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Pregnancy

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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9
Whatnext11 · 04/11/2019 20:18

Yellow25 nausea bands! If only the hospital had thought of that! (Heavy sarcasm here!)

For me, had a better few days, still very tired but sickness has lessened. I'm around 10 or 11 weeks, and unfortunately on days I'm not sick I start to worry about the baby, if it's ok. Will be relieved to get to 12 week scan.

lydia97 · 04/11/2019 20:41

@yellow25 sickness bands 😂 if only we had thought of that! She’s lucky you’re as sick as you are, I don’t know if I could of held my tongue if I wasn’t sick. 🙈

I was worried too before the 12 weeks, absolute wreck to be honest. Even now afterwards, when everything has been fine. If I have a bad day -I’m like “phew - still in there then.” But also crying because I have vomit in my hair because it came out quicker than I could tie it up. 😂

Fingers crossed for you and the scan.

MsChatterbox · 05/11/2019 09:02

Feel like a fraud posting here as I'm only on day 2 of terrible sickness. Before it was sporadic. Yesterday, last night and today anything I swallow is coming back up. Its getting me really down. The feeling of nausea is constant too. I'm only 6 weeks and I don't know how I can possibly do this for an unknown amount of time!

abbs1 · 05/11/2019 09:06

@Mschatterbox firstly welcome to the page. I hope you can get some good support here. I was the same as you at 6 weeks. Please seek some help for anti sickness medication and if you're not holding anything down you may need to go to hospital to get your ketones checked and be given if fluids. I had this multiple times I can't remember anymore. I never thought I'd get to 19 weeks at the beginning so stay strong hun. You can do this.

MsChatterbox · 05/11/2019 09:11

@abbs1 thank you for your lovely reply. I had sickness with my son too but nothing as bad as this. I never even considered medication with him but now I'm just desperate to feel normal for 10 minutes. Is the medication safe to take? I've just called my gp so will be getting a call back from a nurse at some point.

abbs1 · 05/11/2019 09:58

@Mschatterbox yes it is safe. I've been on ondansatron and metoclopromide since I was like 7 weeks as cyclizine didn't work for me which is the one the gp normally prescribes. The hospital put me on the other two but I was so bad I had to have the ondansatron as iv along with steroids on home visits as the pills didn't even stop me vomiting. I was on steroids from week 12-18 weeks and just come off them and not thrown up yet but still on ondansatron and metoclopromide pills. Hopefully you can get some relief. HG can be do debilitating and draining.

yellow25 · 05/11/2019 19:21

@MsChatterbox the Instagram page @pregnancysicknesssupport is the UK charity for HG. Their posts are so informative. Some GPs may not know much about extreme pregnancy sickness, and this charity gives support and advice on how to get what you need.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Sickness like this is just awful..... and me 12 weeks ago would smack current me in the face for saying this.... but I've done it twice now and I'll likely do it again...

LucindaE · 05/11/2019 19:48

MsChatterbox Welcome. Sorry you feel so foul. If you feel so ill so early then unfortunately it is most likely Hyperemesis. Everyone is very supportive on here. As abbs1 says, please don't worry about meds because of old horror stories; these days meds are carefully checked. Cyclizine, for instance, has been prescribed since the 1980's for bad pregnnacy sickness. I am glad the Dr's is phoning back. Here is my normal spiel: Unfortunately, this does tend to peak about week ten for most people and lasts rather longer than normal pregnancy sickness. Most sufferers feel an improvement between 14 and 20 weeks. Here is my normal spiel that I hope might help, though the kesostix suggestion may be unnecessary. 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.
abbs1 Great advice. I am so glad you feel OK on the other meds. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
lydia87 So true!
Whatsup11 It is an anxious time waitng for the scan results, and the more so, if you have had any past miscarriages. The chances are very much on your side all is well. It is a shame sufferers cant enjoy their good days as they feels so alien!

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LucindaE · 05/11/2019 19:49

yellow25 Cross posted. Good advice and Grin about doing it again.

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MsChatterbox · 06/11/2019 07:04

Thank you lucinda. Lots of great info. The cuppa soups sound really good right now!

MsChatterbox · 06/11/2019 07:05

@yellow25 I actually remember now saying with my son "im never doing this again" during first trimester. Funny how my brain made me forget that!!

Boycay · 06/11/2019 17:29

Hey all, haven't posted in a while.
Went back to work this week, managed Monday and Tuesday and then had a wobbly morning feeling exhausted and sick so I didn't go into work. Managed to get out of bed around 12 and go to Tesco but passed out at the checkout! Have felt okay since, just a bit tired and my heart is beating fast, but feel as though I shouldn't be at work yet.
My boyfriend only works a few days a week and with his small income and me off on sick pay, I'm worried we won't be able to afford rent and bills etc at the end of the month which is why I went back to work!
Just feel a mixture between dramatic and annoyed at myself because everyone else seems to just get on with it.

LucindaE · 06/11/2019 20:00

Boycay Goodness, if you fainted at the supermarket as a result of having returned to work, then you definitely are not well enough. It is very difficult if money is short. Can the GP give you any additional meds? Which meds are you on, sorry, remind me? Don't blame yourself for not being able to 'get on with it'. Hyperemesis sufferers just can't., unlike the normal pregnancy sickness. You are not being dramatic.
MsChatterbox I hope the cuppa soup helps. That was a recommendation from a lovely sufferer called 'Blondeshavemorefun*. Perhaps, then, the sickness was worse last time than you remembered?

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Pastnowfuture · 06/11/2019 20:11

@Boycay I'm in a similar position. OH is student and I'm the bread winner. Worrying about falling behind with bills just adds to the stress of suffering with HG. I've been off 2 months on full pay so I know I'm very lucky but it's running out. I've had a chat with my GP and will be going back to work 2 days per week from next week. She is going to write me a 'phased return' fit/sick note. For the remaining 3 days I will recieve sick pay and I hope that I can quickly build up to 3 then 4 days at work so at least I will be getting full pay for a proportion of the week until I'm ready to go full time. Maybe an arrangement like this would help. I know if I tried to go back to work full time next week I wouldn't manage it. My employer knows that too so in their best interest to support the plan.

My other option is that if I can't do my usual job, as it can require long hours and lots of driving, I can become part of the admin team. This will half my pay but feels more manageable, especially if symptoms continue all the way to due date.

Maybe a creative return to work would work for you too but whatever happens please don't think you are weak or dramatic. I have a problem with these kind of thoughts too but in my better moments I know that I am just a normal human dealing with a really shitty set of circumstances. Flowers

LucindaE · 07/11/2019 11:04

Pastnowfuture Wise words and excellent advice. I am glad you are recovered enough to find working bearable, and that sounds like an excellent arrangement of staggered working hours.

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Whatnext11 · 07/11/2019 17:22

Thanks everyone, feeling slightly calmer about the scan. Was sick couple of days back which reassures me. Feel like I've got the hang of what works with the tablets so feeling sick but not being sick, so hopefully if i can keep that up I won't need the hospital.
Hope everyone else is managing.

LucindaE · 07/11/2019 20:26

Whatnext11 Sympathy and remember the chances are on your side for the scan.
I will be going away tomorrow for a couple of days and shouild be back on Sunday. I have asked a couple of ex-sufferers to look in, and while I haven't heard back from them, I am sure that when they do log in they will come over. I hope ieveryone takes care.

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Hghell · 08/11/2019 18:20

Well ladies it’s been a while since I posted. Thankfully the meds are working and I have been able to get them without seeing the wicked doctor. I am now say 7 vomit free and feeling a little more normal day by day.
I want to thank you all for the wonderful advice that kept me going when I really didn’t know if I could. You are a great bunch and I will always remember the ideas etc.
I’m hoping to cut down on the cyclizine over the next week or so to see how I go, and I hope I am nearly over the worst.
I’ll be 10 weeks tomorrow so fingers crossed.

Ladies, HG is no fun and in reality you try to survive to make sure the baby survives, I really hope you find comfort from the lovely ladies here they have been my rock!

Thank you all I’ll be keeping on this thread as I don’t doubt I’ll get away for the rest of the pregnancy without sickness somewhere!

Luna222 · 08/11/2019 18:44

Hello everybody. I'm new and I am feeling desperate :( I'm 10 weeks and since 6 weeks I have been off work with severe nausea. I vomit anywhere between 3-10 times a day and I am constantly dehydrated, although my GP doesn't think I am dehydrated enough to get IV treatment (i suppose that's good?). I feel sick and vomit whether I eat/drink or don't, so I just try to eat what I can and hope some of it stays down.

I've already tried cyclizine and prochlorperazine. Cyclizine didn't help plus it gave me migraines so I stopped after 5 days. Prochlorperazine seemed to stop my stomach contracting enough to vomit so instead I had all-day acid reflux and acid vomit which hurt like hell (and again it did nothing for the nausea) so I gave up on that after 5 days too.

My GP says if I want to try anything else it has to go through an obgyn, but at this point I don't know if it is worth trying another medication.

Did anyone have an success with other medications after the first line ones didn't help?

Whatnext11 · 08/11/2019 19:35

@Luna222 that sounds awful. I am fortunate that the initial medications seem to have worked for me but throwing up as much as you are can't be good for you, I bet you're really fed up. Does sound worth seeing an obgyn if that's the next step. Sorry I can't offer any wisdom but much sympathy.

rosina38 · 08/11/2019 20:49

Hi @Luna222

I was prescribed Ondansetron by the out of hours GP which tends to be very effective. For me i went from vomiting anywhere from 1-15 times and feeling nauseous every waking hour to being able to function. I am now 12 + 1 and feel relatively normal, haven't been sick for 2 weeks at all since starting the ondansetron. My own GP was able to give me a repeat prescription

I have just returned from a week in Lanzarote and feeling really well. There is hope!

Bol87 · 08/11/2019 21:13

Hi @Luna222 - so sorry to hear of your suffering Sad it doesn’t sound like you have a very clued up doctor! If first line meds haven’t worked, GPs can happily prescribe ondanesteon! I’ve had it in both pregnancies with no difficulties from my GP! Can you see a different one for a second opinion?

Ondanesteon is 100% worth a try, it’s the gold standard of anti-sickness. It’s the only med that stops my vomiting (I’ve tried them all). I’ve been on it since week 6 & still using it at 21 weeks.

Please have a look at the charity Pregnancy Sickness Support. They can help you with information to take to your GP about medication.

Re-dehydration - buy yourself some Keto sticks from Amazon and you can check your own levels! Any ketones present are a valid reason for some fluids in hospital. But also, ketones aren’t everything. Dehydration takes other forms, dry, flaky skin, very pale, skin that doesn’t bounce back when pinched. And feeling awful. If you aren’t keeping much down, chances are you need some fluids. For you & baby. Please don’t be afraid to go to A&E if you think you need too. Sometimes A&E is a good start to getting the right treatment!

Please don’t suffer in silence, this thread is a great support & it’s just finding the right people to help you in the NHS!

Sending love 🧡

Jay2020 · 09/11/2019 09:23

Hi all, wanted to say hi and get some support. Currently 15 weeks and been struggling since 5-6 weeks. Keep trying different medicines but nothing gets me well enough to function. I think ondansetron is the only thing left that I haven't tried, so reading your experiences with interest. I am still losing weight, but generally on top of ketones /dehydration now. I am mostly feeling really worn out and sad at the moment. I should be sharing our happy news with friends and family, but can barely leave the house. I can't go anywhere because I get set off by pretty much any smell. Just feeling lonely and in need of a moan. OH is being wonderful, I don't know what I'd be doing without him right now!

Melleebacca · 09/11/2019 17:59

Hi All,

I’m a full-on crazy veteran. Or at least feeling very crazy for doing this a third time around. But judging by my two beautiful girls who love each other more than anything else, it’s definitely worth it!

Hoping I can provide some support to others on this horrible journey, especially knowing how to beat prevent future pregnancies being as bad. My first was definitely the worse because of not getting meds soon enough or taking enough of them (fear of heart/lip issues).

6+2 today, been on ondansetron for 2wks now. Nausea started 4 days before my period was due. No vomitting yet, but heaps of retching while cleaning teeth etc. so any day now.

Hugs to all!

Marshy86 · 09/11/2019 18:48

Hi all,

So glad to have found this group I am currently on a mix of cyclizine and Ondansetron after many failed attempts on different medication. My sickness started at around 6 weeks and I was lucky at start if I was able to drink more than 300ml a day, I still struggle drinking water but find lemonade is helping a lot but it does need to be full fat. This has been quite frustrating as pee pregnancy water is all I drank but just happy to be having some fluids. Currently sickness is under better control but heartburn is taking over and have had a lot of constipation so on difference medicines to also help with this. I've been signed off work for 10 weeks and currently looking into changing role so I am able to work from home instead, the worst thing I've found though is people saying "it's only morning sickness!" Making me feel like I'm over reacting. It wasn't until I was admitted to hospital for dehydration that people started to take it seriously - thankfully hubby is amazing and very supportive. Hope you are all well x