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.

@LucindaE I'm definitely finally feeling better but not 100%. Every day is different so some are bad nausea and others I'm fine. Still on medication but managed to stay out of hospital for 4 weeks which is huge progress. Hoping to start weaning off the or lowering my dosage soon and see how I go.
Found out I'm having a little boy which is making it all feel more real and not so much that I'm just unwell for nothing so that's good. It's nice to get out the house and feel more human again.
Hope all who are suffering get some relief soon. HG is so hard.

Thanks everyone - I think I will explore the option of steroids!
I'm so sorry everyone is having such a crap time of this HG!

@avacadooo - please do speak to your doctor about support in sorting out your feelings on HG. From your post though, it sounds more like you are frustrated with family not understanding what you went through.

I’d quite simply say I’ve just had a baby, let me enjoy this one. I’ll think about another later. That was always my go too when people immediately started asking about a second. It shut people up. I didn’t even try to justify why I didn’t want another nor my HG as some people just didn’t get it. And I just had to accept it. I knew I had full support of my partner and that was enough.

Along with the impact from HG first time, I found the baby stage incredibly hard. I def had minor PND and often didn’t enjoy my maternity leave. I was adamant I wasn’t having another for two years, then I changed my mind. And here we are with no.2 and an even worse HG pregnancy! It’s not been easy with a toddler & the fact I’d just got a promotion at work but I’ve battled through and the worst is behind me now at 24 weeks.

You’ve just had a baby. You don’t need to justify or even talk about second children. Just enjoy the one you have! And remind people of that! You may find you change your mind later on as life moves on & memories fade but if you don’t, that’s also fine! The questions ramp up once they hit two I’ve found & I just said we are trying, it’s quite personal. That soon shut people up. Or equally, be totally honest & say you are happy with one.

Sending love to all those suffering, I’m another beacon of hope it can improve. I had a horrific first 16 weeks but I’m now 24 weeks & life is OK. I’m nauseous 24/7 still but it’s at a level you just acknowledge as really annoying but push through. I’m eating fairly normally & back at with my usual days/hours. Still on the Ondanesteon 8mg 3x day but it’s doing it’s thing. I have tried to wean but the vomiting comes back so I’m more than happy to stay on them until birth if needed! It really is an awful illness, hope everyone is OK 🧡

Hey all, haven't posted in a while.

I had the worst HG up until around 17 weeks. I went back to work and dealt okay even though it was really hard pretending I wanted to be there rather than at home.

Now I'm 21 weeks (over half way there YAY!) and it's come back with a vengeance, not quite as bad as before but more a constant feeling of nausea and exhaustion. I've been off work since Monday and don't plan on going back until next Monday.

I feel guilty about work but I just have this weird feeling that being at home is safer and easier- does that make sense to anyone?

Hope everyone else is doing okay :)

Boycay Might this be the hormonal surge that often causes a relapse around week 20 or so? I am glad you are staying at home.
abbs1 Congratulations on your boy. Good news that things are a bit better.
Bol81 Great advice. Congratulations on reaching 24 weeks. I am sorry that the nausea lingers like un uninvited guest.
Dinossuaraddict It is defintely worth a try.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi everyone,
Pleased to report all was well with the scan, and it is starting to get a bit real now! Melleebacca i can't imagine having to do the nursery/school run whilst you're feeling so awful.
Avacadoo people can be very nosy/ intrusive. I've known people who can't have children be asked when they are going to get on with it, and how awful not to just enjoy your little one and be looking out for the next! Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you, most important to enjoy your son. I think you said he was only 3 months, even if pregnancy had been a breeze it would be early to think about another. I hope your son is doing well, actually having a baby seems so far away for me now so nice to hear from someone who is through it and has a lovely baby.

Thanks guys.
I told my midwife last week I was feeling very anxious about anything happening too him and about being worried something will happen, I think that's from being pregnant and being told I was starving him or I should take drugs.
Three guesses who told me that....

I am just so frustrated with hearing it all the time and i was so upset with the he'll grow up as a lonely little boy, I don't want him to be this sad little boy but I know that dh and I love him dearly and ironically I don't want another to take the attention from him. Apart from dh is traumatised from the whole thing he wants a vasectomy but I don't dare tell mil that as she'll think it was all me. I can't do anything right in her eyes.

Thank you all for your support, I know i must seem like a right arsehole coming here to moan about this when you're all feeling like hell.

Btw I don't know if this is of any use to anyone but in labour I demanded an anti sickness injection when I was put on the drip and only had one big vomit in the end which without I'm sure it would have been much worse.

Avacadoo it's lovely to hear of someone who has got through it and got their baby so I for one am glad to hear from you on here! I can't imagine your son would be lonely, I wonder if your mil knows a family with an only child who isn't doing too well and it's clouding her judgement. I am sure you and OH would love him and look after him and he'd have friends, and it sounds like he has cousins. Lots of people have one child for lots of reasons. You may change your mind, but there's not even any rush to think about it. Perhaps worth exploring some counselling before something as permanent as a vasectomy but you just enjoy your son. Have the first few weeks been exhausting?

I just wanted to pop on and say that my DS turned 2 today! @LucindaE can you believe it?! A hellish HG pregnancy, followed by a very intense labour... And now 2 years later he's starting nursery in Jan and is a very inquisitive happy little boy...

To all of you suffering... it does get better (I even had a 2nd HG pregnancy and another very intense labour) even though I know it doesn't feel like it. I know family, friends, and colleagues can be infuriating, dismissive, and rude, but just know you're not the only one suffering. 💜

@avacadooo With both births, theyve given me iv ondansetron as soon as I checked into the hospital in labour. One of the perks of having HG on my chart.
Sorry it’s been so emotional for you. I take what my mil says with a grain of salt. She’s always guilting me that she doesn’t see her grand daughters enough, but that’s because she wants me to bring them to her.

@DeadDoorpost crazy huh! My wee one turned 2 in August, and I remember you from the board then. Silly me thought 3 was a good idea...

I’ve started to tell more people. I can’t lie ever, and it’s getting harder and harder for me to fake not being sick. Hubby is going to get so grumpy because he wants to tell his family, but they’re not going to be helpful, and they don’t need to know. I’m trying to build up my support network as I head into the depths of the first trimester. Im up to vomitting 3 times a day now.

@Melleebacca hi! Yes, it's crazy, huh? I can't believe you've gone for a third!.. But then, my nan had 5 children (twins) and 4 HG pregnancies... I really can't fathom it 🙈 I think DH and I are done now.

@whatnext11 I think she just thinks I sit at home and don't do anything with him because every time she sees him I take a back seat and dh does the majority of the parenting because he's off and I need the break. I know she doesn't agree with everything I do, when she was born she told me I wasn't avocado anymore but just his mum.
We've been out all day at baby stuff and I'm always out and about with him (9 months of being trapped in the house means I try to escape as much as possible)
He's got cousins he sees often and even a group of baby friends I've made sure he's surrounded by as many people as possible.
I think the plus side of hyperemesis is the night feeds are amazing compared to the night spews, it's tiring but he's such a chilled out baby I got incredibly lucky with him. My health visitor wants me to do online cbt but I have no time to sit on a computer but I have a doctors appointment next week to talk about everything and get myself some help.

@Melleebacca I don't think she likes me because she sees her other grandkids more but I refuse to see her without dh because I don't expect him to see my family without me. I think the iv is the only perk of hg😂

@deaddoorpost how are you getting on? I bounced out of here before you had your baby, happy birthday to the little guy!

@avacadooo doing really well actually. DD sleeps really well, doesn't feed as much as DS did, and I'm definitely sleeping better. PND seems to be getting better too which is nice.

Whatnext11 Congratulations on scan. Great advice for Advocadoo. You are so right; people can be so insensitive.
DeadDoorPost Happy news about your oldest turning 2. Thank you for your lovely message of support and do I am so glad that your PND is getting better. Fine advice from you, too.
Advocadoo I so agree with others and as below: don't be hesitant to seek counselling as HG is so traumatic.
Mellebacca I think you are very brave.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

@LucindaE brave?! You’re too kind! At this stage, I’m just silly. In about a year, it will be amazing though. Trying really hard to keep it together while I’m getting fed up of eating the same bland food and then vomitting it up. I love Christmas, so the idea of not being able to eat any of my favorites is depressing me a bit. I’m thinking of planning a mid-winter Christmas for just me, where I cook up a feast the week after baby comes 🤣

@DeadDoorpost I was happy to stop at two, but hubby is number 3 in his family, so he wanted one more, and I was easily persuaded.

@avacadooo it sounds like you’re doing everything just as I would. When the wee one gets older and is well-rounded and kind and polite, your mil will understand that your methods are just fine. My in-laws parent completely differently to us, but they seem really happy that the girls are well-behaved. You’re doing a great job, and the only one who matters is your wee one.

Melleebacca A personal feast, after baby is born, is an excellent idea. .

I hope everyone is coping today.

Tagging @RK2019 in the hope she can find us. She's really suffering and her post on the pregnancy page made me feel so sad. Hope the tag works xx

@Melleebacca I fully support your non Christmas Christmas dinner when your baby arrives! I missed out on Christmas dinner last year so went all out for thanksgiving this year!
The end game is so worth it though, think of those squishy cuddles!😍

I'm definitely going to speak to my health visitor about my feelings because I feel really stressed and anxious so I'm going to get help because it's been one hell of a year.

@deaddoorpost I'm so glad you're doing well!💕

Awful weekend. Vomitting has now started even earlier. Was in bed essentially all weekend. Starting to panic about how much more I still have to go through. Organised for my mum to come and stay once she finishes work in 2wks. Have warned hubby that he might need to do some work at home this week and next. Girls are coping ok, thank goodness for the distraction of Christmas.

Hi all. Can I join this thread please. I'm currently suffering with HG and only 7 weeks. I've had 2 admissions, one because of ketones/dehydration and the second because I was bringing up blood. My throat feels Raw. Now on ondansetron and Omeprazole but still heaving. Read the thread and trying blend things. Not to mention that if something works today, my brain somehow registers it as poison so doesn't want it again! Slowly losing the will to live. I have 2 already and had N&V in pregnancy which I thought was bad but now realise was nothing. Early scan shows there are 2 in there.
Tell me that this too shall pass somebody.
Due Jul 20

@LucindaE well I managed 6 days without vomiting but was sick again this morning. The prochlorperazine was helping but seems perhaps slightly less effective at the moment. I'd had a good day yesterday thought I was actually really improving. Not stopped meds since I was prescribed them. I don't know whether to go back to GP or call the hospital and see if I can have a different medication or combination.

@Ummusomebody Oh my! TWO! I’m due July 3rd, so right in the depths with you, but only with a singleton. My aunt had twins with HG, and vomited the whole way through (sorry), but that was back before they prescribed Ondansetron. It’s a good drug, but makes it very painful to vomit. The idea is that it keeps the valve closed to the stomach and makes it hard to vomit. Keep taking it. Keep resting (hard with 2 wee ones, I know), and this will pass, we just can’t predict when. I’m aiming to stop vomitting by 16wks, but the nausea sticks with me till birth.

@MrsH497 sounds like you’re recovering. Generally it works as a few good days, then a bad day, until the good days far outnumber the bad days. Sorry you had a mild step back. If you don’t have a good day soon, perhaps go to the doctor for stronger meds, but I think you’re doing great so far.

Due Dates
Ummusomebody Welcome. Sorry you are suffering badly. Certainly, 'This Too Shall Pass.' In fact, those expecting twins often suffer badly early on and recover quickly, perhaps because it is only the extra hormones that have tipped them over into Hyperemesis? With any luck it will be so with you. Most people get relief between 14 and 20 weeks and even those unlucky ones who suffer badly throughout don't suffer anything like as as badly later on as in the early days.
Are you on an anti acid, as that can help a lot? It is very exciting about the twins. There's another set due just after Christmas, though the poster hasn't been on in a while, and hopefully she is doing really well.
At one time we had FOUR sets on the Due Dates list. Some drinks and foods (of a sort) that have helped others. Flat full sugar coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Elderflower water, ice cubes, Lucoazade, soda water, Iron Bru, Dr Pepper, tonic water, tonic water and elderflower cordial, orange squash, ice cubes, fizzy water, lemonade, fizzy orange, Robinson's fruit drinks, 7Up and sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya). The excuses for food include tinned fruit, cheap ice cream, cuppa soup, biscuits, nibbles of chips and crisps, Scotch pancakes, jelly, and more healhily, slices of melon and mango.
Melleebacca How dismal. Poor you. I am so glad that your mother can help soon, and OH can be called on. The early days are so dismal, as you know better than me.
Moonstone I don't actually know how to tag someone, so I hope she gets yours.
Advocadoo Good idea to ask for support. Sometimes pride prevents it, which makes no sense, as we don't feel that way about asking for help in ohter ways. Hopefully your GP surgery is helpful; if not then there is always recommendations from the redoubtable Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020.
MrsH497 That is dismal, but a few good days are an excellent signof more to come.Sorry, remind me: are you near week 10? There is often an hormonal surge round then which makes things worse. It sounds a good idea to ask if they can add or substitute anything.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Due Dates
ClareDB 25 December
HermioneKipper 27 December TWINS!
putputput 9 January
Ribenaberriesgowoo82 28 January
Marshmallow 1992 29 January
MumbleLumble 19 February
Katela18 22 February
Bray23 23 February
Twistsandcurls 3 March
Dinosauraddict 10 March
yellow25 17 March
Bol87 18 March
Sprite25 29 March
Catconfusion 15 April
RaynorEsme2019 19 April
Moonstone12 1 May
Pastnowfuture 7 May
MrsH497 18 May
Melleebacca 3 July
Ummasomebody 20 July TWINS!