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.

@ClaraLane yay for 💩!! Hope you keep on top of it. I’m sorry to hear DH is being unsupportive, hopefully a good chat gets him back on the same page.

@kissingthebear with my second pregnancy, I found out about it when my eldest daughter was 14 months (was a bit of a shock). She didn’t really understand why I was unable to do anything, and needed me more than I was able to help. The guilt was unbelievable because she was still so young and developing so much in the weeks that I was trapped in bed. This time around I found out on her 4th birthday, and my youngest had turned 2 a couple of months before. It works much better in that my eldest can get food and drinks for her sister. But she also understands that I’m sick and climbs into bed with me saying she’s sick too (she’s not, she just wants to be with me). So a little more taxing on her emotionally.

justtheonethen Welcome back. My goodness, I did't realise it had been that long. Sorry you feel so bad. Remind me when things improved in your last pregancy? it is very hard at this stage. I think yo did the right thing. I always regretted not going in for two (so did my daughter). You would have lived with regrets if you had lived up to your name! Things are almost certain to get quite a lot better. It is excellent that you are a PPS partner when in good health. Well done!
Melleebacca I so agree about flower names being lovely. A good choice. I am so glad you are down to once a day at 13 weeks.
kissingthebear That is thoughtless of those people. Are they scared of vampires, or something? I did find that gaviscon in liquid form was very bloating and that could cause vomiting. Tablets are a bit better, but I believe Omprazole is generally better. Unfortunately, as the moment Ranitidine isn't being prescribed by all GP's due to a scare.
ClareLane Much sympathy over OH not doing as much as he thinks. There is no doubt that this scourge does put a strain on all relationships. I
SweetpeaOrmarigold That is really bad advice. I am not medically trained, but I do know that Cyclizine has to build up over a few days to be effective, and as for ginger, that is just nonsense. I so agree with others about the need for an advocate or contacting PSS.
Waves to Mellebacca and everyone.Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

@LucindaE it improved with steroids at 32 weeks last time, up until then I was in and out of hospital like a yo-yo. Was bloody miserable. I think as someone said earlier you know what you're letting yourself in for so it's hard mentally. I think I need a drip so will go tomorrow.

Thank you to all of you that wrote nice things to me, I do appreciate it just have limited capacity for phone screen right now x

@Melleebacca

My son is 4, so he's finding it pretty tough seeing me like this. He's desperate for me to play with him but I can only manage about 10 minutes at a time. I bought a book to explain HG to children but I haven't read it to him yet. Feel extra guilty for him but know I'm ultimately doing an amazing thing for him too because he'd adore a sibling!

@LucindaE

Think people just don't understand. I get the whole "oh I was sick too" - but they're referring to a bit of normal MS. I try to explain but it's like they just don't want to hear it. Luckily my BF is amazingly supportive and checks in via messages daily, she even helped find me the acupuncturist when I didn't have the energy.

On that note, I've decided not to go back for more acupuncture. She told me yesterday that I should try singing to help strengthen my lungs and reduce the sickness. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! I can't take her seriously after that comment.

I keep panicking if the baby is ok, I find this time before they start moving really difficult because there's no way of knowing! Is anyone else the same? I just don't feel like I could ever do this again if something goes wrong this time. It's such a hard slog. Caved and booked a private scan next week. I'll be 15 weeks and a few days!

@kissingthebear your acupuncturist sounds a total loon. I don't think I would be able to take them seriously either!

People definitely don't understand what it's like. My sister has made some unintentionally hurtful comments as she thinks her experience of sickness is the same.

I've ended up being admitted to hospital, on a drip and having iv meds. They have agreed to start me on steroids so as soon as I can swallow I'll have them (or by iv if I can't). They were a wonder drug for me last time so I hope they are this time too.

@justtheonethen I do hope the steroids help! I’ve never had them, but others have.
Sorry to hear your sister is a bit careless when it comes to sympathy. Some people just don’t understand that what they got is not the worst version you can get. A lot of people judge me for only vomiting a few times a day, and say I’m coping well, but they forget I’m on ondansetron and without it I would be vomiting non-stop.

@kissingthebear My daughter gets upset that I can’t read to her, it’s just too much energy use and wears me out. Because I knew I was going to get sick, and her sister still has a 2hr nap a day, all of DD1s Christmas presents are activities that she can do alone, puzzles, colouring books, legos. Plus we got Disney+ last month, so there’s a lot of screen time.
I know it’s hard, the guilt is crazy, but it actually makes things easier in the long run. I found that the switch from 1-2 kids happened more when the HG kicked in than when DD2 was actually born. DD1 got so used to playing independently during the pregnancy that she was fine with Mama being stuck under a feeding baby. We had already worked out what worked to keep her busy.

Rough day yesterday. Still only puking once, but was very green and bedridden all day. Mild headache which I’m putting down to mild dehydration. And tummy is cramping, so it’s time for some stool softener. The joys of pregnancy!

kissingthebear That Acupuncturist sounds like the worst sort of alternative medicine practitioner: how absurd! Singing opens the throat - the last thing you want to do with Hyperemesis. Sometimes, talking seems risky enough. Lots of people are anxious about the baby being affected by the poor diet, but they are truly effective parasites, and generally do well. People indeed rarely understand, unfortunately. Ten minutes of play is excellent when you feel very ill. If he can play close to you, he won't be too upset at having to play by himself, from all I've heard on this thread, but sadly, I didn't go for a second so Melleebacca's advice here is that of the expert.
justtheonethen Sorry you have been admitted,but I am so glad that they are starting you on steroids. My goodness, you have jogged my memory about your endless hospital admissions. I hope the steroids help asap.
Waves to Melleebacca and everyone.

Thanks for all the good advice ladies, really appreciate it.

@Melleebacca

Definitely going to try and feel less guilty about the lack of play I can cope with right now. My son is not so great at independent play, so I guess now is a great time to learn! 👍🏻🙏🏻

I feel like I've just wasted an insane amount of money on 2 sessions with this acupuncturist (I'm embarrassed to even tell you how much she charged). I'd read reviews where she'd supposedly helped people stay out of hospital with severe sickness, but after some of the comments she made yesterday I'm a bit dubious. It's so frustrating!! I know some people have great success but its really put me off! Singing, honestly, that's the last thing I feel like doing.

@justtheonethen

You're in the right place. Hope you get all the care and support you deserve & start feeling more human 💓

@LucindaE

You're so right about the babies being parasites & taking everything they need from us. Still can't help but worry. Today I've only really managed a few cans of ice cold caffeine free Diet Coke 😫

@kissingthebear I tried acupuncture with me first (when we had money 🤣), went to the best one in the city, and he looked physically pained when I told him I would vomit in a bucket in the carpark after every appt. It ended a mutual decision to stop, although my sister in law has just recommended that it’s helped her sickness no end! She’s also been able to work though it with no one suspecting a thing as she’s trying for a promotion, so I doubt how “sick” she actually was.

Oh man, the sick bug has entered our household 😭 although oddly via my other half & not my toddler!

I’m weirdly more freaked by the idea of a stomach than HG! Although I think it’s partly cos I know how to control my HG vomiting & I’m generally over the worst in 3rd trimester! Whereas stomach bugs are so unpredictable.. it brings out my seriously bad emetephobia, I’ve been so upset & anxious all day. I’ve bleached every door handle & surface and my hand are red from the amount of washing Would ondansetron stop the vomiting from a stomach bug do you think? I assume it would work in the same way? So possibly if I remain topped up on that as I do anyway, then maybe even if I caught it, I may avoid the full impact?! I so so don’t want be anymore sick 🙈

Sorry for the slightly off topic!

@Melleebacca
😂😂😂 I hear you!!
Maybe it just doesn't work for some people? The acupuncturist was literally putting needles in saying "has it stopped now" -- I was like, "no, of course not". She just kept popping more and more into my tummy and afterwards, I just pretended I felt a bit better because I couldn't face the disappointment on her face, or her silly anti sickness suggestions like singing, or keeping my feet warmer! Oh well, you've got to laugh. It'll make for a funny story in the future...
there's no way I could work through feeling this sick, I can't concentrate on anything for long and I'm so snappy!

@Bol87
Sorry to hear. You've done all the right things though and I suspect the meds you're taking (given they close the valve in your tummy) should prevent you from being sick. Obviously that's just an educated guess... try not to worry, you may avoid it entirely.

@Bol87 my DD2 had intense vomiting with Hand, Foot and Mouth earlier this year. Took her to the doctor and they gave her ondansetron and pedialyte. So you’re definitely ok to take them for a stomach bug.

@kissingthebear I enjoyed to distraction and mediation that acupuncture provided, but the physical exertion to get from bed to the appt and home again meant I ended up sicker. I’ve learnt that resting and meds are what works for me (and stupid amounts of frozen coke).
I was signed off for 4 months with my first, because I could barely stand, and my boss was mildly freaked out that he would have to get me to the hospital if anything happened (H&S would’ve had a field day!). So while I sympathise with those who get any stage of MS, I’m amazed that anyone who has HG can survive a workday without colleagues knowing. My kids kindy teachers all knew by 10wks because I look so ill and frail, and I only saw them a few minutes in the morning and afternoon.

kissingthebearand Melleebacca I do suspect that there isn't the level of skill in many Acupunturists that there was in the one who helped me so much - sadly, that was many years ago and he's long vanished abroad. I've had other Acupuncturists since for migraine, and sadly it didn't really help. Some sufferers on here have been helped by Acupuncture, but not generally Acupuncture alone. I wonder that sufferers with even mild Hyperemesis can work at all, let alone hide it.

Bol87 Sorry, I forget that you have emetephobia, you are so stoic. I hope you avoid it. If it is the same virus, it seems to come out in some more as a cold with nausea but not vomiting. I was prescribed Stemitil for a vomiting virus a while ago and it worked well, so surely stronger anti emetics would make a difference.

Hey folks, just in case anyone is considering cleaning their ears with cotton buds just wanted to give you a heads up that it’s a reeeeeeally bad idea and will probably make you vomit

Is anyone else choosing their foods based on how they are when you throw them back up? Pasta = bad, chip shop chips = good.

Off to see the midwife tomorrow so going to speak to her about some laxatives. Sadly I don’t think Fybogel are a high enough strength so I’ve had to stop the ondansetron for now because the constipation is killing me. I’m also really struggling with clothes, everything feels too tight and uncomfortable but my maternity clothes from DD are too loose.

Meant to be back at work on the 6th but think I’m going to have to stay off longer as like @kissingthebear I don’t think I can cope with a normal working day. My brain has turned to mush - drove 45 minutes for a day out only to find out I’d not put shoes on DD so had to go and buy some new ones and then got home and had a phonecall saying I’d left my purse there 🤦🏼‍♀️

@ClaraLane get some lactulose - it's amazing stuff. I remember that lucozade tasted the same coming up last time. Also find chip shop chips good to throw up 🤣

I am feeling SO much better. Took a couple of doses of steroids and I'm still in hospital but I'm feeling some hope this may be the answer for me as if was last time.

Sorry to hear so many are struggling. Ginger and singing, what ridiculous suggestions!! On my third trip to A&E the admittance nurse asked if I'd tried ginger. She was very nice, so I just laughed it off. Wonder why medical people put such store on ginger? I doubt they'd be so enthusiastic about other herbs- broken leg? Try parsley.
Bol - I hadn't realised you have etomophobia, that must be so difficult.
Claralane yes if I've thrown up something then I avoid it. Can't face a brand of bread still and that was weeks ago. Ugh. I used to love food.
I'm doing well at the moment, tablets are working and I have no sickness. Tiredness but no sickness for over a week. Not wanting to rub it in, offer hope maybe. I'm 18 weeks, reducing the tablets to see if the sickness has really stopped or if the tablets are just being effective.

Glad to hear things are getting a bit better @whatnext11 .. things improved for me around the same time. I do still need the meds but the nausea decreased enough to get back to regular life on the whole.. it fluctuates up & down I find. Annoyingly, it’s been bad over Christmas. I hope things keep getting better!

Yess.. the irony of being an emetephobe & having HG. It’s genuinely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve passed out from panic attacks while throwing up.. awful. And I think the whole thing has made my phobia worse to be honest!

And glad the steroids are working @justtheonethen - I hear good things about them if nothing else if effective!

@whatnext11 I wouldn’t reduce tablets just yet. Build up your strength a bit more before you drop them down. I don’t even contemplate dropping the dosage down until I’m well past 20weeks.
DD1 broke her leg last year - should’ve tried parsley instead of a cast and wheelchair! 🤣

@ClaraLane I second lactulose. It’s amazing. Also helps with constipation in toddlers while toilet training, for future reference.

@justtheonethen I’m mildly jealous. Would love to be feeling a smidge of relief today. After 3 good days, I’ve taken a couple of steps back and it’s frustrating me. I don’t think I need iv fluids, but my god would I love a boost right now!

I also miss food. I should eat more than I do right now, but everything leaves a bad taste in my mouth. And then there’s the second time around to contemplate. This pregnancy I projectile vomit potatoes up almost instantly. It’s so weird. Because it’s such a safe food normally.

Sorry cross posted @Bol87. That phobia is awful with HG. That’s just sucky. I hate vomiting, and can do a lot of mind over matter, but it gets to the point where vomiting is the only option left. Hopefully the bug passes by you!

Urgh I can’t even keep toast and jam down now. Second meal I’ve thrown up this evening despite taking cyclizine in between them and I’m so empty and hungry.

@ClaraLane I go to bed every night hungry and sick. I can not keep dinner down at all. I just go to sleep as soon as the kids do and try to sleep through the worst of it. DD2 wakes up occasionally which hubby deals with, but it wakes me up and I feel awful.

I’ve had 2 bad days after 3 good days so hoping I’m due some more good days soon.

ClaraLane A lot of people plan their diet about how foods taste when they make a reappearance. I so agree about pasta . Many find that tinned peaches are good the second time around . Sorry to hear jam and toast is no good today, and that pototoes are no good for Melleebacca.
justtheonethen I am glad that steroids have helped. Sorry you still have to be in hospital.
Whatnext11 I am so glad things have been better for you.
Bol87 My goodness. How awful that must have been. You are very brave. So brave I stupidly forgot. I know a woman on here many years ago, grumblingalong had to share a car for work visits with a woman with that phobia, and sometimes she had to get out of the car to be sick and the co-worker ould be panicking. Not nice for either...
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored...

I'm back again, really struggling today, I'm now 15 weeks ish, spent most of today walking up and down stairs at work to the toilets, told my parents I'm pregnant Saturday, and bless my father he is trying so hard to be supportive and give ideas but I've tried them all or not suitable when working in a laboratory, like eating things constantly.

I've had enough of this now. (again) husband gonna tell his family tomorrow and I really don't want to have to deal with them either

Hi everyone- what a rubbish way to spend christmas eh? I'm 23 weeks now and although I'm no where near as bad as I was I'm still struggling. Nausea is constant but most of the time managable, I don't enjoy eating anything but can tolerate a range of basics and the vomiting is down to once every 2 or 3 days.

I feel a bit like people think I should be 'over it' by now. Many people are telling me the second trimester is to be 'enjoyed' before I get huge and uncomfortable.

Despite the progress I currently find myself crying a lot and thinking about when I was at my worst. There was no sympathy or continuity of care from any medical professional I saw at the time which meant I kind of bounced around the system from GP to nurse to various hospitals. I was told to 'just eat more' as if it were that easy.

Looking back I am certain there are times I should have presented at hospital or at least gone back to the GP because I was almost certainly dehydrated. I feel bad now that I didn't but I was so ill I could barely crawl from bed to the bathroom and I was frightened of further judgment. I feel I've let my baby down and I worry that this period may have caused him damage/distress. I have been referred for counselling but despite being classified as a priority it won't start until march and I'm due the baby in April. Some days it is all I can think about.