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.

@Wingingitatlifesincebirth I’m pretty sure with a sick note at least the person who deals with sick notes will have to know you’re pregnant. In my case I told my boss at 6 weeks which is less than ideal but he agreed that we would just say to everyone else that I was “off sick” because it was so early.

It’s so difficult because with any other illness I feel like it would be so taboo just to say what’s wrong!

I remember looking at this board about 11 weeks pregnant and in the throws of HG... I can update now that I am over the worst of it now at 22 weeks. I have weaned myself off the ondansetron and I vomit a few times a day. I have 2 meals a day and able to look after toddler and clean now etc. For anyone reading and going through the worst of it please know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Its been the toughest time of my life these past few months and I'm glad to say its relatively over for me. Thinking of you all Xxx

Always good to hear positives. I've just started steroids I got really poorly again overnight x

@snapple21 I'm really glad they've started you on the steroids, as it sounded as if nothing else was doing much. I hope they make you feel a bit better quickly. How far along are you now?

What level of ketones do they admit you for these days? I've got 3+ today.. I think someone said it had to be 4? I'm really hoping to avoid hospital if I can. I'm trying desperately to drink more but if it's not better by tomorrow I'll phone out of hours and see if I can get some fluids.

@singleandttc they told me to come in at 3+ and then the 2nd time said 2+ in future.
@LucindaE my due date is now 18th May x

I started steriods 4 days ago and it's like a actual magic. I haven't vomited for nearly 3 whole days. I don't even feel sick at all unless I'm hungry. I lost 5kg altogether but have gained a little today and have had 3 meals a day for 3 days in a row 😍
Really feel like myself again and would definitely recommend them for anyone who is deemed in need. I put it off for 2 weeks and suffered so much for that decision.
Have dropped my midday ondansetron dose and still feel great.

I'm 13 weeks now. I think I had 3+ ketones this morning. On my third bag of fluid now and had the steroid and lots of anti sickness. Only retched and spat up a couple of times

@SweetpeaOrMarigold how quick did you feel better after the steroid?

I'm so happy your feeling well @SweetpeaOrMarigold you give me hope.

Have been moved from cyclizine to try ondanstron again. So far so good, but wondering what I can take to combat the constipation which seems to occur whenever I try it.

@PhotoMum4 they prescribed me laxido

Helenknowsbest Thank you so much for your message of support. I am so glad you are a lot better at 22 weeks, and can look after your toddler and do housework,e tc. But if you are still being sick 'several times a day' don't feel you must soldier on without any treatment at all. Might a weaker anti emetic like Cyclizine help at all now it is milder and you have weaned yourself off Ondansetron? An anti-acid can be really helpful, too.
PhotoMum4 I am glad they have put you on Ondansetron. There is Lactulose and another called Laxido. I don't know actually if you need a prescription for those; there are the suppository things you can get at Boots and elsewhere. They use them in hospitals, but you might have to send someone else in to get them if the pharmacist knows you are pregnant as they tend to play over safe. Did you manage to get hold of anyone prepared to be helpful about counselling? I am still outraged at how difficult it has been.
SweetpeaOrMarigold I am so glad they have put you on steroids.
Snapple21 I am glad you are on steroids too.
Wingingitatlifesincebirth Poor you. Ten weeks can be the worst bit.
That is a lot of weight loss. Good advice from others. I was thinking, though I am rusty about emplolyment legislation these days, but it may be that they have to know that this is a pregnancy related health issue from the start to protect your employment rights as suffering from a pregnancy related condition.
Singleandttc Certainly, most hospitals seem to admit at 3+ ketones.
Great advice from others.
Waves to kalidasa and everyone. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.
Due Dates
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
Tiff94 4 April
doritodiva 12 April
bunhead 13 April
Dimpous 13 April
Funkypolar 19 April
Tiff94 21 April
ohidoliketobe 1 May
QueenBee95 2 May
Fruitloops34 5 May
Firsttimemum21 14 May
SweetpeaOrMarigold 18 May
Jlw2020 19 May

@LucindaE my due date is 30 May for the list thanks :)

Snapple I took them first thing Tuesday morning, vomited badly as usual Tue eve, Monday felt less nauseous generally and then just wasn't sick the whole day. Felt sick on and off but nowhere near as bad. Today I've felt like myself, just sicky when hungry but passes quickly. Honestly feel like it was all a crazy bad dream. That feeling of complete exhaustion, drifting around in a cloud, chronic dehydration...I know how you're feeling right now. Hope you're better soon. I found the IM prochlorperazine was painful but helpful alongside the IV cyclizine when I was on a drip xx

Hi all I dropped off the thread for a bit as I wasn’t doing very well. Have had 4 admissions for fluids and meds in the last month. I’m still taking ondansetron but everytime I’ve been admitted and mentioned this, the docs and midwives have all advised against it, even though it is the only thing that works for me (5th hg pregnancy). I’ve done my research and know the benefits far outweigh the risks for me, just a bit disappointing that even though I know what works there is this sudden resistance.

I am so sorry to not name check but sorry to all those suffering and having a bad time of it. To the person who mentioned struggling mentally, I completely understand and have felt incredibly low this time round. Unfortunately my mum isn’t very supportive atm and has I am neglecting my children which has really upset me and left me feeling even lower than usual. I have my 12 week scan on monday and feel so numb that if it were to be bad news would I even care.

Positive thoughts to everyone and hello @LucindaE.

@SweetpeaOrMarigold I feel like they're gonna think I was making it all up as I feel so much better this morning!
I'm just having some iv cyclizine and then gonna try a bit of breakfast so hopefully I can get home later.

I can't believe some places are so different prescribing wise - they're fine about ondansetron here.

@composed I'm so sorry your hospital is being rubbish. Mine did go through the risks of palate defects but said that kidney disease and malnutrition are much worse on balance. Try arguing it's on the Royal College Green Top, that's the guidelines set by their governing body and should be followed.
@snapple21 glad you're feeling better, amazing what a few litres of fluid and some magic drugs can do!

Hi, new member here. Wanted some advice re: meds.
I have HG with my first pregnancy. Didn't get any meds prescribed til week 9. Cyclizine didn't help and prochlorperazine buccal worked for me. I had lost about 10Kg by week 9. However, I was one of the lucky ones and my symptoms eased by week 17-18.
I had 2 more pregnancies afterwards. Limited vomiting and nothing as bad as my first pregnancy so I thought maybe I got away with it. Unfortunately both of my pregnancies ended with miscarriage.
I am expecting again- around 6week and 4 days and HG has hit me again. I am glad in a way because it might mean this pregnancy will last but I am finding it worse than my first HG. I contacted GP yesterday and he gave me prochlorperazine buccal as that helped me last time but it doesn't seem to be working this time. Nausea never subsides and I am still sick between 6-8 times a day. Water tastes awful so I am really struggling to keep my fluids and whatever I take, I vomit it out. Just looking for some support and advice re: what might help

@Beebs1234 welcome to this lovely group
I’m sure Lucinda will be along with lots of suggestions of what to fry eat and drink. I absolutely hated water and usually drink gallons. At the moment you sound like your first line drugs are not working or helping you, you need to talk to
Your GP about second line drugs like ondansetron. I would also see if you can get some
Ketostix to keep an eye on whether your dehydrated and need to be admitted xx

Beebs1234 Welcome. Sorry about your losses. This one does seem to be more like your first pregnancy. I so agree with others, do see if you can get other meds. As you are a veteran you don't need my 'have you got kesostix because while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'a good anti acid can make all the difference'. I am glad you improved at 18 weeks last time. Some drinks suggestions and foods of a sort: flat, full sugar coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Iron Bru, Dr Pepper, fizzy orange, Fanta lemon, Elderflower water, ice cubes, ice cubes made out of flat coke, soda water, tonic water, fizzy water, orange juice (if not too acid), lemonade, sips of chocolate milkshake (maybe soya), orange squash, 7Up and Lucozade. Nibbles of chips and crisps, bagels, tinned fruit (particularly pears and peaches), cuppa soup, baked potatoes, biscuits, cheap ice cream and slices of melon.
composed It is very hard. I hope the scan gives you a boost. You are giving your LO's the best present in a sibling, so you mustn't feel guilty about the temporary neglect.
SweetpeaOrMarigold Sounds good and good advice.
Snapple21 I have added you.
Wingingitatlifesincebirth Good advice from you too.
PhotoMum4 How are things?
Waves to all. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Due Dates
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
Tiff94 4 April
doritodiva 12 April
bunhead 13 April
Dimpous 13 April
Funkypolar 19 April
Tiff94 21 April
ohidoliketobe 1 May
QueenBee95 2 May
Fruitloops34 5 May
Firsttimemum21 14 May
SweetpeaOrMarigold 18 May
Jlw2020 19 May
Snapple21 30 May

Hi Ladies, I just want to say that it does get better! Anyone in the first trimester of their first pregnancy having never experienced anything like this before, I've been there. At just over 19 weeks I think I've come out the other side. The support and advice on this board is fantastic and I didnt for one minute thought I had HG, I was directed to this board when I made a thread about how awful I was feeling and people were telling me it wasn't normal.
Keep going! Keep sipping those cold drinks, nibbling the beige food and peeing on sticks! You will get to the end 😊

gretagreengrapes I am so glad that you feel so much better. Thanks for your encouraging message, and for your kind words about this thread. It is always nice to hear when sufferers feel so much better.

@LucindaE will have a look into lactulose as that’s what I had after my C section last time. Thanks.

No, nobody has been any help regarding any help with mental health aspect, can’t even get hold of my community midwife.

Last couple of days on ondanstron have been much better. Still nauseous but no where near as bad and haven’t been sick for 2 days either, feeling almost human.

@PhotoMum4 have you tried contacting pregnancy sickness support? They can offer a 'peer mentor' which will be a woman who's been through it all before. I know you really need your midwife or other professional but it may just at least give you someone to talk to when you're having a particularly bad day?

@snapple21 I know what you mean about the hospital thinking you're making it up, I've been in recently for fluids and I didn't vomit the whole time I was there - I felt like saying no honestly I'm really suffering!! It was only cos I was all hooked up but I couldn't help thinking they must think I'm just a wimp!!

I'm now home on oral steroids with my anti sickness meds and I can honestly say I feel ok today. A little queasy if I don't eat. Before I didn't want to eat! I can't believe it.

Good morning ladies.

I hope you're all as ok as poss 🥰 HG permitting.
I can honestly say I feel the worst I have this morning. The meds aren't touching it so I'm going really press for ondansetron (they have been very reluctant to prescribe them)

Question: when did you all tell employers? I started a new job in august which I love but I'm afraid they'll be pissed off that I'm pregnant (ohhhh did I mention I'm insane atm too??) I'm only 6.5 weeks. But they are going to notice something is awry as I look like utter crap All. The. Time. Any advice welcome.

Stay safe and take care everyone xxx