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.

Hi ladies
Haven’t checked in in a while. Sorry to see so many new sufferers joining 😥 I hope things ease up as the weeks (that feel like years) go by!
I had my my first bump measurement last week and was bang on the 50th centile, so hopefully that provides some encouragement to you all struggling to eat that baby will take what they need from you.
I have just entered the 3rd trimester and petrified that the sickness will return. Although I haven’t been completely sickness and nausea free, I have tended to only have one vomiting episode a week, which compared to before is like a dream.
Sending you all my thoughts and hope you get some relief soon xx

Hi All, just checking in. It's been a tough old week settling and trying different medication, I am now on metoclopramide and cyclizine with stomach lining protectors and antiacid and it is definitely helped reduced the frequency of sickness and the dry retching, but still have the half hour or so hugging the toilet bowl first thing and at least two or three further throw ups a day.

I have been signed off work for the last two weeks and I spoke to the GP today who has signed me off for another two weeks, I wanted to just have the rest of this week off and try reduced hours next week but the GP doesn't feel I should start back at work until sickness subsides.

I have a really understanding employer (local authority) and there is no pressure for me to go back. I am so torn about knowing when I will be ready, I don't know how much of the improvements is the meds and how much is the rest. How did those of you have been signed off know it was safe to go back? I have a high stress/pressure job so I am really anxious about this.

xx

Hi all,
I'm 9+3, know the date as I was on mirena coil (hi, I'm the 0.02%!) so once I got a "feeling" I was pregnant (I. E. Nausea and vomiting for 2 weeks and feeling absolutely shattered) and had taken a positive test I was referred to early pregnancy unit for a scan to find out what had happened to my coil. Anyway, coil is not in situ and the little thing is growing quite nicely, so cery shocked and startled with DC#3 due 1st May....
DS is 6 and DD is 4. I suffered horrendously with both of them, so here I am, shuffling onto the latest incarnation of this thread for this pregnancy.
I was outright dismissed with DS and not offered much support at all. With DD I was much firmer and managed to get a few different medications prescribed which worked for a few days, cyclizine worked well but I suffered an allergic rash to it so was taken off it ASAP (and given a red wristband for hospital). I also had several admissions with DD pregnancy for iv drips etc. At one point around 33 weeks I was bringing up clumps of blood as I had torn my oesophagus so.. I'm really looking forward to it all again....
I've been signed off upto end of this week which was actually from me finding out I was pregnant and dealing with that mentally, I am working from home so I will try and see how I manage from Monday onwards, luckily my management and team are very supportive and we work flexible schedules so no one will be too alarmed if I have to keep nipping away, or even know if I work from my bed!
Past 2 days have been very bad, I've switched to herbal teas and got my emergency snack pack of American hard gums and salted crackers by my bed side table. I feel 50% prepared that I know what I'll face and remember a few tricks which have worked for me in the past, 50% depressed that if this is anything like my previous 2 pregnancies I won't feel better until the day I give birth!

Hi Lucinda yes I am counting down the days! 3rd trimester isn't treating me kindly, but I'm extremely thankful that I'm general my HG has not been a severe this time as for my first 2 pregnancies.

Lemon Drop I remember you well. Sorry to hear it's been such a struggle. I know what you mean about lockdown and having toddlers. No fun at all! We are very close in Due dates. Nearly there my friend! X

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all feeling ok (although I know you probably aren't 😔)

I got new tablets today to try for my nausea, they are called Stemetil (Prochlorperazine) so fingers crossed these ones will help!

I have been taking Pregnacare Max but my doc has prescribed me (from today) 5mg Folic acid daily and 50mg Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vit B I think?!) so that baby is getting enough while I am not managing to eat, HOWEVER, she didn't say whether to keep taking the Pregnacare Max alongside these or stop those for now...does anyone know what I should do?

@LucindaE is this something out can help with?

Any input at all would be much appreciated 😊

ohidoliketobe Welcome. Everyone is very supportive on here. As you are a veteran you don't need my 'have you got kesostix, as while they are not the best test of dehydration hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'an anti acid can make a big difference' and 'do you find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit any good?' spiel. I am sorry you suffered so horribly that you tore your oseophogus (I can't spell that!). I wonder if the new anti emetic for pregnancy, I think it's called Zonvea, might help? I don't know if it has Cyclizine in it, though.
ChubbyMumFromSkye I am not medical,but always understood that it is impossible to overdose dangerously on B Vitamins, as I believe Folic Acid is. However, they might have undesirable side effects, loose bowels or somehting,so it's worth checking with the doctor.
coffeecow Ten weeks is the worst stage for many, so I hope you find it isn't quite as bad soon.
Seeker2020 and bunhdead34 I did regret stopping at one - but I know exactly why sufferers resolve that!
KatieFTM Some suffer again in the third tri, but some don't, and I do hope you escape it. Thanks for the encouragement for others about the baby taking the nourishiment s/he needs.
Bearcub01 I do hope it gets a lot better, as it is dismal to be bed bound, even on your good days. It sounds as if you've had it badly.
Dimpous Don't rush back early, only to be signed off, as rest is the best treatment. The doctor is sensible in advising you to get the sickness much reduced before thinking of returning. I am glad your employer is understanding.
IAmSeriousAndDon'tCallMeShirley I am so glad that it isn't quite as bad as it was. Cheering you and Lemondrop on on your home stretch last bit before you reach the fabled Pink Castle.
ohIdoliketobe I've added your date.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked...
Due Dates
Lemondrop99 6 November
Nifler2019 13 November
IAmSeriousAndDon'tCallMeShirely 22 Nov
FilthyforFirth 26 November
SnowWhite2020 26 November
IGottaGetThroughThis 6 December
Pygmyseahorse 18 December
KatieFTM 20 December
Seeker2020 25 December
bluesskiesandapples 25 January
Xbambi 16 February TWINS!
ChubbyMumFromSkye 13 March
PhotoMum4 18 March
Anya212 28 March
BB2021 4 April
doritodiva 12 April
bunhead 13 April
Dimpous 13 April
Funkypolar 19 April
Beapo 22 April
ohidoliketobe 1 May
QueenBee95 2 May
Fruitloops34 5 May
SweetpeaOrMarigold 20 May

@LucindaE that's what I would think too and did a Google to see if any of the amounts would be "too much" but it doesn't look like it.
I will phone the GP tomorrow to double check, thank you for your advice though!

Aww thanks lucinda I've had a really tough day at work today, HG and work pressure unfortunately but that comment made me smile.  I'm just so grateful for this thread and your advice as so many of us are.

@Dimpous Are you back in the office/ work or are you working from home? I think resting will do you the world of good to be honest then look at reduced hours. I wish I did reduced hours I went from nothing to 30 hours (1 day holiday for 2 weeks) now back to 37 and I'm exhausted at the end of the day. I definitely wish I had built up better. I've mainly been working from for the past few weeks and my signs were that the meds just simply eased my symptoms and did their job! I still have a bad vomit on the morning without fail but usually that's it along with nausea which I can deal with. I will say I have been struggling the last few days, my DD hasn't been sleeping great and I'm under a bit of pressure at work myself. The best thing is to be open and honest with your employer, it's great they are supportive though. Oh and I also found setting my alarm earlier than normal to take my Cyclizine helps when I actually get up. I'm still sick later on but at least I know it's in my system!

@Seeker2020 I really feel for you. I remember telling myself I'd never EVER go through this again. I randomly developed pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy as well at 38 weeks (which was a huge surprise as no issues of high BP / family with it) and I thought that would be it. I'm now high risk so consultant led this pregnancy for that reason. It could be another reason why the doctors have listened more to me this time. They were useless with the HG the first time tbh. The big thing for me is that once I had DD, whenever anyone asked me if I'd have more I still pictured having 2 children. Adoption has of course crossed my mind too but I knew if I wanted to try again, I wanted a small gap between them. Otherwise I'd just keep putting it off. Funnily enough there will be almost 2 years between them when this LO is born. I can say from my experience my first pregnancy was much harder than this one, I was so sick from early on - right until she was born (one plus side of pre eclampsia is that you labour quickly!) medication helped abit but I was signed off work the majority of my pregnancy. Completely bed ridden for the most part.

Although I'm struggling now, it's nothing like the first time. Every pregnancy is different though as they say though. Some ladies report that their third HG pregnancy is the worst, Helen Flanagan for example posted on her Instagram that she's been struggling with HG and her third is the worst so far. It's just how you feel at the end of the day.

Hope everyone is as well as can be! X

Sorry @ChubbyMumFromSkye I forgot to add I'm taking Prochlorperazine as well. Alone they didn't work for me but as a combination with my others they certainly do help. I hope they have a similar effect on you!

@Anyat212 what are you taking them with? Today will be my first day taking them so fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Ohhh I've just picked up my prescription for prochlorperazine this morning, if I recall they worked pretty well for me with dc#2 pregnancy.
Tragic that I'm actually excited to try them, this is the real desperation of HG

That's good to know @ohidoliketobe ! Did you take them as a combination or on their own?

@ChubbyMumFromSkye I take them with Cyclizine and metroclampide usually 3-4 hours between each one. Mine dissolve on my gum too which is really good if I'm having bad sick day. So if you do struggle you can get them in that form rather than just the standard tablet. Fingers crossed for you!

@ohidoliketobe agree with you when your excited to try meds! Fingers crossed they help you again

Hi I’m new to this group @ChubbyMumFromSkye suggested I joined.

I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant with my first child, due 14th May and for the past 2 weeks I’ve been suffering with sickness. Everything I eat and drink pretty much ends up down the toilet. I’m so tired and fed up, I’m finding myself feeling more and more miserable.
I travel to work and I’m unable to do so at the moment so the doctor has signed me off sick and prescribed anti sickness tablets, but they don’t seem to be helping.
I feel completely bed bound. I love this baby so much, but I am losing the will.
I am worried because I’m epileptic and take medication for it, which I have to continue throughout my pregnancy and I’m worried I am not keeping it in my system.
As much as I’ve asked the doctors for help, if they tell me to try ginger one more time I’m going to scream!
I just feel useless and everything I have tried, flat coke, lemon water, warm lemon water, ginger tea, rich tea biscuits, jacket potatoes, crisps, soup, does not seem to be helping.
I’m also dry heaving and feel like I have a lump in my throat, is this normal? I also have a funny taste which makes me also want to be sick...

I hate moaning, but I am literally at my wits end. My partner is very supportive, but I am also conscious that there is only so much of my moaning he can listen to and I feel so snappy.

I’ve read through lots of your threads and I will try suggestions you’ve mentioned.

I really appreciate being a part of a group where others feel the same because I feel if you haven’t experienced it you can’t really empathise the same way. My mother keeps on reassuring me it will pass and I am carrying a miracle; I know that, but it doesn’t help!

@ChubbyMumFromSkye on their own, they did try me on them with cyclizine but unfortunately I had a reaction to that, once we figured out which of the two wasn't causing a reaction I continued on prochlorperazine on its own and it was better than nothing! Stopped working after several weeks though and my GP was rubbish and was reluctant to prescribe me anything in 2nd/3rd trimester "morning sickness usually passes, have you tried ginger biscuits ". Current GP told me outright she suffered from HG herself during her pregnancies and has said she will not let me suffer like my previous pregnancies. I creied down the phone to her when she said that.
@Firsttimemum21 so sorry to hear you are suffering. From experience I would ask GP for a different medication if the one they prescribed isn't working, which was it out of interest? There are lots and various combinations, and sometimes they only work for a few weeks - but those weeks are bliss. Yes - people suggesting ginger, just smile and nod. People who also say "oh yes I had a bit of morning sickness". It's not a little bit, and it's not morning sickness. My go tos are: warm lemonade and honey, tuc crackers, salt and vinegar squares, tinned peaches. Anti sickness bands also seem to take the edge off for me - I'm not sure if it's a placebo but I'll take what I can get.

@Anyat212 and @ohidoliketobe
Thank you so much for your replies - I have tried cyclizine and metaclopramide neither of which worked and i got the horrible side effects caused by drowsiness like a fuzzy head, headaches, dry mouth and they didn't stop me feeling nauseous so it wasn't worth taking them.
I have had 2 so far today of the new ones and I am still up and down but maybe more (or longer) good spells so far, hopefully these ones are going to work for me!

@Firsttimemum21 I really hope you feel like you get some support here, it has been a great thread for me to follow. What has the doctor prescribed you? If they are not working phone back and tell them as there are lots of anti sickness tablets out there to try and sometimes one works and sometimes it's a combination, don't let them fob you off I am now trying my 3rd one 🤞🏻

@ohidoliketobe @ChubbyMumFromSkye Promethazine is what they’ve prescribed me. I’ve called the doctors back again today and awaiting a phone call to see what they say as I’ve been trying for 5 days now and no joy.
It really is a great community for women. Morning sickness! It’s every moment of the day sickness! Imagine if we didn’t have supportive partners, families and friends!

Firsttimemum21 Welcome. You have already had great advice. Everyone is really helpful on here. As you have read the thread, you don't need my spiel and recommendations about kesostix, anti acids and suggested drinks and solids. I hope the doctors phoned back with something more constructive in the way of suggestions than to take ginger! As others say, there are various meds they can try, including the new licensed one Xonvea. I've added your date.
ChubbyMumFromSkye Did the doctors advise you?
Anya212 I am so glad that my comment helped. Thirty-seven hours work a week? No wonder you are exhausted!
ohidoliketobe I hope those work well for you. It is certainly a stroke of luck that your GP is an ex sufferer herself.
Great advice for everyone.

Due Dates
Lemondrop99 6 November
Nifler2019 13 November
IAmSeriousAndDon'tCallMeShirely 22 Nov
FilthyforFirth 26 November
SnowWhite2020 26 November
IGottaGetThroughThis 6 December
Pygmyseahorse 18 December
KatieFTM 20 December
Seeker2020 25 December
bluesskiesandapples 25 January
Xbambi 16 February TWINS!
ChubbyMumFromSkye 13 March
PhotoMum4 18 March
Anya212 28 March
BB2021 4 April
doritodiva 12 April
bunhead 13 April
Dimpous 13 April
Funkypolar 19 April
Beapo 22 April
ohidoliketobe 1 May
QueenBee95 2 May
Fruitloops34 5 May
Firsttimemum21 14 May
SweetpeaOrMarigold 20 May

@Firsttimemum21 support is the best thing.

@LucindaE I asked but have to wait for the GP to call me tomorrow so at the moment I am taking the Omega tablet only from the Pregnacare Max pack, until I find out what she says.

Thanks @LucindaE

Is it ok to take antacid? If so, what is good? I’ve tried milk of magnesia, again, it doesn’t work.

The doctor called and has prescribed me a new anti sickness tablet, I’m not sure what until I collect it tomorrow.

My partner got me some mushroom cuppa soups earlier and apple juice, which I’ve actually kept down.

I genuinely had no idea so many women suffered from morning sickness. None of my friends who have had children have really suffered from it, neither did my sister or mum, so I’ve never heard anyone discuss it before now. Thank you for all being such great helps xx

Hi @LucindaE, could you remove me from the due date list please? I’ve had a very unpleasant miscarriage. What I would do to feel hyperemesis again. It’s knocked everything into perspective

@Beapo I'm so sorry for your loss, sending you huge hugs 

@ChubbyMumFromSkye that's a shame about them meds, I felt drowsy for a few days but I'm a lot better now. If these new ones don't work, there are still other options out there

Lucinda I do think I'll be reducing my hours to 30 hours, even working from home the 37 is exhausting! I'm off work today as it is too much. We do have flexibility with start and end times which helps too.

Hope everyone is coping today x

@Beapo- I am so, SO sorry for your loss xxxx

@Beapo I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll be thinking of you.

@Anyat212, @Seeker2020, @coffeecow

Thank you 💕 Don't know what I’d do without this forum, all so many lovely ladies about