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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

993 replies

LucindaE · 27/01/2021 19:26

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.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
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5
Anyat212 · 01/02/2021 15:48

@catgamerlady

I hope the nausea and sickness eases up some more for you, I've found the nausea to be worse this time around personally. You are able to take a combination of meds which your GP should be able to help with if it does get unbearable though.

LucindaE · 01/02/2021 18:39

Welcome to catgarnerlady and *Littlejayx. I'm glad you've already had great advice from Anya212 Snapple21 and others. catgarnerlady Might an anti acid help with the nausea? Some have found that helps a lot. If Gaviscon makes you feel too bloated, there's Omprazole (I never remember if you can get that over the counter).
Littlejayx That sounds really exhausting. My goodness, three stone is a lot to lose! Five admissions is a lot, and trying to cope while Homeschooling an LO, with your OH away must be a trial. I so agree with others, surely you need stronger meds with symptoms so severe? Again as others say, can anyone help out at all, within the limits of the present restrictions? Here's my usual spiel: 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 melon and mango.
Anya2012 and Snapple21 and others: great advice. Flowers
RockinRobinn I am so glad that the doctor was good and I do hope the Cyclizine really helps.
Waves to all. Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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RockinRobinn · 01/02/2021 20:25

@Littlejayx I think you'll probably need your medication looked at if you're happy for that to happen. They should be looking at second line options too at your point. Perhaps something like odanestron (make sure they give you something for the constipation too though) the pregnancy sickness website has a page about medications and what is considered first line, second line and third line (steroids).
Definitely push for more help ❤️

LucindaE · 02/02/2021 18:21

RockinRobinn I so agree! Good advice as ever. How are things you?

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snapple21 · 02/02/2021 18:40

I agree. Cyclizine alone did nothing for me. I can't believe they haven't prescribed you anything else after all those admissions!

RockinRobinn · 02/02/2021 20:49

@LucindaE bad few days hubby got to the shop today and got me lots of different things that I may fancy. Ate a salty broth and noodles today and it's really given me more strength.
The parma violets have been a god send they're really helping with the taste in my mouth! Do a huge thank you.
Cyclizine seems to be taking the edge off but only have enough tablets for 2 a day for 13 days. I remember having 3 last time though 🤷🏻‍♀️

LucindaE · 03/02/2021 19:51

snapple21 I so agree. In such severe cases, I don't understand why they didn't prescribe something stronger.
RockinRobinn I am so glad that the parma violets are helping with the foul taste! Good to hear that you ate the broth and noodles and feel stronger. I hope you manage to get more meds. Will the doctors agree to raise the dose?

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Radglags · 03/02/2021 20:36

Gingerly (geddit?!) peeking my head in the door.
5 and a half weeks pregnant in my second pregnancy and feeling surprisingly ok. When did everyone’s sickness start?
My first pregnancy is such a blur that I can’t really remember when the sickness started but I’m sure I was ill and medicated before 7 weeks. I’m actually worried by the lack of sickness as everyone tried to placate me last time by saying that ‘sickness means a strong baby’. However, I’m taking it SO much easier this time around; last time I was up at 6:30, out the door by 7:00 to be at my desk by 8:00; now my husband has been getting up with the toddler and letting me eat crackers in bed till 9:00 Blush
If others have had more than one pregnancy, do you think your first HG pregnancy gave you mental health issues?
I wasn’t too fazed by the sickness when I was living it during my first pregnancy and just ‘wanted the baby to be ok’ and when we were ttc it just seemed like a hurdle to get over if need be... but now my anxiety is just through the roof. HG wasn’t the only issue in my first pregnancy and I just feel like I’m at the start of a horrendous rollercoaster.
Doubtful that any of this has been helped by my husband piping up last week that he thought I was going to die in my previous pregnancy - nice existential crisis to calm the nerves Hmm

Anyat212 · 04/02/2021 09:00

@Radglags

Congratulations and I'm glad the sickness is at bay at the moment for you. I think mine started a little later than the first time, maybe around the 7 week mark? I can't specifically remember - already! I remember being in hospital around the 8 week mark though. My sickness hasn't been as bad as the first time around, I was sick a lot and it's the nausea what has got me this time around.

That's great that you are getting a much more relaxed morning! The rest certainly helps Smile how old is your toddler?

I think my mental health took battering last time, I suffered with HG badly until DD was born. I had a traumatic birth so did end up going down the counselling route which was mainly for that tbh. However, we did discuss the effect of HG on me - I think I was the same as you the sickness I just kind of got on with it. The unable to move / fear of leaving the house and just feeling so tired and hopeless was much worse. I felt like I went from 100 miles an hour to just nothing when I fell pregnant as the HG kicked in. I had no idea what HG was aside from that Kate Middleton suffered with it! So was a shock to the system.

At your booking appointment your midwife should be able to refer to talking therapies which may help your anxiety? The counselling I had following DD really helped me. This time around it's been hard but not as bad as last time for me personally. I would really recommend the counselling option if you wanted to do it though.

As for your husband - I agree it's definitely not something you want to be hearing right now! I think they just worry and they say things what they shouldn't / it comes across wrong. My DP comes out with random stuff which annoys me but I just try to remember that he's worried as well! At the height of my HG, he wanted me to go on a nice long walk around the local park with DD to get some fresh air! Dragging myself to the toilet was the limit for me never mind a bloody walk haha.

Anyat212 · 04/02/2021 09:03

Sorry sent too early, there is also Pregnancy Sickness Support which could be an option to get in touch with? I know they have a buddy system but I've never actually used them. I follow them on Instagram and they post a lot of useful resources on there as well.

Amichelle84 · 04/02/2021 09:07

Hi everyone! Im thinking of calling the GP today, the sickness is getting too much. I cant keep any food down, the smell of my BF cooking his dinner makes me want to die. Feel so exhausted and feel I have no energy to give my 6 mo. I really hate being pregnant.

unicornpower · 04/02/2021 10:38

Hi everyone, can i join? Im 7+3 with my first and have had horrendous sickness from about week 5 and am struggling to keep down anything at all. I was on metachlopramide which didnt help and the doctor switched my to cyclizine yesterday and so far no better, in fact my main sickness is usually in the evening but i threw up this morning. There were no ketones in my urine yesterday which is great but im averaging two glasses of fizzy water a day and then throwing it all up anyway so i don't know how bad this needs to get :(

RockinRobinn · 04/02/2021 12:33

Sorry to hear so many of us are suffering at the moment.
I'm 7 weeks today managed to drag myself to work yesterday evening but I'm paying for it today. Thank god my husband had holiday booked today. I've only managed to crawl to the toilet. On the brink of vomiting but trying to hold it back as much as I can. Think I'm going to have to go off sick but I'm self-employed so have no idea what support we can get financially. This is so shit. If I'm this bad I'll be calling my GP tomorrow to see if they can up me to 3 tablets a day.
@Amichelle84 have you called the GP yet? I'm struggling to look after my 2 year old too she's really struggling with me being ill.

RockinRobinn · 04/02/2021 12:38

@unicornpower sorry to hear you're suffering so much. Perhaps you need something stronger especially if you aren't managing to keep any fluids down. I've heard that measuring urine output is a better way of finding out how dehydrated you are rather than ketones. When I ended up in hospital with my first I had no ketones but I had tachycardia because I was so dehydrated... I'm sure Lucinda will be on soon and give you her welcome spiel but I'd definitely recommend looking on the pregnancy sickness support website she quotes in her first post for info about medications.

RockinRobinn · 04/02/2021 12:41

@Radglags my sickness started week 5 this time. Today I'm week 7 and whilst I haven't vomited yet I just have constant nausea and an gagging a lot but managing to hold back the actual vomit. Just trying to keep down what I can.
Definitely feel like this condition effects my mental health, how could it not? Feeling constantly ill all the time is so hard and it feels worse this time because I have the added guilt of not being able to tend to my daughter. Seriously questioning my sanity as to why I thought this was a good idea again. Just keep trying to tell myself it will be worth it (but never again!)

SkittlesRainbow · 04/02/2021 13:27

Hi people, I feel so unwell. I am sure I have hyperemesis. This is my third pregnancy and I had hyperemesis with my second until 27 weeks. I'm 8 weeks and the idea of illness like I have now for such a long period makes me think I cant carry on much longer. I can barely eat, and I have lost a stone in the last 3 weeks. The doctors have been so unsupportive, I cant even speak to someone - just filling out these online forms and then a day or 2 later they text back to give me a prescription for meds.

I had cyclizine first which actually did stop me throwing up, but I messaged to say I still felt nausea all day and also feel mentally unwell and then they switched me to phenergan, which they say is safer and more effective. Since I have been taking this everything just feels worse.

I have a smell in my nose that I can't get out. It took me days to explain what the smell was and today I realised it smells like my in-laws old house (it was very grimy and had a distinctive overpowering smell that meant I couldn't visit them during my last pregnancy). I haven't even thought of the house in years and now the smell of it is following me around, its crazy. It feels like it must be in my mind - what kind of trick is my mind playing on my to taunt me with this smell? Does anyone else relate to this.

On top of everything I am supposed to work full time and have a 4 and a 5 year old at home to look after. Life is chaotic and stressful and I am not coping emotionally as well as physically. I am at the end of my tether and I dont know what to do next. I just want to cry but I dont have the energy.

Thanks for reading and sorry for complaining so much. I feel so alone.

Anyat212 · 04/02/2021 18:27

@SkittlesRainbow

Have you had your booking appointment yet? If you are not getting any where with your GP surgery I'd contact the maternity assessment unit if you've got the number. You've lost a lot of weight and they will be able to monitor you closely in there and prescribe meds for you. They may even give you advice on a combination as going for long periods between doses just doesn't help. They can also give you fluids which will make you feel a lot better.

Unfortunately half the battle is with doctors, what a stupid set up though for you to complete a form and then receive a call. Are they aware you suffered with HG in your last pregnancy? I do have to say although I'd battled with GPs they have listened to me better this time around.

Are you able to take time off work? It sounds like you need to rest (as best as possible with your other kids around!). Do you have any support / childcare bubbles which could help you out? It's easy to say but try to take each day as it is, I promise it does get better.

For smells I only had it for specific things - I couldn't handle my fridge being open and could immediately smell it whenever DP opened it. Not too sure on the smells you are smelling! But sounds awful, is there any smells you can handle? Might be worth keeping them near you. Not on the high street sell a little roll on you can use over your nose, it helped me although it could be anything as it was a little pricey for what it was.

Sorry to read all the suffering on here today Sad

LucindaE · 04/02/2021 19:03

Goodness, the thread has suddenly become busy: welcome to the four newcomers.
RadglagsIt is very likely that the rest is making you a lot better than you were last time, as other say. Also, every pregnancy is different and some former sufferers do escape anything but mild sickness in later pregnancies. If you have uncomfortable breasts and freqeuncy of urine and all the rest of it, you are probably worrying unnecessarily, though some lucky people don't even have that. A lot of sufferers don't suffer until well past where you are now. Can you arrange a reassurance scan if you are anxious? I know it might be harder during lockdown. OH's can be relied on to be tactless. On your OH's comment about dying, relatives might think that, but thank goodness nobody in countries with a good health service dies of Hyperemesis these days that I ever heard of: the days of Charlotte Bronte, when they couldn't even give fluids or any anti emetics, are past! Have you got pre-emptive meds just in case?
SkittlesRainbow Sorry to hear that you are suffering badly. Phenergen also known as Promethezine, isn't it? If it is't helping, do ask for something more; don't suffer in silence. If you are having problems obtaining effective meds, do phone Pregnancy Sickness SOS on 02476382020. They will have to phone back, but will give good advice. It is not just you about smells; I remember I lived in London when suffering, and though we lived in a quiet backstreet I thought I could smell petrol even at the back of the house! With the current constraints, can anyone help out with your LO's? As you are a veteran you don't need my normal spiel about keostix and dehydraton and ice lollies and anti acids, but perhaps there might be something of use below.
Annichelle Did you say your LO is only 6 months, or was that me misreading? Do ask for meds, as others say. If LO is being breast fed you can discuss that with the doctor, as some meds aren't recommended if you are feeding. I've got my normal spiel quoted just a little way down in this post for the other newcomers, just in case it is useful. Did you suffer in your first pregnancy?
unicornpower Sorry that neither Metoclopramide nor Cyclizine have helped. There are others they can try. As others say, kesostix aren't necessarily the best test of dehydration. Is your urine santy and dark, and do you have a headache, blurred vision or dry skin and mouth? Those are signs.
Here's my usual spiel that I 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. 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.
RockinRobinn Don't feel guilty. Your LO will forget all about this period of comparative negelct and you are giving the greatest gift in a sibling. This Too Shall Pass. Take it a day at time, or if need be, an hour at a time.
Anya212 Excellent advice as ever. Did you say you would be on maternity leave soon?
Waves to all.
RockinRobbin

OP posts:
Amichelle84 · 04/02/2021 19:32

Thank you @LucindaE and @RockinRobinn!

Yes he is 6 months, we have been caught out big time 🤦‍♀️ Yes, I was very sick with him too but managed to plod on but it seems harder having someone else to look after. I am also having a colitis flare so thats not helping. I did call the doc today and have an appt Tuesday. Amazingly I havent been sick today...yet. BF also cooked himself a non stinky dinner 👏

SkittlesRainbow · 04/02/2021 19:38

@Anyat212 and @LucindaE

Thank you both for taking the time to respond. I did have the first part of my booking appointment today and the njrse who did the blood and urine tests told me to contact my doctors again. I did try, 37 times I called over a period of 30 minutes. In the end I called 111 as I felt so desperate and spoke to a person who listened to me for the first time. She made an appointment with my surgery for me tomorrow, so hopefully I will get some help.

I have also switched back to my remaining cyclizine prescription for now to see if it reduces the symptoms a little. I will try a little bit more to keep smelling smells I like, my menthol inhaler normally helps a little but its just not cutting it today!

Unfortunately we have no support bubbles available to us at the moment. We have a big family but no one able to bubble with us due to various reasons. I could reach out to my mum but she goes to work each day, and also has my teenage siblings living with her who she has a lot of trouble getting to follow the rules. It just doesn't feel safe enough right now...

I read your 'usual spiel' above also and found it so helpful. Thank you for taking the time for all of us. It is appreciated so much! I feel like I can get through this a bit more now. Sometimes I feel like I have no choice but to terminate, but I don't want to do that and feel terrible for these thoughts.

RockinRobinn · 04/02/2021 20:27

@SkittlesRainbow it's so hard when you have thoughts of termination isn't it. I had them with my first and am getting them now with the second, but for now they are fleeting as it will be worth it.
Had a terrible day today, going to call drs again tomorrow and see if I can up cyclizine to 3 times a day.
And for those breastfeeding the breastfeeding network website run by Wendy is amazing for getting info about what you can and can't take. Probably more reliable than you GP as she is a pharmacist.

Anyat212 · 05/02/2021 16:08

@SkittlesRainbow you did right calling 111, I feel for you as even waiting on the phone for the GP surgery to connect is draining when you feel so awful. I hope your appointment today went well?

I might be late in replying to you, but I'm sure you have the 1 of the meds I was talking. Yours just has a different name - they can be taken as a combination so could be worth you mentioning that at your appointment?

That's a shame with the support bubbles I understand what you mean though, I'd be the same. Hopefully the rules relax a bit soon to give you a break.

Also just to echo what RockinRobin mentioned, I've thought about termination both times as well. Do not feel terrible for feeling this way, it's normal. When you are so poorly and unable to do anything it literally sucks the life out of you. HG is a terrible condition. There's a good documentary on Amazon Prime if you have it, called sick: the battle with HG (or something along them lines). It's worth a watch.

Thanks Lucinda, yes I start my maternity on Monday! Well holidays beforehand, I'll be 33 weeks. I have my C Section date confirmed which is the 22nd March so knowing there is a proper end date is a huge relief. I just hope the HG disappears as quickly as it did with DD. I still seem to have good days and bad days, but I'm nearly there. Hope you are well.

Hope everyone is coping as best as they can today

LucindaE · 05/02/2021 19:42

Annichelle84 How are things?
SkittlesRainbow How did the Dr's appointment go? I am glad you find this thread helpful. Most people who suffer badly have dark thoughts.
RockinRobinn Fine advice. You are so right.
Anya212 I''ve changed your date. Glad to hear that you are going on M/L. Mother Hen Lucinda is fine, thanks.

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ChubbyMumFromSkye 13 March
PhotoMum4 18 March
Anya212 22 March
BB2021 4 April
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doritodiva 12 April
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Dimpous 13 April
Funkypolar 19 April
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SweetpeaOrMarigold 18 May
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OP posts:
SkittlesRainbow · 06/02/2021 14:56

Thanks for all your support again everyone. I have been put on new meds, this time metoclopramide or something. Not really noticed a difference yet, but as usual spending the day in bed feeling like I'm gonna be sick any minute.

I have spoken to my mum, my sister has physically returned to uni so she proposed we form a childcare bubble and she picked up my two straight away. We have had a 24 hour break now and my husband seems so much more relaxed and happy. He has cleaned up and we have sat together watching a couple of films. Its been nice but I still feel terrible all the time- at least not feeling guilty for being an absent mum at the same time today. I'm 9 weeks now and I just keep thinking there is a chance things will improve a little as I head to 12 weeks. I know its not likely to but I just want to hope it will be more manageable soon.

LucindaE · 06/02/2021 18:53

SkittlesRainbows It's good that your sister is helping. Rest helps nearly as much as meds. I am glad that they changed the meds. Metaclopramide has helped many. If it doesn't help you, please don't hesitate to ask for other meds. Nine to ten weeks is often the worst bit for many. I have known some sufferers improve as early as twelve weeks on here.

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