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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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LucindaE · 13/11/2019 16:10

Emma Welcome. Sorry you still feel bad at twenty-one weeks. Did this start off for you as milder and gradually get worse? I hope that the meds prevent you getting so ill again, as Whatsup11 says. Here is my normal spiel. Might an anti acid help? Some drinks and foods of a sort that have helped others - some of which you seem to be having already. Flat full sugar coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Lucozade, fizzy water, Elderflower water, Robinson's fruit drinks, fizzy orange, lemonade, Dr Pepper, Elderflower coridal and tonic water (eallison's tipple), 7Up, Iron Bru, soda water, ice cubes, chocolate milkshakes (maybe soya), cocoanut milk, orange squash and sips of orange juice if not too acid. Some foods of a sort: nibbles of chips and crisps, baked potatoes, cuppa soup, cheap ice cream, tinned fruit, slices of melon and mango, Scotch pancakes and biscuits. It might be worth investing in some kesostix if you don't have them already as while they are not the best test of dehydration for reasons that Melleebacca explains below, hospitals do take them seriously. Otherwise, watch out for inelestic skin, ie skin that doesn't spring back when pulled, dark urine, headache, etc.
Pastnowfuture Great advice from Melleebacca. and Bol67 . The improvement can be gradual and maddeningly slow when you are eager to get back to feeling as near normal as you can. Remember you have been very ill and need to build up your strength again.
Whatsup11 Sorry you had to have fluids and still feel bad. I hope you get a big improvement soon. ''This Too Will Pass'. I so agree about 'morning sickness' being far too mild sounding, and not even accurate for normal pregnancy sickness.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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Melleebacca · 13/11/2019 16:58

@Whatnext11 - how far along are you? Morning sickness is a stupid term. I’m best between 10-2 every day. Before 10 I’m nauseous because I haven’t eaten anything all night and my stomach is out of sorts. Then after 2, I’m all worn out and super nauseous from then. Between 4-7pm I try not to move at all and am in bed struggling to keep everything in.
Use the Hyperemesis term. I like it because it makes people think I’m deathly ill, but I generally have to explain it and then they tell me all about how sick they were in pregnancy for like 2weeks. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Whatnext11 · 13/11/2019 21:53

@Melleebacca I'm almost at 12 weeks, so still early stages. Counting down to 14 weeks when i hear it eases for some lucky people!
Hoping for a better day tomorrow, and a tiny bit of energy to do exciting things like washing clothes!

Melleebacca · 13/11/2019 22:42

@Whatnext11 don’t get too disappointed at 14wks if there’s no huge improvement. I find 16wks is a more magical time. That’s when the vomitting stopped with number 2.

LucindaE · 14/11/2019 17:11

Whatsnext11 and Melleebacca I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of you to have an early turnaround.

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Whatnext11 · 14/11/2019 18:04

@lucindae @Melleebacca thank you. I will count down to 14 weeks then to 16 if needed...then 20 if still no better, but good to break it down. Better day today.

Bol87 · 14/11/2019 19:11

Sorry for the little moan - I’m just feeling really fed up today Sad I’m not sure if I’ve picked up a bug or I’m just over tired but I’ve been feeling so pants the last couple days after a few weeks of life being bearable.. I was up all last night with agonising stomach cramps that I started to get concerned were contractions as they were coming in waves every 15 minutes! It was my birthday yesterday and I felt so exhausted & sick , I just laid on the sofa watching movies (not awful to be fair). I’m still struggling big time with taking iron & not throwing it up so I’m pretty sure my already bad anaemia is getting worse!

Bleugh. I’m just so fed up of not feeling well. I’m at the stage where I feel like there’s such a long way to go and the thought of feeling like this until March makes me want to cry!

Whatnext11 · 14/11/2019 20:20

@Bol87 it really is tough isn't it. And watching films sounds nice if you're well and it's a choice but not when you're not up to doing anything else. Hoping if it is a bug making things worse then it passes soon

LucindaE · 14/11/2019 21:38

Bol87 Poor you. I do hope that it is a bug; it sounds like one. Cyber hugs on offer- or gentle pats.
Whatsup11 Cheering you and Melleebacca and everyone on...

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Melleebacca · 15/11/2019 00:25

@Bol87 Sorry that your birthday was blah. I have had 2 HG birthdays, and the plan was to have our 3rd just before my birthday, but then life got in the way. I’m hoping it passes for you and you feel better soon.

@LucindaE I’m coping well at the moment. Made it to 7wks with no vomitting! I’m now too green to make dinner or really do anything after 3pm.

@Whatnext11 good plan! I’m currently counting down till Hubby goes on Christmas holidays, and hopefully by the time he goes back to work, I won’t be in the pit of despair quite so much.

Marshy86 · 15/11/2019 13:54

@Bol87 I'm so sorry to hear your feeling unwell and how it was on your birthday. I hope you get some more enjoyable time soon.

How's everyone doing with work? I've been signed off work for the last 10 weeks, due in next Thursday after discussing options of working at home when I have days when I'm struggling ect but I need a laptop organising, uniform for office work, annual leave to be agreed and job role agreed. Occupational health were happy with everything discussed and put report into HR 2 weeks ago and work still haven't come back to me. I spoke to the lady again today she said to call HR again and if I don't get response I shouldn't go in. Feeling very frustrated at present with it all !

BeautyAndTheBump1 · 15/11/2019 16:56

So i havent been on here for a while I have been on my honeymoon...how is everyone doing? Has anyone been feeling any better?

I did a 3 hour airport wait, 8 hour flight, 6 hour airport wait, 4.5 hour flight and I can't even explain how horrific it was!!! I spent most of my time in the plane toilets throwing up into a sickbag, trying to be as quickly (and quiet!!) as possible because there was always a queue of people waiting! The sick bag was so full once it leaked all over me. That was a fun one.

Last night I ran out of Ondansetron without realising (just came back from honeymoon) so I could only take one yesterday morning and had to miss my 2nd dose - I went to bed at 7pm as I felt like I was dying and I wanted to mask the sickness with sleeping. I woke up at 3:45 and was in full on exorcist mode until my MIL picked me up at 9 to go and fetch my prescription. I bet everyone thought I was crazy, ripping open my prescription box in the middle of Asda like some druggie who hadn't had their fix.

I feel so so ungrateful for complaining when some people can't even get pregnant, but fuck me I literally feel like i'm dying everyday.

LucindaE · 15/11/2019 19:24

BeautyandtheBump Goodness, how brave of you to fly feeling so bad. That sounds horrrific, my goodness. I hope the honeymoon holiday wasn't like that overall?
Marshy86 It is too bad of HR to be inefficient. You sound as if you sorted it all out really efficiently, difficult enough when suffering from Hyperemesis.
Melleebacca Oh dear, two Hyperemesis birthdays.
I hope Bol87 and everyone is coping today.

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Pastnowfuture · 15/11/2019 22:16

Hi all. I have been on the anti-depressant citlopram for 3 years. Tried to wean off it very slowly at the start of last year in preparation for ttc. Unfortunately I ended up suffering a relapse in terms of my mental health. I tried to manage for as long as I could but eventually went back onto the lowest dose possible (10mg). My GP has alway supported me with my anxiety and depression and together we agreed the best option was to stabilise my mood then commence ttc. At 36 I didn't want to wait too long and it was felt that any increased risks linked to the medication were outweighed by my mental health needs.

Jump forward 12 months and I'm 16 weeks pregnant Smile What I hadn't anticipated however was HG which has left me utterly miserable and I have developed anxiety/control issues related to food. I've been referred for urgent mental health support and still I'm still on my 10mg.

When I first started seeking medical help for HG one doctor I saw told me the citlopram was probably making me vomit. However he was a bit of a jerk so I disregarded this comment along with his simplistic 'you just need to eat more' opinion.

My own GP is on extended leave so I saw a different one again this week. Luckily she was lovely. She too however suggested the citlopram could be causing the sickness. Now I am wondering if there is something in this? I did a quick google and couldn't find anything about citlopram causing vomiting in pregnancy. Does anyone know anything about this?

Melleebacca · 15/11/2019 22:58

@pastnowfuture Sorry to hear you’re feeling so poorly. There is an increase in mental health issues with those who suffer HG pregnancies. I was diagnosed with ante-natal depression last time around but refused meds for it (ondansetron and various laxatives were as much as I was willing to put my body through). So I am aware there are meds that can help you. Do you know if citlopram has a side effect of vomitting in non-pregnant people? I don’t believe that one med could solely be responsible for HG. My dads ChemoTherapy mocktail creates HG like symptoms, but that was huge number of meds.

Bol87 · 15/11/2019 23:08

Goodness. You are one brave soul @BeautyAndTheBump1 - I could barely lift my head off the sofa let alone get on a plane & attempt a holiday! I just shut down when I’m sick, part of my phobia I think (ironic emetephobe with HG over here..)! It sounds frankly awful, you poor thing! Was your honeymoon itself any better?! I hope you can go on a lovely, non vomiting holiday once baby is here!

You sound like you are seriously suffering, are you managing to eat/drink enough?! I hope the ondansetron makes you feel a tad better.. please don’t feel guilty for not feeling very grateful right now. This second pregnancy, I openly admit I hate pregnancy. I find very little joy in it. Doesn’t make you a bad parent. I love my DD more than anything but boy did she make me suffer & so is this one!

@Pastnowfuture - I’ve not heard of citalopram causing bad sickness but maybe pregnancy has some weird effect a GP might know about ..?! HG is a killer on mental wellbeing. I don’t suffer with any mental health issues usually but HG is such a huge struggle mentally. I get so low & upset about it sometimes.. hope you are ok 🧡

Pastnowfuture · 16/11/2019 10:24

@Melleebacca As far as I'm aware sickness is not a common side effect in non-pregnant women when taking citlopram. I had a few side effects when I first started the meds but nausea/vomiting wasn't one of them.

@Bol87 Thank you. The emotional impact of HG is just as significant as the physical impact in my experience.

Whatnext11 · 16/11/2019 12:49

@Marshy86 I'm off work at the moment, it's not a job I could do from home but even if I could I think I'd be doing less than an hour a day. I'm getting less done now than I would in the time before work (normally load dishwasher, put wm on) and after work combined (sort washing, cook, tidy a bit). Hope your work make the adjustments needed, it's up to them now, you have done your bit.
@Pastnowfuture sounds like you are having a really rough time. There are other medications for depression - sertraline is generally accepted as safe, maybe worth a chat with the GP to see if there's an alternative. You can be fast tracked for counselling if you are pregnant which may be helpful.

Whatnext11 · 16/11/2019 12:52

@BeautyAndTheBump1 that sounds like such an awful journey. I can't imagine how bad that was. Hope you are now able to rest at home. I understand about feeling 'ungrateful', i've felt similar. This baby is much planned and wanted, and hoped for for such a long time, and even on the worst days I am glad I am pregnant, but that doesn't stop me being totally miserable.

Whatnext11 · 16/11/2019 13:11

Sorry for multiple posts, I find it hard to reply to all, I forget where I'm up to. I've had a better couple of days, but been even more tired than usual, exhausted is probably a better description. This morning I read the side effects list on cyclizine and realised this has happened at the same time as I increased the dose to one tablet every 8 hours - was previously just taking on bad days. Much rather the tiredness than the sickness at least.

Melleebacca · 16/11/2019 17:49

@Whatnext11 yes! Tiredness is way better than sickness. My favorite time is just after I wake up, when my body hasn’t remembered that I’m sick. I also struggle to reply to everyone....sorry guys!

@Bol87 totally agree that pregnancy is awful but the goal is amazing. I don’t have mental health issues normally, and got the diagnosis with my second because it was a surprise pregnancy that I found out about when I got sick so was very unprepared.

Still no vomitting here, but feeling very, very ill. Spent all yesterday in bed, from 11am. Our house is currently on the market, so I’m starting to freak out about me being able to get it ready for viewings when I can barely move. Let alone move to our new house early next year. 😱 but just taking it one day at a time.

LucindaE · 16/11/2019 22:05

Pastnowfuture I am so sorry that I know nothing about the side effects from that medication, but glad that others have given you such great advice. It must be very hard coping with Hyperemesis as it tends to make almost everyone feel very miserable and isolated.
Bol87 ...And it must be hard coping with emetephobia (spelling?) and Hyperemesis. You are doing brilliantly, anyway - and giving such great support.
Melleebacca Sorry you are feeling so awful. Great advice.
Whatnext11 You are so right about the effect of Hyperemesis being as bad as the sickness. Excellent advice about counselling and about anti-depressants.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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LucindaE · 17/11/2019 18:48

Whatnext11 I forgot to say, I am glad that at the moment it is tiredness rather than sickness (though it's no fun).

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gmailconfusion2 · 17/11/2019 19:35

I dont know if i belong here or not, im 9+2 weeks, vomiting 10+ times a day on cyclizine and just been put on something beginning with P, which seems to have helped as its only twice today that i've been sick, and i've actually managed to wee a few times, dr friday said that if i didnt managed to increase it from once a day it was a drip :( I feel like death, but im still starving and trying to eat anything and everything.

Melleebacca · 17/11/2019 19:52

@gmailconfusion2 You’re welcome here. I haven’t tried those meds, but hopefully the new one helps. Don’t fear an IV either. I had 4 with my first pregnancy and being hydrated definitely helps minimize the sickness.

I’m 7+3 today. Vomited for the first time last night. Feeling pretty green the rest of the time. Trying not to get down about the fact I have months of this to go.

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