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/topics/nausea-vomiting-in-pregnancy
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.

Great advice from composed. composed You deserve a medal for surviving Hyperemesis with two LO's.
vixey I am so glad that you feel a bit better today. Congratulations on imbibing all that. Try to ignore what work colleagues say; they have no idea how serious Hyperemesis is. You mustn't feel guilty; as composed says, this early stage is the worst bit. You wouldn't feel guilty if say, if you had a broken leg. I am glad you got another prescription.
MimPimMim Might it help if you got your LO a picture book explaining Hyperemesis? I know there are are one or two online. As this might count as advertising, I think it might be taken down, but there are some good ones, one by Caitlin Dean of Pregnancy Sickness Support, I believe.
www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mama+has+hyperemesis&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&adgrpid

nsg90 Cross posted. I am glad you are feeling better. Some find boiled sweets, old fashioned barley sugar or travel sweets or Palma Violets helps with the foul taste.

Ooh LucindaE I love Parma violets, I'm going to order some immediately!

@LucindaE thank you, I’ve been a little kinder to myself this time and realised as horrid as hg is there is a time limit on it. My 9yr old is so sweet and lovely by reassuring me that ‘it’s ok mummy its not your fault’, makes me cry when she does that. I really hope in time there is some sort of cure for hg though as it truly does take away all the enjoyment out of pregnancy and makes for a miserable time.

@nsg90 I had that horrid taste in the early weeks and it came back a few weeks ago! I find for me sour sweets or mint humbugs weirdly help a bit but I think for me it may not disappear till after the birth this time!

@composed oh you poor thing, I really hope it doesn't last my entire pregnancy! Yes funny you say that, I very much enjoy sour sweets and I hadn't realised but sucking them does help the taste. Thank you

Thanks @composed I’m wondering if it’s worth making an appointment with my doctor for a blood test ASAP anyway, although I’m still only on cycle day 22 of a likely 29 day cycle. My husband thinks I should go to the doctors because he thinks I’m ill not pregnant!

What medication is generally prescribed in the UK? I live abroad and last time my doctor would only give me diclectin, which reversed on me at 13 weeks. I was then very sick until 24 weeks and then pretty bad all the way to the birth. If I am pregnant I’m thinking of pushing for something else, but don’t know what to ask for

Composed Thank you - that makes me feel a little less guilty. My DD is just 2 (mid March birthday) and has never really had screen time before but has been having rather a lot over the last week or so. Not sure what else to do really, I’m sure it is too much but I’m struggling to do much at all and at least we can cuddle up together to watch something. She thinks the sudden introduction of screens into her life is wonderful, mind you... Hopefully that’s taking her mind off me not being such a fun mummy at the moment Hats off to you for managing HG with two little ones - no mean feat! I’m pretty certain that we will not be a three child family, definitely not up for this again

Lucinda Thank you for the book idea - my DD loves books and understands the concept of not being well (at least from her toys and making them feel better!) so this might help her to understand, in simple terms, that I’m not well. Will definitely look into it - thank you.

Feel absolutely rotten today, just me and my DD today - she’s napping now and I am on my knees. I really really really need her to have a decent length nap today. I’m supposed to be working now but my head is swimming. I think I’m going to have to call in sick from tomorrow - didn’t want to be off work so soon (although have made it longer than last time...) but don’t see how I can work in this state. My job is fast paced and there’s a lot of pressure at the moment, so no room for taking it easy and I think it might be better not to be there at all rather than just doing a shoddy job. Can’t decide whether to tell them I’m pregnant or not - it’s so early but at least by telling them all the pregnancy related protections kick in. Told them at 9 weeks last time for the same reason. 7 weeks feels REALLY early though... Has anyone got any advice work-wise please?

Sending thoughts and a hand hold to all suffering today, it’s hard

@Justonemorepotato the pregnancy sickness support website has really good info re the meds which can be prescribed in the UK, I believe there is a really good US site as well which has useful info re hg that i came across once, HER foundation(?) Sure if you google it it should come up. (I think the one you mentioned is similar to xonvea in the UK (cyclizine +B6?). As I’ve been through 4 hg pregnancies I knew for me which drug worked and asked for ondansetron/zofran when my pregnancy was confirmed. If ever this is prescribed I cannot stress the importance of taking lactulose to help with the constipation though!

@MimPimMim try not to worry about the extra screen time, trust me I have been there and even during this pregnancy have had t
resort on more screen time than I would be comfortable with normally, just do what you can to survive each day. It won’t always be like this and as she is so young she won’t remember. Regarding work I would tell them
so that you have the additional
protection due to pregnancy. I have been off work since 7 weeks and will remain to be off till mat leave kicks in. I work in the NHS and cannot do my job even when I am feeling half well, this happened in my last pregnancy, I was signed off the whole time. Feeling the way you do and it being the worst time due to the early weeks you need to look after yourself as much as you can as rest along with meds is as important. I really hope things get better for you sooner rather than later x

Hi everyone, hope people aren't suffering too much .

Just wondering if anyone had issues at their dating scan if they couldn't get a full enough bladder? I'm making progress with the HG as time goes on, I'm about 13 weeks now and eating and drinking pretty well. However I can still only drink very small amounts at a time and I still vomit most days which is worse when I have to move around. I have my scan tomorrow and I have to be there for 8.30am and drink a pint of liquid an hour earlier. I've not been getting up until 10/11am for weeks and weeks as I'm so exhausted and so sick early in the morning. I'm worried that I won't be able to keep all that liquid in my bladder and will vomit a lot of it up. What happens in that case, would they do an internal if they can't see clearly enough? I'm really dreading it, I think I wasn't vomiting as much as this at this gestation with my first as I don't remember it being a problem then.

@MeadowHay glad to hear things are slightly
better now for you. I struggled with fluids too at my 12 week scan, didn’t have enough so the lady asked me to sit outside and try downing some more water down and she would call me back in after some time. She did say if I can’t handle water which I seem
to be allergic to during hg then she was happy for me to have coke, could you try sipping fluids slowly via a straw leading up to the app and perhaps take in any fluids which you can handle if you’re asked to drink more? I hope all goes well x

composed Great advice as ever, on it being a good idea to tell work early, and about the importance of Lactulose with Ondansetron, and how coke can be easier to keep down during a scan, and on UK meds etc. Mint humbugs sound a good idea.
MimPimMim I do hope the picture book helps.
MeadowHay All luck with the scan.
nsg90 It's good that Parma Violets are favourites!
Waves to JustOneMorePotato and everyone.

my hubby is starting to get fed up of doing everything but we've been to aldi this evening and now I'm exhausted. genuinely have no energy im freezing and feel sick again 😩 but I'm gonna have to start pushing myself coz my husband is getting fed up. it was funny at first because it was like a role reversal because before I was pregnant I did everything (and I mean everything) and my hubby did nothing so it was quite funny at first seeing him having to pull his weight, now it's just irritating me and him :( xxx

Thank you Composed, I bit the bullet and told my work this morning - my manager didn’t really seem to take on board how sick I was last time / how sick I could get this time so we’ll see. At least I’ve told them though, so I can now work in bed with the camera off and not be on endless video calls We’ll see what happens but at least I’m more protected from an employment point of view now that they know.

Upside too that I feel a smidge less terrible this morning - perhaps the ondansetron is kicking in? Of course that now means that I am worrying why I am feeling better as I was getting progressively worse last time (although no medication then)... any reassurance from anyone please?! I had forgotten quite what a minefield being pregnant is!

I take it back - just a brief reprieve this morning, usual service resumed this afternoon

Thanks composed. Had my scan and all looked well, I thought I had drank enough which was so hard and I kept retching but the sonographer said it was not really full enough. She managed to do the scan but noted that the images weren't that clear and also she had to press extra hard on my abdomen to do it, it was so painful I had to grit my teeth and curl my toes up so as not to whimper now just need to wait up to two weeks for my letter with my screening results. I have just spent the last 3 hrs in bed though, the experience with the early morning has totally taken it out of me.

Vixey I don't think you should push yourself, it will probs make you worse and then he will have to do even more which is counter productive. How many weeks are you? My DH is struggling with his load too emotionally and fatigue-wise but it's not directed to me at all and as this is my second he knew what he was agreeing to when we decided to try for another. It is really hard for partners too but at the end of the day they're not the ones with HG so would do well to remember that.

Mim how many weeks are you? I've found the last few weeks I'm a bit more up and down than earlier. So I will manage to get out briefly one day and not vomit and then the next day I will be in bed all day vomiting. It's more variable for me now from about 11 weeks+. You may find similar?

Thanks Meadow - I’m glad your scan went well, even if not a great experience actually having it. I remember my 12 week scan with my first - had to sit there with a sick bowl the whole time!🤞🏻 for the screening results.

I’m only 7+2 and hard not to compare this pregnancy with my last, where I started feeling horrendously sick around 5 weeks and then it was all downhill from there GPs and midwives were no help at all so didn’t get any medication until about 16 weeks, which was far too late and it lasted my entire pregnancy. My daughter was born one day after her due date and the toast I had after she was born was the best thing I had eaten in months This time around, I’ve been prescribed Ondansetron from the start and have been on it for a few days now. Really hoping it makes a difference. It’s hard to tell as I’m not as bad at this point as I was last time but all pregnancies are different so it could be that or the medication having an effect. I’m also progressively worse as the day goes on this time, whereas I was the same level of awful all day everyday last time! My only consolation last time was that the sickness helped me remember that everything was progressing - I had two miscarriages before so the HG gave me some reassurance at least. Do you find that you are having a slightly different experience this time than with your first?

@MimPimMim I'm in the same boat, constantly comparing this pregnancy to my first. This time I've been much worse, more vomiting, worsening in the afternoon/evening and not much break at all from the nausea. I've been on Ondansetron and Cyclizine since 9 weeks, I'm now 15. Similarly, I'm using HG as some reassurance after several miscarriages. My turning point last time was 18 weeks so I'm clinging to that! I'm interested to see if this baby is the same gender as my first!

@MeadowHay I was exactly the same at my 12 week scan.

@vixey I'm at the same stage with my husband. I'm starting to get to a point now where I'm finding it easier to push myself to do things like shopping rather than the pain of putting up with a moaning husband or not what I want from the shops! Taken several weeks to get here though!

Meadowhay Poor you; that sounds awful at the scan. I keep meaning to say what a nice name Meadowhay is. But I am a country bumpkin at heart.
vixey Don't push yourself, says Mother Hen, flapping and clucking. I so agree with Meadowhay.
MimPimMim Oh dear, 'normal service' is grimly funny. . I am sorry to hear of your mc's. Good that you've told work.
Anxious9thPG I do hope you get some relief soon.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

Anxious9thPG I’m sorry to hear about your miscarriages. It’s ironic that the HG, awful as it is, gives us something to cling onto when the little voice in your head starts to worry you I find the constant nausea the worst bit, it’s just debilitating. I remember in my pregnancy with my daughter finding out that all day stomach-churning nausea wasn’t normal and that some people only get nausea at certain points in the day - I was stunned! Keeping my fingers crossed for you that you do turn a corner by 18 weeks. My HG lasted for my whole pregnancy last time and I’m trying not to think about the many months ahead - just taking it day by day for now.

Lucinda Thank you ❤️

Feeling really rotten tonight, thought I’d have an early night but can’t sleep as the nausea is making me dizzy. Spoke to the hospital today and they have recommended giving it a day or two more to see how the ondansetron is working but otherwise to add in metoclopramide to take alongside it. Has anything taken this and found it made a difference? Feel nervous about adding even more medication into the mix at such an early stage of pregnancy. My GP was rubbish and refused to prescribe it so have had to get a prescription straight from the hospital. I don’t understand why it has to be such a battle

@meadowhay
yes, we had a discussion late last night about it and he's said it's just the whole situation that's irritating him. it isn't me its just that he hates seeing me ill and hates seeing me struggling and all he can do it housework to take the load off me but he feels it isn't enough because I'm putting myself through hell to give us a baby. he's actually so sweet and romantic but hides it in his almighty strops he throws lol.
I'm currently 8 weeks, been sick since I was 6 weeks, think I peaked in the 7th week, and im 8 weeks yesterday. xxx

Hi just checking in hope you are all ok . I had.to stop the metachlopromide as some how it was making me feel worse more nausea and weak and like death. Sticking with cyclizine and will go to ondansetron when I really have to. I'm finding night time at the moment the nausea is worse and gross but I'm spitting everywhere to get rid of the horrible taste and stop myself being sick. Hope you are all hanging on in there fingers crossed the weeks go by fast for us all

@ttc2017 yesterday I genuinely felt like I'd turned a corner. I managed a full day at work (which is 13½ hours) and I managed to eat properly and drink 3 full bottles of filtered water, felt like I was finally getting past this hg and could enjoy being pregnant. this morning however I feel like im right back at square 1, throwing up and feeling nauseus all the time. I'm starting to think that pregnancy glow people talk about isn't actually a thing :/

It's horrible isn't it ive had odd days like that to then hellish days where I can't.move from sofa or bed. Anyone else been waking up in night to mouth full of blood from gums bleeding so gross and makes me feel even more sick

Thanks ttc2017, that’s helpful to know about the metoclopramide - I said that I didn’t want to add cyclizine in as I started on it during my pregnancy with my daughter and it did nothing for the sickness, just made me incredibly weak and dizzy, so it is interesting that you found metoclopramide the same I definitely think ondansetron is more effective than cyclizine - for me, anyway! Have you tried travel sweets for the taste in your mouth and the saliva build up? I find Simpkins mixed fruit drops good for that. I had bleeding gums and damage to the tooth enamel during my last pregnancy from all the vomiting and saliva build up - my poor teeth have never really recovered. You have my sympathies

Vixey If it is any consolation, I didn’t have the pregnancy glow for even one minute of my last pregnancy! Some friends who were pregnant at the same time looked absolutely amazing and I was a shell of myself. My best advice from last time is to focus on it day by day, not to think of the weeks and months ahead. Just every day, every week, every month is another day, week, month of this pregnancy that you never have to do again. My sickness peaked at about 16 weeks last time but continued through my whole pregnancy and it eventually got too mentally difficult to focus on getting past when actually it was better to tick off the days. And congratulate myself for getting through them! But very much hoping that we all (including myself!) feel better soon 🤞🏻

Hi everyone, back again 🙄 hoping for some more advice...I’m now 19 weeks, was taking cyclizine from 7-18 weeks with limited success and finally managed to get GP to switch to stemetil last week, been taking it for 6 days and have been sick on 3 days out of the 6 so not completely successful but I do feel much more well when I’m not being sick so in that sense it’s doing well.

I’ve been sick just now, sorry this is very tmi, it was food at first, then bile, then some blood. It might have looked worse than it was because it was mixed with other fluid so not sure how much blood there was, just seemed a lot. I started to feel quite dizzy and had lots of dots in my eyes (like when getting a migraine).

My throat feels burnt and I’ve got some tummy pain but that could just be round ligament pain from the vomiting. I have been sick a very small amount of blood a few times before when it’s been particularly violent but the bleeding seems to be happening more often and bigger volumes.

I did call GP to have a chat but was told by reception to call back tomorrow or 111 if I’m really concerned. I’m able to keep some food down and I’m not dehydrated as was able to drink plenty this morning, so not sure if there is anything to be done.

What do you think, is this bleeding normal? Should I be concerned? Wait to see if the stemetil starts to work a bit better?

Thank you so much for being so supportive and offering such great advice ☺️