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.

Just checking in, hope everyone is coping today. Sickness is so draining.
I took a cyclizine about an hour ago and was just about to risk getting out of bed and some toast, but been sick again and think it must have been the tablet - white sick, not had that before. Think I'd thrown up what I'd managed to eat previously so the tablet and a bit of water was all that was in me. Hope it doesn't do any damage throwing it up, though I guess it's to be expected. Just going to try some sips of hot water.

@Whatnext11 so sorry you are suffering hun. The white sick i have when it's just water and tablets coming up. It's so not nice. I feel really sick today not thrown up yet but really nauseous. HG is to tiring on ones body. I just want my baby now so the sickness goes away. Still got 22 weeks before baby arrives.

@abbs1 thank you, reassuring to hear of similar experiences. 22 weeks, you are almost halfway! I bet it doesn't feel like it. Hard to explain how tough the nausea is, like you're just waiting to throw up. I am on 9 weeks, so counting down to 12 weeks though I know it's very very unlikely that the sickness will stop then, I can't count down to any further, it's too depressing!

@Whatnext11 that's what I did. The first 12 weeks were so hard for me. I just kept looking to my 12 week scan and holding onto seeing my baby and knowing the sickness is all for such a good reason even though it's so horrible. I'm now just holding onto my 20 week scan and seeing my baby again. This pregnancy has not been enjoyable at all and just been a huge drain on my body but I just keep reminding myself that I will get to hold my long awaited for baby soon.

Ugh, so not able to keep water down even. Not done kesostix before but just done an at home year and it matches the colour 0.4 ++ moyen. What do you think? Call GP?

No GP available for several hours and can't get hold of midwife so rightly or wrongly going to a&e. Worst they can do is send me home.

@Whatnext11 definitely the best option. Dont worry I've done it several times. You need fluids and medication so good on you for going. I really hope you dont have wait too long to be seen and you feel better soon.

You did right to go to A&E @Whatnext11 When I couldn't keep water down it was out of GP hours so I called 111 and got an appointment with the Out of hours GP 45 mins later. But she said next time you get this poorly just go to a&e.

My ketones were 3+. They gave me a cyclizine injection and ondansetron tablets to take and I've been feeling much better

Best of luck

Just sat in GP surgery now to try and get a repeat prescription of Ondansetron and Cyclizine, plus flu jab.

Meant to be flying to Lanzarote on Friday. I'm feeling much better and I think I'm on the right medication now. But what if I take a turn for the worse when I am there

@rosina38 try and get a months supply of ondansetron from the GP if you can as you will probably need it all. Tell them it's the only thing working and keeping you out of hospital and hopefully they will give you more than just a week or 10 days supply.

@rosina38 - the best laxative I’ve used is Laxido/Movicol from the GP in terms of it working a treat but gently. That said, it is a powder you mix with water so you need to be keeping fluids down.. there are a few syrup based ones over the counter, I forget their names..

I’m doing ok @LucindaE , thank you for asking! Nausea is ever present but it’s bearable enough. I wish it would go away but I’m not hopeful for much more improvement. That said, I’m eating a lot better & back at work two days a week (two at home). 20 weeks on Wednesday and my 20 week scan happens to. D on Wednesday too .. almost halfway there! 😊 The last two weeks, my nausea has been somewhat trumped by a cold from hell. I’ve had sky high temps, a bad asthma flare up & now sinusitis. All from one flipping cold!

Sending love as always to those really suffering at the moment, hope you get some fluids & anti-sickness @Whatnext11 🧡 thinking of you

Whatsup11 Sorry to hear you feel so bad Some A and E departments admit sufferers with 2+ ketones for fluids, and yours will undoubtedly go up after a while. Besides, hopefully they will take account of the other symtpoms and not being able to retain water for many hours. I hope they give you some more effective meds.
rosina38 The suppositories from Boots are good and they give them to pregnant women in hospital, but pharmacists won't sell them to one; I believe you can buy Lactulose over the counter. I personally have always found Fibregel nauseating even without Hyperemesis, but some brave souls manage it. I know there are others and have stupidly forgotten their names.Good luck with the flying.
abbs1 Wise words of advice. I hope you get some relief soon.
It is very hard. 'This Too Must Pass'.
I hope everyone is coping tolday.

Bol87 Sorry to hear about that cold and ramped up nausea. That sounds a reasonable arrangement for work. A lot of people notice an increase in symptoms round week 20, due to a hormonal surge, so it might be that as well.

Thanks all. I saw a fab GP. Really understanding. She gave me 60 ondansetron tablets and 100 cyclizine tablets and a prescription for lactulose. Haven't given that a go yet. Feeling somewhat normal at the moment but I've been here before and ended up lousy again so just appreciating the good days. I went out for lunch with my sister, niece and Mum today. It was fabulous

@rosina38 I really hope you manage to go on holiday. Maybe take lots of plain snacks, always tricky to find exactly what you fancy abroad.
@bol87 wow, 20 weeks, it will be amazing to see your little one! I am looking forward to my 12 week scan, will feel more reassured at that point I hope too. And it will reassure me the sickness is all worth it! They did a very quick scan last time I was in for HG and we got a little look, but it still didn't seem real. Sorry to hear you've been ill on top of HG, that's awful.
@lucindae and abbs1 thank you for your reassurance yesterday. A&e sent me straight to maternity when I said I'd done the ketones test, and the drip and meds sorted me out. Can't fault them on the maternity unit, they were so lovely.

Hope everyone is coping today

@Whatnext11 oh I'm so glad they sorted you out. Can you go straight there next time if you need to and skip a and e? The hospital I go to has has an EPU and GAMBU unit so I can go there any time monday to Friday and only a and e on weekends.

Thanks all, having all sorts of mixed thoughts about going away to Lanzarote.

Feel a bit uncomfortable about going abroad when I am signed off from work but I have asked to see my boss this week. I work in HR too

I've not had to be admitted to hospital but have been 'diagnosed' with HG and been able to keep it all under reasonable control with the medication from the GP- one trip to the out of hours doctor. I haven't been sick since Late Friday since starting the ondansetron and keeping taking the cyclizine at night. But I'm well aware that things could get bad again. It's just a risk I suppose.

Having said that I'm actually feeling well at the moment. My GP didn't have an issue with my travelling, I'm seeing the midwife on Thursday so will speak to her about it.

Then there is insurance to think about.

But pretty sure I can use my EHIC card (thanks For the extension Boris) to get treatment at the local medical centre. I suppose all I would need is fluids if things got bad again. The medical facilities seem pretty good based on my research today.

Main reasons for going is that it would do my husband and I a world of good. It's been tough for me mentally and physically but also for him in some ways. We both live for holidays and sunshine so it's very tempting.

Anyway, enough about me. Hope everyone is doing as well as possible. Sorry for anyone really suffering at the moment x

@rosina38 that's really tricky. I totally understand why a holiday will do you and OH good, chance to rest without looking round at the jobs you 'should' be doing, and chance to process a big change to come.
Wonder if you could stop your sick leave, go on annual leave then after the holiday you hope to feel well enough to return to work, if not I guess it's another sick note. Don't know if that helps at all.

@Abbs1 that's really good that you can go straight there. At my booking in appointment they said I needed to go via GP until 16 weeks, but I asked the maternity unit yesterday what I do if it happens again and they said I can ring them directly for advice so that's much easier. I guess that way I can bypass a&e which saves some faff- and there were some very poorly people in a&e, don't want to take up their time.

Feeling really frustrated and stressed out. I've started vomiting again and my steroids dont finish till Thursday. I was so hoping that I was finally out of the bad stage and could finally start enjoying my pregnancy. I'm gonna hold out for a bit and see if it settles down but just feel sad and upset that I cant catch a break from HG. Anyone that's done this more than once I take my hat off to you and everyone continuing to suffer, know your not alone and I'm so thankful for the support we have on this page. I honestly dont know how I'd cope without it.

Oh no abbs1 that's so frustrating. So hard when you think you might have it sorted. no advice just sympathy

abbs1 That is really disapointing, and I do hope it is a temporary glitch. How are things now?
Whatsup11 I am so glad you got fluids and meds and everyone was nice.
rosina3 * That is good news about the prescription and the outing!
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi, I’m really new to Mumsnet but had a few questions 😊

I’ve had terrible sickness and nausea and my urine came back with ketones +++ The gp has been amazing and really supportive put me on cyclizine straight away at 8 weeks when I couldn’t even get to the doctors to get a diagnosis. I’m now 13 weeks and am still sick twice a day every other day or so (with the drugs), however the nausea has pretty much cleared up. When do I start reducing from 3 a day to see if I’m still sick. I’m honestly so scared of going back to being sick and nauseated all the time.

@lydia97 there are others on here much more knowledgeable than me, but do hope you continue to be ok.

I have finally been able to eat some food today, thank goodness, hoping I keep it down.
Wonder if anyone can advise on medication. I have cyclizine already, but the hospital also gave me stemetil. No real instructions on when to take what. I currently take cyclizine most days but not on the occasional day I have no sickness. Might have to visit a pharmacy and ask them when I take what. Don't want to take more meds than I need to, though I understand it's better than dehydration. Anyone on similar?

@whatsnext11 I am prescribed cyclizine 50mg 3 times a day and stemitel 5-10mg 3 times a day. I usually take the Cyclizine first then 4 hours later take the stemitel then 4 hours after the stemitel take my 2nd dose of Cyclizine. I usually only end up taking 2 doses of stemitel a day unless I wake up in the night feeling sick. My GP said the other day that Cyclizine and Stemetil work on the same part of the brain so may not benefit from taking both but seems to be helping so far. Hope that is helpful.

I’ve been doing really well managing my HG over the last few weeks but my being ‘ok’ depends entirely on my ability to eat small amounts of plain food regularly (every 30-60 mins)

Today I’ve been admitted to hospital (not HG but pregnancy related) and they’ve put me on nil by mouth 😭 so I’m laid here on the ward on the brink between hungry/sick... realising this is going to get VERY bad VERY quickly and panicking!

They say surgeons need to see me and I’ll need an ultrasound before they remove nil by mouth but that could be tomorrow morning!!! 😂😭😭😭😭 I’m not going to be able to sleep with an empty stomach - feeling like death and vomiting constantly

I’m panicking and miserable - has anyone else had this happen?