Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

997 replies

LucindaE · 01/09/2020 21:15

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.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Thread gallery
9
MyBabyBoyBlue · 25/11/2020 22:14

Hi all, I posted on here a couple of weeks ago and since then have had four hospital admissions for IV fluids and anti sickness meds. I'm 10+2 now (why oh why are the days crawling past so slowly?!) And desperately hoping things will start to improve soon. I've been taking cyclizine and as of yesterday they've also put me on ondansetron which I had been really wary of up until now. But my gynae doc put me at ease and, to be honest, I don't know how I'm going to get through without it, so the decision has been made. It allowed me to eat a bit and keep it down for the first time in ages today.

Has anyone else been able to keep down vitamins? I'm worried about the lack of folic acid in particular as I've missed several doses either throwing it back up or just unable to even face it :( am just desperately hoping to see a healthy baby at the 12 weeks scan).

Suprised2020 · 26/11/2020 10:24

@MyBabyBoyBlue I'm currently 10+4 and sat on a ward plugged into a drip since 3 yesterday so I feel you pain. I'm finding it super hard as we haven't told anyone yet (not even my mum) so having to avoid people knowing your even ill is so hard.
Any tips?? You feeling any better??
Ive read the 10 week mark is when its suppose 2 ease but sitting here it doesn't feel that way.

MyBabyBoyBlue · 26/11/2020 10:57

@Suprised2020 its so hard isn't it - I've ended up telling a few people just for the support. The ondansetron seems to be helping take the edge off for me although they're only prescribing it short term. Am hoping it gets me over the hump tho!

My Mum has found a day management clinic for HG which runs out of a different hospital and they seem like a good option for avoiding having to go through A and E every time you need some fluids. I believe there are a few around the country so it might be worth seeing if there is one near you.

Otherwise, I haven't got any tips unfortunately, but sending solidarity and support to you - we'll get through it and have lovely babies at the end. The only thing I would say is take the meds they offer - I refused for 3 weeks and as a result I'm so chronically dehydrated and have lost so much weight the doctors were pretty concerned. Have accepted that the benefit of the meds outweighs any potential risk to the baby at this point.

Suprised2020 · 26/11/2020 11:11

@MyBabyBoyBlue
Thanks for the reply, ive taken everything as I've lost 2 stone in 5 weeks so also with you on that bus. I plan on telling my mum this weekend as I'm an only child and this is 1st grandchild (other than my 2 step children) so I always wanted it to be romantic and know everything is ok but I need her more than that right now :)
Hope you manage to get sorted and it passes for us all soon x

MyBabyBoyBlue · 26/11/2020 12:15

@Suprised2020 I know, I was exactly the same, wanted to tell her in a really cute way but in the end I just had to blurt it out!
My very optimistic doctor told me this morning that even if not totally better, it should become slightly more bearable around 12 weeks, so praying that happens for us all! Good luck and take care xx

Funkypolar · 26/11/2020 12:18

Hello all. I’m doing a phased return to work after being off for weeks. My GP has put 3 mornings a week until Christmas on my fit note, have a call with my manager later to discuss.

LucindaE · 26/11/2020 19:46

Welcome back to MyBabyBoyBlue and Surprised 2020.
Sorry about the admissions and weight loss. I hope they find a regime of meds that help. Try not to worry about the lack of vitamins. Many sufferers can't keep them down, especially iron, and especially in the first tri. Unluckily, ten weeks can be round the worst stage; even with normal pregnancy sickness, it often seems to go on until week 14, and Hyperemesis can linger longer. Most sufferers find that they improve a lot at some point between weeks 14 and 20. Even those who are unlucky enough to suffer throughout generally are not as ill later on as they are in the first part. 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 (if you don't find it too acid), ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Lucozade, apple juice, Ribina, 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, Robinson's fruit drinks, Rubicon sparkling mango drink , raspberry Lucozade sport and frozen ice cubes of flat Lucozade sport . Foods of a sort include tinned fruit, cuppa soup, nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, Scotch pancakes, bagels and biscuits.
FunkyPolar I do hope you are well enough to return, Mother Hen fusses? If you are, that is so good and I am glad you've got a staggered return.

OP posts:
LucindaE · 26/11/2020 19:49

I meant to add, PhotoMum4 did you see Bunhead's tip about it being easier to talk to someone live to advise you from Pregnancy Sickness Support on LiveChat on their website? I am a bit of a dinosaur regarding IT, so I have never used that. I only recently used Zoom for the first time!

OP posts:
snapple21 · 26/11/2020 19:53

A smalll update for me and hopefully hope! It's a week yesterday since I had steroids and I have been doing so well. I now take my oral steroids plus ondansetron and stemitil twice daily. Also having omeprazole. Managing so well just slightly nauseous at times. If I think to the low place i was last Friday so dehydrated - I can't believe I've come this far a week. I'm nearly 14 weeks now. I hope everyone here gets better soon.

kalidasa · 26/11/2020 20:14

Hello everyone. It's very (VERY) early days but I think I might be back on this thread for real. Have felt mildly weird for a few days but very dizzy and fairly nauseous especially if I move for the last 24 hours. This morning was the first morning (rather than evening when tired) that I really felt it from the start of the day. Pretty hard to believe because I only had my coil taken out two weeks ago, but it's such a distinctive feeling. Obviously a false start/early loss is quite likely though as I'm pretty old these days!

composed · 26/11/2020 21:03

@kalidasa fingers crossed all goes well although sad that you may be joining us again with the evil hg! @Suprised2020 its so hard that we have to break the news of our pregnancies so early because of this illness but the support always helps as it is so hard. @MyBabyBoyBlue I hope the fluids help and that you feel better soon even if it with the meds, as they really do help and are so needed when dealing with hg.

@snapple21 so happy to hear things are better and hope they continue! @Funkypolar I hope it goes well with the work call and you manage a return to work.

I hope everyone is doing as well as they can if not better, happy thoughts to all x

kalidasa · 27/11/2020 10:02

Thanks @composed I am weirdly haunted by a "wet dog" smell today. I'd forgotten about the mysterious phantom smells. We do have a little bit of damp in the house -- only a tiny bit but I reckon that it's never usually perceptible but that's probably what I'm smelling. Great! I'm going to add an extra bottle of Dettol to the shopping this evening, a lovely clean smell!

Great news @snapple21 that you are so much better! If I am going back down this path, I really hope they put me on the steroids nice and early this time. The consultant said that's what she'd do, but I know what it's like in hospitals -- your consultant is never actually around when you get admitted!

DS1 has his eighth birthday tomorrow. He is so excited, and I'm so pleased that it's now and I will def be well enough to make his cake and everything even if I am pregnant.

Dutchess75013 · 27/11/2020 10:41

Hey there! I have been reading this thread and the website given by the OP non stop. I am 7 weeks + 1 day and suffering with bad PS. Not HG, thank god, but bad enough to be off work for two weeks. I am on day 3 of Cyclizine three times a day, which has helped a lot with vomiting and nausea. But side effects are quite tough. I feel like I either can’t work because im sick or can’t work because I’m drowsy! Help! Will the side effects subside? Is there anything else I can take to feel better? Thank you all so much, this post has been a true god send

Pumpertrumper · 27/11/2020 15:05

Hi All

I’ve popped up a few times talking about my last pregnancy and HG. So far I’ve not posted about my current one. It’s been better than DS I wouldn’t say it’s full blown HG but things are just spiraling and now I feel like everything’s imploded and I can’t stop sobbing.

I’m 11 weeks and just can’t eat!

Bits of very plain food in the morning (a few hundred calories) but by midday my stomach is acidic and closed for business. By 6pm I’m in pain and wretching uncontrollably (I think it’s starvation). My BMI is really low and I’m dropping weight so fast. GP said today they might need to admit me to hospital as so concerned over my weight which terrifies me. 8 month old DS has never been seperated from me!!!

I’ve tried anti acids. Rennie makes me so gassy I vomit/reflux. Gaviscon makes me horribly nauseous and Omeprazole totally kills my appetite.

GP is throwing anti emetics at me (non of which worked with my son). They’ve given me a new drug today (metaclopramide) the only one I’ve not tried yet and apparently isn’t recommended whilst breast feeding...helpful. The Gp won’t prescribe ondansetron but has referred to consultant.

I feel so guilty over DS. Feel like this second pregnancy is so selfish and impacting him so much. It’s all such a mess I don’t know what to do. I’m feeling a lot of pressure to stop breast feeding, from GP and family, but I don’t feel ready and know DS isn’t either.

I feel like I’m getting really hostile towards trying new tablets. I’ve had some bad experiences, the last ‘new’ thing they gave me made the nausea worse and gave me awful shits! DH thinks I’m being ‘difficult’ not just lapping up whatever they throw at me.
I’ve had a heamatoma and bleeding all week. I do want this pregnancy but find myself daydreaming of how amazing it would feel to not be pregnant anymore.

LucindaE · 27/11/2020 19:37

Dutchess75013 If you have had to be off work and need to take meds to function, it seems enough like Hyperemesis to me. There are various meds they can try if Cyclizine makes you too drowsy. That wears off with many sufferers after a few days, but not all. There is Stemetil and there is a a new drug on the market which is licensed to use in pregnancy - it's helped several sufferers on here - only stupid Mother Hen has forgotten its name. Anti acids, though they don't suit everyone, are often really good at preventing nausea. Rest is very important. Is it possible to arrange a staggered return to work when you feel well enough?
Pumpertrumper Oh dear, poor you. I am sorry to hear that. Sorry about bleeding. We all have dark thoughts such as yours when at our worst. Don't feel guilty about DS, you are giving him the best possible present in a sibling. It isn't selfish to do that! I regret not going for it for a second time. I am sorry to hear about the bleeding. I wonder if the anti acid Ranitidine has been put back on the market? Many have been helped by Metaclopramide. I hope the specialist prescribes Ondansetron. You probably hardly need me to remind you to ask for a laxative.
kalidasa All luck. You are not at all old by modern standards.
Happy Birthday to DS one. Eight, that's amazing.
composed Waves.
snapple21 Than k you so much for your encouraging message. I am so glad that the meds have helped so dramatically.
Waves to all.

OP posts:
composed · 27/11/2020 20:45

@LucindaE were you thinking of Xonvea?

@Pumpertrumper I am so sorry to hear things are so bad at the moment but you may be going through the peak. I have 2 dc’s too and the guilt when dealing with hg is all consuming but it doesn’t in anyway make you a bad parent and it most certainly isn’t your fault. I really hope the consultant agrees to prescribe ondansetron, its what I am
on and for me its the only drug that works. Just take each day at a time, try not to think too far ahead and remember this too shall pass.

@kalidasa Happy 8th birthday to ds, hope you all have a lovely day!

I had my first day of looking after my 2 dd’s in over a month and managed to survive, my dh goes back to work next week so trying to build up my energy/strength as much as I can to take over. Still on meds incl aspirin and now blood thinners but fingers crossed I can do this!

Hope everyone else is well x

Dutchess75013 · 27/11/2020 20:49

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Staggered return to work seems most likely!
Is there a specific brand of antacid that is recommended? I’ll phone GP to see if I can be put on another drug, and check out stemetil!

Anyat212 · 27/11/2020 21:07

@Pumpertrumper

I just wanted to repeat what Lucinda has said below of remembering you are giving your son an amazing gift! My DD is 19 months old and I felt so guilty in them early weeks. It took a while for me to shred that guilt and really think that it will be all worth it in the end. Your son won't remember so it's really not worth worrying about! Im 23 weeks pregnant now and I'm feeling better. You'll get there too - I hope you feel better soon.

I've just stopped taking metaclopramide are you taking this on it's own? I had a combination as it didn't help on its own. I'm surprised at them giving you that though if it's not recommended for BF. I really thought they would have prescribed something else given your reasoning. That's a shame. If you're not ready to give up BF, then don't feel you have to. You should only stop if you think it's the right time. I'm sure they mean well though. I'm hopeful to BF this baby (also another girl), I had a traumatic birth with DD. Just another note on the metaclopramide as well, it's apparently only recommended to take for 5 days!  I was on it for atleast 12 weeks though so just thought I'd give you the heads up if the GP starts throwing time scales at you. Fingers crossed you'll get ondansetron though.

@Dutchess75013

I would definitely speak to your GP about your meds, it could be that you need something else entirely or something to take alongside the Cyclizine. There's lots of different, safe combinations out there unfortunately it's a case of finding what works for you. I found eating hot food cold and eating part of meal, putting to one side and then coming back to it really helpful. Eventually you've ate a full meal even if it's took some time! Hope you feel better soon.

I've dropped off this thread a bit the past few weeks. I watched a video on Instagram yesterday about HG and it made me think about this thread. You really do an amazing job keeping these threads going Lucinda Thanks

I'm not sure how you link videos directly from Instagram on here but for anyone on there. If follow / search Pregnancy Support Sickness they shared a 2 minute video which sums up HG perfectly in such a short amount of time. I also watched the documentary on Amazon Prime - Sick: the battle against HG and I cried my eyes out! It felt so odd actually listening to all these women talking about it, I'm used to reading them. Would recommend watching it if anyone has prime.

Sending hugs you to all!

Dutchess75013 · 28/11/2020 09:43

@Anyat212

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I feel like I am stuck in a very very dark hole, thinking about how wonderful it would be not to be pregnant anymore. After suffering a loss at 20 weeks 2 years ago, you can imagine that we want nothing more than a healthy baby, but this sickness is taking over my whole life.
My worry is being off from work. I’m an Assistant Manager, in luxury retail and so far work has been really supportive, but I know that my team will be left to pick up the pieces during busy xmas hours!
I feel an incredible amount of guilt and I just dont know if I have the time to try different things until one works.
Do you think I should be referred to a consultant? I find my GP pretty useless.

Wingingitatlifesincebirth · 28/11/2020 10:32

Hi all sorry to hear about the new poorly people! Waving in solidarity from the toilet.

Has anyone had any experience of being admitted fro fluids with 2 plus ketones I’m really struggling with eating and in particular drinking I’ve lost 17 pounds and feel so week and really feel some fluids would help me. I fully appreciate there is policies for this but I’m in this state despite early intervention and being prescribed ondansetron twice day 4 mg.

Any experience from you ladie would be so helpful I think I’ll check in with my GP Monday to see if anything can be done

Anyat212 · 28/11/2020 11:13

@Dutchess75013

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, sending you hugs! You'll be amazed at your little one blossoming in there though even though you feel awful. They take all they need from you, just be conscious of how much you are managing to keep down / drinking too. If it does get too much don't be afraid to ring your EPU, GP or 111 - dehydration is awful and the quicker it's caught the better it is at treating it. I left it for a bit at around 7/8 weeks, mainly due to my first pregnancy as the doctors were rubbish and just sending me away with "morning sickness" so I thought it would be the same in this pregnancy but ended up receiving fluids with ketones of +4. If you can as well, you can buy the urine sticks on Amazon which you can measure at home - I've found them helpful. Hospitals take ketones seriously as well, although I think symptoms should be taken just as seriously as well. Mine weren't high in my first pregnancy but I suffered much worse than this one!

Also just on work I completely understand what you mean, I feel the same with my colleagues (I'm not a manager tho) but at the same you have to remember that your health and the babies are most important. You have the law on your side and it's fab your work are supportive, that really helps. On a good note (ish!) it sounds like you're going through the peak at the minute. We all have that 'peak' and then you will usually start to feel better once over it. I have a pattern where I have a good few weeks but then I'm poorly for a week or so but it's nothing like them early days. Are you able to have a set day working from home? Or can you change your start / finish times? I.e if mornings are worse could you maybe start later on? At the end of the day though, if you are too unwell to work - don't go in. Rest is really needed and you feel much better having it. I'd just try and take each day as it is and it will pass 

I'm not sure how it works about being referred to a consultant for this, someone else may be able to advise as some ladies are on steroids along with medication. I'm consultant led but it's because I had pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy. I think with GPs you need to be firm with them and explain that you need medication / another one as this is impossible to carry on like this. In my experience GPs aren't great though. The last thing in the world you have motivation for is battling with doctors though for medication etc.

@Wingingitatlifesincebirth

It sounds like your in a bad way too, can you ring your EPU and see what they say? I'm not sure if hospitals have different policies but where I'm at it's +4 for admission into hospital. I've read on here some are +3 but if you think they would help and you're struggling I'd definitely seek advice.

I'd check in with your GP as you say, you may need something to take alongside the ondansetron.

Hope everyone is coping x

composed · 28/11/2020 15:30

@Wingingitatlifesincebirth sorry to hear you’re feeling so unwell, have you tried calling your maternity unit to see what they say? I once didn’t think I had that many keytones but had all the other signs of dehydration and was admitted.

@Dutchess75013 sorry about your loss, it is so hard to think positive sometimes when going through hg and as @Anyat212 said it sounds like you’re going through the peak. If your go isn’t that helpful I would ask for a referral.

I am going to attempt cleaning the kitchen today, my nemesis since the start of hg, wish me luck!

I hope everyone else is doing as well as they can today x

LucindaE · 28/11/2020 18:37

composed Xonvea! Silly me. That is the new drug, considered completely safe in pregnancy. Congratulations on looking after the two DD's, and I hipe you managed to survive cleaning the kitchen.
Ductchess75015 I hope you get effective meds. Good advice from everyone. I am sorry to hear of your loss at 20 weeks. Don't feel guilty about being miserable! Who wouldn't be, with this scourge?
Anya212 Lovely to hear from you. I am so glad you are so much better and I hope you get better still and the bad weeks vanish. Thank you for the encouraging message. Thanks for the kind words.
wingingitatlifesincebirth Some hospitals definitely admit for fluids at 2+ ketones. It is certainly worth enquiring if you feel really bad. I hope the GP can help on Monday.

OP posts:
Dutchess75013 · 28/11/2020 19:06

Thank you everyone for your lovely messages and guidance. You are all so helpful and wonderful. Today is actually the best I’ve felt in a long time, only took one Cyclizine at 6.30 am and managed to feel pretty good, although still tired. Only vomited once in the afternoon. I hope it can continue like this! Good luck everyone xx

MyBabyBoyBlue · 28/11/2020 22:02

Hi all, I don't know if anyone can put my mind at rest, but after seeing a possible issue with Ranitidine on this thread, I googled it and saw that it was recalled last year due to concerns over a carcinogenic ingredient and the latest NHS guidance says that now all supplies have been recalled and not permitted for use. Well, my hospital has been giving me Ranitidine 3x a day during each of my four admissions over the last 2 weeks (I had no idea it had been recalled) and I am so worried about possible effects on the baby. And absolutely livid that they would prescribe this knowing its been taken off the market!!!!!!