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.

@herewegoagainx4 yeah I do try to be more upright but find that's worse, the only thing that helps is lying completely flat on my back and not moving at all but obviously that's not great
Think I'll be getting a pregnancy pillow soon to see if I can cocoon myself comfortable!

I'm coping as well as I can do, which is crying very often randomly or getting irrate at the state of the house.

Wow your dh is like a Saint doing all that!! Very envious haha
But it's not like you can enjoy a rest so that sucks :(

Sorry to hear you are feeling like it's a long dark tunnel. Really hope time starts picking up and it gets easier for you. So brave going for another pregnancy when you've had HG before and suffering so badly, it'll be worth it

Sending love x

@Pygmyseahorse I too have been wondering about a pregnancy pillow, partly because my back has been shot by the last one and has been flaring up painfully for a couple of months. But I think comfy is a sliding variable in pregnancy I was looking at the dream geneii ones yesterday but they are pricey so not sure yet...

And as for DH he knows he is being held entirely responsible for this predicament (it was a surprise) and is wisely doing what he can to mitigate the sickness! That said, we have also had enough practice to work out what helps us all get through so rest for me is good at the weekends and the children need a longer run around as they are a bit pent up in the week. I am thankful tho

Oh and I totally get irate at the state of the house! DH will do stuff if told but doesn't have lots of time as works long hours. And it drives me mad that everything just piles up and feels horrendous but I can't do anything about it. Last time some friends kindly paid for a cleaner for a few weeks for us which was amazing. But even with juggling finances to cover that it's not really an option with covid

@herewegoagainx4 you've got him well trained haha. My dh was used to his mum doing everything and is definitely not fussed with the housework building up... And no long hours as an excuse! His jobs are bins, lawns and washing up if I cook then I do the rest but I flat out refuse to give in when it piles up and let him off but then can't come downstairs for smell or mess and get miserable myself rather than anyone else!

Working on it this weekend hopefully though. I feel like nesting is kicking in too early, I just want to prepare the house and clean like mad.. Maybe that's lockdown too though
Roll on September when dd starts preschool!! Hopefully she'll be able to go in then anyway, 3 hrs per day sounds like heaven just now!!!!

I think dream genie is good for some but not others so I've been looking at reviews and I don't want to spend a tonne nor waste money if its no good. If I find anything decent I'll let you know!

Dd has been eyeing up my belly today, asking if I had a big lunch because my tummy is bigger. I'd hoped to keep it to ourselves til least we get nipt results and hopefully 20 week scan :(

That is early meeting @Pygmyseahorse but then maybe makes sense when everything else in the pregnancy seems so out of control. It's hard with the questions from DD and difficult to know which way to go. Each time we have told my eldest early on - her dad died when she was little and so she gets stressed if I have to go into hospital and so it is kindest to tell her. And because she has had to deal with death then she is able to process that the baby might not live or be healthy and that we have to wait for the scans. I'd far rather I c0uld protect her from it all tho. Mind you, as soon as she sees me with the red bowl she asks outright "Are you pregnant?" And most of the time I'm just cleaning x

Autocorrect! That should say nesting not meeting!

@Pygmyseahorse that’s me well into my 17th week now and feeling significantly better. I am having days where I am not sick and I am sleeping well and eating better. I really do hope things improve for you also (still taking meds tho- won’t be coming off them as when I stop I do feel it building again.) sorry to hear of your tears and general malaise. It is so horrible and you know I suffered bad through the nights also fairly recently... it is just the worst.

@Herewegoagainx4 so sorry to hear it’s ramping up. I think week 7 was a real turning point for the worse with me also. I really hope a combination of your veteran experience and the right meds stop it becoming as bad as it has been for you before. Fingers crossed.

Waves to everyone. Quite warm here today so trying to stay in the shade!! Xx

Pygmyseahorse Fingers crossed for a wonderful outcome all round. Sorry things are so tough at the moment. That is a horrible amount of vomiting by day and especially by night. Given the smell of food waste bins even if changed every day in hot weather, I am glad OH does the bins for you at least; a real trigger.
Herewegoagainx4 Poor DD having to deal with death at such a young age. That is fair minded of OH, blaming himself for a surprise. I remember there was a sufferer on here whose husband hadn't been supportive for the first Hyperemesis pregnancy, but who urged her to go for another and then - wasn't supportive again!
Seeker2020 I am sorry about the panic attacks. Adrenaline (spelling) added to spiralling hormones is not an enjoyable mixture. Have you got any advice/books on those?
SnowWhite2020 As ever, fine advice from you and everyone. I am glad that it is relatively managable now. I am still indignant about theat rude woman you mentioned at the dr's surgery.
Sorry if I have missed anyone.

@Snowwhite2020 ahhh I could do a happy dance for you.. If I had the energy!! So so happy to hear its starting to lift a little more for you now and you are nearing on half way through too so the end is becoming clearer in sight.
Long may this continue for you and you go from strength to strength. Sending love x

@herewegoagainx4 aww bless her, what a terrible thing she had to go through but she has a lovely family and I'm sure whatever hardships we go through eventually make us stronger and see the world differently.

@lucindae thank you for your kind words as always.
I moan I know but I'm grateful when the nagging gets things done to help!

@seeker2020 I'm so sorry I must have missed out your message somehow. I'm so sorry you are feeling like this. Have you tried anything for it? I remember being on something when pregnant (mushy brain.. I'll try to recall it's name) it was to slow pulse down and calm me down and Dr's said that was safe to take at the time with dd.
Anxiety and depression is very hard to manage at the best of times. Least if all when pregnant and then HG on top. Sending love and hope these harder days pass soon x

We have done a load of sorting today, I am completely broken now though, but I think it's just how I'm channeling the anxiety at the moment by preparing the house, getting our surroundings nicer... partly being stuck in, partly feeling so ill it's hard to keep on top of when it's messy and trying to distract from results.

Just ordered a new chest of drawers for our room so we can fit the cot in and feel like I've accomplished something I never would have thought of after such bad sickness last night and this afternoon.
Now to sleep until Monday morning (!!)

Hope you're all doing okay coping ladies. I think about you all every day!!!

@LucindaE I also left and never thanked you for all of the hard work and effort you make!
Thank you so much for all of the amazing advice you give, your tips would really help me get through the dark days. 💙

@Pygmyseahorse I was so happy to read your upbeat message :) that’s great that you are getting things sorted in the house and prepping for the baby. I have done none of this yet... but as energy improves I hope to achieve a few tasks over the next few weeks. I am so glad you seem to have had a positive afternoon 💖

@LucindaE I know! I try not to think about the gp incident haha.

@Seeker2020 how are you today?

Much love to all xx

Hi ladies, @pygmyseahorse and @snowwhite2020....thank you so much for asking after me. I'm feeling really stressed these days, get into bed quite early but find I'm not sleeping much. I have these anxiety attacks that wake me up and are hard to fall back to sleep from. Have bee trying some relaxation techniques but I think I'm just very, very tense at the moment. In shielding because I also have Crohn's, so this lockdown is also causing some stress. I have my scan on Thurs which I will be going to alone - that's making me a little sad.

@pygymyseahorse - I'd really love to know if there is anything safe to take for anxiety during pregnancy.

Love to all xxx

And a big thank you to @LucindaE. Xx

@seeker2020 oh poor you. I had those, through pregnancy, after her birth and also before I was pregnant so I can understand some degree of how awful it is for you.

Beta blockers was what I was thinking of! I'm not sure whether it'll be enough to help but you may be ok to take them in combination with the antidepressants you said you'd started? I was on both and came off antidepressants a while before but continued the beta blockers during some of dd pregnancy. It may just be worth asking, I'm honestly not sure if it will help or be recommended but it's the only thing I could think of.

It's a shame that we can't go swimming or anything like that which may help. Do you have any hobbies or anything you can do which helps at all?
I get a bit crazy on cleaning so any day I feel I have enough energy I try to do some to stay on top of my mood and racing thoughts like these nipt results

Sending love x

Just dragging myself on here to collapse in a heap amongst people who understand. Feeling horrendous today and utterly miserable. Have a nasty headache which won't budge and just feels unnecessary on top of everything else. So in the brief windows free of sick and nausea my head is just pounding and I still feel awful. Miserable moaning over. Thanks ladies

Herewegoagainx4 Goodness - I made a typing error and typed 'Herewegoagainx6* - hopefully, not! Much sympathy about that headache. They are so miserable and make the sickness far worse. Gentle cyber pats on offfer.
SnowWhite2020 You are right not to dwell on it; I shouldn't remind you, indignant or not. That is a fault of mine; I not only bear some grudges myself about really unreasonable behaviour, I even bear them on other people's behalf! You note that I still remember how that sufferer from probably five years back had an OH who promised to be supportive, and went back on his word. A cyber happy dance about your improvement seems a great idea from Pygmyseahorse, whom I think should be proud about getting any housework done.
BeautyandtheBump Thank you so much for kind words. I am happy that you have reached the fabled Pink Castle at last.
Seeker2020 The best of luck for the scan, and sorry you have to go alone.
Sorry if I've missed anyone .

@LucindaE thank you. And no to steroids, I didn’t go full term with the pregnancy unfortunately. And that’s true, I wonder how all the severe HG mums are coping if they need to be admitted for fluids?

@Pygmyseahorse hello! Ah bless you, as I already have depression i hope I don’t get it postnatal as well! Yes I’m not a fan of drs when it comes to this. But I’m glad the tablets you are on are giving you some sort of relief - fingers crossed it can for me too. I know, people who have not experienced it think of it as normal morning sickness just a bit more worse, nope! It’s life changing! And I’m glad it’s made a difference, that’s what I was hoping to hear. I really hope if I act quick enough I will be able to ease it :( thank you for your advice, every little helps at the moment!! And it was back in 2017. I hope your sickness starts to subside as your pregnancy progresses! Thank you again x

@Herewegoagainx4 yes I guess it’s kind of still early days for you, hopefully it doesn’t take a turn for the worst. Having 3 kids to look after with HG must be so hard, I can’t imagine. If when I get pregnant and it’s anything like the previous one then dear lord lol

@leobaby how are you feeling about it all now after sharing how you are feeling on here? I hope you find a little support :)
My dd pregnancy was in 2016 so similar time and I am certain I've been offered at least 2 or 3 ones I hadn't with her, so really hope for you they may have more knowledge and experience with the severity you experienced. New Dr's, midwives etc to your local area may help too. Try to be positive, if you nip it in the bud and keep nagging Dr's and be super proactive in seeking help, preferably before it worsens you have a chance and I really hope this happens for you, after everything you've been through.

On a side note, apparently pnd is not more likely if you have a history of depression. I think I'm pretty certain I know what triggered or caused my pnd and it wasnt really linked to past or causes of my depression previously. I'm sorry if that isn't making sense but I do want to try and reassure anyone feeling low, anxious or predisposed to depression that it won't automatically mean you'll suffer from pnd.
Sending love x

@LucindaE that made me laugh I used to think having a multiples pregnancy would at least mean 2 for the price of a hellish pregnancy and therefore wasn't so bad...I do not want to find out there's more than one this time Thankfully the headache had lifted this morning and I have managed a bit more water which helps keep them at bay, although I do feel like one is beginning to press in at the sides now.

I was thinking yesterday that this is my 4th hg pregnancy and it's not great but it certainly is a lot better with having the right meds at the right points. But it is still a struggle to get drs to prescribe what is needed. It's shocking to me that I had to suffer so much prior to this and that this is still the situation in 2020!

How is everyone today?

@Pygmyseahorse I’m happy I was able to speak to some ladies who have experienced it. I can’t speak to any family members or anything, they don’t understand. But I’m grateful for all your responses! Really? Gosh I really hope so! It’s such a serious condition, it can lead to other complications. All I’ve wanted is just an easy stress free pregnancy. So I do hope the new medications will help and hopefully my dr is understanding and educated when I come to speak to her about it.

Is that so? I hope that’s the case, I’m sorry you’ve had to go through pnd though it must be the worst, especially when you’ve finally got your lil baba to then be depressed. Must be awful. Hope you don’t get it this time round! Thank you for your reassurance. Every bit of advice is much appreciated and I’m very grateful 💕

I honestly can’t believe you’ve suffered 4 hg pregnancies. You’re very brave @Herewegoagainx4

Evening ladies, I hope everyone is having a reasonable day and managing. This week is a new week and one week closer to the Castle!
@Pygmyseahorse thank you for checking in on me. Since the middle of last week I have had some substantial relief, I am not sure if this is the new meds (Promethazine) or that I am now 14 weeks, but I am feeling a lot more positive and able to function as a human being.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself and think that this is over but whenever I have had relief in the past it hasn’t lasted this long and I definitely haven’t functioned normally and still been severely nauseated/heaving.
Even if it does come back, I can’t describe how grateful I am for the relief and seeing my bump pop out after the weight loss!
Sending love to all and hope you can experience this soon as well xx

@katieFTM so happy to hear you are starting to have a slightly easier time. No matter why that's a huge deal and hopefully it'll last, but even if it doesn't then just having a couple of days can feel like such a relief I'm sure.