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.

I felt awful this morning again, but had to take my car to the garage for its MOT, luckily my parents are just round the corner, stopped at theirs while it was being done.
My mum's a bit of a DoTerra essential oil nut and immediately jumped on the which oil is best train, dabbed some peppermint and lemon oil across my jaw and put a drop in some hot water, and honestly, it worked. She gave me 2 slices of toast, managed to eat a slice and a half and when I threw up, I only threw up a tiny, tiny bit! It was incredible. Don't get me wrong, still got the horrible feeling like my stomach wants to explode on itself, but I have managed to keep down toast, plain pasta and now a cornetto. So that'll definitely be my routine for the coming weeks, just need to get rid of the horrible feeling too! I'm not a believer in oils generally, but it might work for some of you? 😊

Hi everyone

Sorry to read about everyone's struggles. I was on these threads a while back now and I have a 16 month old DD now. I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant and I honestly feel worse this time round than last. I'm struggling to eat anything and when I do, Im not keeping it down. Doctor prescribed me with some tablets beginning with M (they are downstairs and have a long name) although seemed effective yesterday and having no effect today. I'm loosing weight and the thought of food / any smell is making me so ill. Despite going through this last time, my DP is still not grasping the fact that I'm so poorly. It's so frustrating. Telling me to "just eat". I'm high risk anyway as I developed pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy too.

Eating wise, I've tried everything from what I fancy to plain foods to cuppa soups (which I'm struggling to keep down right now) think I'll be calling the doctor again on Monday. The first time I was prescribed ondansetron however I'm prone to constipation anyway and this was not a good mix. I'm thinking these are only going to be the tablets to get me functioning. I just don't want to balance movicol and ondansetron again! But can't continue like this either. I'm not being sick as many times as my last pregnancy but I constantly feel sick. It's like a terrible hangover 24/7. I can't remember the nausea being this bad last time

So sorry about your news HGwarrior 🙁

@LucindaE yep I’m on ondansetron. Sorry about slow reply-
was feeling too sick to come and talk about being sick haha
After doing some reading online,
I realised a lot of people have had trouble with the pregnancy vitamins I was taking because of the high levels of iron (elevit - I’m in Aus so don’t know what you guys have in the UK). I stopped taking that and switched to blackmores pregnancy gold instead and the difference is huge- means I can kind of function now. I was so sick on elevit (the most popular one here).

With the antacids, do people take that for the sick feeling and not just reflux type of symptoms? I am definitely going to ask my doctor about that because often my sick feeling is like acid just sitting there so maybe that would help?

I’m still feeling pretty rubbish and not optimistic it will improve to any degree a bit later on, but fingers and toes crossed.

I’ve been drinking ginger beer and am liking that. I wake up early and have an ondansetron pill half an hour before I have to get up and that helps with the mornings.

@RosieJess91 that is really interesting about the essential oils. Congratulations on the toast afterwards also! I think alternative therapies can be very powerful. My mum who also had terrible HG with pregnancies swears by acupuncture and reflexology and I think all of these things are worth experimenting with. So let us know if this continues to provide some relief for you.

@Anyat212 welcome back and congratulations on your new pregnancy! Let us know what the medication is once you get hold of the bottle, I can’t think off the top of my head which one it might be. I do know it can take up to 3 days for the medication to build up in your system and provide some relief but for sure if you are still really struggling, phone your GP on Monday. The constipation which goes with Ondansetron really is awful but for many the relief it provides is worth this horrible side affect... lactulose can also be quite effective instead of movicol. Perhaps worth trying if you decide to go back on it?

For me, I had intense nausea that caused me to lose weight and I was more or less bed bound and then the intense vomiting kicked in after 10 weeks... my sickness seemed to go through different phases over the weeks and changed in character. All very horrible and very strange. Much sympathy to you.

In terms of food- I found boiled pasta and a few cubes of cheese was something I could handle a few mouthfuls of and water melon was quite nice (also good for hydration). Crisps also good... I found eating very hard but it’s obviously so important you eat something. I’m sure others will be able to offer some suggestions.

Sorry also to hear about your OH being somewhat unsympathetic. Unfortunately a fairly common theme on here too.... again an hour in your shoes and they might get it... much sympathy. This only adds to the suffering and frustration that many HG sufferers feel.

@Moksi yes pregnancy vitamins can be very difficult to stomach and keep down. Great advice re: different brand. I’m so glad it has made a difference.

The antacids help with both the nausea and reflux. As you say, they are often linked anyway...

Great ginger beer is proving palatable :)

Love to everyone suffering this weekend xx

@Snowwhite2020 I feel horrendous today, but had a very, very early morning, so might be more to do with that! I was sick first thing, which does worry me as it was about 15 minutes after I took my heart medication and I'm not sure if I should have taken another tablet really.
As soon as I dabbed the oils on again, I did feel a bit better, stomach felt more settled but still unable to handle food, I then had a drop of peppermint in hot water and managed to keep down most of a croissant. So it's helping, just hope it lasts.
Interesting about the pasta, etc, that's all I've really been eating, lightly salted boiled pasta, easy to eat and I feel a bit better afterwards.

Thanks snowwhite

I'll stick to plain pasta as that did help, my DP has came back from shopping with some bits for me. I was eating babybels at one point but once I've been sick, it puts me off eating them again. I've got some cheese strings, don't think I've had one of them since school!

The tablets are Metoclopramide, if you are aware of those? I will stick to taking these for 3 days though, so hopefully they just need to get in my system properly.
I have laculose too but movicol was the only thing what worked when I was taking ondansetron. I have a lazy bowel anyway so pregnancy and those tablets really play havoc with my digestive system

Thanks for sharing that link below which sums up HG I've shared it with my DP.

Back!
Thanks so much for SnowWhite2020 for doing the thread so wonderfully in my absence. Great advice as ever. I hope you continue to feel OK yourself?
Welcome to RosieJess91 and welcome back to Anya2020. Jaysdream07 All luck with that meeting. Might discussing things with a counsellor help? If the surgery haven't suggested one, they ought to be able to help with that on Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020. If you leave a message, they will phone back with good advice.
I hope everyone is coping in this humid weather.

@RosieJess91 I’m sorry you had such a bad morning. I have found lack of sleep and any stress at all to exacerbate symptoms. I love you sleep well tonight.

@Anyat212 I don’t know much about that med. Perhaps @LucindaE knows more? I hope after the 3 days things do improve and if not, there are lots of options to definitely phone GP back. I’m also glad the link has been passed on- I hope it helps :)

Welcome back @LucindaE! We have missed you xx

@RosieJess91 *i hope not I love... haha hope that gave you a laugh!

@LucindaE I had a pretty bad vomiting session 2 nights ago out of the blue and have been fine since... strange things continue to happen even at 25 weeks! Again, still feeling so much better than earlier times- night and day in fact xx

Hi to all the new ladies joining! Bittersweet as this group is a great source of support, but it is horrible you are suffering with HG.

I feel like an example for things improving- I know it is different for everyone, but on the whole I think things do get better. I'm 20 weeks and tending to keep much more down (food and drink, and even have some cravings)- but the shortness of breath is something else.

For anyone struggling with food I tried some salted peanuts as the salt can take the edge of the nausea away and the nut provides some protein.

Much love and support for you all xxx

Hi guys just wanted to check in. I hope you're all well. Hugs to all. I thought I was doing okay for 2-3 days. I stopped taking cetirizine since the night I took it and puked badly within 20 minutes. Thought I was doing okay. But I felt really nauseous in my sleep and woke up vomiting at 3-5am last night. I have a 3 year old and honestly she's so supportive she come to hold my hand whilst I'm being sick. I feel guilty since I feel like I'm neglecting her. I've taken cetirizine during the day and have slept but have a headache. Not been able to eat much today. I'm nearly 12 weeks and have a terrible stomach ache for the past 2 days. I find myself praying to God to either kill me or make my vomit stop. Vomiting is really scary. I know I don't mean it. Just wanted to put that out there just in case anyone else is struggling. You don't have to comment. I just wanted to share how I feel. I havent been taking folic acid for a few days either. The only thing that may have triggered this is I didn't rest yesterday afternoon as I normally do. I normally nap. Also had walkers ready salted crisps which were oily. That might have done it. I find the baked crisps work well. Hopefully this too shall pass.

@faithfulbird sorry to hear of your relapse :( this happened to me many times after 2-3 days feeling okay and nighttime sickness was just awful!
I found that I needed to eat what I could on the good days (original Pringles helped a lot) and just ride the bad days out, sorry this doesn’t seem helpful advice but just know that the okay days will return. I stopped having relapses about 15 weeks and now I seem to just have one off violent vomit attacks if I get too hot, hungry or stressed.
Ice pops was another favourite of mine.
@Seeker2020 really glad to hear you are feeling better. I second the salted nuts, I used to nibble on them as well to fend off nausea x

Thank You @KatieFTM

@faithfulbird I’m so sorry to hear you are feeling this way. It is so so hard... the relentless nature of the nausea alone was what really got to me and it can feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel when you are suffering so badly. It sounds like you definitely still need to be taking the meds. Do keep in touch with the GP because it may be that your sickness patterns change rather than go away from here for another bit but hopefully it is a good sign that you had 2-3 days of feeling a bit better. I hope this means that more relief is on the horizon for you in the weeks to come.

Night time nausea and sickness I’d just the worst. I suffered from this for most of the first 16 weeks and it is so grim. So so Much sympathy. Your daughter sounds just lovely looking after you... I suppose these are the things to try to focus on when you are finding things so tough.

How have you been tonight? Have you managed to eat a little more?

@KatieFTM glad to hear you are feeling so much better! I so agree about tiredness and stress or heat leading to vomit attacks- it is the same with me but I otherwise feel quite well now! It seems you can never push it with HG tho...

Love to all xx

Hello HG warriors! Hats off to you all and sending much love. I have had a look through the thread although not all of it I must confess...
Feel a little nervous saying hello as I'm definitely not the worst case but could really do with some advice if you can...
Doctor put HG in my notes and I've been signed off work for a nearly a month now. Made it to 15.5 weeks. I'm on cyclizine which thankfully did help slow the sickness (I know it doesn't touch sides for some). But side effects tough - drowsey/fainty. Thing is I still feel very nauseous all the time and unable to eat/drink much. Aversions have been massively strong - not been in kitchen for weeks and can't do anything hot. Been in bed for 5-6 weeks so weak and exhausted.
Did PSS web chat today (thoroughly recommend) and they said that the treatment shouldn't stop just because sickness has improved - that nausea can still be debilitating and I require further treatment...
I'm just so weak and nervous calling the doctor again tomorrow when last time he said he didn't want to prescribe anything further.
I think my question is what have you have added to cyclizine to help further? Or any other tips for this situation. I've read up about Xonvea and Ondansetron so I think I'll mention those just very uncertain.

Doesn't help my mental health has plummeted in recent days.

Thanks for understanding and honestly I really do appreciate I'm a luckier one to have less actual sickness now. X

Thanks @Snowwhite2020 I’m exactly the same. Sometimes it takes me by complete surprise, but I feel incredibly lucky to generally be able to function as a human being so just take it as a warning sign to take it easy.
Glad you are also feeling better.
Sending hugs to you all and hope you get some relief soon xxx

EmBrum Welcome. As you have read through the thread, I don't need to come out with my 'do you find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit any good' and 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals take them seriously'. But the tip about anti acids helpiing both nausea and vomiting might be useful?
Several people on the thread have been helped by the new drug Xonvea and many have been helped by Ondansetron. Do ask for a laxative with the latter...I so agree about Pregnancy Sickness Support being excellent. I hope they can come up with a treatment plan that really helps the nausea, which is exhausting.
Anya Metaclopramide has helped many on here. I hope it helps you a lot.
faithfulbird I am sorry you had a relapse. As Snowwhite2020 says, a few good days are so often a sign of a general imrovement to come. Baked crisps sound a good idea. Oddly, sometimes greasy food can help, though you may be right about the Walker's crisps. I so agree with her too, that your daughter sounds adorable.
Seeker2020 I am so glad you feel a bit better at 20 weeks. Salted peanuts sound a good idea.
KatieFTM Good advice.
Excellent advice from Snowwhite2020 - sorry to hear about that vomiting session -- and everyone. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hey all

Sorry I haven't been keeping in touch much

I have a few good days where my appetite is back and I can eat and drink and sort of feel normal again? and not throw up then like today I have bad days again where I am just throwing up everything all day and night...

Is this a good sign?

When did hyperemesis ease off for majority? Or if I didn't at all

I'm hoping this is a good sign and that soon things will look better for me as I'm feeling completely miserable but grateful that I have some good days now! Which I never saw come for a good while.

I also had my scan yesterday and found out I'm 13 weeks and not 12 so I guess that's a good thing to!

Sending so much love and well wishes to everyone I hope we all be okay soon xxxx

Thanks Lucinda and snowwhite for your help.

I've had a rough few days, doctor ive spoke to today has prescribed Prochloreazine. Has anyone had any experience with these? Another medication I've never heard of and dissolves on your gum which I'm happy about. Doctor did say if these don't work I'll be admitted into hospital, so praying these work. I've barely ate anything the past few days and I've lost nearly 7 pounds in 17 days. Before I fell pregnant I bought some digital scales which connect to an app on your phone, I'm so glad I bought these now as I'm able to show the doctor (as evidence I guess) that I'm loosing significant weight. I wasn't taken seriously in my first pregnancy so they at least seem more on the ball this time. It hasn't been dismissed as "morning sickness" which is a relief. Hoping I met my consultant soon though.

Hope everyone is coping today

mia22221 I am glad that you are getting good days, even if they are followed by bad days - that is so often a sign of improvement on the way. Most people find that they improve between 14-21 weeks, as this typically unfortunately lasts longer than normal pregnancy sickness, and even that very often doesn't stop at the supposedly magical 12 weeks but goes on to 14 or even 16 weeks. Even those unlucky women who suffer from Hyperemesis throughout, rarely suffer as much later on as in those dreadful early weeks. Remind me what meds are you on?
Anya Poor you. Prochlorperazine is a drug I find really useful with the vomiting with migraines, but I didn't have it with Hyperemesis. It has helped a lot of sufferers on here. That is a big weight loss over a few weeks, and I am glad that they are taking it seriously as they didn''t in your first. Remind me what you said about Ondansetron?
Waves to Snowwhite2020 and everyone. Not so hot and oppressive these last few days, at least.

Lucinda that's interesting that they are useful for vomiting in migraines. Ondansetron I was a little nervous about taking it as I have a lazy bowel anyway and even with movicol (or lactulose) it was proven very difficult last time and I was impacted a few times. However, I have said to both doctors that Ondansetron helped last time but neither have prescribed it. I'm unsure why, but if I remember rightly from the older threads wasn't there a discussion around doctors being hesitant to prescribe due to costs? I've read online too that there is a small risk when taking this under 12 weeks. I'm 8 weeks at the moment but don't remember seeing any information like that in my first pregnancy? Ondansetron was the first medication I was given at 7 weeks last time too. I think I may need to be firmer but I was being physically sick a lot more in the first pregnancy. This time it's around 2/3 times per day but the constant nausea is making it impossible to eat and when I do, I tend to vomit.

Going to try and get some rest and see how I feel tomorrow. I really don't want to be admitted to hospital though.

@LucindaE

Hiya

Aw right okay, I have mostly bad days then a few good days pop up so hopefully I get better in the next few weeks I'm 13 weeks now but not holding on to anything as this horrible thing is so unpredictable

I'm currently on ondansetron, but for the past few days I have just been throwing up and not keeping anything down even whilst taking it which I guess is common I think as that's what has been happening since I was 6 weeks

Hoping there's some hope at the end of the tunnel as every day is a battle

Hope you are well and thanks for always supporting me as well as everyone else who takes the time out to reply to me and I hope you all are getting through this to x

Hugs for you all ladies. I am reading when I can but I struggle with screens.

I am at such a low point. Only 8 weeks in and I just see all these weeks of sickness stretching ahead of me and I just don’t know how i will get through it. It is ruining my children’s summer as I am bedbound and this week is only manageable because my husband has annual leave. I feel such guilt because when my children run to hug or kiss me the smell of them makes me gag and vomit. I can’t bear it when they touch me or cuddle me as I find any touch exacerbates the sickness. They are too young to understand and must feel so rejected. Husband is good with the practical stuff thankfully but sadly doesn’t get the emotional toll that hyperemesis takes and isn’t the most sympathetic of types to illness in general which is tough. I just feel so alone.

Sorry for burdening you all when you have such challenges of your own to face. I just know that of anyone you will understand.

Sorry to hear the below puddlelane I just wanted to say I can really relate to how you feel. Especially around the smells, I'm the same with my DD. I feel terrible for gagging / holding my breathe when she comes and sits on me / cuddles me.

Snowwhite shared a good link below conscious you may not have seen with you mentioning about screens.

sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos//faqs

I think it sums the whole thing up really well and have shared it with my DP and mother in law. Could be worth sharing with your DP?