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.

@Bearcub01 is ask for a different tablet. Last time I was pregnant it didn't completely stop the sickness but I was able to get up and go to work etc. I'm on stemitil now and I'm giving that til Monday to get into my system. If it doesn't work I'm going back to the dr though. As far as I'm aware there lots of different medication on offer. It really is a horrid thing to have and until someone's had it I don't think anyone can truly understand the horror of it.

Anya Sorry you had to be admitted; I am so glad you enjoyed the sandwich, but my goodness, hospital food being what it is, it is certainly a comment on how dismal Hyperemesis is!
Bearcub and doritodiva I so agree with others; do ask for other meds.
FluffyPurpleSlippers Congratulations on sole childcare. I do hope the orange juice does the trick. I am glad you don't find it too acidic.
SnowWhite2020 I hope all is now well with you...
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

How is everyone today?

@Pygmyseahorse how have you been keeping hun?

Xx

Thanks everyone.

I was discharged last night with cyclizine, surprised as it didn't work in my first pregnancy. I haven't been physically sick since I was in hospital on Thursday night. The nausea is on another level today though, I've literally been on my sofa all day unable to move. I'm hoping I just need to get these meds properly in my system.

I had a scan yesterday too and they've noticed a bleed outside of the sack. I've been reassured it's nothing to worry about but has anyone else had this before? I've been given some pessarys which help with hormones and make sure the baby is firmly in place. Apparently women who have IVF are given this, so I'm thinking they may be worried there could be a chance it could be a ectopic pregnancy? Just with them saying it helps baby stay in place. Wish I clarified at the time but felt a little out of it. Luckily I have my booking appointment next week. They told me baby is looking fine though and I'm exactly as far along as I thought! (8 weeks 6 days) I felt like a wizard haha!

I just wanted to share this link too for people struggling with smells. It's very gingery / mint smelling but it certainly gets my nose going when I smell it. It is pricey for what it is, but thought I'd share as I can't deal with perfumes at the moment.

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/blendedtherapies/product/mumtoobesickkstop_

Oops direct link doesn't want to work - it's called Mum To Be Sick Stop!

Anya Sorry to hear of that piece of stress: I think it would be obvious if it was an ectopic pregnancy by now, and while my experience is very out of date - I think they would be very concerned about one of those? I am glad they are giving you a hormonal boost. I have heard vaguely about those non threatening types of bleeds. That sounds like a good link.
Snowwhite2020 I will join you in that. I have been wondering about pygmyseahorse

I hope how quiet this thread is at the moment is a good sign, not a bad one!

@LucindaE nothing bad to report from me today. Just the standard nausea but no vomiting. Managed a little bit of painting in the house even- feel like super woman! Hope all is well with you xx

I think my tablets are kicking in. Mornings are worse where I feel queasy but nowhere near as bad as I have been. I did read the info leaflet which said these tablets can't be used in the last trimester. I've got an appointment on Friday to discuss the tablets and how I'm feeling. I feel like a new person to be honest. I have more of an appetite on an evening and just eat loads then. Hoping I don't get worse. Last time I was bad around 12-14 week mark. But I also wasn't on any medication. I'm only 7 weeks today. Maybe my dates are wrong? I'm not sure. Seems so early to be so poorly.

Hello ladies. Still struggling on here at almost 9 weeks. On the cyclizine still but am going to ask GP for something stronger as I am still unable to keep any food down and have lost about 8kgs. I’m constantly in tears which I think is at least partly down to malnutrition. I feel so weak and lacking in energy and with two boisterous children I am barely getting through the day. I keep hoping Ondansetron will be the wonder drug that will transform things for me, but have held off so far. I can’t even think how I will manage with the school runs (an hour drive) when they start up in September.

Hugs to everyone in solidarity.
@Anyat212 they won’t be concerned about ectopic as it sounds like they have verified the location of the pregnancy in the uterus so please put that worry out of your mind. The bit of bleeding seen next to this may well be a subchorionic haemotoma which is suprisingly common and usually gets reabsorbed as the pregnancy progresses. I am guessing they prescribed you with progesterone pessaries (cyclogest?) which is often given to ladies who have conceived after IVF and / or with bleeding in pregnancy.

Thinking of you all.

@doritodiva I’m glad you are feeling a bit better and that the meds have kicked in. If you find you do need something stronger over the next few weeks, definitely get back in touch with GP. Unfortunately 7 weeks is not too early to be pretty seriously ill with HG- I know I was. But congratulations on another milestone- 7 weeks is a lifetime.

@Puddlelane123 I’m sorry you’re feeling so awful. I was also in tears many times with exhaustion/ weakness. For sure phone the Gp and discuss- or the midwife- whoever you feel is more helpful. It’s really important you are able to eat and that sounds like a lot of weight to have lost. I would definitely emphasise this on the phone. They may also want to check your urine which seems like it might be sensible for dehydration and ketones. Let us know how you get on.

@Anyat212 sorry to hear about your scare. I agree with others that if you had a exotic pregnancy- they would have notified you by now. If you are really worried tho you could always phone up or reassurance- this is the last thing you need worrying you when you also have HG to contend with. I hope things get better.

Love to all xx

Sorry to jump on here - I don't have hyperemesis just pretty bad morning sickness. I haven't thrown up today (yet) but wasn't able to keep anything down yesterday.

Im worried about dehydration. I've been for a wee once in the last 24 hours. I have managed to have two glasses of water today now (slowly).

When did you guys worry about this/ know you needed medical help? Worried about bothering gp as they will likely say 'keep drinking water'.

I'm lethargic, weak, feel lightheaded standing up, having infrequent heart palpitations (but could be anaemia, haven't had bloodwork back).

I'm 8 weeks and have lost 4 lbs (5% of my weight would be 7 ish lbs).

When is struggling through not a good idea? When did you know you needed help?

*ectopic..... another classic snowwhite typo. Apologies xx

@physicskate you mention enough worrying symptoms there that it is worth phoning the GP as of today I’d say. There are no medals for struggling through with this and they might be more concerned than you think if you lost everything you just have here. I think a urine test sounds sensible for dehydration as a minimum but you may want to have a talk about meds. Good luck and we’re here if you need support xx

Thanks snowwhite puddlelane and lucinda I think you are all right I'd just never heard of anything like it. I had a little look online too and as You say Puddle, it does seem to be common a lot of people don't realise they have it and is gone by the time they have their usual 12 week scan.

@Puddlelane123 I spoke to the one of the midwives today about medication as I've been feeling terrible since leaving hospital. They've put me on 3 different medications (all the meds I've been prescribed) and I'm feeling better than this morning. With your dosage of cyclizine is it 1 every 8 hours? That's what mine was and its too long of a gap for me meaning I'm still sick every time I eat. I've just had dinner rotating my meds and I've managed to keep the food down. You may need a combination.

Hope you're feeling okay today @Snowwhite2020

physickate Welcome. Generally, I can only echo Snowwhite2020's words. I am not sure that you don't have Hyperemesis, as with normal pregnancy sickness, there is meant to be very little weight loss. I so agree with others, do go to the doctors to be checked and very likely they will offer meds. It is worth investing in some kesostix from a chemists (or online ) besides to check for ketones in your urine. While they aren't the best test of dehydration, the measurements are taken seriously by hospitals as a guide as to whether you need rehydrating. Below you will find various suggestions about drinks and some foods that might help. Do you find full sugar, flat coke, ice lollies or the juice of tinned fruit any good? A good anti acid can help as well. Do let us know how you get on.
Puddlelane123 Do ask for other meds, I so agree with others.
doritadiva So glad the meds are helping. Unluckily, I think when the sickness can strike varies between pregnancies.

Anya I am glad you have found reassurance.
SnowWhite2020 Congratulations on painting. That is brave, as the scent of new paint can be a real trigger. It is also exhausting!
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi ladies, please don't underestimate the value of a good anti acid....for me, it's been the lifeline I needed. Really hope the ease up in mugginess is providing some relief. Xxx

Just checking in, since I started taking Prochlorperazine I have been feeling much, much better. Able to keep down a lot more than I used to. There is still the odd bout of sickness, and although I wake up every morning groggy and leaning over the sink feeling like I'm about to throw my guts up, I don't. I seem to only have actual sickness every other day now. Which wasn't great today, as it suddenly hit me while I was walking across a car park, with about 5 other people around me. My other half waved them all off with remarks about horrendous morning sickness and I got a few comments about being a poor dear. Embarrassing.
I've found sucking on Orange flavoured lolly pops really help as well. But not orange flavoured drinks, not good.
My GP reckons I could be so bad because I'm taking so many tablets first thing, but unfortunately I'll have to struggle through as I can't stop taking any of them...
Anyone have any good tips for sore backs, leaning over all the time is becoming painful!
Also, does anyone else suffer with any heart conditions as well as HG? Just wondered if someone else was finding beta blockers a problem, maybe my GP is correct?

Seeker2020 I second your words about the anti acid! You are right about the end of the muginess. Up here the gusts are incredible.
RosieJess I am glad the tablets are helping. embarrasing about the Public Puking episode. I hope someone can advise you about the other meds and beta blockers; I honestly don't know about those. About the back problems, a Chriropractor or an Osteopath can do wonders, but are so expensive. Physiotherapy can help a lot, if it's running at the moment...

Hi, hope you don't mind me jumping on. 8 weeks with DC3 here. Had sickness every day with my last two but was able to function despite feeling terrible 24/7. This time it's absolutely floored me. I've reached out to my gp and am working my way through the 'list' of meds. Now on prochlorperazine after trying phenergan and cyclizine but feeling worse each day! Just curious about the anti-acid (I'll try anything!). Which would you recommend?

Hi @Cmini- I tried the OTC stuff first (gaviscon and Tums) as my GP suggested but eventually got the ok to take Omeprazole. It's fairly frequently prescribed and studies show it's safe for pregnancy. I honestly don't know what I would be doing without it. Hope it works for you x

Hi ladies, still feeling horrific at just over 9 weeks. Cyclizine and Prochlorpromazine have done nothing for me sadly so am now trialling metaclopromide. So far its left me zombiefied but not really made a dent on the nausea and vomiting. I find the days and weeks drag terribly. What sort of functioning shld I be aiming for with a medication? So far I’m pretty much bedbound, vomit as soon as I stand up and can only clean myself with wet wipes etc as showers and baths make me sick. I’m getting so fed up now and hate feeling so physically weak. I get so breathless and faint when mobilising. Will ondansetron and / or steroids transform things enough for me to get me back to normal daily life?

Also shall I ask for omeprazole even though I have no acid symptoms?

@Puddlelane123, your experience sounds similar to mine. Once I did find a med that worked the actual vomiting went down a lot, to maybe 3-5 times a day, and I could eat a little (mostly crumpets) but I was nowhere near normal functioning unfortunately. I was bedbound until about 12 weeks, but it did allow me to slowly rehydrate and get enough calories, plus take the odd shower (sitting down!)

My heart goes out to you, you're at the worst point basically, but hopefully will be over the peak soon.

I'm now 23 weeks and thought I could come off meds but the past 3 days have been shaky again :( I feel bad complaining because I'm a million times better, back at work etc, but I find it so hard when I think I'm done feeling sick and then it hits me again. Anyone have any positive 3rd trimester stories for me?!

@Puddlelane123 so sorry you are feeling so terrible. I can totally relate. The warmth from the shower did not agree with me either!
I didn’t make it onto the infamous Ondansetron, but by the time I got to my 3rd set of meds I was 13 weeks, so I’m not sure if mine was a timing issue or the meds really working.
Hang in there and try to take each day as it comes. The weeks feel long but I promise it does get easier 💙
@littledice I am also 23 weeks, can function almost normally, but the humidity last week floored me and I had nausea and sickness again for a good few days which really got me down. I just try to enjoy my good days now and when I don’t feel great remind myself that at least I don’t feel like this 24/7.
Also scared of what the 3rd trimester might bring, but trying to remain hopeful 🤞🏻