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.

@ChubbyMumFromSkye

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Extreme nausea can still be HG, it is basically the same effect of being sick a lot. Your body isn't getting the nutrients it needs and you are at risk of becoming dehydrated. It's good you are managing to keep little things down though, have you kept track of any weight loss? I lost 10 pounds in four weeks and the doctors were treating and listening to me seriously.

Our pregnancies sound similar too I was sick the entire time with my LG up until I gave birth. This one is more nausea for me and at the height I was sick but not as many times as last time. The nausea is worse I couldn't eat anything at one point. I'm on a combination of medication which has got me to about 70% (I still have horrible waves but that's what it is a wave now) which is so much better and I'm only 11 weeks. So it sounds like you may need to consider speaking to your GP about meds? Sorry if I missed that you are taking them already. Did you take any meds in your first pregnancy? I personally found the HCP a lot better in this pregnancy as it's my second baby.

@Jan21AK

I've just noticed your message, congratulations on your pregnancy. It sounds like you've had a really rough time! I'm glad you are feeling better and had the PSS buddying you up. I never knew that they did the buddy system, I think that's a fab idea.

If you were thinking of another pregnancy at a later time I think your experience is so fresh, I remember thinking the same thing when I was pregnant with my LG. I know some ladies don't have any more and I can completely understand! HG is such a low point particularly "at the peak" it's so hard to see that tunnel. I can say myself that abortion has crossed my mind on both pregnancies as I just felt that low, sick and bloody awful. It doesn't just effect you physically, it's effects much more - going from doing everything to be being bed ridden is a shock to the system on its own!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

Me again I forgot to add my due date on my last post, mine is the 28th March if you could add mine to the list please lucinda x

@Jan21AK @Anyat212 I agree that HG can be the low point of a persons life and can make you feel just horrendous. The mental ramifications are very poorly understood by many health professionals, especially in such an emotionally heightened time such as pregnancy where there are a lot of societal expectations around how you should feel. I can’t imagine any other time in your life you could be so ill and expected just to soldier through... PSS are amazing and so is this thread.

Here’s to the warriors and our beautiful babies who we can’t wait to meet 💖 💙

Hello @bunhead34 aw lovely, it's a small world, I love Skye too I could never live in a town or city! Definitely a country bumpkin!!
Oh I hope that doesn't mean you are going to be constantly throwing up now, fingers crossed! I feel that if I am sick it will just never stop.

Also @Anyat212 I have been prescribed Cyclizine and Metoclopramide but I am finding that the side effects of the tablets make me feel worse than the constant nausea, I get a fuzzy head, headache, dry mouth etc 🤢
I have lost a stone and keep in touch with my GP who is very good and understanding of how ill I feel which is such a relief.
I didn't have meds in my first pregnancy, although I was spewing I didn't feel anywhere near as ill as I do this time so I don't think it crossed my mind to speak to GP then.

Jan21AT Thank you so much for your encouraging post. I am so glad that you are a lot better at 20 weeks and with the right medication for you. I so agree about how invaluable Pregnancy Sickness Support are.
Star88 That is certainly what the experts recommend. A number of women on here have found Xonvea to be excellent. Doctors have to balance the very small risks of taking Ondansetron in the first tri with the greater risks of prolonged dehydration with severe Hyperemesis. Did you have meds before? Hopefully, if you ask for anti emetics they will be able to find one that suits you.
ChubbyMumFromSkye Sorry you are suffering again. Most women find that they get a lot better between weeks 14-21 and even those unlucky ones who suffer throughout rarely feel as bad later on as they do in the first part. As you are a veteran you don't need my spiel about 'have you got kessotix, as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take them serously' and 'do you find ice lollies, flat full sugar coke and the juice of tinned fruit help' and 'a good anti acid makes all the difference.''
bunhead34 Never worry about tmi. I've added your date.
doritodiva That makes sense.

Due Dates
Connie222 3 September
ConstantlyPanicking 17th September
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
doritodiva 12 April
bunhead 13 April
Apricotta 20 April

@LucindaE thank you, I am approx 12+6 today I have my dating scan tomorrow. I really hope things will ease off soon 🤞🏻
Yep re: dehydration, I'm keeping a close eye on it, living off ice lollies. I also have taken a liking to tinned mandarins so that is good for fluid too!
Once I have my accurate due date tomorrow I'd be happy for it to be added to the list 😊

Also on Omeprazole daily, during my last pregnancy was 8 years ago I was prescribed it for that specifically but now have a hiatus hernia so it is a daily tablet for me and has (so far) kept the heartburn at bay... I have a pack of rennies in my handbag so that if it hits I am ready to start tackling it.

I haven't been officially diagnosed with HG but nausea started almost immediately and by week 8 just started to get worse and worse 24/7. Could barely eat, couldn't even bear the thought of water. Lost a stone. At week 12 I rung my gp in desperation and they put me on Cyclizine. Only worked for two days then back to the same. So I called them back and they were totally unsympathetic as I was only being sick twice a day but after begging they put me on Ondansetron. PSS were wonderful and supportive with me.

This made life infinitely better.

I had to get Lactulose with it as otherwise going to the loo was physically not possible and I was so, so uncomfortable!

I'm now 19+6 and have been trialling coming off the meds. I'm on day 4 and it's going ok, nausea back but not 24/7, gagged quite a few times but no sick, but really struggling to drink again. Anyone else found this?

@blueskiesandapples lactulose is a life saver and I would also totally recommend it.

I was into the 20s (weeks) before I started trying to come off/ down the meds. I’ve never fully stopped but symptoms are far more manageable now and I am able to take less meds on the whole, though flare ups remain possible when tired/ stressed/ in a difficult situation with food for a reason outwith my control!

That is excellent that you are finally starting to feel a bit of relief. Xx

Hi guys still need to catch up on the thread sorry. I'm just checking in..I'm having good days, bad days and pure evil days...I remember this group whenever I've got my head puking in the bin. I'm around 15 weeks. I'll write more later. But thanks for your support. I'm glad we can support each other.

Hey guys, I’m at my wits end but thankfully I found this site! Just signed up so I could vent how much this sucks. People keep telling me oh it’ll be worth it, and I know I can’t wait to have my baby but boy does this constant sickness suck. I’m about 6-7 weeks, and the nausea is just getting worse. I’ve basically been in bed most of the time this weekend and scared to eat or drink anything coz it might come back up. Gave my gp a call this morning and they gave me cyclizine. Took my first tablet 3+ hours ago and I feel no better, not sure how long it takes to kick in. This is my first pregnancy and I feel like I don’t really know what I’m doing and super paranoid I’ve tried those travel bands, ginger biscuits, and a variety of other foods friends have recommended to me. I knew pregnancy wasn’t going to be easy but didn’t even know this condition existed, and I had to find out the hard way Thank you for there being somewhere for me to rant about how I’m feeling because it really does suck!

Hi everyone, has dating scan today and my appointment was not fun because they tried for an hour to get blood from me and didn't manage and I spewed 🤮😢

We won't be finding out the sex of our wee baby but would love to hear guesses if anyone has any ideas 🥰

@LucindaE can you add my due date to the list? 13th March 🤩

Hello!

I have been diagnosed with HG today. Due 19th April. I’m signed off work sick.

At one point today after vomiting, I lay on the bathroom floor and told DH that I wanted to die.

@ChubbyMumFromSkye sounds like an eventful appointment 🙈
Congrats on your scan, baby looks beautiful

I've just been given stemetil (prochloperazine) is that working for anyone?

@QwertyBert

Thank you. It’s like the worst, non stopping hangover ever with no end. I end up crying when I vomit and DH clears the bathroom up!

My DH is military and is due to go away to work in a few weeks so during the week, I’ll be home alone Monday - Fridays. I do not know how I will cope, I can’t cope now!

Oh it was @bunhead34 🤢😢💞

@ChubbyMumFromSkye congratulations! Beautiful scan pic!

@Funkypolar oh I feel for you so much. Have you not been prescribed anything? I bit the bullet on Saturday and asked for something and got given cyclizine. It's helped take the edge off, still feel like nauseus especially if I've not eaten something within the hour. It's helped me feel like I can put up with this compared to to what I was going through. I've only been on it since Saturday sometime don't know how long it it'll last xxx

@Funkypolar my husband works shifts so some times I'm alone for the morning or evening. I'd get signed up for home deliveries from a supermarket and if you can afford stock up on anything and everything you fancy. Before DH leaves can you ask him to batch cook for you, like some shepherd pie stuff with lots of plain mash etc that you can just get out every day? Doesn't have to be shepherds pie can be whatever Xxx

Goodness, the thread has been busy!
I'll add all the new Due Dates in the next post.
Welcome to FunkyPolar , Beapoand QwertyBert. You will get lots of support on here I quote my normal spiel, and hope it may be helpful to you. 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, bagels 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!
QwertyBert Can you get a sick note? It is very hard to work when suffering badly.
ChubbyMumFromSkye What a lovely scan photo. Sorry you suffered. Tinned tangerines sound really good.
Snowwhite2020 I so agree! Fine advice as ever from you, Aprocotta and everyone.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked...
Back asap with due date list...

Here's the Due Dates list amended.
Due Dates
Due Dates
ConstantlyPanicking 17th September
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
ChubbyMumFromSkye 13 March
doritodiva 12 April
bunhead 13 April
Funkypolar 19 April

ChubbyMumFromSkye I forgot to say: from the front of the skull, I would say a baby girl? But just watch me be proved wrong there!
faithfulbird Mother Hen waves one wing. I hope you get more good days soon.
Funkypolar It is very hard to bear. Things will almost certainly get better. Take it one day at a time. Great advice from Apricotta about supplies...
blueskiesandapples Nobody likes to stay on meds any longer than they have to, but from what everyone has said on this thread, do take it s-l-o-w-l-y in cutting down
bunhead Stemetil has helped a lot of people on here. I didn't have it when suffering, but I do have it now for vomiting with violent migraines and find it effective.

Apricotta 20 April

I’ve been prescribed Cyclizine but it doesn’t seem to work! In the past 24 hours I’ve not been able to keep anything down.

Thank you @LucindaE and @Apricotta and @QwertyBert

I’m so sorry that we are all suffering from HG. I never imagined pregnancy would be like this.

I’ve only been in my job a few months, it’s the public sector so I feel relatively safe but behind the nice messages I’ve had from work I get the feeling they aren’t thrilled! I haven’t heard from my boss but I work with a senior non-officer who said not to worry and he would tell our boss. I’ve had to email in my sick note as my boss is super busy and never answers his phone. I work with the military so it’s a bit of a strange place!

My DH is wonderful, thank goodness he’s home at the moment. He cleans up the vomit too! (not envy!)

Thank you @LucindaE. Today I feel sluggish and not hungry or thirsty, and the nausea is back but still haven't thrown up again which is good! I'll keep an eye on myself to see how it goes! Even if I take it every couple of days so I can get a good feed.

I'm 20 weeks today and got my scan on Friday and seeing the obstetrician too. I'm due 25th Jan. Half way!

For those of you in the early weeks, there is help available so don't suffer in silence. It took me ages and I was a wreck when I finally did. Ask for help. Sorry to hear you're suffering. We can do this! X