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.

Absc Welcome. That sounds very severe if you are vomiting 'six times a day on four meds and have suffered since four weeks. On the work aspect, surely the doctor will write you a sick note as you really need to rest with this for some weeks.Either that, or can you work from home for a short time as you are so ill? Things will hopefully get better, and the workplace would be breaking the law to discriminate against you for a pregnancy related illness. There is lots of support on this thread. Here is my usual spiel, which I hope may help. I've added a good bit of advice about drinking through a straw.
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. 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.

Hi all, so glad I’ve found this thread. Am 8+5 and HG kicked in this time at 5 weeks. 2 hospital admissions and 4 meds tried. Only thing that works is Ondansetron (worked for my last pregnancy, also HG). The nausea this time has been unbearable, it’s relentless. Am drinking fizzy water and eating a couple of hundred calories a day in cuppa soups and ice lollies but have no energy and been bed bound for 4 weeks. Grateful to be signed off work and not be vomiting since starting Ondansetron. Sending love to everyone suffering with this condition, it truly sucks. Reading your posts really helps xx

Hi all a little update I managed to get omeprazole today and some more cyclizine tablets but he's only given me 10 and written 2/day even though he upped me to 3 🙄 so basically he's given me 3 more days worth which isn't even enough to see me through the week. Even if I was taking 2 a day I'd have to call on Friday to get more it just seems a bit ridiculous when he's signed me off for 2 weeks too.
Today the crazy amount of saliva has started 😭 I'm 8+4 so hoping I'm near the peak now although last time I think it was week 12. Spending all day in bed as I can barely do anything else to keep my symptoms manageable and GP spoke to gynae who said no more second line meds unless I have ketones in my urine. But GP said I can try meticlopramide for a very short course if I'm still struggling. I can't help but feel I'm just meant to suffer in bed for at least the next 4-6 weeks.
On another note to those ttc have a look on the pregnancy sickness support webpage and contact them they sent me amazing information this time around it's just a shame my medical team are extremely reluctant to give medication and I just don't have the fight in me. Also if you have other children get a childcare plan in place - this has been my life saver as MIL comes over every afternoon until hubby gets home to have my 2 year old and I wouldn't be able to cope without that.

Emb3r Welcome. Congratulations on your second pregnancy, and I am sorry you are suffering again. I am glad this thread is helping. As you are a veteran, you don't need my normal spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while they're not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'a good anti acid can make a big difference' and the ice lollies and drinks recommendations! I am glad you are able to ingest cuppa soup, ice lollies and water. Also, as a veteran you don't need any warnings about how Ondansetron locks up the bowels. Did you get a marked improvement last time?
RockinRobinn I am so glad you got Omprazole,but what a stingy lot the surgery seem to be about medication. Cyclizine has been used safely in pregnancy since the 1980's, and yet they seem relucant to recommend that, let alone the second line drugs. At least they are talking of prescribing Metaclopramide for a short while. It is very difficult to fight your corner about meds when feeling so ill. The awful thing is, they sometimes listen to an OH (almost as if it is the 1960's or something). Yet in the pandemic, it is difficult to have two at an appointment. I am glad that Pregnancy Sickness Support were helpful, but it is so provoking that your GP's are so obdurate. I am so glad MIL is proving a lifeline.

Thanks @LucindaE yes Ondansetron cleared my symptoms last time but the HG is much worse this time. It’s really knocked me for six. The Ondansetron has stopped the vomiting this time but the nausea is there 24/7 and the thought/sight/smell of food makes me wretch. Had a check up today and GP suggested trying a combination of Ondansetron and metochlorpromide to try and get some more food down. I’ve lost 2 stone in 4 weeks and he doesn’t want me to lose any more. I tried metochlorpromide on its own and it did nothing, has anyone else tried the combo? I’ve drank a lot of soda water the last few days, seems to settle my stomach more than the fizzy water.

Emb3r Sorry to hear that it's worse this time. That is a big weight loss. I hope someone will be on soon to advise about their experiences of Ondansetron and Metaclopramide. Combining the two has happened a fair bit with the severe cases on here. Some doctors add Cyclizine and (as I recall, though I stupidly mix up the B vitamins) Vitamin B6 as well.
Soda water has really helped some. I wonder if the slight sweetness helps?

Thanks will try vitamin B6 and see how I get on. Have also started on the lactulose as am very constipated with the Ondansetron. It’s impossible to explain this to someone who hasn’t been through it. Just taking it a day at a time at the mo.

Hi ladies. Tentatively poking my head in.

I have two children already - with my 7yo I had awful HG, had multiple hospital admissions and it didnt really stop until i was about 32 weeks, he was then a really poorly baby and it was all just a bit traumatic.

With the 6yo (they are only 1 year apart, so pregnant again 8 weeks after 1st), and was absolutely fine, didnt vomit once the entire pregnancy!

Im only around 5 weeks now with bub3, and already feeling nauseous all day and have vommed a couple of times in the morning. No clear sign that I have (or am going to have) HG again, but must admit im feeling very nervy given my history.

I literally cannot he bed bound/hospitalised/unable to move with this pregnancy, I have both kids at home and we have a doggo. I dunno, i guess i niavely thought because it was fine with bub2 i would escape it again this time!

I dont have an appt with my GP until the 8th March, and only then will get referred to MW, so im going to be closer to 10 weeks i suspect by then.. do you think its worth trying to get an appt sooner, just to talk through the "what ifs?" or is that not a thing? Im so anxious I almost want medication already which is ridiculous as it isnt even bad yet, just "normal" I would say!

Anyway, thats my brain dump this morning. Hope you are all doing as okay as you can, big (gentle) hugs x

@Emb3r sorry I don't have any experience of that combo. But yes vitamin B6 is usually what is recommended. Perhaps call/email the pregnancy sickness support volunteer team?
@Emb3r welcome. Sorry you are feeling pretty nauseous already I'd say get some meds ASAP there are a few studies that show preemptive treatment helps to limit the severity of nausea and vomiting in subsequent pregnancies. There's a great section on pregnancy sickness support website about preparing for another HG pregnancy that you might find useful. Try to rest as much as you can although that's difficult with 2 at home and a doggie!

@Braxos sorry the second part of of first message was for you not @Emb3r again 😂

@Braxos I am 11 weeks and have been in bed mostly for 7 weeks now as I have been so unwell. I too have two young children (4 & 5) that I am supposed to look after so I relate and understand the worry you must have right now. Hope that you have a pregnancy more similar to your second one!

I am not sure if anyone can help advise around mental illness due to hyperemesis. I had a call from the perinatal mental health services today who asked me a few questions and then recommended I went on sertraline for anxiety and depression. I have all the symptoms of both and have suffered multiple times in the past. The thing is I am certain that this is caused by the combination of being so unwell for so long, and the lockdown meaning I can’t get help or even look after my own children. I am reluctant to go back on medication due to any risks to the baby, but today I was told the risk was minimal and that the cortisol in my body will cause more damage to the baby. I feel like I don’t know what to do, whether to take it despite the fact that if I do physically start to feel better and lockdown eases, perhaps my mood will too. Or is it better to try meds in case the mental health continues to decline? I just feel like I don’t know where the line is right now.

Braxos Welcome. Great advice from RockinRobinn and SkilttlesRainbow. Sorry about your anxiety. As you are a veteran you don't need my usual spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously', and 'a good anti -acid makes can make a surprising difference' and 'do you find flat, full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit any use?'Hopefully, you will escape suffering as you did with the first pregnancy. It's excellent you escaped it with the second. I think it is an excellent idea to ask for pre-emptive meds for reassurance as much as anything.

SkittlesRainbow Regarding the anti-depression medication,
it might be an idea to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support 024 7638 2020, too, about your anxieties. They will have to phone back but will give good advice. I think they have an online chat feature, too.
Emb3r I hope that addition helps.
Waves to RockinRobinn and everyone.

I hope everyone is coping.

Hi, I was on the last thread at around 9 weeks and had some really helpful advice at that time so just wanted to come on and say thank you for this thread ☺️.

I am now 13+1 and I’m much better than I was, my food aversions are improving and my weight has stabilised, my vomiting has reduced but the nausea is still going strong.
I just wanted to ask some advice really as I’m still taking cyclizine but trying to cut down as GP suggested I do this if possible to limit risks to baby, but I fear that I’m only getting better because I’m taking it if that makes sense?
For example, on Monday I didn’t take any cyclizine as I’d felt relatively well over the weekend, on that day without meds I felt quite nauseous but manageable and only sick once. However Tuesday, Wednesday, and today I’ve been vomiting lots and feeling dreadful despite taking the cyclizine as normal.
I think what I’m trying to say (very clumsily) is would the fact I tried to go a day without meds have made the following days worse than they would have been?
I know nobody can give me a definitive answer but wondered if anyone had experiences of trying to cut down on meds.

@Lemongrass9

I'm glad you have seen an improvement, how many times per day are you taking the cyclizine? The nausea can often be just as bad, mine really effects my appetite so if I didn't take Cyclizine I'd be bad. Vomiting is now very random and rare dare I say! I'm 34 weeks (nearly 35) and I'm still taking it once or twice a day depending on how I'm feeling.

If the nausea is still bad I wouldn't reduce and I'd explain that to the doctor. They can be very keen to reduce medication which doesn't help. I'd let them know you've tried to reduce and have been very poorly since, it will make them back off and give you other advice. Could you perhaps look at taking less doses per day rather than stopping all together? That's what I've done from three meds down to just Cyclizine and then down to 1/2 per day rather than 3 tablets per day. I've just had some more prescribed today.

If you are still being sick over the next day or so, it may be worth contacting your MAU as you may be at risk of dehydration. You might need some fluids to get you back on track. So do take note of your water intake and output. I know this pregnancy for me has been up and down, very poorly, then weeks at time were I was okay and now the HG has returned (not as bad) in the last trimester. Hopefully getting the meds back in your system helps.

Sorry I've been quiet on this thread, I've been to day unit myself 3 times the past week. Reduced movement again so I have a scan later today so they can listen to the cord flow. I've started seeing flashing lights again but have no other symptoms of pre eclampsia thankfully. I'm anaemic so they possibly think it could be that but are keeping a closer eye on me due to PE last pregnancy.

I also had a growth scan on Tuesday, baby is looking small shes bang on the 10th percentile line after a drop. Had a little cry as it was a shock she's measured fine at my appointments. I have another growth scan booked early March and if there's been another drop we'll be reviewing my birthing plan. They said they induce at 37 weeks but I've got a planned section in and have told them I won't be induced again. Feeling anxious however appreciate they can get the weight wrong on the scans, DD was on the 15th percentile and she was 6lb 4 and was born at 38 weeks.

Hope everyone is coping as best as they can

Anya212 Sorry to hear you've had scares about reduced movements and size. As you say, they get it wrong so often anyway, but it is hard not be anxious. No wonder you want to avoid an inducation if you can after a bad experience before. I hope you get some reassurance soon. Gentle cyber pats on offer. For all your worry, that was such great advice for Lemongrass09 about meds.
Lemongrass09 Some GP's are very anxious to get Hyperemesis sufferers off drugs, but if you are going to have a relapse it doesn't make sense to do it too soon. Cyclizine has been used safey in pregnancy since the 1980's, so it seems to me the doctor is being over careful. I so agree with Anya212 that coming off drugs slowly is usually found to be best.

This is such a good thread to find
I’ve had. HG and was hospitalised 3 times I’m on multiple anti sickness, vitamins and blood thinner injections
It was awful from about week 5-13
I’m not 14.5 weeks and the actual sickness seems to have stopped albeit I do have days when I am still sick but I do have nausea all the time still- and lots of foods make me gag
I lost a stone and haven’t managed to put any back on yet
I also get stomach ache on a night time- is this common? I’ve researched and it says it could be due to stretching/ growing- sometimes it feels like period pains and others just really uncomfortable stomach ache?
I’m hoping in the next couple of weeks I feel more human again because so far this has not been fun- it’s my first pregnancy as well
I’ve had absolutely no motivation or energy so I’m longing for when I start to feel more like myself and actually don’t find washing my hair the bigges chore of all
Here’s to counting down the weeks
I hope everyone is it we will get through this and it will be worth it in the end!
Xx

Caz1226 Welcome. I am so glad that you have improved and I hope the nausea reduces. There is lots of support on here. I remember all sorts of unacountable aches and pains; the worst was the rib ache. Here is my usual spiel, 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. 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.

Hi @Lemongrass9 I'm glad you are starting to feel a bit better. A few days I have fallen asleep and missed a dose of cyclizine or felt a little better and tried to not take one then I am reliably worse the day after. It's the same if I do too much I'm worse the day after and sometimes for a few days.
I'm 9+2 now and feeling dreadful this is so much worse than last time and all I'm doing is resting so now I have a sore back too. If I manage to have a wash I'm really sick after 😢
Managing to limit the vomiting but even with bed rest it's ramping up. Safe food are rapidly declining too and my sense of smell is so keen. Just feeling so low at the moment and can't concentrate on anything.
Hoping this week is the peak and it doesn't get worse than this.

Thanks Lucinda all went well yesterday and baby appears to be fine in there. Hopefully will know more after the growth scan in March.

@Caz1226 I've mainly had that rib pain which Lucinda has mentioned too. I think it literally is just everything stretching out, if it is that sort of dull ache which is usually there it's growing pains. If it does become painful or you are worried I'd just check with your midwife for reassurance.

With your weight, it's good you've kept track. I'd still keep a track of it and mention it to your GP/midwife so they are aware as well. I lost 1st 4lbs but I haven't weighed myself for quite a while, I'm pretty certain I've gained it and maybe a little more but that's only judging from my clothes.

I hope you feel better soon, I have felt so low in both of my pregnancies. Particularly the first one as I just had no idea what HG was and how it massively impacts everything, so really feel for you. I'm sure you've read it on here but the main thing to remember is to take each day as it is.

RockinRobin Oh dear. That sounds grim. I seem to remember that your GP didn't want to prescribe Ondansetron until past eleven weeks or whatever stage it was? A lot of sufferers find that round 9 to 10 weeks is the worst stage, and fingers crossed it is so for you. Is there nothing that they can add in the way of meds? I remember you said you had Omprazole, but that obviously isn't helping much?
Anya212 I am so glad that all is well with baby. They do seem to have told numerous women on here that the baby was small for dates, and I don't recall one case where their scan was accurate, so hopefully they are just being extra careful because of the Hyperemesis. Fine advice as ever.

Just popping in as I'm now 39 weeks (this group helped me a lot in my first/ second trimester. I got hypermesis again at around 32 weeks. Just wanted to say please keep going to the dentist if you're vomiting...the acid ruined my teeth...I chipped two teeth...one of which is temporarily fixed...lost one tooth (it broke in half and further vomiting resulted in separate roots coming out once whilst I was eating and 2) I had to physically pull it out). Some of my tooth is still stuck in my gum but dentist can't do anything until baby is born. One of my teeth which has a cap on it makes me cry weekly or every few days...again nothing can be done till baby is born...that's why I'm saying go to the dentist regularly...hypermesis is horrible...

Also please try to stay hydrated and drink loads of water....

I also wish I knew there was anti sickness injections but I didn't...all I got was pillls and if it gets worse go to a and e and you'll be put on a drip....advice from my gp...

faithfulbird20 Thanks so much for your post and excellent advice. I am glad the thread helped you. Sorry that the Hyperemesis has returned. Thank goodness you are near the end of your ordeal. The tooth trouble sounds awful. I honestly don't know if dentists are even treating pregnant woman for non emergencies. I hope they have some scheme in place: others on the thread will know. I am dismayed they won't treat the condition for you if it's painful. ! I dread to think what's happening to teeth at the moment. I'm probably typical in having lost a filling and not bothering to do anything about it, as it's not painful.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-to-ease-morning-sickness_uk_602d1ad8c5b67c32961a7320

Great article on Huffpost UK, made me a bit teary