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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
abbs1 · 13/07/2021 20:40

@thingymebob oh no! I really feel for you. Smells are just the worst when you feel so awful. How is your vomitting atm? Are you able to eat much?
I just feel on edge as my last pregnancy i felt so ill right now and because I dont this time it feels wrong in a way but then again im so happy the medication is working. Its such a strange feeling. Im not complaining though. Just makes me worry when i dont feel what i felt before.

LucindaE · 13/07/2021 21:31

Kiwimama5 Welcome. That does sound tough. You've already had great advice from abbs1. I wonder if it would help, re Ondansetron and the doctor's reluctance to prescribe it due to that very small risk, if you rang Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7630 2020. They will have to ring back but they should give good advice about the best course to take in your circumstances taking into account the difficulties with looking after your other LO's, etc. Is there any friends or family who might be able to help you with that so you can get some rest if your OH is away for long hours? I include my normal spiel that 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 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 That is unnerving, as though very likely it is just good days and the Xonvea apparently working well, you are bound to be anxious when symptoms suddenly descrease. I suppose if you get really anxious you could try misisng a dose or so, though that's drastic? Thank you so much for the great information.
SB91 I am so glad that things are a lot better and that medication helped, and thank you so much for your encouraging message.
Thingymaboob It's good that regime is helping a lot. Great information.
I've got my laptop fixed, thank goodness, and the keyboard issue put right.

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thingymaboob · 13/07/2021 21:50

@Kiwimama5 the increase of cleft palate is so small. Do you know the figures? For women who take ondansetron in first trimester the risk was 14 out of 10000. In comparison, for women not taking ondansetron the risk of cleft palate was 11 out of 10000. There are also huge risks to being nutrient deficient and dehydrated so it's always the case about balancing the risks / benefits. For me, it was more risky to be unable to drink and eat. Don't suffer!

Kiwimama5 · 13/07/2021 21:55

Thank you all so much for the advise. I didn't know the numbers, just had the fear the doctor had put in me lol. After reading your replies I will def be starting on the ondansetron and see how that goes. If need be I'll pair it with the metoclopromide. Also, I'm in NZ. Not the UK. Those walk in HG clinics sound amazing! That would be so cool to offer here. Thank you all heaps!

thingymaboob · 13/07/2021 22:12

@Kiwimama5 I say the figures to myself everytime I take an ondansetron

@abbs1 I was feeling good a few days ago and started all the doomy thoughts. Feel like death today though so back to normal

Slk3558 · 14/07/2021 12:52

After 3 days of not being able to keep anything down I went to my local women’s hospital, According to urine I was only 2++ ketones so the doc said I didn’t need an IV drip, but she gave me a cyclizine injection and prescribed me ondansetron to take alongside cyclizine. I’m 9 weeks atm. Just wondering what are peoples experiences with ondansetron?

Ttcbn2 · 14/07/2021 20:00

I had such a bad day yesterday, I was sick so many times it was unbelievable and felt sick and dizzy allll day long! I literally sat and cried for about 2 hours last night just because I felt so low and dreaded today..

Today I’ve felt sick all day but not actually been sick..

I’m currently 7+1

LucindaE · 14/07/2021 21:53

thingymaboob So true! Wise words.
Kiwimama5 I'm glad to hear that you're taking it. Remember the laxative, though, as abbs1 said.
Slk3858 Many find that the most effective combination. As above, do remember a laxative, though. Don't leave it to get bad.
Ttcbn2 Oh dear, poor you, that does sound dismal. What meds are you on?

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LilmissCa · 14/07/2021 22:01

@Ttcbn2 I had that day last week.. cried constantly. So fed up not being able to do anything & feeling & being sick so much. I haven't felt that low since.

On the ondansetron.. I find it helps a lot but need to stay on top of the lactulose otherwise things turned nasty pretty quickly!! I tried switching back to cyclizine for that reason but it left me bed ridden for 5hrs, couldn't lift my head from the pillow.

Ttcbn2 · 15/07/2021 08:09

@LucindaE dr has gave me cyclizine but told me to only take it if I start vomiting literally all day every day??

My first pregnancy I was vomiting all day every day it was horrific..

I’m not physically vomiting all day every day but i feel sick all day every day :( xx

Ttcbn2 · 15/07/2021 08:11

@LilmissCa I really feel for you, days like that are so hard aren’t they!

I was at work, I’ve had to tell the people I work with as some days I’m so poorly.. and someone said they had hyperemesis in their pregnancy but if you suck on a polo it takes the nausea away and you’ll be fine! I felt soo angry as I was literally vomiting all day and she was making it sound like it was just so easy to stop if you get me.. I know she was just trying to help but it got me so cross 🙈 x

LilmissCa · 15/07/2021 09:15

@Ttcbn2 if work is really bad do ask the GP for a sick line. I'm on my 7th wk off work & don't see me making it back for another few weeks. Totally fed up doing nothing all day long.
I was the same with the anger at peoples advise, ginger biscuit recommendations set me off. But never had it from someone who claimed they had HG.. that definitely adds to the anger!

thingymaboob · 15/07/2021 09:50

@LilmissCa and @Ttcbn2 so sorry to hear you're struggling. Those awful days are so depressing. I don't think anything makes it better. Just pushing through to next day, which may be as equally bad but it's one further day on.

It really annoys me when people say they had it but clearly didn't and have literally no idea. Sucking on a polo! I've had similar issues this week. My hubby is extremely supportive and sympathetic but he's a total people pleaser so this week he told his manager we were expecting but I was suffering sickness. His manager recommended this "pack" for morning sickness sufferers which has sickness bands, peppermint oil and some sweet things in it and my hubby was like "oh that's a really good idea, I'll definitely try that" instead of explaining that I've been hospitalised and am on 4 different medications to manage it. I asked him why he didn't educate his manager about my condition and he said he wanted to be polite and try and improve their relationship by basically going along with what he said. I said I would be so angry if he bought the "pack" as it would be a waste of money and it totally undermines what I'm going through. Anyway, rant over!

Ttcbn2 · 15/07/2021 09:57

@LilmissCa @thingymaboob
It’s so hard when people are trying to give advise that they quite clearly have no idea about isnt it 😫 like I get theyre trying to help but they clearly have no idea! People have no idea how different morning sickness and hyperemesis is until youve suffered from it! Xx

thingymaboob · 15/07/2021 10:06

I'm also having another nightmare this week. DC1 is isolating due to a case at nursery. Hubby has lots of work on so I'm doing the childcare and it's a real struggle as I am use to lying down and napping the day away. Thank god for Disney +

Slk3558 · 15/07/2021 13:39

@LucindaE thank you, what laxative is the best? Don’t think I’ve ever taken one before x

abbs1 · 15/07/2021 15:22

Sorry Ive been so quiet. The nausea has hit badly and im just super exhausted. Sending hugs to everyone suffering.
Its so hard to explain hyperemesis to anyone if they havent been through it as its not just morning sickness. Ive been telling people to go watch the film on amazon prime called Sick The Battle Against HG to help them understand what its really like.

nomeslice · 15/07/2021 21:41

Hi all. Its so isolating isn't it? I'm generally very food motivated in life. I love cooking. normally I spend most of my day thinking about what I'm going to eat for my next meal. except now I dont. I know I need to eat but it's such effort. HG sucks the enjoyment out of life, everything is suddenly monotone and nothing is fun. I agree with the anger at the (un)helpful suggestions. My GP suggested travel bands after I said I couldn't take the metoclopramide due the the palpitations and tachycardia it was giving me. I don't feel like many understand or acknowledge the mental health component of this either.

On balance I'm doing ok. Constant nausea and only one vomiting episode a day (on average). I work p/t and have managed napping on my days off and muddling through my days at work. most at work know and have been very supportive.
PS: I can concur that ondansetron definitely needs a laxative. thanks for the heads up on that one!

LucindaE · 15/07/2021 22:54

LilmissCa So true!
ttcbn2 Oh dear,thatis so odd. Though I am not medically trained, I know that you need it to build up in the system and to take regularly.
Is there another doctor who might be less cautious? It'sbeen used safely in pregnancy since at least the 1980's.
Slk358 Generally, people recommend Lactulose as the best. I am not actually sure if you can get it over the counter or only on prescription. Those glycerin suppositories are good, but ironically, they won't sell them to pregnant women altough they use them in hospitals. Some can endure Fibegel. I think cocoanut is a good one, perhaps in those cocoanut biscuits if you can stomach them.
abbs1 Sorry to hear of that. The only good thing is, that it isn't the mmc you feared,and thatis cold comfort.
Sorry to hear of idiotic suggestions about polos,, etc.
thingymaboob Oh dear.
nomeslice Very true about the need for a laxative with Ondansetron.

OP posts:
abbs1 · 16/07/2021 14:53

Can anyone recommend things I can do with my little boy at home while im feeling rubbish? Hes such an outgoing little boy and I want to try my best to make things fun while mummy is poorly.

thingymaboob · 16/07/2021 17:58

Hiya @abbs1 - we bought Disney + and I thoroughly recommend to book "5 minute mum". It's got loads of different activities for them. Some activities are interactive but some they do on their own. Lots for different ages. I do about 2 activities a day with my 3 year old and the rest of the time she plays around me and we watch a lot of TV. We put my daughter in nursery full time because of my general crapness mum-wise but now we are COVID isolating and hubby is working so it's a bloody struggle.

thingymaboob · 16/07/2021 17:59

Here is front of book

Hyperemesis Support
abbs1 · 16/07/2021 18:30

@thingymabob oh thankyou so much. My little boy will be 16 months on Monday but is very clever for his age so trying to keep him occupied. He loves his puzzles, books, mega blocks and driving his little teletubbies around in his truck and of course lots of tv atm 🙈 He occupies himself a lot too luckily. I'm SAHM and my thankfully my husband now permanently works from home so thats really good. We have been going to play group once a week but Monday will be our last one if im not too sick to take him. Hopefully once i hit 5 months i will feel a lot better and can take him again fingers crossed covid allows.

Oh thats good your little one can go to nursery to give you a break. Must be so hard being isolated for 10 days with a little one. I can only imagine. Hopefully the time passes quickly for you.

Musicmonday · 16/07/2021 18:47

Hi everyone, we’re also self isolating (sister) has covid. My dd is 7 and has so much energy I’m totally done in.
I’m having a few better days now (touch wood) not back to normal but can drink choc milkshake and eat little bits.
Seem to be full of wind lately though and have so much saliva (sorry if tmi).
Any tips would be helpful please. X

LucindaE · 16/07/2021 21:38

abbs1 He sounds fun, though exhausting.
Thingymaboob Great idea, that book. I wish it had been around when my DD was litttle
Musicmonday Congrtulations on the chocolate milkshake and feeling a bit better. Never worry about tmi. Many have to carry about a small bowl as a spitton: it's horrible, but what can you do? I used to suck barley sugars wich helped too with the dreadful taste I had for a while. As if a rodent had relieved itself in my mouth. Oh dear, I hope that imagery doesn't make anyone sick...
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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