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 ladies, hg not kicked in yet I’m petrified. I have however become soooo constipated and noticed a tiny spec of blood 99% sure from back passage but it’s terrified me. Research says can be caused through constipation. Anyone else exp anything like this ? X

Anya212 Aha! Silly me, that makes sense!
Idreamof2more Sorry to hear of that bleeding; it's always alarming but if you were about to miscarry, there would be more bleeding, getting darker and obviously from the vagina. I have heard of that with bad constipation, even without piles. What did you use as a laxative and as an anti-emetic last time?

So I had a scan today. I'm 7 weeks and find it so motivating to see my baby. It's really lifted my spirits. I managed to eat when I got home let's hope it stays down. I'm trying so hard to keep out of hospital.

Hi all,

Hope I’m not barging in, I haven’t been diagnosed with HG but honestly I really hope you all get respite soon because sickness is debilitating! Can’t imagine having HG

I suffer from very bad nausea, I have days where the vomiting is very bad and the retching constant. I retch an awful lot bringing up bile.

The nausea and the horrible taste in my mouth means I’m struggling to drink- i feel so awful after every sip. Because of this I pee very infrequently, twice a day- perhaps 3 times? Reading previous posts I just wonder if this is something I should call the dr about as it’s showing dehydration? Pee is very dark. I can probably drink about a pint in the evening and I sip throughout the night. I’ve been given antiemetics and the dr only said about keeping liquids down for 24 hours- which I am doing. They didn’t mention ketones. The drs are hard to get hold of tbh and often make me feel I’m wasting their time. I’m only 9 weeks so no midwife appointments yet. I used to drink at least 2 litres a day... food I can eat in the evening- I managed a banana and toast yday but other days can have a sandwich/beans on toast.

Sorry the ketones might only be related to HG or lack of food? but I just read and wondered! I don’t want to be causing damage!

@Thisisbananas3

Congratulations on your pregnancy firstly! It sounds like you are really struggling, you'll find there is a grey area with diagnosing HG and it certainly sounds like you may be suffering from it.

That does sound like a low output of urine and could be a sign of dehydration. I'm guessing you are based in the UK? Hospitals tend to take ketones seriously here and having a high number of ketones in your urine usually goes hand in hand with a hospital admission for fluids. I personally think other symptoms should be taken into consideration alongside ketones but hospitals take them seriously anyway. You are able to buy the sticks online and test at home but your GP / midwife can also do this. Also GPs aren't particularly great with HG or morning sickness in general tbh, so don't feel like you're wasting their time - you are absolutely not! You do need to be persistent when dealing with them which is frustrating when you feel so ill. If your tablets aren't working, do contact them back and explain the effects it's having on your daily life, how many times per day you are sick / wretch, how bad the nausea is and is effecting your appetite, how little urine you are producing. There are many meds out there which you can try unfortunately it's one of them things of trying different ones to find the best one for you. You can also take more than one medication as a combination as well. It could be a case of just needing an extra med to help bring the nausea levels down.

Have you measured if you've lost any weight over the last few weeks? GPs took notice of my weight loss. Also, nausea is just as bad as physically being sick. I've suffered more with nausea this time around and been much more dehydrated. Just because you aren't being sick, the nausea makes your appetite drop which has a similar effect to being sick a lot. The nausea is dreadful. So I feel for you and hope you feel better soon.

@Idreamof2more

A little blood loss here and there is normal particularly if you are really bunged up. Just keep an eye on any further BM and if there's any further blood. You may need to take a stool softener, if you are taking iron tablets that can really dry your stools out as well. Iron can be hidden in pregnancy vitamins too so something to be mindful of.

@wwwwwwwwwwwwww

Glad to here your scan went okay! The relief means a lot when you can see everything is okay. Hope you feel better soon.

@Anyat212 thank you so much for such a considered and detailed reply!

Yes it’s been a bit of nauseous blur, I can’t lie! As for weight loss- it’s been a bit yo-yo. I started vomiting before I was even 4 weeks pregnant (it’s how I knew to test!) and I lost 3 kilos, I’ve since managed to put a kilo on as I had a week where it wasn’t quite so bad. So 2 kilos down (which has brought my BMI to underweight)

I think I will try and order some sticks, I have my booking appointment next week (which I am dreading as it’s at my peak vomiting time!) so will mention it then too. I can only call the drs during a small window in the morning to speak to them same day, so will try them and see if I can pick some up at the surgery.

The dr did say to me this was normal and I had to say I appreciate morning sickness is normal but I wouldn’t be calling if I thought what I was suffering was normal- when I told him the frequency etc I got prescribed anti emetics and he told me to check I could hold fluids for 24 hours. The tablets did stop the vomiting to an extent, but the nausea has persisted but they make me so drowsy, like taking a sleeping tablet. I didn’t realise you could take a combination of tablets.

I also feel if the horrible taste of metal left my mouth for a second I’d be able to stomach water etc. I’ve been trying flat lemonade as that doesn’t turn my stomach as much!

I’ve also stopped taking pregnacare because I am sure that made my sickness worse!

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had this before and you’re suffering again, hope you feel better too!!! Thank you again, I really appreciate the reply.

@Idreamof2more Sorry for potential TMI but I am also terribly constipated and whenever I go for a number 2 I get bright red blood, I think I have piles but internally (if that’s possible). I always check the blood is coming from the anus, because it’s such a panic when you see it on the tissue. I had this pre pregnancy too- I am sure you can get proper laxatives prescribed but I took califig which helped (tastes horrible though) but I think I’ll need to take it almost daily at this rate. Iron in tablets and dehydration are bad for trying to poop!

@Thisisbananas3

Thank you - I can definitely say it DOES get better! I think I'm in it for the long run as I'm still suffering at 28 weeks (did the first time as well) but it is not on the same scale as week 9! I'd mention your weight particularly if your BMi is under weight (this will be picked up in your booking appointment although is it over the telephone?) I think mine was and then I had another appointment in person for a check over. I think each trust varies though. They do take weight loss seriously though, I'm in the healthy range for BMI and they were tracking how much I was loosing each week closely.

I've found GPs easily brush off severe sickness as "normal MS" I wasn't diagnosed with HG until this time around.. I was even worse with my DD! And that was only 2 years ago. You are doing right trusting that it's not "normal". If the nausea is too much definitely ask for other or additional medication. You should still be able to function. There are a lot of us on combinations of meds, at my peak I was on 3 different ones. I'm only taking Cyclizine now so you can reduce when your symptoms improve. Doctors will likely be keen to reduce quickly so don't worry if they try that or be put out. Dehydration is a worse risk than taking meds for when you need them. It does sound like fluids would be helpful for you though. If you do get worse don't be afraid to contact 111 or make an emergency appointment with your GP.

Lucinda has a fab post on here of drinks and food sufferers can manage. Ice lollies are my favourite I've always managed to keep them down.

Thisisbananas3 Welcome. You have had such great advice from Anya212 I don't need to come out with my usual spiel except to say that things do get better for most sufferers between weeks 14 and 21 and that a good anti acid can make a big difference. It does sound as if you may be dehydrated as she says, do watch out for that. Is the drug they have put you on Cyclizine? Some doctors count heaves as 'vomits' rather than a vomiting bout, so it can be confusing talkng to them. Tell them how many heaves in each bout. Never worry about tmi on here. I have put my list of drinks etc below.
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 and slices of meloln and mango.
wwwwwwwwwwwwww Congratulations on the scan. I am so glad it gave you a boost, and congratulations on avoiding hospital.
Anya212 I am sorry to hear that you are still suffering at 28 weeks. Excellent advice as ever.

Ladies I’m still here watching from the wings. 4 + 4 today and I’m absolutely petrified. I’m shaking at the thought of hg hitting mee especially in lockdown. I have 2 kids to look after and we are a shielded family. When I was ill last time with it my lo could not handle it. I hate to admit this but I ended up having a termination at 6 weeks as I could not be managed at home. Could not tolerate anything and no anti emetic would touch it.
I regretted the termination terribly but my ds could not handle me being so ill. I then so desperately wanted my baby back so three months after tried again and had a cp. Then 2 months later here I am again. My hg comes into full force around week 5 + 3 or 4. Either that or I lose the baby. Have had 3 early loses.
Ladies I’m getting myself in such a state. My little one needs me as does my big one but I need this baby so bad to heal the loses and for us to grow as a family. I’m just so afraid of losing it or if my prayers are answered and I don’t the hg will destroy me. Any advice for pre emotive measures I could take. I’m awaiting a reply from my prev hg consultant.
I think also my mindset allowed me to be beaten I panicked at the extent of my suffering and could not get a grip. Xxx

@Idreamof2more

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses, sending you hugs. I don't really have any advice for you but didn't want to read and run. I'm sure somebody will come along shortly. This is my second HG pregnancy and I can safely say HG is the hardest thing I've ever been through. I was watching a documentary a few months back (it's still on Amazon prime) and I'm sure the figure on there was that 1 in 4 HG pregnancies end in termination. I've considered termination in both of my pregnancies. When you've not moved out of bed for days, constantly spitting, just sipping drinks, wrenching, dealing with relentless nausea and looking into that toilet bowl again. It's bloody hard and so draining in every aspect. There are no words for it.

Please don't ever feel guilty for terminating, you always have to think of your own health and children and do what's best. HG is truly awful and it's such a lonely experience (even with support around you), the mum guilt kicks in ever so strong when you have LOs already around as well. It's a difficult situation with the shielding element too, I really feel for you.

The only thing I could suggest is asking your consultant about talking therapies perhaps? I had a midwife appointment this afternoon and she mentioned that service to me which I never really knew much about. Have you got any pre emptive meds at the moment? Appreciate you saying they didn't work last time though. Hoping it holds off for you

@Anyat212 thank you so much your words mean a lot. Will def consider talking therapies.
Guess what will be will be. 💓💓💓💓

Idreamof2more Pre-emptive meds is a great idea. Do discuss it with your doctor. Some very severe cases on here have been helped by steriods. I so agree with Anya212 that counselling might be a good thing. Also, do see if you can get through to Pregnancy Sickness Support - linked above in my introductory spiel - via their Livechat or on the phone on 024763892020. The will phone back with good advice.
Waves to Anya212 and everyone. Foul weather. I did a walking run down to town and back today in the sleet.

@LucindaE thank you so much I am collecting meds today. Praying it doesn’t hit too hard. Xxx

Idreamof2more That's good. I am keeping fingers crossed for you.

@LucindaE do you recommend starting sickness meds before it kicks it. 5 weeks tomorrow. What would you recommend stocking up on? Thank you 🥰🥰

Has anyone taken anything better than gaviscon for reflux? I can't take it anymore!

bunhead34 Definitely Omprazole is thought much better by most on here.
Idreamof2more I think it is suggested that the brain has a neurological pattern set off by repeated vomiting which leads to more vomiting and one of the reasons that doctors are more humane about recommending anti emetics early these days. I think whatever helped you last time is the best: if it was severe, I am assuming that you didn't find the treatments they usually start you off on like Cyclizine or Stemetil helpful? There is a new drug for vomiting in pregnancy - called Xonvea, as I recall, but that might not be strong enough either. Did they end up prescribing Ondansetron?

bunhead34 I forgot to say much sympathy, I remember how awful it was. The doctor insisted there was only Gaviscon available, but I never found it very effective and people on here swear by Omprazole. There used to be another prescirbed called Ranitidine, but it was withdrawn for prolonged use because of a potential health risk.

I hope everyone is getting by.

How’s everyone doing today??
I’ve been so sick this weekend I’m having to call in sick to virtual school and my boss is irate. It’s so hard not having an employer that understands...I can’t be live on camera all day while vomming in a bucket?! I haven’t even been able to speak without being sick....has anyone here hurt their ribs in pregnancy? I can’t lay down at all now because my ribs are so incredibly painful...on top of the vomiting I’m just praying babies come out ASAP now...

BuffyFanForever I am sorry to hear about the unsymapthetic boss. It isn't good enough. As you're a teacher, I'm assuming you have a union? Can you complain to them that you feel you are being pressurised to workwhen you are too ill? After all, this is a pregnancy related condition, and employers aren't meant to descriminate against you in pregnancy related conditions. Sorry to hear about the awful weekend too. What meds are you on now? Can they add or substitute any? I didn't know you were expecting TWINS! Has dopey Mother Hen missed something? I'll put the Due Dates list below in case you want to be added.
DueDates
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
kingfisher657 24 June
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
kingfisher657 24 June

I somehow messed up the Due Dates list!
DueDates
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
kingfisher657 24 June

Ah thanks, due 13th March. Everyone here is so supportive honestly it’s so helpful to just know others are going through it (not that I would wish this on anyone!). I’ve rung the Gp and got signed off for the rest of the week. Trying to battle though is just too much right now and I’m going to make it clear now I have a drs note foe this week that they can’t hound me throughout the day every day. Union won’t help unfortunately, they have a lot going on right now with Covid...

Hi guys, looking for some support. Had HG with last pregnancy throughout so as soon as I could I started taking promethazine every 4 hours. Now I'm not being sick like I was initially with my last pregnancy but it had started to happen every now and again and I'm suffering with 24/7 nausea. Just wondering what other meds you may have taken or alternative therapies? I think I'm about 8 weeks, how long did yours last with subsequent pregnancies? Already in tears every night because I can barely eat and look after our son. Feeling a little low, thanks x

Star88 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering. There are various other meds you can take, including a new medication called Xonvea which has really helped some. Do ask the doctor as the nausea can be more debilitating than the vomiting in some ways. I didn't go for it a second time, but I am sure others can advise you about if they have found it worse or better in subsequent pregnancies. One thing that veterans have said is that they were better prepared in second pregnancies.
As you are a veteran, you don't really need my spiel below but I am including it in case it is helpful.
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 and slices of meloln and mango.
BuffyFanForever I am outraged if the union have said they are too busy to help you when you are facing discrimination over suffering from a pregnancy related illness. That's what unions are for! Can you send an email to the branch office or whatever if the local union rep isn't helpful? I'm glad you are signed off for this week and here is the amended Due Dates list, with TWINS! added.

DueDates
bluesskiesandapples 25 January
Xbambi 16 February TWINS!
BuffyFanForever 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
kingfisher657 24 June