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 I am new to this thread. Im really struggling at the moment. Im 17 weeks pregnant and have suffered hyperemesis since week 5. 4 weeks ago i started taking Odansetron which improved my vomiting to just once of twice a day. I was advised to stop taking it ny GP as i began suffering severe constipation as a result ended up being admitted for two nights as i couldnt keep anything down and felt extremely unwell I could barely walk. My liver function test was elevated across the board but has since gone back to normal
Anyway im now back on Odansetron as i had adverse reaction to cyclizine and my constipation is horrific. Ive been taking lactulose, glycerin suppositories, enemas and senna tablets all prescribed. 3 glasses of prune juice did the trick but that was on a rare day that I had no nausea and could stomach it. Ive been trying light exercise when I can drinking plenty making good food choices when I can. Overall im so miserable and petrified everyday. My experience has led to antenatal depression and ive been referred to perinatal mental health although ive been lucky to have some counselling sessions through my work with the nhs.
I just dont know how much longer i can go on . .

I'm sorry to hear that. The constipation is indeed awful with the ondansetron! I don't have any other solutions other than what you're doing though.

@Cleverporpoise

I feel for you, I'm having to battle with constipation too which tends to lead to me being impacted. It's always worse when I'm pregnant though. I do suffer with my bowels anyway (even as a kid) and my GP refers to it as a lazy bowel. The only thing I've found what works is movicol, I'm going to start having a sachet everyday again just to keep things moving. It doesn't taste great but you can add dilute juice - you do need to remember to drink water to make sure it works. It's never a painful movement either, I've found some meds can be.

The thing with constipation is that once it gets bad and you are really blocked up, when you do finally go your digestive system is still sluggish after the movement. So you need to continue taking movicol as a 'maintenance' dose for at least a week to get your bowels back up to speed - so to say! This was my mistake for years, I'd finally go and think I'm fine and then I'd be back to being constipated again. Doctors recommend talking half dosages i.e 1.5 sachets per day in pregnancy rather than the standard 3 and gradually increasing if needed. Annoyingly with movicol, everyone's tolerance is different so you have to find the right amount what works for you. It could be worth chatting with your GP about amounts and frequency though as it sounds like you are really struggling.

You can buy movicol over the counter as it's safe to use in pregnancy or doctors can prescribe it but they tend to give you Laxido or CosmoCol. I would definitely recommend asking your GP about it if other meds they are prescribing aren't working. I'm surprised they haven't gave you it tbh.

Lactulose and suppositories don't work for me either. My GP did also prescribe me docusate sodium capsules in my last pregnancy to take alongside the movicol on a night and that helped when I was talking ondansetron. It's awful, I remember stopping taking Ondansetron at points throughout the first pregnancy because I couldn't cope with the constipation. I was literally in tears crying, in agony on toilet and went weeks without going. Then it would result in me being bed ridden again and throwing up so I'd have to take ondansetron again. It's an awful cycle. Baths helped and I bought a cheap Sitz bath from eBay or Amazon as well.

Just one other thing (sorry for the long post), be careful about your fibre intake - if you are backed up and drinking prune juice etc, it's great it's working but if your body isn't used to that much fibre - you can overload and that can also block you up ironically.

I do hope you feel better soon though, it is truly awful x

@Anyat212 thank you im going to ask gp about movicol on monday. Thats the exact same how I am crying and tearful and distressed that I cant go. Ive given myself awful anxiety about going to the loo now and Im sure the stress is making things worse. Youre right its a viscous cycle. Im sorry to hear youve been struggling with the same thing it really sucks. Yes ive found bubble baths have been helping. I feel im going to give the odansetron a miss this weekend and hope the vomiting stays at bay. On a positive note at 17 weeks I am noticing improvement Im getting a few manageable days with the vomiting here and there. Thanks for the tips and being kind.

@Cleverporpoise I'm glad to hear the sickness is resting up a little for you. I do really think when doctors prescribe ondansetron they should tell you about the constipation/prescribe something alongside it to help you go. That anxiety is awful too, I hope they prescribe you with the movicol (or something effective!) and you feel better soon.

@anyat212 i have just spoke to gp ooh who have advised I stop odansetron and have prescribed metoclopramide instead i havent tried it before. She also prescribed movicol and said i can take it together with lactulose and senna fingers crossed this works! Thanks i do hope you feel better soon too

It's reared its ugly head , 5 weeks and 1 day , feel terrible , had to go to the shop was retching behind my mask , not vomited yet but it is only a matter of days or hours . Seems like a lifetime to go now until this will be over , one thing if for sure and that is baby number 3 will be our last!

Cleverporpoise Welcome. Anya has given you such great advice on how to handle the Ondansetron constipation that I have copied it into my cloud of documents for use again as needed. I am so glad the doctor has prescribed that combination. Everyone is very supporitve on here. Here's my normal spiel which I hope might help.
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.
Anya Exceptional advice
surreymum Sorry t o hear about that. I was thinking that having to wear a face mask with Hyperemesis must be extra difficult for obvious reasons. But you don't want to have to discuss exemptions with the supermarket staff either, though I don't know if they challange everyone or not.
MyBabyBoyBlue I am so glad the thread helps and that you got reassurance from the GP.
snapple21 How are things?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

snapple21

I hope everyone is coping today.

Hi can I join the thread? I had terrible hg with my last pregnancy. I started vomiting 10dpo so safe to say I might be in for a rocky ride again. Though weirdly was fine today. How is treatment with fluids etc. Working with covid? Has anyone got iv fluids at home. This is a thing that seems to happen on the US forums. I am trying to be optimistic but prepared.

@wwwwwwwwwwwwww

I'm not too sure on the fluids at the home, I've just been told to go into MAU after having my ketones checked by the GP. I'm assuming it's so they can keep a close eye on you. Would be nice to receive them at home but other people may have.

Thanks Lucinda. I was reading something interesting yesterday, there is research that HG sufferers have a (small) but increased chance of developing pre eclampsia? I never knew there was a link as I developed it late in my last pregnancy (diagnosed at 38 weeks but I think I had it earlier as I didn't take the symptoms seriously as I was so poorly). I just thought it randomly developed as I have no history of BP/ family members having it.

I've felt awful since last night and the sickness has returned again this morning. So glad it's my non working day, hoping it passes soon. Hope everyone is coping today

@LucindaE I hope it's ok to jump onto this forum. I have been following it without posting for a while. I'm 14 weeks pregnant and having a bad sickness day today (I have recently started having better sickness days thank goodness). You mentioned using a good anti acid and I was wondering which you suggest please? I've been taking gaviscon occasionally but not sure it's making much of a difference. Thanks for any advice!

@wwwwwwwwwwwwww I’m unsure about home IV fluids but I have been able to call maternity triage anytime I’ve been unable to keep fluid/food down and feeling rotten who have always told me to go in. I know @LucindaE mentions getting ketostix so that you can check your keytone levels at home (even though this shouldn’t always be taken as a sign for dehydration!). Have you been able to speak to a gp about getting meds as a preemptive?

@Anyat212 I didn’t know about the preeclampsia either but I had it with my last pregnancy and that along with the hg they induced at 38weeks, like you I was too poorly to fully take in all the fuss about high bp, swelling etc but as a result I’ve been put on aspirin and blood thinners this time round and told although my c section is planned for 39 weeks depending on closer to the time and my history I may be induced earlier, which is scary now I know why. I’m glad to hear its your day off and I hope the rest helps.

I have horrific insomnia and really struggling with getting any sleep at night.

@Cherryclose I think I’ve read people mention omeprazole which has to be prescribed by the gp? Hopefully someone will be along with more information.

I hope everyone else is doing ok, remember this too shall pass.

@composed

Ah that's exactly the same as me and I'm pencilled in for a c section at 39 weeks. Consultant did say the same that it may be brought forward if PE creeps in again but I'm worried they are going to try to induce me if it does. I don't want to be induced again (which they know), I reacted really quickly with the pessary last time so had a bad experience with it. I'm hoping I make it to 39 weeks and have the section as planned. It's at the back of mind though.

I'm on aspirin too, are you on the blood thinning injections?

@Anyat212 same for me! I was induced last time and I really don’t want to go through it again. It was horrid and I ended up with an emergency c section.

Yea I’m on injections too due to me having been bedbound initially, consulant said to review at 16 weeks as I am trying to be more mobile now. When are you due?

Welcome to @wwwwwwwwwwwwwww and Cherryclose. As @wwwwwwwwwwwwwww has suffered from a Hyperemesis pregnancy before, and Cherryclose has been following the thread, there is no need fo rme to give my usual spiel about 'have you got kesostix' and 'do you find that the juice of tinned fruit, ice lollies and flat full sugar coke (if not too acid) is any good' and 'Most sufferers feel a marked improvement between 14 and 21 weeks'. @wwwwwwwwwwwwwww You are right about IV fluids being available in the US. It was even ten years ago, when I had temporarily to take over a US support thread. It seems to be available under Medicare and similar health insurance schemes. I don't know why they don't offer it in the UK - it might save money and prove safer.
They are very careful in keeping pregnant women safe during admissions. Obviously, everyone would rather keep away from hospitals atm but it's not exactly possible! Cherryclose I can't imrove on composeds advice about an anti-acid in Omprazole. Ranitidine used to be widely used, but there was a health scare and it was withdrawn to play safe. I found Gaviscon tablets better than the liquid form, but they do give you a bloated feeling.
Anyw212 Sorry to hear about the bad day. Wishing you better tomorrow. I never knew that about Hyperemesis and pre-eclampsia. Oddly, though I normally have lowish blood pressure 90/60, in late pregnancy it shot up unaccountably, and that was one of the reasons they induced when I had a leak of amniotic fluids. Yet, I didn't suffer for long or very badly with Hyperemesis.
composed I feel for you over the bad induction experience. I hope you avoid it this time.
Waves to everyone.

@composed

Sorry to hear you had a tough induction as well, hopefully you are able to avoid that this time. I almost had an emergency C section, I ended up having an assisted delivery with forceps.

Glad to hear you are more mobile, it's just awful when it's that bad you are confined to bed! I'm due in March, how about you?

Lucinda my BP is usually on the lower side as well when not pregnant anyway! I did think it was interesting read though. If anyone is interested here's the link: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.preeclampsiaregistry.org/amp/hyperemesis-gravidarum

@anyat212 I not due till early june but hoping the date for the planned c section will be in may. I keep thinking only 5 more months to go as my countdown I’ve also asked to be sterilised after this pregnancy.

I really hope things start to get better for you, sometimes I find the mental side more difficult to deal with than the physical if that makes sense.

Another day almost done, positive vibes to everyone x

Anya212 It's intriguing that there should be that hike in blood pressure for you, too. I hope today was a bit better.
composed No wonder you want to stop after this one.
I hope everyone is coping.

I hope that everyone escapes a bad induction experience this time.

Hope everyone is doing well or as well as they can be, its very quiet.

@LucindaE I hope I can go ahead with the planned c section when the time comes. I’m trying to be as positive as I can and try not to think too far ahead incase I scare myself.

composed Much sympathy. A planned csection sounds a lot nicer than an induction gone wrong, and you are due a good birth experience, I think! Yes, it's very quiet. I hope that is a good rather than a bad sign.

After quite a few terrible days I managed to keep down some milk, water and quavers this afternoon so I’m just really grateful! Might be able to avoid ending up back in hospital for a few days now!!

We haven't heard from Pygmyseahorse ina long while. It's her due date tomorrow, and I hope she's OK. Then KatieFTM if your LO hasn't arrived, wishing you all luck.

Due Dates
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

After a day yesterday where I was able to get out of bed for the first time in two months, today I've been absolutely floored again - probably the worst day I've had so far :(

I'm starting to feel really low with the sickness now and also got a UTi so just started on antibiotics for that which aren't helping with the nausea. It feels like there is no end in sight at the moment yet my doctor is telling me I should be better now because I'm 13 and a half weeks. I don't know how much longer I can do this. Sorry, usually I try and put a brave face on but today has been really hard.