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.

MeadowHay Welcome back. I am so glad that the doctor is going to give you Ondansetron. I am glad you are encouraged by Radglags experience.
Radglags Ah - a water biscuit! That is intriguing they help you.

Hello everyone its been a while, I dropped off for a bit focusing on getting through each day. Sorry for not being able to name check everyone but those going through the horrible early days, it DOES get better! In addition to meds and there are many to try if one doesn’t work, I cannot emphasise how important rest is and how that helps along with the meds. Please don’t be scared of going back to gp’s if something isn’t working after a few days.

Anyone taking ondansetron remember to take something for the well known side effect of constipation, otherwise you may be in for a whole host of other problems you can do without!

@Anyat212 I’m so happy to read you are almost due to start mat leave and that a daye has been set for your c section! Well done for getting this far, hope the remaining days are much kinder to you.

@LucindaE initial post about what to try to eat is very helpful, just eat what you fancy when you can/want. Drinking through a straw may be more manageable for some as is the case for me.

Take each day at a time, a minute at a time if need be, don’t be scared to ask for help
from hcp. If one isn’t friendly/helpful ask to speak to another. Remeber to be kind to yourself and not feel guilty for feeling the way you do or having the thoughts that you may have, its due to the illness we feel the way we do and remember this too shall
pass everyone, we will get there x

Thanks @composed I'm on maternity leave and although I'm counting the days until the 22nd March, it's a huge relief having the stress of work off my shoulders. I hope you are well?

Totally agree on the stool softeners for ondansetron, it really does need to come with a warning for it!

A few people have asked for experiences with Ondansetron and I have to say I found it very effective. The only down side was the constipation, I am however quite prone to it so that probably didn't help in my case. I was on ondansetron from about 8 weeks (very early) until my DD was born and she's a perfectly, healthy full of beans 22 month old now! I do understand there has been some more research on it though so can only speak on my experience. I didn't have it at all this time around, although that was down to the doctors prescribing me other meds to try first.

@MeadowHay

Do keep a close on your fluids, I wound up dehydrated as I felt the nausea more than being sick this time around. It stopped me eating and I was drinking very little (with a water bottle and straw) and only eating ice lollies. I wouldn't worry nausea doesn't look silly on a sick note, I've found the nausea crippling in this pregnancy. If it's having a huge impact on your daily life and being able to do things you need to rest. This type of nausea isn't the normal type! My doctor put on my fit notes (i usually seen different ones) either pregnancy related Illness / HG / or vomiting and nausea in pregnancy. I think they like to pop that on to cover you if your employer ever got funny about it. I don't think they would just write "nausea" but I could be wrong!

I'm being closely monitored for pre eclampsia again as unfortunately I've been seeing a lot of flashing lights over the past week or so, but everything else is coming back clear - which is good. No other symptoms either. This happened last time though and then the protein in urine was found and BP raised shortly after. I think I've just been a lot more on the ball this time around as I seen flashing lights a few times in my first pregnancy but didn't think much of it nausea and fatigue are still in full swing though.

Hope everyone is coping as best as they can.

Has anybody here had much luck with stemetil?

I’ve requested a second line anti-emetic today as the cyclizine is beginning to not be enough. I tried metaclopromide in my previous pregnancy and wound up in hospital so definitely don’t want it this time. Trying to stay off the ondansetron for as long as possible 🤞🏻 (Consultant ideally doesn’t want me to start taking it until 10 weeks)

Definitely agree on the stool softeners for ondansteron- I found cosmocol to be the best. They gave my fibo-gel in hospital one time and I couldn’t drink it due to the texture (like a gel )

@Radglags

I found it effective when taking as part of a combination, are you taking it alongside the cyclizine? If not and you find it doesn't work, I'd ask your GP if you can take it as a combination with Cyclizine. Fingers crossed it works for you though!

@Anyat212 thanks!
I’m not sure actually if it’s been prescribed to take inconjuction with the cyclizine that I am currently on, or instead of. I haven’t collected it yet but I’ll ask the pharmacist tomorrow if I can take them together.

Ahhh vomiting has started. A lot do dry retching over the last 24hrs and finally a small vomit not long ago. So guess I am calling the GP tomorrow for ondansetron. Yes I had horrendous constipation on ondansetron last time but I guess it's that and also the fact that my diet was low fibre and lacking in fluid so it's probably a combination that makes it so bad. Why are you trying to hold off til 10 weeks @Radglags ? Is that because of the risk of birth defects? Although I thought the research is based on first trimester so I didn't think it would be drilled down to before/after 10 weeks? I took Stemetil last time round initially alone and then in a combo with ondansetron but it didn't help. I came off it earlier than the ondansetron as I suspected it was making no difference and my symptoms didn't get worse so I think I was right. Having said that I had a couple of them in labour and they seemed to help me then as it stopped my vomiting.

composed Thank you for your lovely encouraging message. Fine advice; You are so right about drinking through a straw particularly and rest; I will try and add those to my usual spiel next time.
Radglags Great advice from Anya212 as ever. I find the texture of Fibrogel (or however it's spelt) nauseating even without Hyperemesis!

Meadowhay Sorry to hear that vomiting has started. Recent research has hinted at a very tiny increase in cleft palate with mothers taking Ondansetron, so I suppose the doctor is taking development into account? But as it is by definition only given to severe sufferers, who will be malnourished, it isn't thought to be conclusive, and of course doctors must balance that with the very real dangers of severe dehydration.

I saw this thread on active. Im a graduate of two hyperemesis pregnancies and even though my youngest is now 6, the memory of how bad I felt this time in 2010 and 2014 will never ever leave

This thread was a wonderful support - I remember sitting in bed reading a LucindaE thread and crying because I felt so alienated from everyone else and their glowy pregnancy experiences, and on mumsnet, I suddenly found people who understood.

for LucindaE and all of you feeling crap

Hi all so sorry to hear so many of us are really suffering at the moment!
I've had a bad few days this week with crippling nausea but MIL has been a godsend helping me in the afternoons by taking my 2 year old off my hands.
I'm definitely dehydrated but trying my best, the constant nausea is crippling and I find eating small amounts easier than drinking.
Going to call GP tomorrow to get another sick note and discuss maybe a proper anti-acid like omeprazole as the gaviscon tablets definitely help when I take one but they don't seem to last very long.
Those on cyclizine how many hours apart fo you space your doses? I read somewhere 8 hourly but that means waking up to take one.

Had a telephone appt today with the GP, it was a different one and he refused to prescribe the ondansetron due to the risk of cleft palate. He said he would only prescribe that if I didn't hospitalisation. I did explain I wanted it to avoid that happening this time! He has prescribed metoclopramide instead which I've never tried before and said I should stop the promethazine. I don't feel reassured at all. The promethazine has been helping but not enough and I'm worried about stopping it because what I'd the metoclopramide doesn't work? I'm feeling anxious again about developing full blown HG again

CoffeePhoenix Thanks so much for your lovely message and the . I am so glad that this thread helped you. Enjoy your LO's; you deserve to.
RockinRobinn That's really good that MIL is giving you time to rest like that. I hope someone can answer your Cyclizine query soon. I know what you mean about Gaviscon only helping for a short time; a good idea to get something more effective.
MeadowHay Sorry the doctor wasn't helpful. It might help to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 for advice on obtaining effective meds. They'll have to phone back, but give good advice.
I hope everyone is just about coping.

@RockinRobinn

Mine is x1 every 8 hours, I just set an alarm for around 6am (about 1hr before getting up) take the Cyclizine and go back to sleep. Having it in my system before moving out of bed is a big help for me. I'm only taking it twice a day now though.

@MeadowHay

I was anxious about taking metoclopramide, I wanted ondansetron. I was really annoyed they didn't give me it as it worked last time. However, metocolpramide along with my other meds were really effective. I've not battled constipation half as bad this time & it pretty much stopped the sickness. Metoclopramide is in the same category as ondansetron, being a second line medication. My GP wanted me off it fairly quickly mind but I still took it for about 10 - 12 weeks. I remember crying down the phone when they were saying for me to reduce that med first as I'd finally found a good combo. Thankfully they listened but just a heads up if you get the same sort of advice. Don't reduce or come off it until you're ready (sure you are aware of that tho!)

I don't have any experience with your other med, but you may be able to take it alongside the metoclopramide. I'd discuss it with your GP if you feel it's not effective on it own.

Thanks @anayat212 did you get any side effects if you don't mind me asking? I'm concerned because the GP has prescribed me the standard dose for people over 60kg but I only weigh about 53kg so I'm concerned about side effects. Especially as I typically have quite low blood pressure anyway and I know that hypotension is one of the common side effects. I will take my first tonight though and see how I get on. He's only prescribed 5 days so I will need to have a review next week anyway.

@MeadowHay

I didn't have any side effects although I do weigh around 10-12kg more than you. My BP is usually on the lower side. I didn't realise about doses based around weight, given that and with ondansetron being effective first time - you'd think they would just prescribe it! I understand the tiny risks, but as Lucinda mentioned below they do have to consider the risk of dehydration. Did the GP give you any other advice or just prescribe you the metoclopramide?

I kept getting 5 days worth at time at first but they can give 30 day ones, I got that towards the end. I hope they work for you!

Hi. Does anyone else get really painful acid reflux pain after being sick? I am in so much agony after throwing up just now, my insides from my throat down to my stomach feel like it’s on fire. I’ve taken two Rennie’s and just had some crackers and milk to neutralise the acid but it’s so painful I’m in tears. Is this normal? What can I do to ease the pain?

@Mamabearwhere I remember this with my first I didn't find much to help I even remember trying to wash my nose with water to help with the sting from the acid 🙈 I imagine being on a good anti acid would help overall.
I called the dr yesterday and they got me to go into the surgery - an hour long visit to the told I'm just borderline and no real signs of dehydration apart from having a high end pulse and urinating a bit less and that I've lost 6lbs in two weeks. Told they wouldn't even prescribe me omeprazole for the acid and to take the cyclizine spaced through my waking hours instead of worrying about keeping it to 8 hourly... and to call back Monday if needed.
Feeling quite good this morning though which is bliss and very strange. Although that may be because I did actually find something I could eat last night before bed.
Hope someone else is having a fluffy morning too!

Hi everyone, sending you all thoughts of nausea free appetite! I’m not actually pregnant, have just started ttc but wanted to look into medication more while I have the energy still. I find it easier to go to a gp if I know what I’m talking about - I took ondansetron last pregnancy and it was magical, but I’m aware of the cleft palate risk and heard there is a medication licensed by the fda for use in pregnancy, the only one licensed this way. So it sounds very safe, however I think it’s been around a while and may not be that effective so wondered if anyone here knew about it. This thread was such a lifeline understanding these things in my first pregnancy. I’ve also not heard of xonvea, so anything on that would be great! For context Cyclizine doesn’t work for me, metaclopramide made my heart race and promethazine works but turned me into a zombie so I've tried a few options in my first pregnancy.

Off topic but does anyone retch/dry heave?! I am hardly being sick atm but so much retching it feels like I'm suffocating sometimes and I've pulled muscles in my back from it. I don't remember this from last night and I don't get any relief from it like I do on the occasions I am actually sick. Why is this happening?!

I take omeprazole for acid reflux, I take it when needed pre-pregnancy anyway but started taking it every morning since soon after I found out I was pregnant as the reflux was already flaring up. I would speak to a different GP and push for something like this, you shouldn't be left to suffer. You can actually buy esomprezole over the counter. I get acid pain particularly after retching or vomiting too.

@meadowhay I had this in the first instance, I honestly thought I was dying, I was almost coming off the floor I was heaving so much! It was horrible. The vomiting started a few days after for me unfortunately.

I was discharged from hospital on Tuesday evening and sort of have just been existing and recuperating at home for the past few days. I had 7000ml of fluid and antisickness over 48 hours and i do feel better. I'm still being sick each day but its only one episode so it's more manageable now. I'm on cyclizine still but have Prochlorperazine to take if it starts to become awful again. The hospital were wonderful and I genuinely can't thank them enough, I was an absolute state when I was admitted and had 3 different ketones in my urine. I do feel quite traumatised though to be honest, I can't believe how unwell I actually was, it was quite scary. They scanned me when I was in there and baby seems fine which is great!

I hope everyone is okay and not suffering too much x

@MeadowHay yes me! I have lost all my appetite so hardly eating therefore when I’m being sick there’s literally nothing to bring up. It’s so painful and I’m usually in tears over the toilet bowl while heaving. It’s horrendous and I pray we get over this bit real soon.

Much sympathy for all those suffering from agonising retching episodes.
Timeisnotaline Welcome back. Time indeed is circular, so I am convinced! I am glad this thread helped last time. I am sure current sufferers know a lot more about which meds to recommend than me and I hope someone can advise you soon. Xonvea has certainly helped many on here. It might be worth phoning Pregnancy Sickness on 024 76398 2020 for advice as well.
RockinRobinn I am really sorry to hear that the doctor is refusing Omprazole if you are suffering badly. As Meadowhay says, perhaps you can see another doctor? Failing that, I wonder if they might be able to suggest something on the Pregnancy Sickness support number above? I am glad you aren't feeling too bad today.
Meadowhay I believe the only side effects of Metaclopramide to watch out for are is twitchiness, which affects the mother, not the baby, but which is a sign to come off it asap. I have only known a couple of people on here to get that. Others actually on the drug might be able to advice better?
Unicornpower I am really sorry to hear that you were so ill. It must have been traumatic. I am so glad the level of care was excellent and that you feel a lot better for the fluids and the vomiting is more controllable.
Mamabearwhere That does sound awful. Can they prescribe other meds? Unfortunately, it seems that RockinRobinn's doctor was stingy with Omprazole, but do ask if you can have it if the over the counter anti acids like Gaviscon and Rennies aren't helping. The retching is miserable and acidity makes it far worse.
Waves to Anya212 - Great advice as ever -and everyone.

Hi I’m 8+4 weeks and have been struggling with the sickness since week 4. I’ve had one hospital admission so far. My consultant has added me onto four different forms of antiemetics to take through the day and night. Being diabetic as well makes it more complicated as I end up with low sugar levels at night.

Up until now I’ve been home working but I start a new job on the 22nd which will be part office part hospital based. I’m dreading this if I’m still being sick with all the meds. It’s reduced down to six times a day now.