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.

SnowWhite2020 I am so glad things aren't so bad. Excellent that you are halfway through now
I hope everyone is coping today.

Hi all

Thank you @Snowwhite2020 for your message a while back. Really pleased to hear you've had a couple of better days and a huge milestone getting to half way I think in terms of hg.. You can now count down properly and think you've made it so far. Also over half way does help mentally.

I'm sorry I've not read through properly everyone's messages. Hope all doing as well as can be

Out of hospital, now on ondansetron which the nausea is still bad with but actual sickness has lessened and I've been able to nibble a few spoons of baked potato or some bread which helps. Also had my first actual glass of water this week.

Mentally not doing well still.. Heard heartbeat but didn't really feel anything.. Got a scan next week hoping it will help bond and feel more reassured if things look OK.

I'll probably not be on much still, the sickness and nausea is still pretty bad and finding screens hard again

Sending love

@Pygmyseahorse it was so nice to log on and see a message from you- I’ve been thinking of you! I’m glad a stay in hospital and the ondansetron seems to have helped a bit. An actual glass of water is a sign of real progress- I know water has been super hard for me to drink ad anyone else with hg!

I’m really sorry to read about how you are feeling mentally. You have had a really rough ride and it is no wonder. I hope your OH is supporting you and that you also have the support of a good midwife. I think it’s important that you’re able to talk about how you’re feeling and I remember you saying your family weren’t so helpful. All my love to you and know you are in my thoughts every time I log on. I hope you continue to feel better with the hg and if it goes down hill again- make sure you seek support. Xxx

• also I have the 20 week scan next week too, so fingers crossed for both of us. ❤️

Pygmyseahorse It is good to hear from you. Congratulations on the water and spoonfuls of food. It is good the sickness has lessened, but much sympathy over ongoing nausea. Best of luck for you and
SnowWhite2020 for your scans. As she says, after what you have been through it is no wonder that you feel emotionally distant.
Very warm again, but not muggy, anyway....

My mint is flourishing in the garden, and it made me think of how I used to like to make a cup of frent mint tea from it when suffering. But I don't know how many people are helped by mint. It used to be a natural remedy for nausea in the eighteenth century,but I don't suppose it had a lot of competition.
I hope everyone is coping today...

Hi @LucindaE fresh mint sounds lovely! I was a coffee addict before pregnancy and now can’t stand the smell. I have a mint tea from time to time and though I rarely drink it al just inhaling the smell and holding a warm cup we quite comforting :)

Hope everyone else had a good enough day. Quite warm here, which is always a challenge (or maybe it is just me feeling more warm as I get bigger and bigger!)

Just back from the 20 week scan ladies and the little one looks just perfect :) really amazing to see them in such detail and for so long compared to the 12 week scan.

My sickness is coming in waves these days- I get a few days feeling pretty good and then a few days feeling queasy and needing to be strict about smells and foods. Also if I drop the meds I really feel it... but the baby is just perfect! So that makes it all worth while :) xx

Congrats @Snowwhite2020 so pleased you could enjoy seeing baby today as well as some ups with the sickness pattern even if not all rainbows yet! I love the detail you can see at 20 weeks. It is incredible!

I am struggling massively but know these are the peak weeks so trying to keep my head down and battle through. Trouble is the days seem so so long and I can't manage screens much or read or anything let alone play with the children so am feeling incredibly bored and fed up! Am going to ring the hospital this week to chase for a scan date as haven't heard anything and am out of area so want to make sure I haven't been lost in the system!

@Herewegoagainx4 thank you :)

How many weeks are you now? How are your meds working for you? Xx

@Snowwhite2020 I am 10 weeks at the moment (and a half!) Needing to count in halves to help! Meds are doing a good job at managing the situation and can keep some fluid down but the sickness is still a battle and the nausea that horrid constant. Thankful that I haven't needed to go in for fluids yet tho - certainly the early meds have helped prevent that.

I hate that I feel so thirsty all the time but nothing quenches it and I can't drink enough of anything without then being sick. I know it will pass but I swear 4 weeks have actually passed in the last 2 - it feels so much longer!

My 6 year old keeps asking how long until I will feel better. She is very nurturing and is sad that she can't do anything to make me feel better, bless her.

Thank you for the replies @Herewegoagainx4, @littledice & @LucindaE, haven't been on for a few days as been finding the screen difficult, the nausea has really been relentless but since yesterday has eased a little again, really hoping for the 14 week improvement. I know what you mean @Herewegoagainx4 about counting half weeks, I do the same!
I have found leaving a mint gaviscon in my mouth for ages has been helping with nausea, not sure why and I haven't had any acid reflux but someone recommended it so I gave it a go!

I had the 12 week scan today - all looking good which is such a relief as feeling so unwell & taking the medication I just worry until I see them! I was dated 1 day ahead and honestly even that 1 day was exciting as its a day closer to feeling better - every little helps!

Sending thoughts to everyone - keep pushing through it x

In my last pregnancy I suffered from really bad HG resulted in hospitalisation and medication for most of my pregnancy. However second time round I don't really feel sick. I am really concerned as this year I've had two miscarriages this year both with no nausea. Is this normal? (My first child has a different dad to the other three)

Hey guys, newbie here, I've recently found out I'm pregnant, unsure exactly how far along but between 4&8 weeks I'd say, had h.g with my first pregnancy, and now again with this... I'm so I'll 24/7, and running around after a 4 year old at the same time. Please tell me there's a cure you other momma's have found?? Help me. Much love, Nikki xx

Vik81 Much sympathy over your MCs and suffering badly before. Can they give you a scan for reassurance, given your medical history, even though they are being super careful about appointments? How far along are you? I have heard that the paternity can make a difference to the level of suffering, but I don't know the details. It may be someone else can advise better about that.
hudsonmaw Welcome. Sorryyou are suffering again. Everyone advises that pre-emptive meds are the best way forward. Many swear by Ondansetron and Cyclizine combined with a good anti acid and a laxative for the Ondansetron. What meds if any, did they have you on before? Have you got family and friends who can help out so you can rest as much as possible, as that is one of the best treatments - which is obviously going to be a bit difficult with a four year old. As you are a veteran, you don't need my ''have you got kessotix as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'Doyou find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit any good' spiel.
SnowWhite2020 Congratulations on 20 week scan. That is such a boost. I always found the scent of mint comforting, too. I wonder if that is Aromatherapy?
Herewegoagainx4 Sorry that you are coming up to the peak time. Poor little LO being concerned. She sounds very sweet. But she will have another sibling, and that will make up for it.
JadeBA2 Happy news about your 12 week scan, too.
I hope everyone is managing...

@JadeBA2 congrats on the scan and great news about the day ahead! sorry you're struggling too atm, hopefully you'll be through the worst of it before long now. I sometimes find sucking on mints or sweets can help with nausea tho I do find it's a bit hit and miss. Glad the gaviscon mint is helping tho x

Welcome @hudsonsmaw whilst I can't offer a cure other than pushing the baby and placenta out! I definitely second getting meds sooner rather than later. Did you have meds last time? The pregnancy sickness support website is really helpful with different meds and information but as Lucinda said above cyclizine is normally the first port of call and if you don't see any improvement within 3 days add something else in. Ondansetron is v helpful but sometimes drs are reluctant to prescribe because of cost but just be firm and insistent. So do give your GP a call asap! Oh and don't worry about your 4 year old they will survive this, the telly/dvds are your friend! Children are very resilient.

@Vik81 not everybody does have sickness in subsequent pregnancies, even when they have had hg more than once, although statistically it is less common. For me different paternity hasn't made a difference but again it isn't the same for everyone. How far along are you? Can you get in touch with the midwife for some advice? Or contact your local early pregnancy unit?

And just a quick thanks @LucindaE for all your hard work and support on here

Thank you so much for the advice. I've requested a call back from the doctor today, so hopefully given my history I can get an early scan. Never thought I'd say this in a million years- but I wish I was feeling sick like last time!

Great advice @Herewegoagainx4.

@Vik81 I can understand why you feel unsettled by this. HG is not an experience one quickly forgets...

Sympathies with everyone suffering xx

Thank you all for the advice and kind words, unfortunately the cyclizine hasn't helped.. had doctors this morning and sent straight to hospital for drips. Not sure how long I will be kept in for, and I'll definitely be trying something else next time.

@hudsonsmaw I’m sorry to hear you had to be admitted. I do hope it helps and that you feel a bit of relief upon receiving fluids and IV meds. Definitely get on the case of additional meds on top of cyclizine... perhaps you can discuss it with a consultant whilst in hospital? Xx

Glad you can get some fluids @hudsonsmaw I hope they provide a bit of relief even if for a short while. Do ask re meds whilst there, they may give you something alongside the fluids and a prescription to take away. Then you can just get the gp to do another prescription for that.

I had intended to wait until Thursday to ring the hospital re scan but decided to this morning as I was feeling so low. I am glad I didn't leave it as the earliest they can offer is 3rd Aug when I will be 13+4 and is basically 3 weeks again. I cried so much after, hubby decided to book a private scan for me, which is on Thursday afternoon. I'm thankful for his thoughtfulness and so glad to be able to have something sooner. 3 weeks feels like 6 when you're at this stage! Now to hope they don't put me back loads

@Herewegoagainx4 that’s annoying about the nhs scan but so good you can book a private one. When I was very bad with sickness and also in the first trimester (arguably when you are looking most for reassurance regarding the pregnancy) all private scan places were shut due to covid.

Was very difficult but so glad for all pregnant ladies things have opened up more now and there are more choices. Fingers crossed your OH will be able to attend your private and nhs scan with you also xx

Oh that's a shame @Snowwhite2020 I guess they weren't classed as essential, I don't know. Although some local ones here have been open for a couple of months now.

In theory DH could come to the private but the children can't and we can't get childcare at that short notice especially when the little one is still a baby and even with the other 2 social distancing isn't an easy concept so it puts friends we might have asked in a difficult position. My eldest is sad she can't come, she loves going to the scans and she isn't allowed at the hospital any more (was like that last time). As for the NHS currently it will just be me allowed but even if it does change there is still the childcare issue. Such a shame. Were you able to have OH there at your 20 week scan?

That is all very frustrating for you...

Yes, we are in Scotland and DH was allowed to the 20 week scan yesterday but that was the first day partners allowed to nhs scans in Scotland so we made it by the skin of our teeth!

In Scotland ALL private scanning places were shut until I was about 10 weeks when one in the closest major city opened (No partners allowed) and DH also wasn’t allowed to 12 week scan. I also had a panic at one point due to pain etc and was not even scanned at the hospital, as unless it was confirmed miscarriage they wouldn’t scan me! Was told to wait a week and see... most of my sickness related contact with nhs was on the phone with prescriptions given that way with the odd hand in of urine, so far from ideal... I do understand why this all
happened and my DH actually works for the nhs so I have full respect but for a FTM struggling with Hg and other normal worries it was hard!

Things seem to be more back to normal now, which I think is very important for us pregnant ladies. Hope everyone else’s experiences have been/ continue to be better! I was very happy with the way the 20 week scan was handled so fingers crossed things continue to improve across the Uk xx

Hi all. My GP has prescribed Cariban 10/10 to help with my sickness - has anyone heard of it or tried it?