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.

Musicmonday Welcome. Sorry you are suffering. As you are a veteran, you don't need my 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'do you find flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit helpful' and 'a good anti acid can make a big difference'. I had to look up Citalopram and SSRI's. As the hospital doctor said that Ondansetron is safe with those, do be confident taking itas doctors are very scrupulous not to give anything hazardous to a pregnant woman and will only prescribe anti emetics if they think the risks of dehydration in her particular case outdo the minimal risk with the medication. I hope you get some relief soon. Most people get some between weeks 15-21 and even those who suffer throughout only rarely feel as bad later on as in the first tri.
Did the doctor prescribe a laxative with the Ondansetron, and most sufferers on it need one?
Waves to Ttcbn2 and everyone.

Evening everyone and welcome @Musicmonday & @OlivePenderghast. Sorry you've found your way over to here. Hyperemesis is the pits but this forum is great sense of support.

I'm 7 weeks now and it's getting worse and worse. Nausea constant and a few episodes of violent vomiting where I couldn't even catch my breath. I also lost complete control of my bladder whilst vomiting and pee'd all over the floor. Then quickly put towel between legs and basically soaked it. Sorry if TMI. Dunno how much of this I can take anymore. I'm keeping down just enough food & liquid. No ketones. I honestly feel like I am dying

This is last nights Fitbit "sleep". All the little awake period were vomiting / wretching.

Hello all, poor @thingymaboob, I am glad your work are understanding at least.

I've been off for a few weeks now, my manager has been very good and is open to me working half days if it helps but has stressed not to come back before I'm ready. Such a relief.
In sharp contrast to your previous awful employer @abbs1 that is terrible.

Welcome to new people (or returning @nomeslice) if I scroll to get the names I will lose my message (just did that already!)

Have been eating Fruit Pastille lollies a lot, and crisps. There has been an improvement and I appreciate this feeling a lot, really hoping for some improvement for all of you 💐

@aranciata im glad your employer is being supportive. Try and rest as much as you can.

@thingymabob sending you strength, you're in the darkest of days but it will get better. I had a good day yesterday and managed a day at work feeling brighter but worse again today. I've realised how dreadful the metoclopramide was making me feel - genuine sense of impending doom. today lots of nausea and couldn't keep anything down before lunchtime but it's the first time in a few days my dinner has stayed down so that's a win. Antacids making a big difference. Also my midwife rang this morning and did a home visit booking appointment this afternoon so I feel like at least one hurdle down. After my first labour I said I would happily endure giving birth every day for a week rather than hyperemesis. I still feel the same. it is so hard.

Hi everyone, thanks for advice and replies. Much appreciated.

I've been struggling so ringing doctor in the morning and see what else I can do/ add. Had a helpful call with the maternity hospital dietician on Friday- says it's very common to have adversion to water and meat in particular. Mentioned hydration the most important thing rather than food. Re food she said to consider different textures, crunchy, soft, flavours salty, sweet, sour and that everything is on the table so eat things which are safe for pregnancy even if not the healthiest option. Baby only needs very small amounts of nutrition in first semester so not to worry about that.
Other advice which the wonderful ladies here have already shared but said I'd just jot some of the above down too- if I think of more I'll post again. Hugs to everyone, x

Hi

I've just been prescribed ondansetron - what can I take if it causes me constipaton? I forgot to ask the GP....

@L1ttleb1t

Hi

I've just been prescribed ondansetron - what can I take if it causes me constipaton? I forgot to ask the GP....

Definitely ask for some lactulose. Hopefully the ondansatron helps. What mg have they given you?

It's 4mg once a day.

I've ordered some dulcoease and some senokot from sainsbury's to come tomorrow - think I can take those? Is lactulose different? I've never had to take these things before (maybe I still won't....maybe)

@L1ttleb1t

It's 4mg once a day.

I've ordered some dulcoease and some senokot from sainsbury's to come tomorrow - think I can take those? Is lactulose different? I've never had to take these things before (maybe I still won't....maybe)

Oh good. They can up it to 8mg i think if needed. Double check senocot as im not sure thats safe in pregnancy from when i looked at it but could be wrong not sure on dulcoease.

I hope the ondansatron helps.

Hiya, I'm being admitted. Can't keep anything down.

@thingymabob Im so sorry to hear this hun. I hope you get all the fluids and medication you need and you get some rest. Sendings hugs

@thingymaboob so so so sorry to hear this, sending you so much love! Xx

Thingymaboob I am sorry to hear that you've been admitted. I hope it makes you feel a lot better.
Oh dear, I missed that first post from OlivePrenderghast and one from Ttcbn2.I'm really sorry about that, I usually welcome people on with the blurb below. Ttcbn2 Is a veteran, so probably it's not needed for her. OlivePenderghast Are you able to keep down a reasonable amount of liquids and food? If not do ask for meds and a sick note from your doctor. Here is my normal blurb below which I hope may 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. Protein drinks have also been mentioned.
abbs1 Sorry, I missed that post of yours about your awful ex-employer, and after you'd had an mc with your first pregnancy, that's really upsetting. It brings back a memory now.. How barbaric, and annoying that they took advantage of your being too ill to fight their unfair actions. Glad you got an MA., anyway.
L1ttleb1t I'm glad you got Ondansetron. Good idea about Lactulose too.
Daisychainsandsunshine I'm happy to hear you had that.
nomeslice I'll be back to add your Due Date.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

nomeslice I've added your date.

Due Dates
Anxious9thPG 17 September
RockinRobinn 24 September
Marnie1234 6 November
MimPimMim 14 November (provisional)
JessicaM2021 22 November
hporter10 25 December
LilmissCa 13 January
nomeslice 2 February

@LucindaE they were horrible. Luckily my husband is in a job so im not having to try to find another job as id have to probably resign again if hg hits me as badly again. Hoping for a bfp this month but not holding my breath.

Thank you for your replies.
I think my situation is being made worse by stress. I’m currently trying to homeschool my daughter due to bullying in her previous school and the council are going at a snails pace in allocating her a. Place in a new primary.
I’m also living with my in laws most of the week because I feel so awful.
Really struggling with the idea of possibly 25 more weeks of this sickness and then diving straight in to caring for a newborn.
Having quite a low day today.

Hi all, I hope I can jump on in here - although I haven't been 'diagnosed' with HG.

I am currently 9+3 and since about 5 weeks I have been getting constant nausea, near constant wretching/gagging, bringing up bile a few times a day (sorry gross). I seem to be keeping food down, but whenever I try and drink water, any more than a few sips at a time, I end up bringing it back up. It is really getting me down, and making my anxious at work in case I am in meetings and start wretching / have to run out the room. (Thankfully hasn't happened yet, but the thought makes me so anxious).

This is my first pregnancy so not sure if this is just 'normal morning sickness' or if it is in fact HG or something of that nature. I have my booking bloods on Thursday so I will be bringing it up with the midwife then.

My midwife told me to just sip water throughout the day as anything more than a sip might make me feel ill.
I think an earlier post gives advise of foods and drinks to try that others have found helpful.
X

@expectinglittlebear

Hi all, I hope I can jump on in here - although I haven't been 'diagnosed' with HG.

I am currently 9+3 and since about 5 weeks I have been getting constant nausea, near constant wretching/gagging, bringing up bile a few times a day (sorry gross). I seem to be keeping food down, but whenever I try and drink water, any more than a few sips at a time, I end up bringing it back up. It is really getting me down, and making my anxious at work in case I am in meetings and start wretching / have to run out the room. (Thankfully hasn't happened yet, but the thought makes me so anxious).

This is my first pregnancy so not sure if this is just 'normal morning sickness' or if it is in fact HG or something of that nature. I have my booking bloods on Thursday so I will be bringing it up with the midwife then.

It definitely sounds like HG to me. Can you see if you can get some ketosticks to check your hydration levels. If your not able to hold down fluids you need to go to hospital for some IV ones. I would speak with your midwife and gp about some medication to help with nausea and vomitting. As you are over 9 weeks already ondansatron seems to help a lot of sufferers. Just make sure you get some lactulose as it makes one very constipated. I would see if you can get a sick note for a few weeks and just rest as hg is made worse with stress and work. Keep us posted. We are here to support you.

expectinglittlebear Welcome. I so agree with abbs1 that this sounds too severe to be normal. You've already had great advice from her and I'll just add my normal spiel. Never worry about tmi on here: no such thing. 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. Protein drinks have also been mentioned.
Musicmonday I'm sorry to hear that your daughter was bullied and all the delays. Stress certainly makes things worse. In your first pregnancy, did you get a strong improvement at any point? Hopefully, you will feel a bit better soon.
abbs1 That is one good thing anyway. Fine advice from you as ever and all luck with ttc.

My little girl is 7 now so it was a little while ago. I remember going on holiday for a week last time and walking lots, but this time I can barely move some days.
I only remember feeling a bit better in the last two weeks

@LucindaE i got my bfp this morning. Got an appointment next week with my Dr about Xonvea and other hg medication. Hoping hg isnt too bad this time round but not holding my breath. Enjoying the last week or 2 hopefully before the nausea and sickness hits.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Hi everyone,

Been reading through this thread and found it really helpful. I’m not sure if I’ve quite got hg but since 5 weeks I’ve had constant nausea. Vomiting started around 8 weeks and has been happening pretty much every day since then. I’m now 11 weeks. Sometimes I’m only sick once or twice a day but there are days where I cannot keep anything down. Even the days I’m not sick often, I struggle to eat or drink and the nausea is there everyday.

I was given cyclizine initially but it didn’t help so was then given promethazine. This seemed to help but now seems to have lost its effectiveness. Has anyone else found this with any medication? I have phoned the doctor back but cannot get an appointment until Tuesday next week!

Thanks for reading.