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.

Oof some GP’s make me so angry. Ondanesteon being prescribed to cancer patients is such an irrelevant bit of info. It’s used to stop the horrible vomiting from chemo. It’s also used to stop the horrible vomiting in pregnancy. Exactly the same issue. The fact one patient has cancer & one has Hyperemesis is literally here nor there! Both are illnesses that cause vomiting that needs to be stopped of severe.

I thank my lucky stars for my GP. She’s an absolute delight.

I really hope those needing meds can get hold of them. In my experience, try see younger doctors who are generally a bit more clued up & forward thinking!

I'm sorry you were treated that way @Hghell. When you are already feeling so poorly that is really the last thing you needed from a medical professional who is supposed to be helping you.

Thank you @LucindaE for keeping us all going. I really love this thread, so supportive and full of kind people with kind advice 😊

I feel like this is my safe haven. Everyone is being kind in the real world but every person who is aware I am pregnant, who has previously been pregnant, has said to me 'yes I know how you feel I was sick during my pregnancy' and it absolutely is not a competition but I have been house bound (aside from hospital and doctors), go days without a proper shower or bath, have a bleeding throat from vomiting, have a uti from dehydration and unable to work or have a social life for weeks etc...and I feel like I am having to justify how unwell I am and convince people that this isn't just 'regular' pregnancy sickness that everyone else manages to cope with and still work / have a social life.

Then if I do try and justify/convince I then get 'ginger. Biscuits' or 'strong symptoms are a good sign' or 'the positive is you managed to get pregnant so quickly' or 'you'll feel better at 12 weeks'. As I said people are being kind and I don't expect anyone to know exactly how I feel or be an expert on pregnancy sickness but that's why I take comfort in this thread so much. People who genuinely understand.

rosina38 I am glad that you find this thread a help. People can be insensitive and make infuriating 'helpful' remarks, ie this extraordinary obsession with ginger biscuits.
Bol87 Thank goodness there are many supportive and informed GP's!
I hope Hghell and others are coping.

@rosina38 Agreed this thread is a huge comfort. Unless you've experienced hg there is no way of really comprehending the impact it has on your whole life and so rapidly.

Does anyone else find others optimism grating or is it just my frayed nerves? 😂

I am hoping my GP is as supportive... I’m going to make an appointment tomorrow if possible because I think I have HG - again. Had it with my first pregnancy and it was awful, and even though I’m 10 weeks with second pregnancy I’ve recently started vomiting every hour and I can’t keep fluids down. I feel so lightheaded and weak. It started earlier last time so I thought I’d escaped it. Good luck everyone else x

Hi everyone - well here we go again had a few days respite with no sickness and thought it had ended, (I'm 14+4) but yesterday and today back in bed with that stomach churning nausea, sickness & exhaustion feel so glum...haven't worked for the best part of 6 weeks now and everytime I think I can go back this happens. Wondering if the 16 week milestone really is the turning point?? I'm taking metaclopromide but also have Ondansetron & cyclizine ; not entirely sure the possible combinations??
Sorry for the rant and sending love to anyone going through the same.

@Bean2020 I'm 17 weeks and still at home on a lot of meds. I haven't been in work since the beginning of August. Just too unwell to do anything. It's so frustrating. I'm on metoclopramide, ondansetron and currently on steroids that is giving me a bit of respite but as soon as the steroids stop I'm scared I will go back to square one like last time I stopped them and immediately started throwing up again.
This is baby#1 so first time of going through hyperemesis. Its horrendous!
Hope you get some relief soon.

@abbs1 thank you and so sorry you are suffering too. I can't believe how many women get this so badly I never knew! OH just bought me in a fizzy orange as can't bear water at the moment!!

Sending big hugs to those suffering. I'm 17 weeks and have a stomach bug. I've been violently sick 9 times since 6.30 this morning. I really admire anyone who has had to do this long term

Hi everyone. Sorry to hear some people are having a poor experience with GP. I've had a mixed bag. My actual GP is great but I can rarely get an appointment with him. Other doctors I have seen have shocked me in terms of their complete lack of compassion. I have been scolded for wasting valuable appointment time vomiting and told I 'just need to eat more'.

I'm about 12/13 weeks now and although I am excited to start sharing our news with our wider circle I am not looking forward to justifying the extent of my illness with people that just don't understand how hard it is.

Big hugs to everyone struggling ❤️
Don’t waste time trying to justify/explain HG to anyone who thinks it’s ‘just a bit of morning sickness’ - it won’t get through to them - but if you’re really struggling remind them that even Kate Middleton was bed ridden (couldn’t make appearances) with it!

GP’s and health care professionals should know better than to guilt/shame women about reliance on meds. My meds make the difference between me functioning and not! (Although still off work at 17 weeks)!
If you are treated badly PLEASE do make complaints - as my midwife repeatedly reminds me ‘women used to die from HG- natural isn’t always best’ ⭐️

I really am glad of this thread, makes me feel like I'm not just a wimp! Wondered if anyone has had HG off and on? I don't have a diagnosis, and not sure if HG is what it is really. One day I can have no sickness at all, still very tired and managing very little. Today in contract I've been sick throughout the morning, took a tablet, then not been sick but wretching. Have kept some toast down but that's it. Can't face food so just going to concentrate on getting some drink down me. Any idea if this is HG? I did end up being hydrated in hospital one day.

Need to go back to my GP after this week to ask for another sick note I think, I can't make it to work like this.

Having been sick yet again, I'm wondering at what point I need to get some medical help. Been in hospital once, because I threw up a funny colour, but today I've not kept much down at all, maybe a little liquid. Not peeing much but it's not too dark, just checked, got a headache. I've ordered some keto sticks but not arrived yet. At what point should I worry and do I need a drip? Thank you all

Should say taken a cyclizine tablet at midday

@Whatnext11 I managed 24hours of being sick and my ketones were at 4+ which is the worst dehydration and needed 3 bags of fluid and iv anti sickness medication so I wouldn't leave it too long. I've been in hospital up to 4 times a week to get fluids. Please get help sooner rather than later. I tried for 3 weeks when I first found out i was pregnant thinking i just had morning sickness before I initially went to hospital and it was the worst thing I could of done. I would advise you go in tomorrow and get fluids cause being dehydrated is really dangerous. Hope you get the help you need soon.

@Abbs1 thank you. I also ended up 4++ dehydrated last time, though just through a morning if non stop sickness. I'll ask OH to pick up ketostix on the way home. Last time I had a really clear sign of dehydration - funny colour sick, and NHS website says straight to a&e. Today feels less clear. Thanks for your help.

Hi ladies, I am unfortunately joining your thread 😥 I've never experienced anything so horrific in my life and I'm not half as bad as some of you!!

It started at 5+4 couldn't keep a thing down
Hospitalised at 6+5 had 3 iv fluids.
Some days I manage to just be sick 3-4 times a day, other days its 10+. There just doesnt seem to be consistency with it.

The thing I'm really struggling with is the moment my eyes open to the moment they shut is the HORRENDOUS NAUSEA. 😷 I've even developed motion sickness and throw up after every car journey now.

Luckily I work from home, but I've had to take days off where I cant lift my head off the pillow.

Drs put me on cyclizine which I swear made me more nauseous, then on metoclopramide but it gave me stomach ache so I refused to take it. Now I'm just surviving drug-free counting the hours of each day until I can go to sleep again and hope it doesnt wake me up in the night.

Oh I also had a session of acupuncture today. Still no difference atm, not sure how long it takes to make an effect etc. Has anyone had it? My sister had HG with all her 3 and it was the only thing that took the edge off.

Beauty&Bump - try get hold on ondanesteon. It’s the golden star of Hyperemesis. I’ve tried everything & it’s the only thing that remotely controls my vomiting. You do get constipated on it but can take a laxative safely alongside. I’m prescribed laxido with mine.

I’ve had a rough few days but not Hyperemesis (although the coughing doesn’t much help the nausea) Caught a stinking cold last week and it’s flared up my asthma. Got put on steroids & increased inhalers oas I feel like I’m breathing through a pinched straw 😩

I long for the day I feel just OK! Doesn’t have to be brilliant, just OK!

@beautyandthebump1 this sounds like what I've been through. It's so awful and I really feel for you. As @Bol87 said please try to get some ondansetron. I'm on ondansetron and metoclopramide but the only way I'm not being sick is if I've got it iv or pill form with steroids. Please seek more help hun sounds like you're having a really tough time. I wish I'd known more when I was so early into my pregnancy as it would have made my life so much better sooner. Keep us posted. We are all here to support you. Ive been in hospital nearly 20 times now with hyperemesis issues so dont hesitate to seek further help if you cant get what you need from your gp. I tried cyclizine and it did no good to me. I hope you can get help soon.

@bol87 @abbs1 thankyou ladies - I am going to put a request in now. It's so nice to speak to people who dont recommend ginger biscuits 🙄 @abbs1 I cant believe you've been hospitalised 20 times!! You poor thing, I cant even imagine. How far gone are you?

@beautyandthebump1 I'm 17 weeks today. The only way they've kept out of hospital is home visits for iv medication twice a day and now steroids which end next week so no idea what will happen if it will settle so will wait and see but I think it will be back to hospital pretty much straight away as thats what happened last time the steroids stopped. I'm really hoping its not but the steroids are being weaned and the lower it goes the more sick I feel again so I'm not holding my breath. I never thought pregnancy could be so difficult and I can see it's taking a toll on my DH as he hates seeing me this unwell.

Welcome to new people.
Littlepies Sorry that it has started, but that it has been mild until now is surely a good sign,as there is some evidence that the worst cases start very early. As you are a veteran you don't n eed my spiel about kesostix and ice lollies, flat full sugar coke and the juice of tinned fruit and about how a good anti acid makes all the difference. I hope you get some effective meds asap.
Bean2020 That is discouraging, but the fact that you have had a few good days is usually the sign that more are on the way. I think for sufferers anywhere between 14-20 weeks is typical for an improvement. I wish I could advise you about the best way to take that combination b ut I am sure someone will, as it is a frequent one for the more severe cases. Fizzy orange can be really good!
abbs1 I hope you soon get an improvement. It must be nerve racking aout the steroids. Did they work something out about your getting fluids at home?
Disneymademedoit Excellent advice from you and others.
hardheadededwoman39 I think if these others are not suffering, it is easy for them to be upbeat about it! and Whatnext11 I am happy that the thread is helpful.Hyperemesis can vary in severity at various times, and if you are not able to function normally and have to watch out for dehydration, then it almost certainly is. A headache is not a good sign regarding dehydration. Have you got blurry vision, or dry and inelastic skin?
Pastnowfuture That is awful that those GP's have actually taken it upon themselves to lecture you for having Hypermesis. Thank goodness you have one good doctor!
Leag1 I am glad that it is a stomach bug for you, and therefore time limited. Thank you for the sympathetic message.
mylifenow27 I hope you are feeling a bit better? Are you out of hospital?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Cross posted! abbs1 Ah: that answers my question. Twenty hospitalisations, poor you.
Whatsup11 It defintely seems as if you are probably best going to A and E, as others say. Much best to play safe.
BeautyandtheBump Welcome. You have already had great advice.
Do go back for meds that help. I was really helped by Acupuncture but while it usually helps a bit, it does vary between individuals and how expert the practitioner is (I have never found one to rival that one I had in West London. Here is my usual spiel that may help.
ere are some tips which I hope will help. A good anti acid can make a big difference. It is always worth asking to see if there are any further meds to try for the nausea. What helps with the nausea for some, doesn't for others. It is a good idea to buy some kesostix from a chemists to check for the dehydration, as while ketones in urine are not the best indicator A and E departments take them seriously. Some drinks that have helped others, and food of a sort: - flat full sugar coke, the juice of tinned fruit, ice lollies, ice cubes, Elderflower water, fizzy water, tonic water, soda water, Elderflower water and tonic water, Lucoazade, fizzy orange, lemonade, Dr Pepper, Iron Bru, 7UP, Robinson's fruit drinks, orange squash and sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya). Nibbles of chips and crisps, baked potatoes, cuppa soup, cheap ice cream, Scotch pancakes, tinned fruit, biscuits, slices of melon and mango and jelly.

@lucindaE thank you, it's so nice of you to keep this thread going though you're through it now!
OH didn't manage to get any ketostix, but some should arrive tomorrow from Amazon. Managed now to eat a small bit of mash and drink about a mug full of water. 8 hours is up since my last cyclizine so just taken it and hoping for the best. If I throw up a couple times more I think it'll be a&e. really hoping I can keep this down though, manage a bit more water and go to bed. Vision is fine and not sure how to rest for inelastic skin! I look normal-ish!

@whatnext11 - no elastic skin is when you pinch you skin and it doesn’t spring back into shape but stays pale and is slow to return to its shape.. it’s a classic sign of dehydration, it was one of mine in the early days that got me admitted!