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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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LucindaE · 10/06/2021 19:13

abbs1 That is probably sensible. Bad that you have to wait so long, but medical appointments are still like gold dust with this backlist of NHS appointments. I am so glad you will have lots of support, anyway.

OP posts:
abbs1 · 10/06/2021 19:43

@LucindaE

abbs1 That is probably sensible. Bad that you have to wait so long, but medical appointments are still like gold dust with this backlist of NHS appointments. I am so glad you will have lots of support, anyway.
The Dr im seeing only works 1 day a week at my surgery but he has been absolutely amazing with all my sons care and health stuff so im hoping he can help me so im happy to wait to see him.
MimPimMim · 10/06/2021 20:08

Hi everyone, hope you are all hanging in there. Just wanted a moan really - feel absolutely miserable with this pregnancy and it’s really getting me down. On top of the HG, I’ve got fatigue that is leaving me absolutely exhausted and I’m getting pelvic pain already. Can’t sleep properly as I’m so restless at night and uncomfortable. Already! With 23 weeks to go! Feel terrible for my toddler as I’ve got no energy to do anything and I just want to climb into bed. Then when I do get into bed in the evening, I feel so down about it all that it stops me sleeping. Sorry for being self indulgent, just not sure how I’m going to manage to keep plodding on. The heat is making it worse too, not looking forward to this weekend. Anyone want to ride the misery train with me?!

LucindaE · 11/06/2021 19:21

abbs1 That's good to hear, at least.
MimPimMim Sorry to hear about how bad things are. It must be so difficult with a toddler. I wonder if it might be possible for the SPD at least to be helped with a Physio or Chiropractic or a Osteopath ?

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MimPimMim · 12/06/2021 20:38

Thanks Lucinda - I really appreciate the kind words, it’s all a bit of a slog at the moment. I have a referral for physio at my hospital but have just been sent a video to watch so far, have to wait another week before I can call back to book an actual appointment in. Would love to see an osteopath but none of the ones around here will see me as I can’t wear a mask due to the HG Sad I really wish being pregnant wasn’t such hard work!

abbs1 · 12/06/2021 21:05

@mimpimmim i really feel for you hun. Is there any way you can be exempt from mask wearing? I have a toddler and ttc again.
@lucindaE is there anyway all hg women can he exempt from masks?

LucindaE · 12/06/2021 21:19

MimPimMim and abbs1.
That sounds like a great suggestion from abbs1. It's unknown territory for me, but if people who suffer from claustraphobia are, why not for a physical reason? It seems like discrimination to me, come to think of it, that nobody metions nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with this rule.

OP posts:
abbs1 · 12/06/2021 21:23

@LucindaE

MimPimMim and abbs1. That sounds like a great suggestion from abbs1. It's unknown territory for me, but if people who suffer from claustraphobia are, why not for a physical reason? It seems like discrimination to me, come to think of it, that nobody metions nausea and vomiting in pregnancy with this rule.
If i was pregnant right now going through hg again i would not be able to wear a mask and would be getting an exemption for it. Im not sure who decides on exemptions but if you can maybe ask your midwife or gp about it. I know when i get my bfp and if hg strikes again i will definitely be trying all i can to get an exemption.
BusyLiz10 · 12/06/2021 21:49

Hi everyone, hope it's ok for me to jump on this thread. Im just wondering if anyone has experienced significant weight loss as a result of no appetite and constant nausea? I'm 10 weeks and been struggling since 6 weeks. Luckily I'm not throwing up often. I've tried some of the antihistamines and I'm on ondansetron but nothing is helping the appetite and nausea. I'm really concerned about how much weight I've lost (10lbs, putting my bmi at borderline underweight). It's making me anxious and quite low in mood to the point that's probably not helping my appetite either! How do you all manage to keep your spirits up and has anything helped others who have been in my shoes?

thingymaboob · 13/06/2021 08:41

@BusyLiz10 hiya, you are at probably the worst part right now (the later part of the first trimester) and although it is difficult to say when this will happen, you will get some relief from nausea at some point in the future. I lost over 10kg in weight in pregnancy and most of that was at this point. There will be better days in the future when you feel like eating. I know it feels bleak now but I found that in the second trimester I had a few hours on some days when I could eat and it wasn't too bad but it wasn't most of the day. I lived on plain tortilla wraps and hula hoops. It's awful, isn't it? Feeling absolutely repulsed by food and everything makes it worse (certain smells). I was obstetrician led because of weight loss. Have you been referred to one?

BusyLiz10 · 13/06/2021 10:48

Thanks @thingymaboob I think I might need to push further about the weight loss with gp or midwife and see if I can I get a referral. I think because I'm not being sick they're not taking it all that seriously. I hope it starts to get even slightly better so I can put the weight back on. I'm desperate to have an appetite again but like you all food seems to repulse me. How long did it take you to put your weight back on?

thingymaboob · 13/06/2021 11:49

My weight came back on immediately after I gave birth. Weight loss was less of an issue for me because I was overweight when I got pregnant but weeks 8-14 were incredibly hard. I was BMI 32 when I got pregnant and BMI 27 at booking so lost huge amounts in short period of time. I did drink high calorie milkshake type drinks like fortisip when I could but they're hard to stomach. I found Huel to be better stomached as not so sweet. I use to make them and sip them through day. It was awful but was trying to get what I could. I only saw an obstetrician at 20 weeks and she wasn't concerned mainly because I was a bit overweight anyway and by 20 weeks I was eating normal food, but less. Is there anything plain you can tolerate?

MimPimMim · 13/06/2021 13:51

Thanks Lucinda and abbs1 - I’ve looked it up and it looks like I am exempt as it says one exemption is if you cannot wear a face mask due to physical illness. I would say HG counts! The difficulty is that you don’t register for an exemption or have any documentation so it is difficult to show that you are exempt. I was made to wear one when I had my Covid vaccine, despite explaining about the HG, and nearly fainted due to the urge to vomit. They told me that I had to wear a mask or I couldn’t have the vaccine, which seems not right? But difficult to argue about it in that situation. And I’m not sure what the rule is for private businesses if people are exempt - I’ve been refused acupuncture and osteopathy because of not being able to wear a mask. But it seems wrong to discriminate against people because of an illness they have? A difficult situation, I guess.

abbs1 · 13/06/2021 17:09

@mimpimmim HG is definitely a physical illness! I think its really sad when people need medical help but are being prevented from having it due to masks. I live in Essex and everyone ive seen who is exempt has a lanyard with an im exempt from wearing a mask and many of them dont look poorly at all. Could you maybe speak to the council? Im not sure how all the people ive seen have got their lanyards as they are all matching.

abbs1 · 13/06/2021 17:12

@mimpimmim this is the one ive seen people wearing with the lanyard

hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/invisible-disabilities-face-covering.html

LucindaE · 13/06/2021 19:56

BusyLiz10 Welcome. You've alerady had great advice from the others and as they say, 10 weeks is often the worst bit. The weight loss can be alarming and the doctors ought to monitor it. I
include my normal spiel which I hope will 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 doctors, 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.
abbs1 and Thingymaboob Excellent advice for BusyLiz10 and for MimPimMim .
MimPimMim I have certainly seen very healthy looking, confident looking people striding into supermarkets without face masks and it doesn't seem fair.

OP posts:
abbs1 · 13/06/2021 20:55

@mimpimmim

This is what the GOV.UK website says about mask exemption

-people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
-where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress

Exemption cards

If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:
-you do not routinely need to show any written evidence of this
-you do not need show an exemption card

This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.
However, some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.

Hopefully this helps.

Littletoaster2021 · 14/06/2021 13:50

Hi all! Am 24 weeks and thanks to medication was down to only vomiting once or twice a week. I managed this by severely restricting what I ate (can’t stomach fruit or veg or basically anything nutritious), never eating in the evening, etc. Was still nauseated most of the time, but not hugely. However in the past week my sickness has returned to almost every day, it’s not terrible and is only a few times a day but my energy levels are obviously dipping a lot again as I’m not keeping down much. I suspect it’s caused by the heat - has anyone else found this too? I’ve kind of accepted now that I’m just going to feel like this till I give birth and know that many of you are far more ill than me - but I am so fed up of this! And is it wrong that I just avoid eating because I don’t want to have to throw it up? I’m sure i could manage a handful of plain rice with some peas but I just cannot be arsed to make such sad little meals. Baby has been measuring fine so far.

BusyLiz10 · 14/06/2021 14:20

@LucindaE thanks for the tips! Good to know I'm doing most of them so on the right track. Tried the anti acid tip last night and it helped a bit - I find evening really hard as that's when I try to eat more of a meal and force myself to finish it (not sure if that's the right thing to do but my weight loss is my biggest worry) and I feel awfully full for hours and like it's on the brink of just wanting to come back up.

Ive tried cyclizine and promethazine which for me didn't help my symptoms and made me very tired all day. Got ondansetron and it helps somewhat. Next move gp was going to add metocloprimide but I get anxious about side effects. Am I allowed to ask if any one has any positive experiences to share of that med?

@Littletoaster2021 I think like you I might have to come to an acceptance of this is just how I'm going to feel for now. Sorry you're on your 24th week of it 😞

Littletoaster2021 · 14/06/2021 14:34

@BusyLiz10 if this is at all reassuring, I am MILES better than I was in first trimester, it’s been a painfully slow improvement but it is there!

I also found metoclopramide incredible at first, it’s probably the best I’ve felt in my entire pregnancy while I was on it! My appetite returned, I ate a pret chicken Caesar baguette and genuinely felt high from the calorie intake. Unfortunately, after a week I developed terrible insomnia which is a common side effect and had to stop taking it as obviously the tiredness made the sickness return. But I really feel it’s worth a try!

Aranciata · 14/06/2021 18:30

Can I follow you ladies please?
I don't have HG and take my hat off to those who have/had.

Like @BusyLiz10 I'm just struggling to eat generally, being sick sometimes but mostly just liquid comes out.
I've lost over 4 kilos in a couple of weeks and been signed off work as the nausea is constant. I'm so tired but possibly also due to not eating much. DH asked if I wanted to try going for a walk and got a very adamant no, I'm trying to save energy for essential things like getting up to go to the toilet
It's like having a hangover on a rocky boat.
I've been having some lucozade and ginger ale, and ice lollies and just eating when I can. Absolutely sick of ginger nuts, tried to eat them before I get out of bed but sometimes it seems they cause heartburn.

I'm going to go through the list of food and drinks here, but feeling reassured that the baby still manages to get nutrients, have been a bit concerned.

Regarding mask exemptions you don't 'need' any proof. I have had an early scan and wore a mask for that but if someone has got HG I think that is more than enough reason not to. I'm not sure about discrimination etc though. I wouldn't go on public transport right now since I had to clutch a sick bucket in the car to go to scan. They gave me a few sick bags to take home!

LucindaE · 14/06/2021 20:15

Welcome to Arancita. I hope the list of foods (of a sort) and drinks helps. What meds have they got you on? Can they add or substitute anything? I so agree that ginger biscuits give you heartburn -though most foods gave me heartburn when I suffered, save exciting stuff like boiled potatoes and grilled fish. If you have lost so much weight in so short a time and can't even get up, it seems like Hyperemesis to me.
LittleToaster2021 Sorry that things have got bad again. Are you allowed to resume the meds? I am glad baby is measuring well. I suppose even a miserable little meal is something if you can keep it down. Good advice to BusyLiz10 about Metaclopramide.
BusyLiz20 I am glad that the anti acid helped a bit. Good advice from LittleToaster2021.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
Aranciata · 14/06/2021 22:38

@LucindaE thank you, I think you are an angel giving this advice and support.

My GP signed me off work but has not prescribed anything for sickness. I got a prescription from my IVF clinic which should arrive tomorrow, it is for doxylamine succinate/pyridoxine hydrochloride, Google tells me this is Xonvea.
I've been a bit afraid to take anything as I've had such a long road with a lot of IVF to get this far. I never even imagined morning sickness, it has stopped me in my tracks that's for sure but I feel very, very lucky alongside a probably pretty normal amount of just hoping this really happens for me.

Funnily enough your mention of boiled potatoes is something I might try tomorrow, I asked DH to get very small ones, he said he could cut up big potatoes and I've said please buy baby potatoes, they seem more manageable. He might think I've lost the plot but I've sent him the list of foods of a sort and he had already got me some tinned mandarins which I have had this evening, so far so good.

Thank you again Lucinda and good luck to those of you further along and still struggling 💐

Jaylou7rainbow · 15/06/2021 14:11

Ladies can I please join. I have found out today I am pregnant at 41. Have suffered with Hg pregnancies 5 times only I birth care of it. I have also mc three times so extremely nervous.
I am so scared of having hg it leaves me feeling so desperate that I actually ended 2 hg pregnancies. I swore to my family I would never allow hg to beat me again and take away the chance of me becoming a mummy again (2 boys already) but I am so scared of the devil that is hg.
I hope I have not offended anyone with the reveal of my terminations but my hg was resistant to all meds and had young children to care for.
I have told my partner that he is to refuse my pleas for an abortion as deep down I want this baby more than anything hence trying again. Xx

Deftly · 15/06/2021 16:56

@BusyLiz10 I went straight on metoclopramide as I'm breastfeeding and have had a generally positive experience. It's stopped the sickness but not the nausea, so although my eating isn't normal, what I do eat actually stays down. I will say it's given me intermittent stomach cramps and diahorrea but I'm still more hydrated on it than off it, especially in the hot weather.

Is anyone else finding HG is worse during the heat? I foolish stopped taking any meds last week as I was feeling much better and I came to the end of the pack so I thought I'd see how I managed without them. Within 2 days, I couldn't keep any fluids or solids down and ended up with a migraine from dehydration because of the HG and the heat. Ended up in A&E for IV fluids and meds, but the dehydration is 10x worse than the sickness.

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