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.

surreymum89 Never feel gulity about moaning. That's what this thread is for! I am sorry to hear that the meds aren't working any more. It is a bore having to go back to ask for others, but do see if they can recommend anything else. Are you on an anti acid? That can make a big difference if you're not. The dry lips sound as if you are dehydrated. How are the ketones measuring? If you haven't got kesostix, is your urine dark and scanty, do you have a headache or blurred vision or dry mouth? Sorry, very likely you are looking out for these signs, but it is easy to get more dehydrated than you realise....

@surreymum89 sorry to hear you're struggling more today.
It really is so hard when you find that little bit of hope and you feel a bit better to then start to feel worse again 😞
Sending you love and strength!
I felt robbed when I was pregnant with my daughter. I just couldn't get excited about being pregnant as I just felt like I was dying. So I completely get why you're feeling so low too. You have no worries about venting here about hating pregnancy, everything is relative yes we have all managed to get pregnant and thank goodness for that but you have a crippling pregnancy related condition.
Hope you get some more fluffy days soon

@RockinRobinn and @LucindaE thanks for all your support and encouragement been a tough day, have been testing with ketostix and surprisingly they have been fine even on days when I have only had one tiny wee that is dark honey coloured and my mouth is dry , I do try to sip water in the early hours when I'm half asleep a lot of days that's all I can manage , but maybe that's enough.

Luckily after my big rant I asked OH to get a McDonald's and it really helped, had a big ice cold Fanta that I managed to practically down in one! Enjoyed so much I sent him back for another! Really shouldn't have because I often pay terribly if I try to overdo the fluids but I was so thirsty , have had a small bit of respite, just trying to enjoy while it lasts and hurry to bed before it returns !

@surreymum89 wahoo so glad you managed to keep fluids down in the form of Fanta!
I'd say urine output is more of an indicator of dehydration than keto sticks as some people don't test positive for ketones very easily where as others do. I think urine output under 500ml is a sign of more severe dehydration and may need IV fluids, from what I've been reading in prep this time anyway.
The spewing mummy blog has lots of great info on there.
Here's hoping that you manage to keep more down today ❤️

surreymum89 I join RockinRobin on congatulating you over the Fanta! RockinRobin Great advice as ever. I so agree about the spewingmummy blog.
I hope everyone managed over the Festive Season, escaping hospitalisationa and that everyone is coping today.

I hope everyone is managing...

Hi Everyone, hope people are doing ok. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to deal with the extreme thirst associated with being dehydrated. After 7 plus months I can deal with the hunger but the thirst just takes over...not keeping down much if any fluids is making me crazy!

Hi @BuffyFanForever can you eat ice? I found ice lollies were my salvation with my first pregnancy.

Now I'm pregnant with my second and was wondering if anyones got any advice on how to deal with the smell of their toddler making them sick?? DS just wants a cuddle and I can't go near them

BuffyFanlForever I so agree with I'mASurvivorOffHG in recommending ice lollies. Plain ice cubes can be good too, and ice cubes made of flat full sugar coke.
I'mASurvivorOfHG Welcome. As you are a veteran, you don 't need me spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and you certainly dont need my ice lollies, full sugar flat coke and the juice of tinned fruit recommendations, or my 'a good anti acid can make a big difference'. About that problem with poor LO's needing a closeness,it must be so hard. As I didn't go for it again, only had the problem of OH stinking to me of roast pork, and I used to sleep with a lavender satcht held to my nose I have known women on here recommend dabbing some of some scent tht you can stand under your nose. I know one found that Tea Tree OIl helped, another Vic's Vapour Rub (I don't know if that is even still for sale here).

I also agree on ice lollies and ice cubes! My freezer is still packed out with different ice lollies. I've also found lucozade sport either the orange or raspberry ones the best and usually stayed down (not the fizzy versions)

@ImASurvivorOfHG

Sorry to hear about the smell, I was the same with DD. Thankfully it didn't last long for me - so hope it doesn't for you. As Lucinda mentions about dabbing scent under your nose is helpful. I bought a "be gone morning sickness" roll on stick from Not on the high street when I was going through it. It was pricey for it was, £8 plus P&P I think. You could easily use anything what smells nice (what you can handle) under your nose when your LO is around you. Hope it passes soon.

Hope you are well Lucinda and everyone is coping today.

Hope you're feeling okay too @surreymum89 just read your posts. HG is the hardest thing I've ever been through and it's totally normal to feel annoyed/angry. Hoping you get some relief soon x

Can I please join you. I got my digital bfp yesterday and am a prev hg sufferer in last 2 pregnancies. I’m so scared 😟 xx

Congratulations @Idreamof2more. I'm in my 2nd HG pregnancy and I've actually mentally found this better as I know what to expect. Hope your not feeling to bad. What I'm finding tricky is not wanting to tell people in the early stages but being so sick.

Thank you @LucindaE and @Anyat212 hadn't thought about putting scent under my nose! I've spent the morning tentatively sniffing pots and think Vic's is safe....

@Idreamof2more hi I'm also crazy enough to go through this once more (moment of weakness and naivety that it couldn't be as bad a second time around??) So far stayed out of hospital and currently 8 weeks so keeping everything crossed and on top of my hydration. I too was scared, but the thing that's got me through so far is knowing how much more prepared I was than before and I SURVIVED this last time.

I don't know if it's covid or my medical history, but I also found the gp so much more proactive this time. I started being ill at 4 weeks and they handed out the meds straight away and talked through options moving forward if things got worse in my pregnancy.

And finally my friends and family are so much better prepared and understanding. They lived with my bizarre demands the first time and we all learnt the hard way what happened when I ate or smelled my triggers....

For me everybody wants me to be able to enjoy this pregnancy more than my last as it was so awful. And that's what helps get me through each hour.

Hang in there hun! We've got this!!

Aww I hope I feel the same I am only 4 + 2 and it normally starts around 5 weeks ish. I am savouring every sip and mouthful. How far are you and thank you 😊

I'm 7+1 I've already had quiet a few trips for iv fluids. I'm doing better at the moment and think I've found some good doctors. I've got a scan this week which is a bit anxiety inducing but hopefully all will be well. I think I'm trying to be a lot more assertive this time so I don't get as sick as before.

Hi all, I've had my sickness return with a vengeance after a bit of a lull. The doctor has prescribed Ondansetron and I forgot to ask about laxatives to go with it. Did anyone get any just over the counter ones? Thanks for any advice!

Hi all, at 16+1, my HG is starting to ease a little. In the past two days I have managed to get out of bed for about half an hour and have managed to eat more than just grapes (was all I could keep down). Still on ondansetron - I tried halving the dose and it all came right back so just sticking with status quo for now. Desperately hoping this is the turning of the corner now.

@Cherryclose

You are able to buy lactulose, Movicol (or laxido / Cosmo col they are the same product as movicol just under a different name and are often cheaper) or glycerin suppositories over the counter.

If you do go with Movicol, I'd recommend speaking to your doctor beforehand as the the dose can be different for everyone. It basically just means people can be sensitive to it, so it's finding that "right" amount what works for you. Current advice of movicol in pregnancy is 1.5 sachets per day (rather than the regular 3 outside of pregnancy). All three medications are safe to take during pregnancy though.

@MyBabyBoyBlue glad you are feeling better, fingers crossed for you.

I'm really struggling with Diarrhoea today which is unusual for me, I'm always the other way. I feel dreadful and dizzy when I stand, I'm hoping it passes as I'm worrying about dehydration creeping in. Luckily I've only been sick once today, feeling really fed up and I've been in bed all day. Typical it's my first day back at work (WFH) following the Christmas hols and this happens. Hope everyone is coping as best as they can.

@Cherryclose also forgot to mention the pharmacist might not sell you the products as your pregnant. They are safe but a lot of them err on the side of caution. So something to bear in mind if you try to buy them, I usually send my DP to buy movicol.

I suffered with HG in both my pregnancies and I wish I found this thread at the time

Thinking of everyone suffering with this horrible sickness, my mental health definitely suffered particularly when it peaked between week 9-13 ... for me the dizzy sick feeling stopped around 16 weeks and then up until 20 weeks I gradually started feeling better and was no longer sick on a daily basis, so hold on in there , it will improve.

I find now (baby is now 3 months old) certain smells (candles, fabric softener) that made my sickness worse I can no longer bare without that wave of nausea coming over me and it sounds silly but if I hear songs that I can remember hearing on the radio driving to and from work whilst trying not to puke still trigger that same feeling, any one else experience that? It must be a psychological thing..

Sending you all lots of luck with your pregnancies , it will get better even if it doesn't feel that way right now! Xx

@Anyat212

Thank you so much for the thorough advice, that's super helpful. I hope you feel better soon! It seems so unfair to get poorly with something else when we're already so ill!

Idreamof2more Welcome. Do ask for pre-emptive meds. Did anything help last time? As a veteran you certainly don''t need my normal spiel about kesostix, ice lollies and other drinks and anti acids. There is lots of support on this thread. I always think those who go for it again are brave, not mad, and congratulations.
Anya212 Great advice as ever. I never realised that Lactulose and Movicol arnd Laxido are the same! A good idea to send OH to buy them. Sorry to hear of the diarrrhoea. Whether its a temporary relapse or a stomach bug, I hope it passes soon.
MyBabyBoyBlue I am glad you have been able to get up. Sorry to hear that cutting down on meds was too early.
Mum2girls90 Thank you so much for coming on with your lovely encouraging message. Congratulations on baby.
wwwwwwwwwwwwww It is good that you are still fighting your corner; very difficult with this scourge. With the current restrictions I don't know if you're allowed to take an advocate.
Cherryclose Sorry to hear the sickness is back. I can't improve on Anya212's advice.
I'mASurvivorofHG I am so glad that you found a bearable scent in Vic. Some find that dabbing a bit under the nose can be effective!
I hope that surreymum89 RockinRobbinn and everyone is coping.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

Mumtogirls90 Silly me, I mistyped your name, though I remember you well. Thanks again for coming on to encourage others. I remember that sickness trigger well. Laughably, with me to this day I can't think of 'War and Peace' without a feeling of sickness, as I read it when suffering.

Lucinda sorry that's me, lactulose and movicol are different. I meant movicol, laxido and Cosmo col are the same product!

Thank you, I'm not sure what this is I'm thinking possibly a stomach bug