mum to my 2 DC. I'm hoping if the sickness is controlled my mood will lift xxx

As for the lady with the lemon: this is all I've managed! Lemon anything. (Drink wise. Food still off limits!) 🤣xxx

Hi all. Sorry to hear others are struggling. I'm already on cyclzine which has taken the edge off things and reduced my vomiting. However I'm still struggling to get anything in- food or drink- because of the nausea and disgusting taste in my mouth. Dr has now prescribed ranitidine to take in addition to the cyclzine. I was quite distressed during the appointment (obviously worried I'm putting my baby at risk with lack of nutrition/hydration) and although I took the prescription I didn't really have a chance to discuss it properly. Now I'm home I've looked it up and it seems to be an anti acid. I don't think i have excess acid- no reflux or hearburn? Wondering if it's worth taking it? Any experience or knowledge would be much appreciated x

Bol87 Sorry about bad day. On the frquency piddling, isn't that often an early pregnancy thing for many besides the later tendency to wet oneself by accident if coughing a lot or puking? It is so maddening. I remember some awful nights when I had to go six times.
Moonstone That is what my OH used to do for me when I had a cold too - I don't get them very often now through being so ancient. It is really nice and hopefully will suit many.
Alice I am so sorry to hear you have been admitted. I hope they work out an effective meds regime for you and manage to 'reset' you (to factory settings?! Don't feel that you are a terrible mother. Your LO's will soon get over this period of comparative neglect. Things always seem worse in hospital.

Pastnowfuture People on here have found that an anti acid helps, even if they don 't have the symptoms of heartburn.

Hi @Pastnowfuture - it is an antacid but actually they can really help you feel less nauseous. That said, usually if you are suffering with heartburn.. I’m on Omeprazole & it’s been a godsend at removing the nasty taste from my mouth & stopping the constant feeling of food/water/acid washing back up into my throat!

Do you get any of that kinda sensation? Otherwise, I can’t see them being overly relevant at the moment.. (but keep hold of them for later in pregnancy when the heartburn might kick in!)

@Bol87 Nope, not yet! I think I will do what you suggest and keep hold of it for the heartburn stage!

Pastnowfuture Defintely keep hold of it. It's a funny thing, but for me appalling heartburn was the first sign of pregnancy. I don't know how common that is.
Bol Waves. I hope you and everyone else is coping.

😳😳😳 the odansetron constipation has hit!! Help!!!!!

Also re ranitidine - not been prescribed it this time round but when my HG reared it's ugly head in the last few weeks at the end of my first pregnancy I was prescribed it and hadnt had any heartburn but it really made a difference to the nausea paired with the cyclizine I was already taking.

Oh no @yellow25 - it can be dreadful. You will almost def need some help, especially if you are struggling to eat!

My doc automatically prescribes laxido alongside Ondansetron & it works a treat for me. I take one sachet daily & that just about does the job. Occasionally I need two a day but it stops the terrible stomach ache and added nausea from constipation!

yellow25 Good advice from Bol. I hope your GP prescribes that regime, or Lactulose, but meanwhile, there are the jelly suppositiories from Boots. They won't sell them to pregnant women, though they use them in hospital for them, but somoeone else might be able to get them for you. There is Fibregell; some brave souls can endure it, but it is rather sickening for many with that fibre in it. Potaoto skins, bread with wheatgerm can help, tinned peaches and coconut (I never tried the latter; some seem to find it bearable). But it may have got beyond that, particularly if you haven't b een able to drink a lot of liquid and it very likely will need meds.

I'm 14 weeks today and finally slowing down on the anti sickness meds and seem to be doing ok sickness wise. I dont really have a bump at all. Is this normal? I lost my first baby through early miscarriage so this is the furthest I've gotten but I just feel slightly bloated at the moment. I did lose over a stone in weight from being so sick so thought I would show sooner but nothing really yet at all. Should I be worried?

Everyone is different @abbs1 .. I didn’t show much until about 16 weeks with my first and even then, a very small, bloated looking bump. By 20 weeks, I finally actually looked pregnant rather than just an odd shape! I caught up, I had a decent bump by 40 weeks!

Second pregnancy & I expected to be much bigger as everyone told me but actually, much the same! I’m 16 weeks and I have a small bump stood up. Sat down, I just look fat round the middle!

We had a 16 week scan today and we are expecting baby girl no.2 I had a hunch, my symptoms have been identical down to the food I can tolerate & food I can’t stand (most). We are both really pleased, we didn’t mind either way but for some reason I could never imagine myself with a boy!

@Bol87 aww congratulations on your second little girl. I really hope I have a girl first! When I stand I look bloated but sitting nothing. I'm hoping I get a bump soon as when I tell people they are like wheres your bump? I'm sure I will catch up eventually. 😊

Hi everyone I'm still very early on only 5+5 but this by far is my worst pregnancy (this is my 3rd)
The sickness is unbelievable. Morning noon and night. I'm getting up in the middle of the night because I feel extremely sick, I'm constantly tired, hardly eating (because it makes me feel sick), and feel like I'm overheating. Got an appointment with my gp today to hopefully find out what's going on but I do feel like its hyperemesis. What are your go tos that help you to not feel sick, I could do with all the help I can get right now what with have to take my other 2 to school i dont feel like vomiting on the way or in the playground

I'm out of hospital now. But honestly just no better. My ketones were off the charts and I've lost a stone in just under 3 weeks. 🤮 hideous. I've finally given in and been signed off work (I was going in and being sent home anyway)

@RachelC90 same here! #3 and struggling with everything incl school run. I'm not far ahead of you and I've been the same since 5 weeks. I'm 7 now xxxx

Can I join in please?

I’m Feeling very deflated at the moment :( I’m sick every morning and every evening the only time I’m not being sick is during the the day when it’s just relentless nausea (which is probably worse than the actual vomiting) I’ve had this since I was about 6 weeks been given cyclyzine sorry for spelling and when that didn’t really do much ended up with ondansetron. The sickness eased up between weeks 15-17 but now it’s back with force! I’m 18 weeks and again been prescribed cyclizine that I’ve got to collect later.

The doctors noted some ketones which means I’m starting to get dehydrated? But I can’t drink as it makes me sick and whatever I eat makes me sick or at least feel sick. The doctor also noticed some sugars too so now I have to go for a glucose test. When does it get better? I just want to cry 😢

Thanks for reading sorry for my spelling and grammar xx