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 all

This thread has been really helpful so far! I'm only 6 and a bit weeks but been constantly nauseous for the past week. Only sick once properly but a lot of "mouthfuls" if you know what I mean!

I've got a GP phone appointment sometime today. I'm really worried as I'm leading a big training thing in work next week and don't know how I'll get through. At the minute I'm working from home and going for a lie down in between client calls.

I've had 2 early miscarriages this year and so anxious as well about this pregnancy. I can't stand the thought of feeling like this for weeks then something going wrong anyway☹️

Pregnancy sickness sucks!

Off work today, managed a week and a half back but it has left me absolutely exhausted.
Feel so useless that I can’t do anything.

Why does everyone else seem to be able to just get on with it, I’m one of 6 who is pregnant at work currently, the others have tiny neat bumps, no sickness and are just carrying on as normal!
I have spent the day in bed trying to keep bland food down.

Everyone: I am only half back - there are PC probems too tedious to ennumerate, but I hope I will be on for a day or so before being off again.
Doughnut100 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering and I am really sorry to hear of your eptopic pregnancy and miscarrriage. I had only one missed misacrriage and it made me very nervous about the outcome of the next pregnancy. You have every reason to moan. The chances are very much in your favour all will be well this time. Sorry OH is brisk about it; unfortunately, many are. It is frankly annoying. It is worth asking for meds from the GP as the nausea is preventing you from leading anything like a normal life. Here is my normal spiel which may be of use. 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, 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, and Robinson's fruit drinks. I'll add Beaopo's Rubicon sparkling mango drink. 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!
Semele5069 Welcome. I don't think you can have posted before, as I would surely have noticed the name - it's the name of the Handel Opera with one of my favourite songs in it 'Where'er You Walk'.
Do ask the doctor for meds. I hope the advice I gave to Donought100 will be of use, and remember that though you have had 2 mc's, the chances are greatly on your side this time.
Anya212 Sorry to hear of that wakeful night and awful day.
BB20121 Do phone Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7538 2020 for advice about obtaining a reasonable amount of meds.
blueskiesandapples Congratulations on that lovely scan result.
Ridiculous that these medics are recommending ginger. Words fail me.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Photomum4 It was very brave of you to manage a week and a bit back. Your colleagues are luckier than you, that is all.
bunhdead34 I know what you mean. It is not ncessarily just Hyperemesis about which everyone is a know all - there is some comfort in that. People are the same about migraines, but I do think Hyperemesis being a purely female condition makes it even more underestimated.
Seeker2020 That is fascinating about sniffing coffee. With me, it was mint and lavender.

Any tips on rehydration?
Really struggling with liquids, even water makes we feel like being sick. Have been having ice lollies today which has helped but also have a awful headache which I am putting down to dehydration.

@PhotoMum4 someone on here had recommended apple juice. I got some this afternoon and have been able to drink 2 glasses with lots of ice, whereas I could barely sip water before! Its not too acidic and you get a bit of energy from the sugar too.

@Semele5069 thanks will give that a go. Everything else I try comes back up. And I agree, whatever I am drinking needs to be ICE cold.

@PhotoMum4 a glass of fizzy juice and stir it with a fork for a minute to make it kind of flat. Hope you are feeling better soon, honestly don't know how you managed to go to work! 💞

Hi I'm back! Was here in Dec but sadly had a MC.
I had HE with my 10yo and was admitted for a couple of days about 8 weeks and then was managed pretty well on Prochlorperazine.
I'm 5+1 today and first vomit was last night, nausea has been here for a few days before then.
I know a lot of tips and tricks, but a specific question today, has anyone found a toothpaste that's better than others? Every time I struggle and it's the lingering taste rather than the action currently.
Thanks all xx

I feel so lazy, just read through your starter post that I've read a few times in the past and the first thing is toothpaste!!
Apologies I'm so tired and just sitting here with that feeling of 'is this about to be a vomit or can I have a cracker'

@PhotoMum4 what I could drink changed weekly for a while and I also couldn't get water down. Apple juice worked for a while (and now I water it down as it became too strong), drinking ice cold things through a straw, sucking ice cubes and ice lollies, still lucozade, High5 Citrus flavour sports rehydration tablets, flat coke, watery foods like honeydew melon ice cold from fridge, nectarines.

@blueskiesandapples thanks, I find something that works then suddenly it’s a no go again! 🙈

Has anyone found that an antacid helps at all?
On good days When I’m not sick I end up burping a lot and always worry it will be followed by vomit. Wondering if there is a way to reduce the burping.

@PhotoMum4

I was so so sick with DS and I was so envious of the women around me who were ‘pushing through’ at the time I felt like such a failure.

Since DS’s arrival I’ve actually had the health to process the impact HG had on me and one of the things I really hate is the term ‘pushing through’ or ‘getting on with it’ or any other similar terms that basically imply that getting HG is due to a lack of willpower or determination.

Just like every other medical condition/ disease it’s not a choice!!! I did not choose to be that sick and I certainly didn’t enjoy being off work for 7 months because I couldn’t manage even a couple of hundred calories a day!

People who say things like this have not had HG and do not understand it, I find they’re also the type who upon hearing ‘I had HG’ respond with the likes of ‘oh yeah I had morning sickness too’ ... then tell you about how they went on holiday to Spain when they were 25 weeks

What works for you will keep changing, I had a new fad every couple of weeks. From plain baked potatoes to frozen grapes it was always just one thing I could manage. Good luck, it really is worth it xx

I'm so glad I've found this thread.
I'm 8 weeks, and have been throwing up continuously for the last two-ish weeks.
Spoke to my doctor earlier this week who confirms suspected HG, but wants me to try eating 1/10th of a piece of toast every half an hour, and sipping water every 15 minutes before considering medication.
It's not been successful so far, so I'm going to speak to them tomorrow and hopefully try something new!

It's absolutely miserable, and I feel like it's taking all joy/excitement out of being pregnant. I've had to speak to my manager about it as I'm really struggling, I have no energy, I'm constantly freezing and all I want to do is sleep. How have people managed whilst working full time? One saving grace is I'm still working from home so no one can see the state I look and it means I can mute myself on calls whilst I vom into the kitchen sink...

Please tell me it improves at some point?

Is it right that those who suffer with HG are likely to experience it in future pregnancies?

@EthelTheGoose

Oh my god, I can't believe your doctor has advised you to do that! Honestly they leave me with no words at times. You've been suffering for two weeks with this and the advice is eat every 15 minutes BEFORE even considering meds. If I was you, I'd ring back and tell them it's not working and you need serious help or will be at risk of being in hospital without the right meds. It probably sounds abit arsey but it's the truth.

I'm so annoyed for you. Have you kept a track of your weight over these two weeks? That was one of the first things I kept telling the GPs as I lost nearly a stone in just over 4 weeks. Which was quite a loss for me. Has your GP atleast told you to drop off a urine sample off? They should be checking for keytones going by your symptoms.

I promise it does get better this is my second HG pregnancy and there is definitely a peak. Once you are over that you do feel better although when that is, differs for everyone. I'm 12 weeks and found relief at around 9 weeks (early compared to my last one) but that was due an over night stay in hospital, being hydrated with fluids and given 3 medications as a combination. The hospital were really good with me. I'm 12 and half weeks now and although I'm struggling it is not as bad as it was in them very early weeks.

If it makes you feel any better I'm working from home too, still in my dressing gown looking like a right mess. I have to go in the office for a few days next week due to meetings and I'm dreading it. I do hope you get some relief soon though

I totally agree with you @Pumpertrumper about speaking to them women who don't understand HG! My MIL is one who tells me she only had extreme sickness until 12 weeks and it completely disappeared but still managed to drag her self into work everyday (Asif I should be doing that) I just tell her that it must have been awful, but at-least she wasn't suffering with HG! Unfortunately it does only seem to be people who have suffered it what fully understand what it's actually like.

Thanks Lucinda hope you are well and manage to get your laptop all sorted

Sending hugs to you all x

@Anyat212

Non HG mum: Oh yes I had ‘extreme sickness’...but I still managed to drag myself into work, go on holiday and make Sunday dinner every week for the family. It was hard but I pushed through! insert patronising smile

HG mum: Oh yes, I had ‘extreme sickness’... I lost 10% of my body weight in 8 weeks and didn’t leave my house until I was hospitalised for dehydration. I briefly thought I might die... at the time it felt like a sweet release from the Groundhog Day of hell my life had become!

@pumpertrumper exactly! The amount of people that said oh yeah so did I, until I mention the IV fluids part!

@EthelTheGoose- I had to run the advice you were given past my brother who is a doctor and he was gobsmacked. Granted, prescribing medication is not a 'willy-nilly' thing doctors like to do, but when you are suffering as much as you are there needs to be some extra consideration.

Truly, I couldn't work through the peak of my HG and had a good few weeks off. I know that's not always practical or feasible for everyone but it really does help in reducing the stress- and I had my peak in lockdown so was home anyway! HG is as much a strain on your mental wellbeing as it is on your physical and sometimes you just need a minute to take a breath and rest.

@Pumpertrumper- HG Mum conversation is identical to one I had with a colleague. She said "oh it wasn't that bad....I managed a holiday to New Zealand with a toddler in my 1st trimester". Safe to say I would have punched her in the noggin had Zoom/Skype accomodated it.

Love to all xxx

Hi all.

@Pumpertrumper, your post made me smile!

I checked in early on in pregnancy but been busy trying to keep up with sickness and firstborn starting school. Had the worst week (28wks now). Suddenly the vomiting is back with a vengeance and 3+ ketones in my urine. Drs had a debate about whether to admit me for iv fluids today, but I requested to go home and rest and promised to go straight to the labour ward if my symptoms didn’t improve. I’ve not got omazeprole (sp?) alongside my Ondanstetron. It hasn’t immediately made a difference. Fed up as it did get better around this time with my last pregnancy.

Hope everyone else keeps plodding through.

EtheltheGoose Welcome. That is extraordinary advice. The only good thing about it is, that ginger wasn't mentioned. I hope that the doctor, when you phone and assure him/her that it's not working, does accept that you need meds. Unfortunately, it is likely that you will get it in subsequent pregnancies, though some on her have escaped. Most have learnt how to get early effective meds and how to get a support network and that makes things less alarming if they suffer a second time. Here is my normal spiel which may be of use. 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, 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, and Robinson's fruit drinks. I'll add Beaopo's Rubicon sparkling mango drink. 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!
PetiteQuark I am sorry that you are suffering badly in the third tri. That is so dismal. It is disappointing that the Omprazole doesn't help. Has the doctor added other meds iike Cyclizine in the past? It is miserable to have 3+ketones. I hope you get better without having to be admitted, but at least that will help.
PhotoMum4 You have already had excellent suggestions. Does the juice of tinned fruit ever help with rehydration? A lot of sufferers find an anti acid invaluable.
SweetpeaorMarigold I am sorry about your miscarriage. Don't worry about missing the kids' strawberry toothpaste advice- I don't expect sufferers from Hyperemesis to be in a mood to read long introductory posts usually...
Pumpertrumper You are so right. Very tiresome.
Seeker2020 That was one good thing about lockdown, anyway...
Great advice from ChubbyMumFromSkye, Semele, Seeker Anya212 and everyone.

Back - the pc laptop conundrum has been solved (famous last words).
I hope everyone is coping today.

Can anyone help please? I’m 18 weeks and 3! I’ve been suffering with hyperemesis since I was 3 weeks pregnant I’ve been in hospital 3 times due to this and on a drip and iv anti sickness! I’ve been prescribed tablets for anti sickness 3 different lots and I’ve tried everything you can think off literally everything I’ve been advised nothing is working! I’m suffering badly again and I want to try and avoid hospital but if this doesn’t stop or get better I’m going to end up back in can anyone send me some suggestions just incase I haven’t tried it it’s so tiring and draining and having a 7 year old at home too I’m struggling x

Oh @Charnaf92 how awful, I'm sorry you are feeling so ill.
My go to's are: fruity ice lollies or ice pops, flat fizzy juice - I like lemon fanta or full fat coke, and tinned mandarins.
I have also realised that 99% if sweet/dairy foods make me worse so maybe try just salty things and see how that goes.
I hope you find something that agrees with you 😊

@ChubbyMumFromSkye Thankyou I will try some of them I have tried ice poles and lollies was on them for a week and then it stopped working! Currently
Laying in bed with a cold flannel on my head and trying to sip water have taken some paracetemol so hopefully it will help somewhat going to call my doctors tomorrow see if there’s anything else I can try I’m at my wits end with it. The things us women have to go through aye 😂 xx