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.

@Anniemabel if you're having nausea which is so severe its affecting your daily life that is just as bad as vomiting a lot in my opinion! It's like torture and has been the worst part of my pregnancy, now 16+5.
I tried cyclizine and it worked minimally, I think you'd know after 4 doses so do request something else. I've found prochlorperazine helpful.

@LucindaE I am working from home for some parts of the week but I work in a patient facing NHS role and appts still need to go ahead. I thought I was so much better but today the severe nausea, salivating, metallic taste and wretching without actually being sick has all returned. It makes focusing on work so difficult.

Thanks @gretagreengrapes I am speaking to my dr on Friday so I’ll ask for something else. I also have an under active thyroid so I need to be careful about what other medication I take. Fingers crossed there will be something.

Thanks Lucinda hoping it is that then! Hope you're okay.

@Anniemabel firstly congratulations on your pregnancy! As Greta says, nausea can be just as bad as sickness. I agree it is brutal at least when you are vomiting you get a slight relief. Nausea can also have the same effect as vomiting as you lose your appetite, so do keep an eye on that. If it's gets bad it can lead to dehydration just like vomiting.

Cyclizine is one of the first line meds a GP will give you, it usually takes a few days to get in your system. It sounds like you need another medication so I'd get back in touch with your GP and explain and say you need another med. There are many other safe meds they can offer so don't worry. Also, when you are feeling as bad as you are, the screen won't be helping - I'd take some sick leave and rest up. Resting is a huge help particularly when you are trying to find the right medication for you.

Sorry Annie cross post there. Another poster shared this about a week ago (sorry I can't remember who I just saved to my phone) it could be worth discussing / sharing with your GP. A lot of GPs aren't great with meds anyway, so might be better for you to have a little look before speaking to them especially with your thyroid meds

The link to the document is below too

@Anniemabel I have hypothyroidism too, it's a nightmare having to take the levothyroxine on an empty stomach because if I get an empty stomach I vomit! So take it at 4am when I wake for a wee. I also can't swallow the tablet without being super paranoid that it's stuck in my throat so I crush it up and put it in water. Such a palaver at 4am! The pharmacist told me there is a liquid version but GPs don't like prescribing it because it's expensive. How do you manage yours?

@Doughnut100 I often don’t take mine on an empty stomach, I know you’re supposed to! I have been trying to take it 30mins - 1hr before food since I got the positive pregnancy test but I often forget. I’m good at taking tablets though, I can take it without water no problem.

I’m really lucky that my GP is really on top of thyroid issues so I can trust her to get me on the right dose - one less thing to think about.

Thanks @Anyat212 That’s really helpful, I’ll take a look.

@Anniemabel that's good that you trust your GP. I've read that the most important thing is consistency. So if you're going to take it near food do it the same every day. You will probably absorb less and need a higher dose but if it's the same it's fine. I've had two miscarriages and I will always wonder if they were because of my hypothyroidism. My GP wasn't very on it and made me wait for two bad results before she prescribed, so I only started meds at 7 weeks last time even though I had a bad result before I fell pregnant. Ah well I'll never know. Glad your GP is good and hope you get a handle on the nausea.

Anniemabel Never worry about hijacking the thread. If you are stuck in bed, it sounds pretty severe to me! I so agree with others about do ask for another med as there are others they can try. Great advice from evreyone and from Donought100 about thyroid meds.
BunandOven Thank you for your kind words. I suffered once. These days I am Mother Hen on this thread. Do get a laxative, because Ondansetron does tie up the bowels. Those suppositories in Boots are good; though they use them with pregnant women in hospital, pharmacists can be reluctant to sell them to women they know to be pregnant, so you might have to send someone else. There is Lactulose, which I have heard is sold over the counter.
Gretagreengrapes Sorry you feel bad again. Ah, I see. It must be so hard seeing patients when feeling like that.
Waves to Anya212 and everyone.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

@Doughnut100 sorry to hear about the miscarriages. It does seem more common with hypothyroidism. My tsh went up to 6 at the beginning of my last pregnancy and one GP (not my current good one) told me it was fine! Thankfully I managed to persuade her to check with a colleague and all ended well!

Hey everyone I’m at work trying hard not to cry, gagging constantly and being sick and they won’t let me go home. I’ve been told to sit in a corner till I “feel better and stop making a fuss” they just have no care or understanding. I’ve managed with only 9 sick days off since I got pregnant 5 months ago and still when I can’t even keep down water, let alone stop gagging in front of the kids they won’t even let me go home...just want to cry

@BuffyFanForever sending you loads of positive vibes it’s bloody awful when no one takes got is sickness seriously how pregnant are you at the moment? Can you go to your GP for some
Medication and a sick line ? Your employers do not sound very sympathetic about your pregnancy sickness l. I know how hard it is to manage with other children too that isn’t easy just remember this is only temporary take
One day at a time! This a lovely group to support with sickness so welcome -

Waving to all ! Another crappy day yesterday still picking myself up being a crap wife and mother feeling the guilt my older boy keeps asking when I will get better 😢

BuffyFanForever 'Sit in a corner?' my goodness, they sound unsympathetic. Are you a teacher? Poor you. I so agree with Wingingitatlifesincebirth. Can you get a sick note? It has been very brave of you to struggle on, and it sounds as if you are getting no thanks for it. What meds are you on? If you can't keep water down, are you dehydrated?
Wingingitatlifesincebirth You mustn't feel guilty. You are giving LO a priceless gift, and this period of comparative neglect will be forgotten.

Waves and very gentle hugs for everyone, isn't this just horrible?
I'm just about holding onto one meal(generally lunch toast) a day right now on ondansetron and omeprazole. Absolutely fed up and had a little cry yesterday. Ketones went to 1+ but I managed to keep down iron brew from lidl and they've calmed down again.
Ended up telling my 10yo about the baby which was lovely but I wanted to wait a bit longer really, I'm 12+2 and 6 months is a long time to wait! Helps that he knows now though and can help out a bit more.

SweetpeaOrMarigold I am glad that was a nice talk with your little boy, but much sympathy over your miserable symptoms and having to live on toast and Iron Bru (I so agree about Iron Bur, by the way). I hope you get some relief soon.

I'm 17 weeks and have taken a huge step back to feeling as unwell as I did 10 weeks ago. I've got low BP but only 1+ ketones so I dont think that's a problem but I feel dire and can barely eat and drink again. I'm taking myself to bed for the weekend. 😭

This is my first pregnancy, do people tend to find their symptoms are the same with every one?

Also what amount of ketones would you call EPAU about? I bought the sticks myself.

@gretagreengrapes I know it’s bloody awful I’m on number three only 8 weeks and ready for the hills with my spit up cup 😆 you are not alone in this madness. I am really struggling with eating and drinking too because we feel so rubbish.

I think your ketones need to be 3 plus to be admitted from memory but someone who has been admitted more recently
May have more up to date info. Just listen to your body this may just be a hormone blip and a way of telling you to rest. In my experience being over tired makes things so much worse. My second pregnancy was a lot easier than this one, but with the right medication you can function. Just spend the weekend drinking what you can I am
Exactly the same sharing fed up sick vibes ! Xx

Hi ladies. I hope it's ok to post. I feel very tentative because I'm only somewhere between 4-6w (dates are a ? Due to coil removal and af all over the shop since)
I had my first admission into hospital yesterday for fluids and IV anti emetics 😔 Bp was far too low, pulse high and ketones 😳 were ridiculous.

I'm really struggling to get anything other than cyclazine prescribed. With my 1st I had cyclazine which didn't help one iota: I just resorted to throwing up 20-30 times a day and being admitted fortnightly. With my 2nd I had ondansetron (which docs are strongly against now in my area...) and now I'm at a loss. I'm not overly confrontational (my way of saying I'm a bit of a sap) and I don't know how to "demand". Any advice when you just don't have a fight in you to getting help?

Also I feel the most immense guilt that I'm just the worst mother in history for neglecting my 2DC (despite the rational part of me knowing it's temporary).

Sorry to ramble on. And I'm so sorry so many of us are suffering with this horrible thing. Much love and luck xxx

@3scompany I am sorry to hear your struggling to be prescribed ondansetron it’s an absolutely the only thing that takes edge off for me.

Pregnancy sickness support did a brilliant video on why ondansetron has now lost favour with doctors if you can get on the website the lady who shared it was happy to share studies and explains really well the issues. As you have been prescribed it before and know the risks v benefits I would consider you to be in a stronger position. I know pregnancy sickness support can provide advocates I will post her video below if I can find it. I am currently on ondansetron x

www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/news/items/ondansetron-update

Hi again all, I have created a thread on stepapreting (have name changed but was on this thread previously)
I'm so fed up with it all and adding 4 step kids and a difficult ex wife into the mix is making everything so much worse. I feel so alone.

Here is the thread for anyone who's interested

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/stepparenting/4071414-Am-I-being-unreasonable

@Wingingitatlifesincebirth thank you. That's very kind. I think I've seen that vid. I'm going to call back Monday and try again. I just needed to get "stable" again to have some kind of oomph about me! As I really am a walkover.

I've struggled to sleep all night (awake 11pm-6am) so I'm not at my best today. But hoping i can keep some water and tuc biscuits down.

Thank you again xxx

Ok I really haven’t eaten or drank enough for last two weeks and honestly thinking I’m beginning to develop a UTI ? Feel like I need to pee but cannot for obvious reasons I also had some stomach cramps last Night and questionable wee smell sorry TMI - no idea how to
Get a Sample did take my ketones on the tiny bit I got seems ok

Feel like a big sack of dung 😢

@Wingingitatlifesincebirth this happened to me a few weeks ago and made me feel dreadful, call 111 for an OOH GP appt for antibiotics? Within 3 days I was feeling much better UTI wise. Do your pee sticks have only ketones on? Leukocytes, nitrites show infection.

I agree that being tired makes this all so much worse, rest! I've also started drinking through a straw in the past few days and that seems much easier.

3scompany Welcome. As you are a veteran you don't need my normal spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration,hospitals do take them seriously' and 'do you find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit any good' and 'a good anti acid makes a big difference.' Sorry you had to be admitted. It is bad that they only prescribe Cyclizine. It might be worth phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7639 2020 for advice on how best to get effective meds? It is difficult fighting your corner when feeling terrible. I suppose in the present climate they won't allow you to take an advocate? You are giving your LO's the best possible gift in a sibling. Don't feel guilty about the temporary neglect: the rational part of your mind is correct .
gretagreengrapes Sorry to hear of your relapse. I hope it is temporary. These annoying hormonal surges come at regular intervals, unfortunately...Good advice.
wingingitthroughlifesincebirth Poor you. Never worry about TMI on here, about urine, vomit or any other bodily secretion. I so agree with greta, probably an antibiotic is the thing as it is near impossible to do the 'flushing through' treatment when vomiting.