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.

Puddlelane Welcome to the thread. Everyone is very supportive here. Those who have suffered badly before should have less trouble obtainning the stronger meds, though it can happen - which is why advice from Pregnancy Sickness support on 024 7638 2020 about how best to obtain them can be useful. Studies seem to show very small risks for Ondansetron compared to the very real dangers of chronic dehyration. It would be ideal if there were no risks at all, but doctors wouldn't prescribe a medicine they considered had anything more than a very low risk. Further down there's a whole lot of recommended drinks. Among the best are flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit.
ProfessionalNomad Poor you. That is dismal. I hope that they can soon find something that helps. It is very hard for people to bear at its worst. Sometimes you have to take it an hour at a time. Things do get better for almost everyone later on.
Seeker2020 I am really happy to hear that you feel a bit better. Thank you for encouraging others. I always think of the acidity as part of the Hyperemesis. Are you on a good anti acid like Omprazole?
Lovely words from SnowWhite202, OnNature'sCourse, FluffyPurpleSlippers ChatWithMe and everyone.

@professionalnomad your post really resonates with me as this was me in my first pregnancy it’s no only physically draining but emotionally. There was points I was vomiting up blood and the doctors couldn’t believe that the medication wasn’t working, I literally Thought this is it for me. It does and will get better and hang in there for right medication. I know you have been trying to work and worrying about that I hope you manage to get signed off as being tired out meant I was hospitalised try to rest as much as you can and get some sleep, sending lots of positive vibes your way xx

Thank you everyone for your very kind and thoughtful comments. I feel really alone at the moment so being able to share means the world to me.

@professionalnomad you are not alone. Have you made a decision about work yet/ been signed off for the coming term? When are you due back at work? Xx

Thankyou so much ladies, I so appreciate the warm welcome. I relied so much on the thread in my previous two HG pregnancies (although I never posted) and the sense of camaraderie made such a difference. It is such a hideous and isolating experience just knowing someone understandands makes the world of difference.

Spoke to my GP yesterday and frankly they were a bit rubbish. Didn’t ask me anything re my hydration levels (despite me saying I couldn’t even keep fluids down) and just said I could have some cyclizine for now. I asked about ondansetron and she said she wouldn’t prescribe until I had tried cyclizine for a few days. I will ring and speak to someone different today if the cyclizine does nothing. To complicate matters I am breastfeeding my 2 year old still so I think that isn’t helping with the hydration.

This is a much wanted baby but I am overwhelmed with guilt at putting my children and husband though this again. And at low moments having doubts if I have the strength to go through this again. I’m so jealous of women who don’t suffer like this in pregnancy. It colours everything.

Apologies for being a Debbie Downer. I’m sure the lack of nutrition doesn’t help. I have had fertility treatment and losses in the past so I know what a blessing each pregnancy is but I still struggle.

Off to try some tinned peach juice...

@professionalnomad you are not alone I hope you have had a settled night And the medication has helped, HG is extremely debilitating be kind to yourself xx

Sounds rough Puddlelane123. As I understand it the World Health Organisation advises to breastfeed for the first 2 years but this is largely to reduce risk of water-bourne infections to babies (formula milk feeds using dirty water) in developing countries. You've already achieved this so in the interest of you and your unborn baby do you think it's best to stop breastfeeding over the next week or so? x

Its a holiday here now (i currently live in Istanbul) so I'm finally at home. I'm feeling better today. Managed toast and a slice of watermelon. I am supposed to go back to work next Wednesday but have made a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to discuss my options. Yesterday was a grim day in the hospital. Vomiting constantly. To make things worse the locum doctor was absolutely useless and didn't take me seriously at all.

Glad you're back home professionalnomad. Hope you get signed off work x

Sorry to see so many joining us, not a club anyone wants to be apart of, but the ladies on here are so supportive!
Further improvement from me and glad @Seeker2020 is also feeling the benefits at 18 weeks.
I had my 20 week scan yesterday and baby was wriggling around everywhere and giving us a wave :) so so lovely to see and hope this provides hope that babies can still thrive even if you aren’t managing to keep food in. I didn’t for the best part of 10 weeks! 💖💙
Waves to @Snowwhite2020 @Pygmyseahorse and @Herewegoagainx4, haven’t seen your name pop up for a while hope you are getting on Okay xx

Oh @Puddlelane123 I’m sorry to hear your struggle. Before Ondansetron I was having the same dark thoughts about my ability to continue.
I hope you manage the next few days on cyclizine. If you go downhill over the weekend it’s not out of the question to use 111. Long winded but maybe more likely to be offered fluid and better antiemetic if sent to a&e. I have a young ds and I can’t do anything for him at the moment, you have my full sympathy.

Glad to hear of the improvements!
Puddlelane I was one of the unlucky tiny minority of sufferers who suffered after birth (don't worry, everyone; this is very rare and it always goes when breast feeding stops: only about six people on these threads have had it). I found breast feeding when suffering made me incredibly dehydrated. Fortunately, it got a lot better, though the let down reflex always brought on mild nausea. But because of that, I gave up breast feeding my DD at five months. What I am getting at is, that you mustn't push yourself too hard. After two years, you really do not need to feel guilty at all.

That must have been very difficult @LucindaE 💐 I know we all appreciate your guidance and daily check ins- I certainly do. Mother hen is always here to check in with us. Thank you for sharing your experiences and caring about our journeys xx

@Puddlelane123 my daughter is suffering from HG at the moment and has moved back home with her toddler for the time being as the “smell” and associations of her flat make her sick and more nauseous than usual. She too was breastfeeding when she became pregnant and I helped her to night wean so she is still technically BFing as she’d like to tandem feed ideally or at least feel she BF until her little one wants to give up rather than making him stop as she’s so poorly. He currently is happy to have just one feed every few days. He often asks but is easily distracted by an ice lolly! She definitely found feeding increased nausea. But if you wanted to start up again later in the pregnancy relactating is often quite easy- and there are no risks to the unborn baby etc.

SnowWhite2020 Thank you for those kind words! Sufferers must not be too hard on themselves, about anything, because almost everyone else is being dismissive.
Isadora Good advice.

I agree @LucindaE which is probably why so many of us have described HG as isolating... such a shame and only makes a very difficult condition even harder to handle.

@Isadora2007 glad your daughter has moved in with you and hope that helps her to feel better. Xx

Good luck for your scan today @HGwarrior xx

Thanks for thinking of me @KatieFTM and so glad your scan went well and of course for the continued improvement

I am struggling lots at the minute and there isn't much let up. And screens are a bit of a nightmare so have been lying low! Thankfully DH is ok furlough after today and that will help, just being able to get some more rest. Have my NHS scan on Monday so looking forward to hopefully seeing a happy wriggler again.

Waves to everyone and also glad to see you have turned a corner @Pygmyseahorse

Thankyou ladies - really appreciate the advice. I have wondered myself if the breastfeeding makes matters worse nausea wise.

I am on day 2 (3?) of the cyclizine and unlike in my previous pregnancies that alone has stopped the constant vomiting, and today I have managed some cheese and crackers and some tinned peaches. In my previous pregnancies I was horrific even with the cyclizine and whilst I feel awful and am very weak I’m nowhere near as bad as I was with. So of course now panicking that the pregnancy is doomed and will be another miscarriage.

Will be lurking in the background and sending good thoughts out to you all. Thinking of you.

Hi all had my scan today meant to be 7 weeks baby so small couldn’t be measured possibly less than 6 weeks but a tiny flicker was observed I am back next week but hold out little hope, xo 💔

Good luck for Monday Herewegoagainx4.

Hope the meds help and you can think positive thoughts Puddlelane123.

Sorry you're feeling worried HGwarrior. I hope your scan next week brings some hope.

I have lost 2kg which isn't much in the scheme of things but worried me a bit so today I ate 2 hourly which included plain pasta and plain rice in margarine with peas. It seemed easier to eat than most other things I've been unsuccessfully trying to force down.

Bless you @HGwarrior, the anxiety about viability is awful isn’t it. I understand it totally. I know false hope can be just as unhelpful but the fact that the heartbeat was seen is a promising sign, and perhaps if you are a bit out on dates that might explain why you haven’t reached peak sickness yet?

Sympathies from afar and a virtual handhold.

HGWarrior I am sorry that they couldn't give you definite reassurance, but as Puddlelane says, that they found signs of a heartbeat was surely a good sign. Thinking of you.
Herewegoagainx4 Sorry you're struggling. All good wishes for the scan.
Puddlelane Congratulations on peaches. You're probably worrying unnecessarily. Some sufferers do amazingly find that they do not suffer equally in all pregnancies.
SnowWhite2020 I so agree about the isolation aspect.
Waves to ChatWithMe and everyone.

@HGwarrior I’m also sorry they couldn’t give you more reassurance. It does seem good that they saw a heart beat. Is it possible the dates are a little out? Xx

Hi everyone. First post on this group but have been watching for a while. I think I might be suffering from HG but without the sickness. The nausea is another level. There is no break in the day or night. Barely eating and even sipping water is a struggle.

I am 7 weeks and have an early scan tomorrow. I have been so teary lately. We had a missed miscarriage picked up on a 12 week scan Nov '19 and I felt the same in the weeks leading up to that. I think this is how my body reacts to pregnancy. I fear the same bad news tomorrow. I can't put my body through this again 😭