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.

Good grief @WatchingFriendsOnRepeat - I cannot believe the level of care in this country can be some shocking. Please please complain etc when you have the strength to do so. If it saves one other woman going through the same.. so sorry you’ve been so horribly ill What area of the country are you in?! (don’t have to name the hospital, I’m just slightly terrified of you living any where near me!) Sending all my love!

I went to my midwife today, had ++++ glucose in my wee referred for an urgent diabetic test.. I’m nervous! I’m praying it’s cos I ate toast & jam for breakfast although admittedly 2.5 hours before my sample & a 30 minute walk to to the outpatient hospital this morning. It’d be incredibly ironic given this pregnancy has made me hate 99% of sweet things. I’ve not eaten chocolate, cake, biscuits etc since July! The only sweet things I eat are apples & jam on my toast! For the test, I can’t eat from 10pm the night before yo around midday the next day, not eating makes me really sick it’s gone be a miserable morning!

Bol87 It is difficult for sufferers to do that test, but an amazing number get through it, nevertheless. I hope if duly warned they at least provide you with a sick bowl. All luck.
WatchingFriendsonRepeat My goodness. That is appalling. I have never heard of such negligence. It is very good of you to wish to give them another chance,but there is somehting wrong with the level of care and staff training in a hospital where such things are allowed to happen. For instance, the shouting abuse. For that reason, I think you should complain to the HEA so that sort of thing never happens to anyone else. Someone was in charge of those departments and allowed those things to happen.

@Bol87 I'm in Essex, the hospital is Basildon - if any of my family or friends read any of these posts anyway they will know it's me so there's no point hiding the hospital! Especially if it flags it up for someone or reassures you ❤️

I keep getting told to do a glucose test but it is so intense and the idea of fasting was terrifying me because of HG (sick if I ate, even worse if I didn't!) that I didn't do it. Now they said there's no appointment until about a week before my due date (end of March!) anyway for that kind of test as it's so specific so I've been given a form for something else (liver function, electrolytes, FBC and HbAIC) and I need to get myself booked in to do it. They should've done it when I was in hospital during that whole nightmare, but it's another thing they didn't do - in fact it's only your post that reminded me that I should've had it already and sent me off to look for it in my book!

I hope your glucose is just a one off. How are you actually feeling now? Sickness wise? X

I've just re-read my longer post and I meant to say I'm seeing the glass half full, not half empty lol!

You are right @LucindaE in that I need to complain properly. I am not entirely sure of how to go about it though. My aunt, who is not much older than me, looked into suing their hospital that left her little boy (my 15yr old cousin) brain damaged and with a host of additional needs all because of the terrible birth they subjected her to - it was their fault, there is no doubt about that. But they are like a fortress and protect their own, even in obvious malpractice cases. She didn't have the strength and I don't know if I will.

I do have evidence of everything, including photos and videos and recordings, and I will definitely complain. But suing... I'm not sure I have the backbone to go against the hospital themselves. We'll see when this baby is out though. I want a few weeks of stress free pregnancy first!

❤️

friends on repeat I am so sad to hear about such a dreadful experience. I am so glad that you seem to be feeling a little better now. Do take sone time to rest and recover as much as you can, I am sure you will need to complain but have a rest first, do take care.

Hairspray babe, was sorry to hear you were having such a rough time, sometimes everything seems to happen at once. I immediately thought could you stay somewhere else for a few days, get someone else to pop in on OH and wait until the sewage stuff was sorted. Hope you are coping.

Beau2020 have you managed to find a doctor who will listen? I can't believe done of the experiences on here, I think it may have been good that the first time I was treated I went straight to A&E as I had another symptom which told me to do that. They all said I wouldn't be admitted until keytones were checked. I guess then once I had a diagnosis and some medication it was then easier to get follow up treatment.

Just the one then - how did you get in with your wildly exciting French stick?! Hope you manage to get some variety from the cheese sandwiches soon. I used to be really into food but this condition really threw me.

Lots of new people here, welcome to the thread no one wants to join. Too many to reply to each sorry. Really appreciate those who have got through it popping in with their stories.

Is it correct vitamin b6 also helps ? What dose? I know there’s a medication with it but I think one ingredient is drowsy and I can’t take anything that would make me drowsy so I was thinking if I could just take b6?

Ondansetron is just stopping me vomiting but I still feel horrific and retch it’s like all it’s done is physically stop me being able to throw up but I still feel as bad and I’m struggling.

The sea band things do nothing and I’m desperate. Last time the ondansetron helped with the nausea too. In all honesty I’d rather have less nausea and throw up still than this it’s like it’s just turned off a reflex so I’m still hanging over the toilet retching and just can’t be sick and still feel as bad I don’t know what to do

Hi everyone
Sorry to hear so many people are struggling, this is truly living hell!! @sickandtiredofsick I'd recommend Xonvea - it's massively reduced the nausea for me and you can take with other meds. I'm on 3 a day, but max dose is 4 a day and it's totally safe in pregnancy. You can get the meds on the NHD but they're pricey so they try to recommend other stuff first. X

I don’t think I can take it as can’t have any medications that cause drowsiness but I have another spot at epu at end of week I’ll see what they say

I’m struggling with horrific headaches daily too I’m starting to feel very miserable

Sick and tired of sick sorry to hear you're struggling. Why is it you can't have the drowsiness? My tablets sat they make you feel drowsy but actually I'm ok to drive, I just get worn out more quickly and have a nap most days. maybe you would be similarly affected. I've heard of that vitamin but don't know anything about it, maybe someone else will

Hey all...i posted back months ago but have been quiet since but always reading everyones posts...i started to feel better from the sickness around 18 weeks and am now 27 weeks....although im not being sick anymore i think i maybe suffering depression from the effects HG has had on me....is it normal to feel so low?? Im so tired all the time and cant seem to get myself together at all...this is my 4th child and was planned but didnt expect it to be this hard at all....i spend most days in my pjs just wishing each day away and struggling to go out anywhere as i feel weak and scared incase i get sick in public....im on antidepressants already but i dont think they are working at all....has anyone else been suffering mentally as well or am i just being a lazy useless human xxx

Hi all,

I’m so sorry to hear of everyone suffering like this. I’m hoping to gain a bit of support myself. I’m currently 8 weeks with my second pregnancy and experiencing bad HG (which I had in my first but not as bad as this)
On top of the HG I’ve had an awful sinus infection for three weeks. It’s not letting up at all and I daily find I have a fever.

I went to the GP a week ago who was extremely unsympathetic and basically said there was nothing I could do. She didn’t do a urine test or offer any anti sickness medication.
Things then got really bad and on Sunday I was sick 5 times. I should also add that I’ve lost 10 lbs in two weeks where I’m just unable to eat/keep things down.

I ended up calling 111 yesterday and saw another GP. He was better and perscribed anti sickness tablets (cyclizine) and tested my urine. I was very dehydrated and had ketones. I also had a fever. He told me to take paracetamol and the anti sickness meds (despite me explaining that during my last pregnancy these had no effect)

Today I’ve had another fever again and although I haven’t been sick, I haven’t been able to eat and I feel horrific. I’m getting worried about the weight loss and the sinus pain is worse than ever. I can tell my body is desperately trying to fight this but it can’t.

Where do I go from here?
I feel like GP’s are so fast to dismiss me and the sickness. They repeatedly tell me to eat little and often which I’m struggling to do. Can anyone offer some advice?

I have a son I’m unable to look after and feel generally down and defeated.

Ps I have my first midwife app tomorrow morning so I’m hoping they might help

@WatchingFriendsOnRepeat - I’m feeling what can only be described as middling. I still feel sick 24/7 but it’s at a level I can function fairly normally, eat an OK diet (I don’t enjoy food but eating it is fine) & get on with life. It’s just draining to feel constantly ill. But I can’t complain as it was hell on earth at the beginning and I’ve not been sick for quite a long while. Thank you ondansetron! 9 weeks to go.. and just 4.5 weeks at work.. starting to see the light! Just hoping I don’t have GD, I’m so looking forwards to a huge slice of chocolate cake post birth once the HG has lifted! That said, the midwife said they’d likely induce me at 38 weeks if I did (my bump is measuring big, possibly another red flag I suppose) & I wouldn’t be sad about getting baby out a couple weeks early!

I’ve really struggled to find any anti-sickness that touched the nausea in either pregnancy sadly it’s strange, I’ve taken ondansetron when not pregnant & it was really affective at stopping any nausea dead. Similarly buccastem. But in pregnancy, nothing seems to touch it! Guessing it’s a hormone thing.. I tried a huge dose of B6. Did nothing at all but some people swear by it so def worth a try!

Hi ,

Not going to lie a bit gutted to be joining this thread again , I'm pregnant with number 2 and pretty certain HG is worming it's way back in. I suffered horribly in my first pregnancy and I'm absolutely terrified that this is happening again. I am on anti sickness but it's got to the point I can't even imagine a plate of food without wanting to puke.

Sending well wishes to everyone

@WatchingFriendsOnRepeat that's absolutely horrific 

@Whatnext11 I can eat French stick! But that's my only progress. I love to cook and eat and I'm so miserable with it at the moment.

@sickandtiredofsick supposed to- ideally in combo with an antihistamine antiemetic - 10mg up to 4 times a day. Didn't help me sadly but there is evidence it works.

@Kchamps that's not good enough. Give the PSS a call - they will help you access proper treatment.

Welcome to everyone new, sorry you're here.

I am doing well with my steroids. It's like a miracle cure for me (if you ignore the lasting many food aversions) and I have no nausea and no sickness and haven't since starting them. It's all that worked last time too.

Welcome to Kchamps. As you are a veteran, you don't need my 'have you got kesostix and do you find ice lollies, flat full sugar coke and the juice of tinned fruit any good; a good anti acid can make all the difference' spiel. You have already had great advice. I am sorry you are finding it so hard to obtain effective meds. As others say, do phone Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 . They will phone back with good advice.
Welcome back to Can'tKeepSecrets. I am sorry you are suffering again. What was your name before? Only curious! As others say, you need other meds if they can add any. At what stage did it improve for you last time, if at all?
Noodlesxxx Welcome back. This condition is very isolating. it might be an idea to ask for counselling if the anti depressive medication is no good. There is also one to one telephone support available from Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020.
WatchingFriendsOnRepeat A good idea to wait until you feel better before tackling them.
sickandtiredofsick I had bad migraines up until week 15. It is certainly worth mentiioning it to the medics. Unfortunately, Ondansetron can cause headaches, but it can be hormonal, and tends to get better later on. Sorry you are suffering.
Waves to kissingthebear Whatnext11 justtheonethen Bol87 and everyone. Great advice, and apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Thank you. I can't remember exactly what my name would have been as I've name changed quite a lot , possibly something like pregz if I remember correctly. I also can't remember if I was actively on the thread or just followed it. DS is nearly 2 now so could have been an entirely different group.

I do have to see about other meds , I was on so many different types last time and none seemed to work for me. The only time anti sickness worked was when flushed through an IV. I had a meal today and I feel really , really accomplished.

It eased around 30 weeks for me in my first pregnancy but did continue until labour.

@CantKeepSecrets my dd is nearly 2 so we may have been on at the same time before . Did you ever try steroids? Well worth trying as they were all that helped last time and have been as miraculous again this time. The others don't work for me either.

Excellent advice from justtheonethen as ever about steroids.
Can'tKeepSecrets Whatever your name may have been, welcome back. I think sufferers are so right in going for it again. I am sorry it went on so badly for so long last time and they weren't able to find a medication that helped.

I'm having such a down day today, I feel like I need to write a message here just to get it out my system because I feel like i'm such a burden on my husband and mum etc just moaning everyday when they ask me how I am.

Today i am just SO FED UP!!! The second I opened my eyes, I sobbed uncontrollably.

I cannot explain how blessed I feel to be pregnant and that my baby is healthy but today I just don't have the mental energy to cope!!

I am soooooooooo fed up of waking up every single day and feeling like i'm about to die. And going to bed every single day knowing that tomorrow, it won't even be better, and that I will have to DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

I am so excited to wake up and feel NORMAL.
I am so excited to be able to EAT PROPERLY and NOT THROW UP THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF MY STOMACH EVERY. GOD. DAMN. DAY.

I can't wait to be able to be capable to do normal every day things.

@BeautyAndTheBump1 sending a hug. It's the pits

I just saw my consultant- he did a double take and said "wow, so the steroids are working then, you look so well!"

BeautyandtheBump Really sorry, I only just saw your message. It is very hard to bear. While 'This Too Must Pass' it passes very slowly when suffering acutely, and some days it feels unbearable for those who suffer badly. Sending you gentle cyber pats and much sympathy.
justtheonethen That is so encouraging!

@Justtheonethen steroids were a absolute life saver for me as nothing else worked. My midwife couldn't believe how much it had helped me.
For anyone who is really suffering and nothing is working please ask about steroids as that was the only thing that kept me out of hospital and made me feel human again. I was on then IV and pills for six weeks and saved me from feeling like I was dying.

@abbs1 I can't sing their praises enough. This and last time they have saved me. I am still angry that I've had to fight so much to get them when friends are on them for recurrent miscarriages and are being told how safe they are