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 thank you for the advice. I will report the blood in vomit to the midwife who is see next week. No blood today.... but not a good sign! Hope you’re well xx

*meaning it wasn’t a good sign to have it before! Sigh. Pregnancy brain means my fingers and brain don’t communicate very well... 😂 here’s to a restful night ladies xx

@Herewegoagainx4 I'm not on anything at the moment apart from the omeprazole 20mg which tbh isn't touching the acid, but now in the last couple of days the sickness has come on top of the nausea so I feel better after I'm sick and then it's a vicious cycle because when my stomach is empty I'm then getting the awful knawing acid pain. I do feel extremely terrible because I am hating this and feel like I am bringing bad karma and that if anything happened it's my fault because I am just moaning and crying all the time. My other two pregnancies I had zero sick or nausea so this is like nothing I've experienced before I also feel like it's having an impact on my family because after 3pm that's it I feel at my worst I'm not making dinners or spending time with anyone because I feel dreadful. And my little girl I can see is worrying about me going to my bed a lot as this just is not me. 😞
@Snowwhite2020 I pray that as the weeks go on it starts to get better I don't know how I'll cope if it doesn't I'm going to call my gp on Monday and see what he can give me.

Oh and to top it all I've been eating quite a lot of mostly dry things and bananas as I heard they were good for the acid stomach which has left me really constipated as well... 😞😞 haven't a clue what I can and can't take! It's probably due to dehydration , the constant peeing and not eating properly ... anyone fed up of me moaning yet??? I know I am 😂 thanks for listening ladies! Feel I can be truthful on here without being judged 💗

Hi @Clarkel1 - you could ask your Dr for lactulose. It does help. It draws water to help move things along so remember to keep drinking (I know it may be hard).

@Snowwhite2020 definitely tell your midwife about the blood in vomit. I had it at the beginning of the sickness starting and it was small tears from the force of vomitting. It's more concerning if there is a lot of blood and/or it looks like coffee grounds.

I'm constantly exhausted. I wake up tired, go to bed tired. Anyone else?

Thanks @Seeker2020. It was only once and bright red streaks so I’m not too worried. Sort of like when your nose bleeds if that makes sense (which is also happening but I’m prone to those)

@Clarkel1 please don’t apologise. HG is real and very difficult and it definitely impacts on the whole family. I had a while where I was crying a lot and was very difficult with my partner... it is super hard. There is another website called pregnancysicknesssupport.co.uk I think that’s it... there’s more advice there and I got him to read bits of the medical information there and that helped a bit. Otherwise you can go back to the gp and see if you can try and get more/ different medication. And hopefully time will at least change it and you will get some relief. At your stage I was in the eye of the storm so I do hope it improves.

I’m interested in the fact you didn’t have this in your two previous pregnancies. This is my first and my mum suffered the whole way through either Hg with her pregnancy. I think someone else said their mum had also? Was it @Seeker2020? I am intrigued as to why this happens and if there is any rhyme or reason to it. Partly out of fear if I was to have any more children!! I know poor @Herewegoagainx4 you have suffered very badly multiple times. You are a warrior! I bow down to you.

Waves to everyone. Xx

@Snowwhite2020 nope I didn't have it at all before which is probably just as well because I may have stopped at one 😂

@Clarkel1 has the GP offered you anything else? I would definitely suggest something to help with the nausea/an anti emetic. Cyclizine is normally the first drug to try, I do find it helps a bit but it takes a few days to work into the system and you need to take it regularly to have an effect. Otherwise there are others you can have too. Last time I had Ondanestron and found that very helpful. The website that snowwhite2020 mentioned pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk has got information about different medicines. Don't be shy to ask your gp directly for something, often they seem to respond better when you ask for something specific. This must all be such a shock for you when your previous pregnancies were different. How old are your little ones?

Oh and definitely get some lactulose, it will help with the constipation. And if that doesn't work you can get some suppositories from Boots - although they don't sell them to pregnant women despite hospitals using them so just send your OH if you do need those.

@Snowwhite2020 there has been some research into HG and they think it is genetic and certainly the fact that your mum had it would fit with it. As far as I know I have no family history of it but I seem to be very sensitive to hormones and I think for me that is the struggle with sickness during pregnancy and post natal depression as once I stop breastfeeding the depression lifts. I do also know a lady who has had 3 pregnancies and she only had HG in her 2nd which was twins. And some women do go on to have further pregnancies without it. It isn't something which seems to be much understood currently though.

@Seeker2020 definitely the exhaustion resonates with me. I could sleep continuously and still feel exhausted. I think I always forget how much hard work the early weeks are but actually not only are we growing a life form our bodies are working really hard to create the life giving placenta with all it's amazingness! Still knackering tho

Does the exhaustion usually lift @Herewegoagain4? I'm really struggling with all of this, and now have been getting these hot flashes. I'm not sure if it's just hormones or the Ondansetron? I'm going to try without the anti-emetic today to see, but this is all really getting to be a struggle. X

@Seeker2020 my exhaustion has lifted. I am now over 16 weeks and I would say for the last two weeks have seen a significant improvement in energy levels x

@Seeker2020 the intense early exhaustion does lift, yes. By 12 weeks the placenta is fully formed and so your body has some of that energy which it has thus far been pouring into making that support system. And that's why often the 12 week mark is cited as being the magic no sickness week as in theory the hormones settle down. But even for women without HG it can take a while past 12 weeks for things to settle. You should find the exhaustion eases in another few weeks. But do be careful not to overdo it. Often with HG if you do too much when you feel a bit better you then end up being more sick. It can be a vicious cycle, so try not to rush yourself.

I get hot flushes when pregnant a lot, and often that intensifies when I am feeling nauseous. I tend to have the windows open a lot for a breeze - my 6 and 2 year old have been complaining today it's cold and asking why the windows are open but they can put jumpers on

And don't beat yourself up, it is a struggle, beyond what many are able to understand. Hang in there

Thank you @Snowwhite2020 and @Herewegoagain4....just got to take each day as it comes, I guess. Xx

Always the best policy @Seeker2020 xx

I’m also finding salt and vinegar crisps easier to stomach than a lot of other foods in terms of nausea/ vomiting. Not sure if others find this. Xx

Hi ladies

Sorry for not replying individually but seems like you've all got it covered anyway so just sending love.

I'm finding things really hard, constantly crying, anxiety, having nightmares and more seizures.
I'm utterly exhausted and in pain, no matter how I stand, sit or lie down something hurts.. I'm only 13 weeks! I don't recall this til well after 25 I think with my dd

Cyclizine has lifted the edge off a little and I've managed to keep some meals down this weekend which has been a strange feeling. Still intense nausea and wretching in the day and vomiting at night but it's not as bad as other meds I've tried though clearly not quite there yet.
Weak Earl grey tea is my main diet at the moment though which is tolerable

Really struggling with having not told family what has happened this week, v hard to talk to them and trying to put on a front it's all OK.
Also got a couple of grades back a high first and just shy of a 2.2 but the feedback on that one.. I mean I'm close to the edge mentally following this past week and the feedback and grade let's just say that

How is everyone doing this weekend?

@snowwhite2020 no more blood I hope? Have you any pain? Been thinking of you

Sorry for my ramblings, love to all

Hi @Pygmyseahorse sorry to hear you are still suffering so badly but it’s good that the cyclizine seems to be helping a bit. That’s what I’ve been on from the start- did they not start you on that from the gp? It has taken the edge off for me. Bad that you are also getting seizures at the moment, it just sounds like a nightmare. I hope for you that the next week or two weeks bring you a little relief and the sickness at least goes down a notch and your energy levels increase a bit- that is what happened to me.

Congrats on the grades- they sound really amazing, particularly as you have done assessments when so ill. That is a pass isn’t it?

I’m really sorry you are suffering so much mentally. It must be so so hard trying to put on a front. Are you sure it wouldn’t be a good idea to share with close family? You need support and maybe need to let those who love you look after you a bit too, even if just on the phone etc. It depends on how you feel though and also on how your family are, I understand both of those things. Just a thought.

Thinking of you and lots of love xx

And no more blood for me @Pygmyseahorse! That has only happened that one time thankfully!

@snowwhite2020 thank you for your lovely message :)

No they didn't as it hadn't helped much with dd so they tried other options.

It is still a pass and at least I don't have resits or an actual fail but it'll pull my grade down overall so I'm concerned about the remaining results.
The feedback was just so harsh..

Unfortunately my family aren't quite the accepting, supportive kind and loving type. They are the opinionated then spend hours on Google and report findings back to me with telling me what I should do.
No chance of someone popping over to help with the house or childcare or offering support over the phone :(
I told my best friend though who is great but abroad so its only messages

How are you today? X

@pygmyseahorse that is very difficult... I can understand you not wanting to tell them until you have a clearer idea of where you stand if they are the way you say. That is such a shame. When do you think you will get results? Another week maybe? I am sure you just want to know either way. Uncertainty is so difficult, especially with pregnancy.

I have been not too bad. Still sick but I can think more clearly and therefore work better not the nausea has definitely gone down. Also getting better sleep for now but evenings are my difficult time- I get bad acid reflux kicking in after dinner (no matter if I eat or not) and that often leads to vomiting. So... still Ill but also getting through daily life more easily than I was. Food aversions still very very strong though and also smells. Like everyone else suffering, any extra physical or mental effort and I get sick or any kind of stress and I get sick. So it’s all balancing on a knife edge in terms of wellness but it’s at a level which is unpleasant and difficult but more manageable, where I would say it wasn’t really before :/ Hope you too find the next few weeks bring you a bit of relief.

I hope your partner is being supportive. I am just so sorry you are having to go through this. Xx

SnowWhite and Herewegoagainx4 Seeker2020 and others Excellent advice.
Pygmyseahorse That is an excellent grade when you were so ill. Well done. Congratulations on weak Earl Grey tea, too. Sorry things are so horrible at the moment.
Waves to everyone. Another humid day...

Hi everyone I'm having a panic day so today I don't feel that sick really, I moan about it and now I'm not it I'm panicking something has happened, anyone else have 'normal' days? This is the first one but could be early as I'm usually ok till about two but today I feel really quite normal and it's stressing me 😩

@Clarkel1 totally normal to panic. We all rightly bemoan the sickness and then any silver linings and we panic Try not to, an absence of sickness doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong at all and I'm sure you'll likely be feeling wretched again soon! Enjoy the breather if you can.

I am feeling horrendous today, was really hoping it'd hold off a couple more days as we have an outdoor family photoshoot booked at 8.30 tomorrow morning. We have been meaning to do it for ages and booked it in before DH is due back at work Thursday. I could well look an absolute state and not entirely sure how we'll get the 3 kids ready to leave at 7.45. It seemed such a good plan!

@Herewegoagainx4 aww I hope you feel better soon and all goes well, did you have days no symptoms? I'm just stressing I guess xx

@Clarkel1 I don't think I had days of no symptoms but everyone has different patterns. I tend to be incredibly sick from 2/3 in the morning until 10ish and then again from 5pm ish. Sometimes I feel horrendous all day and can't move without vomiting or feeling very nauseous and sometimes I feel almost normal in between. How do you normally feel in the mornings?

@Clarkel1 I think it is normal to have a day or so feeling better if you are nearing 11/12 weeks but be warned it will likely come back and hit you like sledge hammer after a bit of short reprieve...I wouldn’t worry about it and if anything would take it as a good sign, since this usually signals the sickness beginning a long and wavey decline into the second trimester (or so I’m told) you know I am still suffering st nearly 17 weeks!!! Xx

I normally feel not too bad in mornings and then start feeling unwell about 2ish but today I don't have that unwell feeling before it my mouth is starting to get watery etc so o doubt it'll be on the way but I'm just stressing thinking boobs not as tender etc anymore ... I'm ten weeks so will just need to see what happens I've had two scans and both fine heart beat etc. X