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.

BuffyFanForever What is the matter with me? I didn't put the date!

DueDates
bluesskiesandapples 25 January
Xbambi 16 February TWINS!
BuffyFanForever 13 March 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

@BuffyFanForever

Sorry to hear you've been unwell, my sickness/nausea is still there too. Your boss should be ashamed and totally agree with Lucinda on taking it further with the union. Is there anyone from HR on site you could speak to? We unfortunately come across managers who don't realise they are being discriminative to pregnant ladies. Hope you are resting up anyway.

I'm not sure on the rib pain, my right rib hurts sometimes but I just assumed baby liked to kick / slap or whatever she does in there.. into my rib. DD enjoyed doing it as well. Have you mentioned it to your midwife? How are you feeling about the birth? I'm starting to feel anxious around covid numbers as I thought by March this year, it would have calmed right down. I'm due to get my C section date next month.

@Star88
It sounds like you may need a combination of meds or an increased dose of your current ones (if it allows). I'd recommend getting in touch with your doctor, asking about combos and explaining how bad the nausea is. I took the combo of cyclizine, metoclopramide and another med beginning with P (can't remember the name now!) Feeling the nausea so badly can have the same impact as being physically sick so the risk of dehydration is there. My nausea was much worse this pregnancy and I lost my appetite. This resulted in becoming dehydrated and receiving fluids. Once I had the fluids, I managed on just meds thankfully. It was the midwives at hospital what told me to take that combo throughout the day though before being discharged, GP gave me all three separately but none worked alone. I'm still on Cyclizine at the moment.

I found making a meal or sandwich or whatever I fancied, eating a little bit.. putting to one side and eating more etc. Then eventually you've eaten a meal or sandwich even if it's taken some time. I found that method much better rather than thinking I need to force myself to eat as it never ended well. This pregnancy has been hard however, my first was dreadful. I was still being sick giving birth to DD. I've been sick this time (nowhere near as much as the first) but the nausea has been on another level. I tend to have good days or weeks (at times!) where I feel okay / can deal with the nausea. Then it will come back, but not as bad as them early days. You just need to get over that peak which hopefully shouldn't be much longer for you. How old is your son? I know it's hard dealing with this and looking after another child too. My DD is 21 months and it's certainly been challenging. All I can say is be kind to yourself, accept help (I know it's difficult given the certain circumstances) & don't feel guilty!

@Star88 I think you, and anyone who goes for a second pregnancy after dealing with this in the first, are really brave. Hope you find some meds that continue to help.
@LucindaE thank you for adding me to the list, I’m quite near the top which gives me hope it isn’t too much longer to deal with this!!

BuffyFanForever As you say, not long to go! I do so hope that with the vaccines the situation will be signtificantly better in a few weeks.
I forgot to say I used to have awful rib ache - I think, from the ribs expanding?It really hurt at times!
Anya212 Fine advice as ever, particularly about the slow eating.
Waves to all.

Ladies I’m 5 + 5 and can feel the start of the dreaded nausea. Previously HG warrior.
I have started taking cyclizine today and feel the first tablet has really helped ease it. I’ve been told that starting meds before it fully kicks in can help. I pray so. Has anyone else experienced taking meds earlier helped them. Xx

Idreamof2more I am so glad that the meds have helped. I hope one of the other Hyperemesis veterans can answer your question from personal experience soon. The usefulness of pre-emptive meds is certainly what I've always heard.

@LucindaE thank you so much x

Idreamof2more How are things with the meds so far?
Very quiet on here at the moment. Hopefully, that isn't a bad sign; but it might be...

Hi ladies ,

I hope you don’t mind me joining , this my second hg pregnancy and I thought I was around 9weeks but my private scan has but me at 6weeks healthy heart beat I think Ovulated late . The hg has really ramped up this week I been in out of Hosptial in the last few days. I’m currently on onstransteon 8mg 3times daily and Xonvea twice on a night . I still feel sick and heavy feeling in my stomach . But being sick has been maybe once or twice a day . My question ladies do you think I could up the Xonvea during the day or not ? I’m going to ask my gp on Monday . It’s strange because last time the onstreteon worked alone and it made it completely go away . It’s far worse this time 😩 I hope you mamas are okay xxx

MrsShaw2 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering so badly. Have they discussed possibly giving you steroids if things don't settle with the current regime? I hope someone will soon be on to advise about how much Xonvea you can safely take with Ondansetron. I don't know, myself, sorry. I suffered years ago, but these days I am Mother Hen on this thread. As you are a veteran, you don't need my usual spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'a good anti acid can make a big difference' and 'do you find ice lollies, flat full sugar coke(if not too acid) and the juice of tinned fruit any good?' Did you suffer throughout last time? Everyone is very supportive on here.

@LucindaE

Heeeyy! Thanks for replying last time I literally suffered for 4weeks went into hospital came out went back 10hours later came back out with 8mg of ondansetron and it completely went away 😩 this time the ondansetron only takes the being sick away , so might only be sick a little bit twice a day . But the feeling of sickness is horrible 😩 it’s like my stomach is full and I keep burping and my stomach is just turning and turning . When I take the xonvea on a night I’m fine and I can sleep all night without any sickness . I thank god for because usually I was getting up a few times a night to be sick . So maybe if I could take that as well during the day it might help the sick feeling . Another thing is already have a stomach problem that’s undiagnosed and I was taken ppis twice daily but I got told to stop so I don’t no if that’s also causing a problem . I’m eating little things and often and just drinking whatever I fancy. Xx

@Idreamof2more

I never took pre emptive meds for this pregnancy as I wasn't officially diagnosed with HG in my first pregnancy (even though I was worse!). I got meds early on in this pregnancy but the HG had already kicked in by then. I hope the Cyclizine is still working? if not I'd contact your GP to ask about a combo.

@MrsShaw2

Sorry you are struggling. I've never taken xonvea and tbh I've only heard of it on here! Rather than waiting for Monday, have you been given a number for your maternity unit? When I was discharged from hospital they gave me the direct number as it was still a week off from my booking appointment. The midwifes may be able to answer if you can increase it? They really helped me with my combo compared to my GP. Hope you feel better soon.

I'm officially 30 weeks today! The end is in sight. Had a little cry to DP today as the nausea is still bad, sick a few times a week now though. I'm also bizarrely having nose bleeds quite regularly now! Hope everyone is coping and you are well Lucinda

Hey @anyat212 ,

I never got a number the hospital tbh have been terrible. I sat for five hours the other day to be told your not dehydrated enough , day later to be blue lighted in with chest pain / dehydrated. They didn’t even admit me they left me in a private room for 8hours in the woman centre with fluid bags . They over run with COVid patients and threshold for admission is if your not dying then your sent on your way . My gp on the other hand is really helping and understands the condition. my midwife has also been really good help . If I can curve the sick feeling I think I be okay . At the moment i just can’t function and I tell you it takes you to some pretty dark places . Your nearly there mama ! You complete hero 🦸‍♀️ xxx

@MrsShaw2 wow that does sound awful, sorry you had to go through that. I was left for quite a while but they did look after me once I got onto the maternity unit. It's such a scary time with covid around as well. They should have gave you the number though! You'll likely be given it in a few weeks anyway at your booking appointment but totally understand how you feel. Could you perhaps text or ring your midwife and ask about the med question? I'm just thinking so you're not suffering for another day until you can speak to your doctor.

I have to stay I'm glad you've got a good GP! I can honestly say in both pregnancies 9/10 doctors I've seen have been pretty rubbish. That dark place is horrible, I can't believe I've got to 30 weeks as I was crying my eyes out, staring into that toilet bowel for so long I had no idea how I was going to get through it again. But you do and you will too! Just try to take every day as it is and remember it does pass.

@Anyat212 yeah it was terrible and I have been booked in 😩😩 my midwife doesn’t turn her home on till Wednesday 😩 I just hope it passes because it’s so much harder this time 🥰 I’m so pleased that your nearly at the end chick and your suffering will end soon 🥰 xx

MrsShaw2 It's awful you were kept waiting like that. Every now and then they say that if you have an emergency you must go to hospital, but it doesn't sound as if they can exactly cope when you do. Hopefully, this dismal situation with the virus will only last a short time, but it is particularly unlucky for anyone on here really suffering at this time.
Anya212 Sorry to hear about the crying. It is hard to have continuing nausea at week 30, though congratulations on reaching that landmark. You have been invaluable on this thread. Have some and a .

I can guess how hard it must be to be dealing with Hyperemesis at this time. It isn't easy, normally, particularly in winter when hospitals can be overstretched. I think everyone keeping going through this pandemic with Hyperemesis deserves a medal.

Thanks Lucinda, I couldn't have got through it without you and these threads! Such a supportive thread with both pregnancies

Hope everyone is coping as best as they can x

Hello all. New here and currently at 7+4 with my first. I've been lurking on this thread for the last 2.5 weeks when my nausea started.

I am in awe of those of you who have done this multiple times. I know I cannot ever do this again. I am having doubts I'll make it through this pregnancy and have seriously considered terminating even though it was planned and wanted just to get relief. Every moment is hell, and I am not coping.

Did any of you experience genuine regret or lack of any feeling towards your baby as a result of the HG? I never think about the baby, just the nausea. Just thinking about anything baby-related makes me throw up. I feel no bond. I refused to look at the ultrasound or hear the heartbeat. I'm worried the HG is really affecting me mentally to the point that I don't want the baby. Has anyone else felt this and recovered? :(

@Highfalutinlootin so sorry to hear you are struggling so much. I remember calling my little girl a parasite and hating being pregnant, I felt so robbed. However my sickness eased around week 14 at week 16 we had a gender scan and that is the first time I felt a connection since the horrible sickness started. She is now 2 and the light of my life but it doesn't minimise feeling like you're dying for weeks on end with no end in sight.
Try to remember you are coming up to the peak of the sickness.
What medication are you on?

@Highfalutinlootin

Firstly I promise it does get better. With HG you reach a peak, once you are over that symptoms will improve. They may not fully disappear as it varies person to person but you certainly won't feel worse. Hopefully you won't be far off the peak and you'll start to feel better. I have thought about termination in both pregnancies despite being planned as well, so I can really understand how you are feeling. All I wanted was to feel normal again, I couldn't see anything else. Ondansetron helped me in my first pregnancy and I've taken a combination of meds in this pregnancy. So there are plenty of options out there for safe meds.

Have you spoke to a GP about any medication? They should provide you with one to help combat or at least ease the nausea. Take each day as it is, don't think ahead just think of today it helps you get through it.

I can only speak from my experience, in my first pregnancy I did not struggle to bond with DD once she was born. I never really bonded much whilst I was pregnant with her. As soon as she was born I didn't get that immediate rush of love what people talk about either. I had a difficult labour so once I'd pulled myself together - I felt only feelings of love and relief that she was okay. She's 21 months now and she's been the light of my life since. I do remember feeling guilty that I never had that rush of love, but it's actually quite common not to feel it. I do get a pang of guilt every now and then when I think I was going to terminate her but I was very unwell, just like you. HG is a brutal, isolating condition so feeling any guilt is not needed. You are doing so well getting through it and that's what you have to remind yourself. The midwifes were great with me and told me all about counselling options etc and how to notice the signs of PDD etc. You are able to access counselling throughout pregnancy though and your midwife can refer if you thought that was beneficial?

With this pregnancy, again I can't say I really feel "bonded" with her either. Maybe it's just me, I know I love her and I'm always relieved to hear she's measuring well / is okay on scans etc. I'm just looking forward to her being here, as much as I'm grateful I'm able to have babies I don't enjoy pregnancy. With the HG, every side effect you can get from pregnancy and combined with looking like a zombie - I just don't enjoy it! On the plus side, DD has been an excellent sleeper since she was a newborn

The thing is though, you have to do what is best for you. If you are struggling to cope, do not feel guilty for thinking / wanting to terminate. You have to prioritise your health and well-being. I do hope you feel better soon

Place marking as got my positive pregnancy test yesterday after feeling slightly nauseous this weekend when I woke up. Yesterday was a good day I think from the adrenaline of finding out I'm pregnant. But today I can feel the beginnings of how it happened last time. Feeling sick if I drink too quickly 😭 I'm on b6 and going to buy ginger capsules today too even if it just helps a little. Sorry for swearing at you all with the ginger but I'm hoping the high strength capsules that are found to be effective in the research papers will help as opposed the ginger biscuits 🙄
I'm going to see how I go over the next couple of days and if there's no improvement I'll be going to the GP before things gets bad.
At the moment my due date is the end of September.

Congrats at @RockinRobinn!

A friend of a friend mentioned them ginger capsules yesterday funnily enough, I've never heard of them. She has been suffering with HG and she said they are helping - so fingers crossed for you.

@Anyat212

Congrats at *@RockinRobinn*!

A friend of a friend mentioned them ginger capsules yesterday funnily enough, I've never heard of them. She has been suffering with HG and she said they are helping - so fingers crossed for you.

They sell them in boots they have to be 1000mg strength to be strong enough I think

Welcome to Highfalutinlootin. You have already had brilliant advice from Anya212. What meds are you on? If they aren't helping enough,there are others they can try. Don't worry about the lack of bonding when feeling so ill; so many sufferers have said that during pregnancy. And as Anya says, not everyone bonds at once when the baby is born. I didn't either, as I had a traumatic birth and blood loss and felt terrible, but it will come with time. The most sensible advice I ever saw about loving a new born was this: 'Don't worry if the love doesn't come at once, act as though you love the baby, and it will come'. That's a
promise! Here's my usual spiel which repeats some things Anya has already said: 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.
RockinRobinn Congratulations on your pregnancy. Great advice from you too, particularly about bonding. On the ginger capsules, I have heard of those, but didn''t dare mention them on here, ha, ha!
Anya212 I am so glad that this thread has helped. You are a for all the advice you have given.
Waves to all.