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.

Cmini Welcome. I am sorry you are suffering so badly, but glad that they are trying different meds for you. I hope they find one that works soon. I hope that you get help with the LO's, as rest is as important as medication in dealing with the symptoms. Here is my usual spiel: 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: 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, apple juice, and Robinson's fruit drinks. Foods of a sort include tinned fruit, cuppa soup, nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, Scotch pancakes, bagels, slices of melon and mango, grated cheese, baked potatoes, grated cheese and biscuits.
Someone recommended a wonderful drink, recently, which I said I would add to the list and - stupid Mother Hen! - I've lost the reference!
Puddlelane Sorry you feel so bad. As others say, you are at your worst around this time. It sounds like a good idea to ask for both , and a laxative to help with the hateful side effect of constipation.
Great advice from Seeker2020 littledice and Katieftm. I am glad you are both feeling a bit better. On that, it certainly isn't humid any more. It felt positively autumnal here in Wales today.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored. We haven't heard from IAmSeriousAndDon'tCallMeShirely' for a long time, and others. I hope Snowwhite2020* is OK.

Thanks@LucindaE and @Snowwhite2020. I'm sorry I haven't been in here but thinking of all of you. I went for my first scan and it gave me some hope seeing baby was healthy as I had a miscarriage before. I also lost some weight around 5kg and have put about 2kg back on ( for some reason I've been able to stomach a cheese and chicken panini). The layer of bread around the chicken helps the nausea. It's like some sort of padding in my stomach. Obviously I would have gagged if I made it myself but got a ready made one. But I can only have small amounts otherwise back to vomiting.I'm currently 14 weeks.

Although feeling a little better the nausea and vomiting is a bit less so youre right @Snowwhite2020 my patterns might change. The only thing that has given me a kick up the backside is my daughter starts nursery soon and I didn't even get her uniform. The panick gave me some sort of courage. However, I do find if I do too much work or don't sleep enough I am back to vomiting and nausea.

I managed to cook some vegetable rice yesterday however managed to vomit right after so yes the nausea is still there.

The worst thing that has happened is 2 days ago my tooth broke like crumbled away...I think it's from the acid from vomiting. Rang my dentist and said they've deregistered me as I had missed 2 appointments. I don't think anyone's taking on new patients amongst the current pandemic. Guys please make sure you rinse your mouth with water after vomiting. I honestly can't believe I've lost a tooth.

I'm still waiting on my keto sticks. I hope they arrive soon. Also have panicked as I haven't taken my folic acid regularly due to vomiting. If I swallow it with some food it manages to stay down.

@faithfulbird- I'm so sorry you had such an awful experience and lost a tooth! But great news that you've managed to eat and are gaining some weight back. Slow and steady, that's the name of the HG game.

You should be able to register with a new dentist as all pregnant women should get dental care.

Same happened to me in my last pregnancy with my tooth!! Again I blame the acid!

Another one here worried about folic acid - I manage to keep it down about once every 5 days. More to worry about!

faiithfulbird I am glad things are a small bit better and I hope they improve a lot more. I am glad you are able to eat a bit.That is awful abot the tooth. Did the dentists know that you are pregnant and have Hyperemesis and still re-registered you? I so agree with Seeker2020 the NHS has to look after your teeth in pregnancy.
Puddlelane123 How horrible about your breaking a tooth too. I suspect you and faithfulbird are worrying too much about the folic acid, which is prescribed just to be extra safe. Most sufferers aren't able to take their vitamins consistently.
Waves to Seeker2020 and everyone. I hope everyone is OK.

Still autumnal, which must come as a relief to everyone.
SnowWhite2020 It is not like you to be so quiet. I hope you are OK?
IAmSeriousAndDon'tCallMeShireley We haven't heard from you in a long while.

Hello, new to the thread but so nice to read comments from people who understand how I feel. If another person tells me to try a ginger biscuit I’m going to be going down for murder!

This is my third pregnancy, first was my son, now 2.5, second was a MMC at 9 weeks and now 10+5 with a scan tomorrow morning and have everything crossed.

Had HG with my son, and all very similar this time around. Sick several times a day and nauseous 24/7, it is waking me up at 4am most nights too, which I didn’t have with my son.

Just feel there is no relief, I tried accupuncture and it just made things worse. 😱🙈

Dreading back to work on Tuesday (Secondary teacher) as really don’t want to be sick in front of students. I struggle to get through the day at home when I can sleep/lay down when I need to, and that’s with taking cyclizine.

I was prescribed ondanstron with my second pregnancy but as this ended in miscarriage I am scared of taking it again. There is prob no link at all but it’s just a mental block for me.

Hope you are all getting some relief, any tips on things that might work?

Just popping my head in very briefly to say hi to LucindaE and send my best wishes to all of the ladies on this thread. It’s been four years since this thread was a lifeline for me - I have just suggested a fellow HG mum to be joins so wanted to check it was still running. As I say to others I don’t think people realise how horrible HG is and only those who have suffered it understand. It is not normal pregnancy sickness and no, a ginger biscuit will not help (I still cannot eat ginger biscuits). I don’t have much to add to Lucinda’s very helpful and wonderful advice but will say that first cup of tea and slice of toast after birth is amazing - although in my case I was still sick for a few hours after having my daughter but then the fog lifted and it was wonderful. Everyone told me how amazing I looked considering I had a newborn and just 2 year old and getting such little sleep but that’s how rough HG makes you look and feel. Good luck to you all. It really is worth it but I remember feeling like I was in a very dark place at times.

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have not been online much this week. I have been in for quite a lot of tests after discovering my baby is actually very large! The baby is healthy though and so am I- we are just now having conversations about managing the rest of the pregnancy and the birth. I am grateful for scans etc to be able to pick these things up. I am not a tall/ big person at all and the baby s head is over the 97th percentile, as is it’s weight/ over all size. Just goes to show you that babies will still take the nutrients they need regardless of how ill the mummy is with HG!

Anyway, a bit of a week but I’m sure I’ll be back on the map soon once this has all sunk in a bit.

Love to all xx

I had another phone appointment with my dr regarding stemitil yesterday. He has prescribed it again for another week or so but wants me to book an appointment for everytime I need another prescription. He said he wants to monitor it. He said stemitil is safe to take during pregnancy but said that the drug is still going into me and baby so we will have to discuss weaning me off it eventually. Has anyone heard about this? I do seem worse in a morning and though I haven't actually been sick I'm still feeling rough on a morning and sometimes heaving even though nothing comes up. Back to work next week so worried about that. I feel much better on an afternoon. Not sure whether that's because I've had two tablets by then though. I do take one before bed. I also wake up earlier than normal and have a tablet before getting up.
Hope everyone is doing ok

PhotoMum4 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering badly. I am sorry to hear of your miscarriage. I personally I never heard of any connection between Ondansetron and miscarriage - I think you were just unlucky, but it might be worth talking to the doctor for reassurance. What you do need with Ondansetron, though, is a laxative, as I am sure you remember. You are at the worst stage now, being round 10 weeks. It is being a bit ambitious to think of going back to work just yet; could you get a sick note or at least a staggered return as teaching is so exhausting, and as you say, you would rather avoid being sick in front of the class. As you are a veteran, you don't need my 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'do you find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit any good' and 'a good anti acid can make all the difference' spiel. Most sufferers find that there is an improvement at some point between 14 and 21 weeks. Was that your experience last time, sorry, I seemed to miss that bit?
SleepymrsE Lovely to hear from you, and thank you for your kind words. Amazing - baby must be four! Thank you for your encouragement to others.
SnowWhite2020 Goodness, that is a big baby. As you say, it just goes to show that they are efficient parasites, whether the mother is suffering and losing weight or not. I am glad that the tests are reassuring and I am so glad things are OK.
Doritodiva I think some doctors get more anxious about meds than others. Obviously, he is just being extra safe. Can you do a staggered return to work if you don't feel properly improved yet?
Waves to all. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

I'm suffering badly - currently in hospital with IV meds (4 different types). Been here since Friday. I'm 6 weeks plus5.
I'm in a v bad place emotionally and physically.
Also I've had 6 bags of fluids since my admission and still showing 3+ for ketones.
Ladies please tell me your experiences got better by 2nd trimester.

@LucindaE thanks for your reply. Can't really do a staggered start going from when my kids arrive sadly. I've woke up this morning with no sickness or nausea. Even whilst taking the tablets I've still felt sick but I've had nothing today. This whole pregnancy I've thought the worst and now im thinking it again. Nothing I can do if the worst has happened. Now I'm wondering whether the stemitil is truly in my system?

@LouJ85 mine did slightly ease off in the second trimester and the tablets had kicked in. It's truly horrendous. Just try and rest as much as you can xx

@LouJ85 sorry to hear you are suffering so badly. Is this your first baby? I hope the hospital stay and IVs will help you. No doubt you are feeling bad emotionally and physically. HG is hellish. Try to relax and let the IV and meds help you whilst you are in hospital. Do you have a plan for meds and rest once out of hospital? I am sure the doctors will be speaking to you about this and it is vital that you do, especially as you have suffered so badly so far.

Things did get better for me in the second trimester- tho more towards the last 2/3rds of it. My sickness patterns changed over that period and I was actually more physically sick as time went on, which was strange but did provide temporary reprieve in a sense. Admittedly this is with a lot of rest and meds tho.

@doritodiva try not to worry- it could well be the meds are just finally doing their job. With HG we are in the horrible position of either feeling horrendous or worrying that feeling comparatively well is a bad sign... try to relax and if you really want to test it, make a coffee and stick about to smell it... that was always my “test” and I never passed it!!!

Love to you both xx

Louj85 Welcome. Sorry that you are suffering badly. That is a lot of ketones after so many bags of fluids. Most people do find a definite relief in the second tri. It is very hard to bear. I hope they find a regime of meds that helps. Do keep in touch. There are all sorts of tips on this thread about how to cope, and ex-sufferers with their babies often call in to tell everyone that dreadful as it is, it is all worth it in the end.Try and take it a day at a time. 'This Too Must Pass'.
SnowWhite2020 Great advice as ever.
Doritodiva I can't improve on SnowWhite2020's advice. It is almost certainly the meds helping and with hopefully returnng to work won't be as bad as you dreaded.
Waves to all. I can't believe how chilly it is. Excuse me, is it still really August? This feels like October.

@LucindaE thank you for your reply, I am determined to give work a go at least. The first 2 days this week will be INSET so no kids and will see how I manage. I’m the only teacher in my department and my Y11 and Y13 are so far behind after lockdown, I really need to get them going on the practical exam work while we can.

I am hoping for some relief soon, but I was sick until the day my son was born so not holding out much hope for it going away. 😱😳

Thank you both @LucindaE and @Snowwhite2020 I'm just worrying all the time with this pregnancy. Woke up feeling sick this morning. So think you're both right with the meds.

Fellow teachers, you have my sympathy. Absolutely dreading going back tomorrow. Really don't know how I'm going to do it. However, after a very frank discussion with the gp last week I did contact school explaining that I really wanted to work but wasn't sure that I'd physically be able to! They've been so supportive. I've got a meeting with my line manager first thing, who's discussed possible scenarios for reduced hours with the head so I'm hoping we can work something out and if it proves to be too much then at least I've tried and warned them. Please talk to your schools-don't suffer in silence!

I am feeling worse and worse the last couple of days, from around 6pm last night I couldn’t bare to move for fear of being sick again. Woke up at 5 this morning threw up and then managed to keep some toast down. The cyclizine doesn’t seem to be doing much anymore, where as before it took the edge off enough that I could be sitting upright or standing for a short period of time.

Supposed to be going to see family today 🤢🙈 wish me luck!

@Cmini

Fellow teachers, you have my sympathy. Absolutely dreading going back tomorrow. Really don't know how I'm going to do it. However, after a very frank discussion with the gp last week I did contact school explaining that I really wanted to work but wasn't sure that I'd physically be able to! They've been so supportive. I've got a meeting with my line manager first thing, who's discussed possible scenarios for reduced hours with the head so I'm hoping we can work something out and if it proves to be too much then at least I've tried and warned them. Please talk to your schools-don't suffer in silence!

I am going to aim to speak to the HR person at school tomorrow morning, got to get there first though. Car journeys aren’t exactly pleasant.

Are you primary or secondary teacher?

@PhotoMum4 Middle, so 9-13. Operates like a secondary largely but, being smaller than your average secondary, we do have that close relationship with our SLT, which certainly helps. That sounds much worse than me at the moment and I'm struggling to contemplate going in tomorrow. Definitely speak to HR and please don't feel bad if you can't make it in tomorrow.

Hi,
I'm 7 weeks and have already had one hospital visit on Friday night for IV fluids and anti sickness.
I did not feel like this with my previous pregnancy so is all new to me. I can't belive how rough I feel.
I was sent home with Cyclizine so am currently taking those 3 times a day, and although I feel better than I did, still not right.

Can I ask.....should I be trying to force myself to eat, even though I know it will come back up? I feel so bad that I'm no taking in much, if anything at all at the moment.
I managed to keep down a digestive biscuit and a scotch pancake yesterday, but was still sick before I went to bed.

@AlbertCookie

Firstly Congrats! You are able to take combinations of meds if you find the Cyclizine isn't working properly on its own. It doesn't sound like it and that alone doesn't help me either. I'm on three meds atm and I'm 10 weeks. So that's an option to consider maybe speak to your GP / midwife about increasing meds? Please don't think that because they've given you cyclizine from the hospital that's it - because it's not!

I was the same with food, I know it's easy to say but try not to worry about the baby. They take everything they need from you even if you aren't eating much. Is there anything little you can eat what helps rather than force feeding yourself? I say that as when I've done that in the past I'm definitely sick. I try to act quickly on what I fancy, which isn't easy at times but find when I do I keep food down. I sent DP out with a list of snack things I fancied and that's helped too. I also find eating something over the space of an hour (or two!) really helps as I'll eat abit, put it to one side and then eat some more etc. Eventually I'll have ate a meal doing it that way.

I've been really quiet on here I'm suffering bad with constipation again. My sickness is calming down (I'm sick once a day now) but I had a really brutal sick this morning. I can literally feel every muscle in my stomach turning inside out. Just awful. I'm praying I'm through the peak although appreciate it may be a little early at 10 weeks.

Sending my love / hugs to you all

Hi all. I hope it is okay to post. I had horrendous HG in my first pregnancy and it was really quite traumatic as I'm sure you ladies can relate to.

My first pregnancy was 9 years ago and until recently I didn't feel brave enough to try again but it was now or never so I decided to go for it. I am 6 weeks pregnant tomorrow and while so excited, I am also so apprehensive about the next few weeks. One thing that is plaguing me is I can't remember what week my HG started last time. At the moment I am feeling almost completely fine but I go back to work this week (I work in a school) and start a degree at the end of September and I am so nervous that the HG will suddenly rear its ugly head. May I ask you all what week your HG seemed to set in?