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.

Hello everyone, I was on here this time last year and had HG with my now 7 month old dd. I find myself expecting again 😕 altho early days still I am beyond petrified as I have had HG for all my previous pregnancies. This time I have been somewhat proactive and prescribed with ondansetron as that was the only meds which worked last time. The only thing that helped my last time was to take each day at a time and not think too much ahead as my HG lasted all 9 mths in the end!

I hope everyone is doing better or as well as can be and hope you don’t mind me tentatively joining....

composed Welcome back. It is very sensiible of you to make sure you get pre-emptive meds. I'm glad you got Ondansetron. Did the doctor also prescribe that usually necessary laxative? As you are a veteran you don't need my spiel about kesostix, flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit and the helpfulness of a good anti acid like Omprazole. Everyone is very supportive on here.
Pygmyseahorse Much sympathy for your being in such a dismal situation.
Herewegoagainx4 That is very reassuring advice for everyone with LO's. I was not in that position, but it does seem to fit with what everyone on these threads has said over the years about LO's forgetting all about the period of comparative neglect.

Morning. How's everyone doing?

I am dry heaving noticeably more now, whereas up until now whilst the nausea has been constant there have been more settled windows in between the vomiting. Now I feel constantly on edge, not sure if I am going to puke or not. And it's so unsettling for the children, bless them. I can just see it ramping up more and more and unsure where we'll end up. Such a horrid waiting game. @Snowwhite2020 I think you were saying the other day about what a mental game it is.

And welcome @composed. Sorry you're here again. I'm glad you have been proactive with the early meds, I have definitely noticed a difference this time around with getting the right meds in at the right time, particularly with Ondansetron. How are you feeling re the pregnancy? 7 months is a little one to look after too - is she mobile yet?

@Herewegoagainx4 I’m sorry it’s ramping up and the dry heaving is increasing. I also had terrible water in the mouth which literally pulled every 3 minutes or so for about 6 weeks it was just awful then became more spaced out but I don’t know what I would have done if hadn’t have been in lockdown. I was so anxious about spitting in front of people or vomiting when out the house. Just the worst. How many weeks are you now? I can’t relate to having LOs watch but that must be difficult too.

I am having a string of bad days and have been sick most mornings again. Just another bout of nausea and found my bloodhound nose back up in gear which just makes experiencing the world really hard as almost all smells are offensive... you know how it is.

Nearly 19 weeks now so it may be some sort of hormonal surge as @LucindaE Says...

At least it’s a bit cooler here the last few days!

Love to you and waves to everyone. Xx

Definitely liking the coolness. I'm not great in heat at the best of times (very fair) but nobody needs that with HG! Also the children are happy to go out and play in the garden but with it so hot the paddling pool was out and therefore needed supervising. Am so much comfier on the sofa with the back door open so I can keep half an eye on the noise/mischief levels!

I'm only around 8 weeks so all very much to be expected. The mw is ringing later to finish my notes and hoping the scan will be booked which at least is something to count down to. Although I fear terribly them saying I am less far than I think! They did that with my first by 2 weeks and I didn't think it made sense as I have regular cycles and in the end I just counted with my original as I couldn't bear going backwards in the state I was. As it was she was born just a couple of days before I thought i was due (tho records say 38 weeks) and she was really small in length, and is still very small now - is not far off 7 but easily passes for 4, bless her. Anyhow I still worry with the dating scan, and actually this time I had had a couple of unusually long cycles previously, not sure if it was stress or what but I feel worried they'll shift the dates!

Sorry you're experiencing a dip again @Snow that's rubbish. Fingers crossed it passes soon for you. I have always experienced sickness pretty much throughout (occasionally with a week or two with no vomiting) but generally it has been much more manageable and I have felt better post 20 weeks. Is your scan coming up? Are you hoping to find the sex out?

Thank you @LucindaE, yep I’m trying to think what worked last time and have tried to stock up on a few things. @Herewegoagainx4 my 7 month old has started crawling and I am petrified of what the future will hold, we weren’t planning on another baby so soon but there you have it.

I am terrified of vomitting and just looking back on last year I am waiting for it to hit which is usually does by 6 weeks, so another week or so left according to my dates. Aww how many LO’s do you have?

@Snowwhite2020 sorry to hear you’re having a bad time atm, I can totally relate to the extra saliva production (I used to carry a towel around with me to soak it up, tmi sorry!) long may the cool weather continue for us all xx

@composed it is trickier when they are moving but I am sure you will manage ok. We have a stair gate on our lounge as it's right by the kitchen and I don't want to be worrying about the oven being on or whatever else when we're cooking. But at the moment it is shut most of the time as it means the little one can't escape and I can take refuge on the sofa. She has lots of toys to play with in here and cause chaos with. She is 13 months now, and isn't walking yet which does help too mind. I have a 6 and a 2 year old too and I know that helps with the little one in terms of entertainment. One little one can be intense.

So this is number 4, but a surprise here too. Not sure if we would have gone for another at all but certainly I do not feel mentally up for it right now! Do you have any family nearby who can help?

Hi all,

Have been following the thread for a while and thought I'd say hello and thanks for the HG tips/solidarity! I was very sick with my DS (now 2.5) but managed to function - this time the sickness started with a vengeance at 6 weeks and now at 9 weeks it is completely debilitating. GP was quick to prescribe Cyclizine which definitely curbs the vomiting but it turns me into a zombie - I literally sleep for 2-3 hours after each tablet! I've now been signed off for 3 weeks and counting (I think this is the longest I have ever been off work and I feel terrible about it!)

I am sorry to hear there are so many of us struggling - it feels so unfair!

@girlfrombackthen sorry to hear you are suffering so badly. I am also on Cyclizine and it has certainly helped but many swear by a good anti acid on prescription too- may be worth a try? My acid reflux (which is today tied in with vomiting for me) kicked in from about 11 weeks onwards.

Hope you get some comfort from speaking to the rest of us who are all in a similar boat :/

Xx

girlfrombackthen Welcome. I am sorry you are suffering badly. I so agree with SnowWhite2020 about tryng an anti acid. If Cyclizine isn't helping as much as it might, do think of asking for another medication. As you are a veteran, you don't need my spiel about 'have you found flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit help' and 'have you got kesostix, as while they aren't the best test of dehydration they do take their measurements of ketones seriously in hospitals.' Take heart, it does ease a lot for most sufferers at some point between 15 and 21 weeks. Even those unlucky ones who suffer throughout don't often feel as bad later on as in the first tri.
Herewegoagain Sorry to hear about the mental stress of the waiting game with the dry heaving.
SnowWhite2020 Poor you. Very likely it is indeed that hormonal surge.
Composed I so agree with others - are there relatives or friends nearby who might be able to help out as this situation is exceptional partial lockdown or not?
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

@Herewegoagainx4 sorry I didn’t answer you’re question- we are not finding out the sex- leaving it as a little magic surprise for the end of this fairly epic journey! 💙💖. The 20 week scan is coming up in the next couple of weeks yes, so hopefully that will all go well :) your 12 week must be coming up soon also? Exciting! Xx

Waves to @LucindaE I always enjoy your evening messages :)

Thinking of you @Pygmyseahorse xx

Hi all, hope you don't mind me joining and asking for some advice. My sympathies to everyone who is suffering. I'm currently 6 weeks and already feeling unwell. I was prescribed cyclizine in my last pregnancy but not until around 12 weeks and only one tablet a day - having been refused it a few weeks earlier. Unfortunately I had a tfmr at 15 weeks so didn't continue in that pregnancy. The experience left me with quite a bit of anxiety about not being supported in my next pregnancy should I get sick again. I pushed for a referral to a consultant who saw me and then wrote to my gp to highlight to them the different treatment options which should be made available in my next pregnancy. She also said that I should start with using the leftover cyclizine (up to 3/day) I have in my next pregnancy when I feel the need to. However I now feel a bit apprehensive about starting treatment at such an early stage but would like to avoid my symptoms worsening again and having to take weeks off work. If you’ve been sick in subsequent pregnancies has starting treatment much earlier, when symptoms first start, had a positive impact on your sickness later on?

That's nice @Snowwhite2020 we didn't find out with our last one and it was really nice for hubby to tell me. It was hard tho as I had to have extra scans and had to re commit to not finding out each time even tho it was incredibly tempting! Mind you I loved knowing with both my oldest; I guess it's different but both special

I should hear about a scan soon but have to wait for the hospital to send me a letter or ring. Mw wasn't sure which they'll do but I just hope I know when it is soon as it is helpful to have it on the horizon.

Hi @girlfrombackthen I'm at a similar point to you. Anti acids always help me and also I use Ondansetron which I find really helps. In fact what amazes me is how small the tablets are given the difference they make! How are you getting on with your little one as well?

Hi @christmasbox I missed your post earlier, sorry. And sorry to hear about the difficulties in your last pregnancy, that's hard.

This is my 4th pregnancy and I have had cyclizine in all of them, the latest I have started was at 8 weeks with my 1st following a hospital admission but that was still 3 a day. With this current pregnancy I have had access both to cyclizine and Ondansetron much earlier and the difference is clear. This is the furthest along I have been without needing an admission for fluids, and whilst I am still sick it is definitely much better than at this point previously which I do think is down to the early medication.

If you want more advice try looking at the pregnancy sickness support website it's really helpful but certainly taking meds before symptoms start is considered best practice for a history of HG.

I would also suggest asking for an anti acid like omeprazole as these can be very helpful working alongside the anti emetic.

I am currently around 9 weeks and started taking meds the day after I found out at 5 weeks.

Sympathies to everyone suffering right now! I am wondering if any hg veterans can give me advice about when to come off anti-emetics...

I am 15 weeks and have been on promethazine for 7 weeks. My symptoms are much better now - nausea is mostly ignorable if I eat little and often, and I haven't been physically sick for 4 days.

I went back to work this week but the promethazine makes me really drowsy so keen to come off it when I can but afraid of relapsing.

Any good heuristics for when to reduce meds? E.g. 1 week vomit free, or should I wait til the nausea is completely gone?

Thank you @Herewegoagainx4 it's really helpful to hear your experiences. I'm glad to hear the early meds are making a clear difference for you and it also gives me hope that early action will help me too.

I'm only sucking on rennie tablets for the acid so far so I'll take another look at the information about meds and acid relief on pregnancy sickness support. I remember they were really helpful in helping me prepare when asking the gp for a referral. I'm not sure where I would be without the resources on websites like that and forums like this!

@littledice I am not a veteran and am only slightly ahead of you at 19 weeks but I have found when I stopped meds that the nausea and associated things went back up. I’d be inclined to keep the meds going (that’s what I’ve done) but you could maybe reduce to twice a day down from 3 a day (if that’s your dose) and see how you feel. I wouldn’t advise cold turkey, from personal experience!

Yay you’re feeling better tho!

Xx

Welcome to christmasbox and *littledice.
christmasbox Sorry things were so bad last time. I so agree with others, starting on pre-emptive meds is generally thought to be the best way to avoid becoming really ill. I believe there is a physiological reason for this, patterns in the brain of a vomiting reflex or some such which is to be avoided by early treatment. But I am not medically trained and have only heard of it. I so agree with others about ant acids. Most sufferers find the most effective ant emetic is Ondansetron (with a laxative!) but it doesn't suit everyone. Here is my normal spiel which I hope might be of use. As others say, everyone is very supportive on here. Here is my usual spiel, which I hope may be helpful.
Most sufferers find that they improve a lot at some point between weeks 14 and 20. A good anti acid can make a surprising difference to the sickness. Kesostix are worth buying online or from a chemists, as while they aren't they best test of dehydration, hospitals take them seriously. Some drinks that have helped others besides that apple juice and foods of a sort. full sugar flat coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Lucozade, apple juice, Dr Pepper, soda water, Elderflower water, tonic water, ice cubes, Iron Bru, lemonade, lemon squash, orange squash, orange juice (if not too acid), fizzy orange, 7Up, isotonic drinks, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya), fizzy water and Robinson's fruit drinks. Foods of a sort include tinned fruit, cuppa soup, nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, Scotch pancakes, slices of melon and mango, grated cheese, baked potatoes, grated cheese and biscuits.
littledice I so agree with SnowWhite2020 don't try cold turkey. All the sufferers on these threads seem to recommend a gradual reduction. i am so glad you feel a bit better.
Excellent advice, as ever, from Herewegoagainx4 and also from SnowWhite2020. SnowWhite2020 I shall have to have both a cyber pink andr blue bow ready at the cyber Pink Castle at the end of the horror experience, then! Have you got a variety of names?

Thank you LucindaE x x

Hi Everyone - I am new to this thread on my second HG pregnancy & have found reading through the posts really comforting - not sure why I didn't find this first time around!
I'm wondering if anyone going through HG a subsequent time can let me know their experience?
In my first pregnancy I ended up in hospital with dehydration a couple of times before being prescribed Cyclizine & Ondansetron which was like a miracle! I was still nauseous until 20 weeks but vomiting was rare and compared to how awful I had been it was great!
As soon as my nausea started this time round at 5 weeks I was put onto Cyclizine & Ondanstron again however had an awful couple of weeks still but didn't end up in hospital so was definitely an improvement! I'm now almost 11 weeks though and it seems nausea has gotten worse again and I'm being sick most days (although only once or twice so shouldn't really complain!). I guess I'm worried the medication isn't as effective this time as it was last time and will I therefore have the nausea for longer?
It just feels like the days go so slowly when suffering with hyperemesis so another 9 weeks of this feels like a lifetime!!

@littledice definitely agree with slowly withdrawing from medication and being prepared to increase again as you need to. It can be a bit of a rollercoaster of ups and downs as you recover especially if you overdo it in the first stages of feeling better! It's also worth being aware that sometimes it does reappear in the 3rd trimester, normally nothing like the early weeks but you may find yourself needing some meds if that does happen. Really glad you are feeling better maybe try only taking 2 instead of 3 at the weekend or whenever you don't have work and see how it goes.

Welcome @JadeBA2 sorry you're suffering again. But glad to hear you have been able to get pre emptive meds and that they have helped. Last time did you find that the being sick was controlled by the meds pretty much straight away?

Around 10 weeks there is a hormone surge which means people do tend to be worse for a couple of weeks which may be why you are finding it harder atm. Also it can be that the HG is worse in subsequent pregnancies. Have you tried an anti acid? They can be really helpful at reducing vomiting too and worth a go. Omeprazole is a good one, tho they may not prescribe it with Ondansetron - I am not sure why, they always used to. But worth asking the GP what you can have.

It's hard to know how long it the nausea might last tho. For most people they do see an improvement by 20 weeks so hopefully you will have that again. I agree tho, time is agonisingly slow with HG and it is a hard mental battle, especially when you know what's coming and how long it might last for. I am at 9 weeks and finding it so hard to see the way through the next little while. Have you got your scan soon? I always find counting down to that helps a bit. How old is your little one?

Hi @littledice I could have wrote this post myself. I am also 15 weeks, came back to work this week after some good improvement from Promethazine for 3-4 weeks after trying other meds that didn’t really touch the sides.
I hadn’t been sick for 2 weeks until this morning when my husband started discussing dinner at 7am 😫
I am a bit more reluctant to reduce the dose/come off them as there are some days when I feel like I am waiting to take them.
What is your dosage? How many do you take a day?xx

Thanks for the responses @Snowwhite2020 @LucindaE @Herewegoagainx4 ☺️ I think I will try skip a dose at the weekend and see what happens...

@KatieFTM I'm taking 25mg 3 times a day (also taking 25mg B6 3 Times a day.) I did accidentally skip a lunchtime dose about a week ago and had a bad vomitting episode that evening so I know they are working, but I feel like I'm a lot better even in the last week so I'll try it again at the weekend. Are you on a similar dosage? Happy for you that you're also feeling some relief these days!

@littledice interesting about the skipped dose a few weeks back. Good luck for the weekend!
I am on 25mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening. I think I’m more scared to miss a dose as there is such a big gap inbetween 🙈 everything crossed for you and glad you are also finding some relief.

Sending my thoughts to everyone else xxx