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.

composed Sorry, I think I misunderstood you about the suppositories. 'This Too Shall Pass' indeed.
FartleBartle It's really good you enjoyed the Fibregel! To be honest, I think gaining weight through eating again is a source of congratulation. I think you need someone better informed than me to say at what point the baby grows most, but that may well be a factor and the growth in the placenta and all the rest of it. Mother Hen is rusty after so many years.
vixey That is a great idea for MimPimMim to hide the awful taste.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Thanks vixey - I will try to find something to mix it with to see if that helps. Can only really drink lemon squash at the moment and don’t want to put myself off that by adding the lactulose to it! Haven’t taken it for the last day as couldn’t face it and already feeling uncomfortable But got to face it as the hospital have upped my dosage of ondansetron so imagine it will only get worse... Haven’t heard of Fybogel - is that a possible alternative for the lactulose? Thanks!

@FartleBarfle also remember you're probably a lot better hydrated now too so that will increase your weight too. I'm 17 weeks tomorrow and the last couple of weeks I have gotten a biiiiig belly since being able to eat more too. Although this is my second so I think it's normal to be bigger sooner. I was tiny with my first even in the end compared to most.
I have been able to eat more the last 3 weeks or so and tbh I'm just thankful for that. In the next week or so I will weigh myself and have already started to increase my fruit and veg intake and decrease my sugar intake. But for now I'm responding to my appetite because if I don't eat the sickness returns. I've got things like rice cakes and put a little butter (vegan because I can't tolerate diary well in pregnancy) as a lower calorie snack.

I had my first evening back at work yesterday and it went ok. Had my whooping cough vaccine this afternoon too and just got a sore arm and feeling a little more tired but no increase in sickness yet like last time, so fingers crossed is stays like that! Baby brain is setting in and I am progressively becoming a waffling moron 😂 no vomits for a couple of weeks now I think although I was dangerously close this morning! Smell aversions seem to have come back very strongly too.

Hope those with constipation get it under control I think the suppositories are great at getting everything moving especially if it's been a while. But he warned they can work quite quickly!

RockinRobinn Congratulations on big belly! Also on return to work and successful whooping cough injection. Excellent advice for MimPimMim MimPimMim You can buy Fibrogel over the counter, but many do find it nauseating as you have to mix the packet in water as a drink. FartleBartle was lucky in loving it!

@MimPimMim
I dont think fibregel is as strong as lactulose, we use something at work called laxido, which is just an orange flavoured powder which can be mixed with water or cordial, but not sure if safe in pregnancy, but could be worth asking.
personally I hate the taste of all of them and laxido is possibly the only one which doesn't make me sick.
saying that, this week I'm feeling loads better, I havent been sick in days and apart from my tiredness I'm coping which is a step in the right direction.

xxxx

Ah, good to know Lucinda - thanks!

RockinRobinn - thanks for the advice, desperately searching for an alternative to the lactulose... Really glad that your return to work went ok, I remember how daunting it is to go back. Hope things remain on an even keel for you🤞🏻

Hi everyone, I'm currently taking Phenergan and although it's helping a bit I wondered if there was anything else they could add in to give me more relief? Is there something else I could take on top of the Phenergan?

Imagineit Am I right in thinking another name for that is Promethazine or Avomine, an anti-histamine? There are various anti-emtics they can choose from, so if it could be helping you more, do ask your doctor for other meds. An anti-acid can help too, such as Omprazole.
MimPimMim Good advice from vixey Women on here have I think, been prescribed Laxido , so hopefully your GP might recommend it.
Waves to RockinRobinn and everyone.
Waves to all.

Hi everyone,
I was on this thread a year ago but left Mumsnet when all the Covid chat on other threads got too much - I was freaked out enough about it!
Thank you for all the advice and support. I had a rough time with hyperemesis, but I now have a beautiful baby girl, she is just amazing and worth it all. Even though I am typing this in the middle of the night as she doesn't sleep well at all! For those of you going through it, hang on, I promise it is worth it. I wouldn't have believed it at the time but the horrible, horrible sickness us a distant memory now, it really has faded. This too shall pass. Take care all x

Hello!

Another one to testify it’s possible to make it to the end! Currently waiting for my 5 week old to fall asleep.

I was unlucky, I was sick until the morning after my c section. However it wasn’t as bad as the first 3/4 months the entire time.

Things that helped:

This support thread in the early days.
Orange juice
Cyclizine and Ondansetron combined (took right up to day of section).
Getting your gp on board with a long term plan for your pregnancy when it’s clearly not just going away.
Haribo tangfastics for emergency keeping the vomit down.
Getting onto all fours if I felt faint. (Often accompanied with profuse sweating and hyperventilating, being near the floor was important).
Tortilla wraps for nibbling, especially for zoom meetings.

When we was really bad and admitted in for iv fluids I could just about cope with juice from tinned pears. After meds I could tolerate salty McDonald’s fries.

Hang in there 💜

Oh and just to add, fibrogel is much nicer than lactulose. I gagged at lactulose but found out (a bit bloody late) that it mixes very tolerably with orange juice. Required for post birth iron tablets.

Whatnext1123 and FluffyPurpleSlippers Thank you so much for your encouraging messages and great advice. I am so glad the thread helped. Congratulations on your babies. Enjoy them. [star) Whatnext123 Mine was sleepless. It is exhausting. Instead of sleeping 18 hours a day she was awake a day 18 hours! Hopefully, it will get better in a little while, but if it goes on past a few months, do they still do sleep clinics? I found going to one very useful.

Sorry, that's Whatsnext1123. I typed the wrong name for the sleeplessness part of my message.

Hey all
I'm new here 6+5 here and feeling so rotten. Have had constant nausea the last week. And feel like there is no end in sight. Was prescribed some anti sickness yesterday. And have taken some but have this horrible fear it won't work. I no I have to give it some time but it feels like time stands still when you feel like this constantly.
Not being sick as such more just constant nausea with wanting to lay in bed and cry

Sarahmummy1989. Welcome. Sorry you are suffering. It is possible to have Hyperemesis without vomiting. I am glad you've got meds. Is it Cyclizine? If the med doesn't work in a few days, do ask for something else or in addition. There are various ones they can try. From your name, I'm assuming you have a daughter? Of course, it is harder with an LO. Are there others who can help? Here is my normal spiel which I hope might help. 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. When reporting on the vomiting to doctosr, remember to emphasize the number of heaves in each vomiting session, as doctors tend to count these as 'vomits' and this can lead to their underestimating the severity of your symptoms. Besides drinking through a straw, here are 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 melon and mango.

Hi, can I ask, is it still hyperemesis if the vomiting is controlled by medication?
I'm nearly 7 weeks and have been on cyclizine since week 5 following a week of not being able to keep water down, throwing up every half hour, it was AWFUL. I am know getting some relief from the sickness, I can eat crackers and tinned fruit without being sick and by evening can attempt an almost normal looking meal but I feel sick constantly. The nausea is overwhelming at times. I find I'm craving orange squash? I think because it cuts through the horrid taste in my mouth I have... Is this hyperemesis, or is it "just" morning sickness? I was like this with my previous child also and it was never mentioned as being HG but I've always wondered...

Vixey Apologies, I think I cross posted with you previously and wanted to say thanks for the advice, really appreciate it. Hope you are continuing to have good days!

CityGirl Sorry to hear that you are suffering, it’s the pits. Second HG pregnancy for me, vomiting better controlled by medication (combo of ondansetron, prochlorperazine and Omeprazole) this time round. Still signed off work with HG due to the retching and relentless nausea. The charity Pregnancy Sickness Support also mentioned to me that there is beginning to be more talk of ‘dry’ HG - basically, vomit-less HG. For me, the constant nausea is the worst part anyway. Regardless, it sounds like you are suffering! Hoping it gets better for you soon

Apologies in advance for the vent everyone but having a low day today. I’m 10+1 now and, my god, the days are going by SO slowly. Not sure I can do another 30 weeks of this (how long it lasted with my daughter - the entire pregnancy!) and am desperate for it to not last as long this time. It is so much harder with a toddler too and I feel guilty for not being fun mummy at the moment. I know it does end, and is worth it in the end, but 30 weeks is a really long time left. Last time I checked down the days in my mind but even that makes me feel guilty as my daughter is at such a lovely age and I don’t want to wish time with her away. Feeling jealous of people with ‘normal’ pregnancies, which is such an ugly emotion but I can’t help it. No other words really, just

CityGirl182 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering. You've already had great advice from MimPimMim. Can they add any meds to what you are on? It certainly seems as if y ou had Hyperemesis with your first pregnancy, undianosed. Hopefully, things will improve in the next few weeks. I hope you have got help with looking after your LO. Here is my normal spiel which I hope will be useful. Here is my normal spiel which I hope might help. 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. When reporting on the vomiting to doctosr, remember to emphasize the number of heaves in each vomiting session, as doctors tend to count these as 'vomits' and this can lead to their underestimating the severity of your symptoms. Besides drinking through a straw, here are 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 melon and mango.
MimPimMim Much sympathy. No need to aplogise for moaning, that's what this thread is for. It is really hard on those who suffer badly throughout. You are giving LO the best present you can in a sibling. I regret not going for it again myself, despite the temporary comparative neglect it would have meant for my daughter. I hope things seem a bit brighter tomorrow. It was nice of you to give such great advice when feeling terrible.

MimPimMim I've just thought - a lot of sufferers say ten weeks is the worst bit, with a hormonal surge and early on. Are there any meds they could add?

Thanks Lucinda, I really appreciate the kind words. I didn’t know that there was a hormonal surge at 10 weeks - the hospital upped my ondansetron dosage last week and I thought it was making a difference but the last couple of days have been horrible, which might be explained by the hormonal surge? Any idea how long it lasts?! Thanks for giving me space to vent, it really helps

Thanks for your kind words @MimPimMim and @LucindaE. I have my first midwife appointment next week so I'll bring up the nausea again and see what she says.
My husband is furloughed at the moment, which is annoying for him, but actually very helpful at the moment! The smell of food cooking is a real problem for me and he's just taken over all the cooking, I feel well supported :)

MimPimMim Hopefully the hormonal surge might be it. I am so glad venting on the thread helps.
CityGirl182 I am so glad that OH is doing the cooking and being very helpful. That makes such a difference.
Waves to all.

Hi all, Im sorry to hear about those having a hard time but the early stages are usually the worst. @LucindaE advice is great re food and drinks, just eat and drink what you can when you can and take each day at a time.

I’m sorry if I sound like I am about to vent or sound like a loony but is anyone near the end of their pregnanch? and if so how are you getting through the days and managing? I’ve relapsed somewhat in re to my bp and overall feeling like crap and feel horrendously guilty for wishing the time away or wanting the baby to come early as I am now 33 weeks. I have been so emotional constantly crying and just generally finding it really hard. I’m struggling with food again and somewhat losing the will to live, my thoughts are starting fo scare me again. I know logically there isn’t long to go but I can’t seem to take my own advice and just feel so down, any advice anyone?

Hi, I was about to contact my doctor about this but then remembered this lovely supportive thread from my first pregnancy and thought someone might have some experience? I had HG previously which was finally (almost) brought under control by ondansetron at 15 weeks after attempting various medications from week 9. I’m now newly pregnant with my second, and getting the fear about another HG pregnancy.

Would my GP take into account my last pregnancy, or will I be stuck working my way through buccastem, prochloperazine, metachlopramide etc until they’ll prescribe ondansetron? I’m trying to cling onto ‘every pregnancy is different’ and hope I dodge it this time, but also am trying to be realistic and plan for a hellish few months with a toddler in tow this time!

Guineapigsmalls Congratulations on your pregnancy. Some ex-sufferers do escape it, or if they manage to get effective pre-emptive meds, at least escape having it so badly. I am glad this thread was helpful last time. From what I've seen on here, doctors do seem to be much more amenable to prescribing Ondansetron if you suffered badly enough only to be helped by that one last time. It might be an idea to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 who will phone back with good advice about the best way to get pre-emptive meds.
composed Sorry you feel down and have had a relapse. Gentle cyber pats on offer. Have some from me and a for all the good advice. I hope some vetarans can offer some good tips. Some took to marking down the days on a calander, but it may be that you are doing that already. Others gave themselves weekly treats - obviously of a non edible variety.