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Pregnancy

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
faithfulbird20 · 21/02/2021 22:35

Thanks @LucindaE my husband jokes I'm going to be toothless by the end of any future pregnancies. But this whole thing has been so scary I feel scared to get pregnant again. I actually want more children but the thought of HG makes me want the earth to swallow me...

faithfulbird20 · 21/02/2021 22:39

@ohidoliketobe thanks for the article. It hit the nail on the dot. I just had shivers remembering how I felt or feel sometimes.

Ttc2017 · 22/02/2021 10:55

Hi all I am so nervous just writing this post as I know it's bad luck to reveal a pregnancy to early and it's such early days. I have literally just found out I'm pregnant 2 days ago. I had fertility treatment so get a early scan at 6 weeks to check pregnancy is viable so I don't even know if it will be yet. I suffered horrendously with HG with DD pregnancy 2/3years ago and it made me terrified of going through this again but here I am. My question is how soon can i ask doc for meds as I have read that taking them before the sickness starts give you better chance of controlling it and is this true ? Also is it safe to start already or will it harm babyand chances of baby being viable pregnancy ? I have a fearof vomiting now to after throwing up everythingeven my own saliva before. I have thought about trying to follow a vegan diet this time as dairyy and meat tend to be triggers of sickness or following BRAT diet that they suggest after stomach bugs or sickness. Any advice is greatly appreciated x

Anyat212 · 22/02/2021 20:15

Lucinda I'm hoping it's just a case of the scan weight being incorrect. I don't really think my DD was particularly small considering she was born at 38 weeks, you certainly wouldn't know that now!

@Ttc2017
Congratulations! If you've suffered with it before you are more likely to develop it again in this pregnancy, so I would definitely speak to your GP ASAP. I don't think there is a time too early to take them, there may be some medications which doctors hold off prescribing straight away though. Ondansetron is one which seems to be prescribed after the first trimester for example. I imagine the GP may prescribe you Cyclizine to start with. I wish I got pre emptive meds, although I still got them early around 6 weeks.

Cyclizine is one of the safest medication prescribed for pregnant women. It's been used for a long time. The GP realistically needs to assess what would have a worse impact - the small risk of taking meds or dehydration. I think I was I given Metoclopramide first but it didn't work on its own for me. Something else to remember is that you can do combination of meds if the one they give doesn't work on it own.

The only advice I could give on food, is to just eat what you fancy at the time. Don't force yourself to eat veg or fruit if you don't want it. When I've done that it's 100% came back up. If I go with the option I'm craving so to say, it might stay down. Another thing which helped me was eating something, putting to one side, coming back to it etc and eventually I've had a meal - might have taken a while but it helped keep it down.

It's great you've remembered triggers from last time though, it might not be the same time this around. I hope it works out for you.

LucindaE · 22/02/2021 20:44

Ttc2017 Welcome. Congratulations on your pregnancy. Pre-emptive meds sounds an excellent idea. As you suffered badly before, hopefully your GP will agree. It is also worth phoning Prengnancy Sickness Support on 024 76302020 for advice about the phobia about vomiting, how best to get the most effective meds, etc. There is lots of support on here. Although you are a veteran, here is my usual spiel, just in case.
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.
faithfulbird20 Hopefully it won't get to that with your teeth! Hyperemesis can be traumatic, even for those who suffer less badly than you. It might be worth thinking about speaking to a counsellor about your feelings of trauma later on.
ohidoliketobe Good link! Thank you for posting it.

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LucindaE · 22/02/2021 20:46

Anya212 Sorry, cross posted! That is encouraging about your DD, after all. Excellent advice as ever.

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Springingintospring · 22/02/2021 22:11

Thank you for this thread, it's so reassuring to know you're not alone.
I was wondering if any of you HG experienced ladies know if cyclizine can have a delayed or cumulative effect? I've been taking it for about 4 days and only today has seemed to work, but of course now I'm worried the reduction in my nausea is a sign of problem with the pregnancy. I'm 7+3 so too soon for sickness to be reducing naturally. Does anyone have any experience of this?

Anyat212 · 22/02/2021 23:47

@Springingintospring

I think most of these meds take a few days to get into your system properly. So that would possibly line up with you feeling better, I understand your concerns though if your nausea has just suddenly reduced. Hopefully it's a sign that the meds are simply doing their job! How many times per day are you taking cyclizine? Do you have any other symptoms creeping in? Heightened sense of smell? Extra salvia etc? I can't quite remember what week these started for me.

You can also have those good and bad days as well, I was bad to begin with but my pregnancy in overall has been up and down. Have you got your date for your booking appointment? It could be worth just checking in with your midwife?

RockinRobinn · 23/02/2021 20:37

@Springingintospring I have a few periods where I feel normal some have lasted half a day and I too worried but the nausea eventually reared it's head again.
@LucindaE thanks for reminding me about the omeprazole I started taking it yesterday and I have noticed a huge difference. Still being sick but the constant nausea has subsided a little. I even got out of bed and sat downstairs for a few hours today and managed to make myself a hot drink. Which would have been impossible last week as having a shower was making me so ill. Honestly can't believe the difference it's made. It's more of a change than from taking the cyclizine!

LucindaE · 23/02/2021 21:07

Springingintospring Welcome. Sorry you have been suffering and then anxious. You've already had excellent advice. You can't win iwth Hyperemesis; if you aren't feeling bad, you're worrying about not feeling bad! But as others say, most likely it is the meds starting to help after a few days. Here is my usual spiel, which I hope might be useful. 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.
Anya212 Excellent advice as ever. How are things with you at the moment?
RockinRobinn I am so glad to hear that the Omprazole has made a bigger difference than the Cyclizine and about the hot drink. [smile
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked. [

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MeadowHay · 24/02/2021 07:51

I'm feeling at my worst so far this pregnancy. Have picked up DD's cold which is making me feel so unwell on top of the regular nausea, my throat is so sore and I feel feverish. Woke up this morning and immediately started violently vomiting the small amount of juice I drank during the night (does anyone else wake multiple times s night with extremely dry mouth and have to drink sips all night?). I just feel so fed up and stressed about everything, my DD has been referred for investigations at the hospital too. It's just one thing after another and I just feel like I can't do it anymore already and am only 8 weeks Sad

Ttc2017 · 24/02/2021 11:16

Thank you so much for all the info I have a doctor ringing me this afternoon about getting medication before the sickness kicks in this time. I can feel it creeping already though esp when empty stomach what meds would you recommend I ask.to start on .I ended up on ondasentron last time after trying everything and even that only took the edge off but I'm guessing it best to start of with something else then work up to that? Can I take 2 at same time and it still be safe? I hope the rest of you managed to feel better very soon x

Springingintospring · 24/02/2021 11:38

Thanks @LucindaE @Anyat212 and @RockinRobinn.
I'm feeling crap again today, you're totally right, you can't win can you!

LucindaE · 24/02/2021 19:13

MeadowHay Hopefully, this is an all time low for you. Sorry to hear of poor LO's being referred to hospital. A feverish cold is dismal at any time. What meds have they got you on, sorry, remind me?
Ttc2017 I expect the doctor has phoned back by now. I know they vary about how soon they are prepared to prescribe Ondansetron.
Sorry to hear that things are ramping up. I hope that someone will be on to make suggestions about dosing, if the doctor didn't advise over that.
Springingintospring The only good thing about that is the reassurance.

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Ttc2017 · 24/02/2021 21:50

Meadow hay hope you and your lo feel better very soon
Doc was a bit annoying he didn't want to give me any meds gave me the oh all pregnant women get a bit of morning sickness talk and said he will prescribe cyclicine but I must wait as long as possible before taking it as no meds are safe in pregnancy etc. Made me feel bad like I'm putting baby at risk but I'm sure if you have previous hg pregnancies you are meant to start the meds before the sickness totally ruins your daily life but maybe I'm wrong x

Anyat212 · 25/02/2021 09:21

Lucinda your mother hen instincts must have kicked in! I've been bad all this week with sickness again on top of the nausea. I'm just bloody shattered now & counting them days down. Heartburn is awful (I didn't really suffer with it last time) and the iron tablets I'm on aren't agreeing with me but my count keeps dropping. I'm extra grateful of those good days I have.
Hope you are okay.

@Ttc2017
Your doctor sounds like the majority to be honest, they have that opinion that medication shouldn't really be prescribed. Yet at your same practice, I guarantee there will be another who will understand and prescribe you something stronger and be much more more sympathetic! Is there any GPs at your surgery who you know well / are understanding? It could be worth requesting an appointment with them.

Do not feel bad for taking medication. Dehydration is much worse not only for you but can effect your baby as well. The risks of dehydration are real and I'd always remember that, if you don't feel the Cyclizine isn't working - call back your GP, ask for another GP and explain. Things they do take seriously:

  • if you've lost any weight
  • how much water you are drinking / any ketones in urine you can buy the urine sticks online
  • how much food you are eating
  • how many times per day you are vomiting
I'd also mention the impact to your daily life as morning sickness shouldn't impact that.

I might be alone in this, but in my 1st pregnancy when I was asked how many times I vomit I'd class one vomiting 'session' (not sure if that's the right word I can't think of another though!) as one. Even though I'll have been sick many times in that 'session'. I remember thinking "how are women sick 50 times per day" once I realised - the doctors probably did think my sickness was just "morning sickness" as I'd be telling them it would be between 4-8 times per day. It was much much higher than 8 times.

Also as far as I'm aware (although I'm certainly not a HCP!) Pre emptive meds have shown that they are more effective for HG sufferers. You are getting that medication into system as early as possible which has the best effects. It blows my mind the difference of what GPs come out with but it sounds to me like you've spoken to an incredibly insensitive doctor with outdated knowledge. I'm sorry you have to deal with that, I know it's exhausting when you feel as bad as you do and they make you feel even worse. Stand your ground, speak to another GP & remember you know best! You've been through HG before so you have first hand knowledge of it! I do have to say they have treated me much better in this pregnancy so I hope they do with you as well.

Hope everyone is coping today x

RockinRobinn · 25/02/2021 10:17

Hi @Ttc2017 I had the exact same from my GP but I started taking the cyclizine before it got to the point where I couldn't 'cope'. It seems they need to see you get into a really bad state before giving medication.
Cyclizine is considered very safe though and I found combining it with vitamin b6 helpful I have 30mg tablets and use a tablet cutter and take 15mg twice a day.
I was also taking ginger tablets but then read that they have more unknown health risks than some medications because it is unregulated 😬
Getting on top of things early and listening to my body has helped me to stay healthier this time, although I do feel that the sickness is worse than it was with my daughter.

LucindaE · 25/02/2021 19:15

Anya212 Much sympathy. A bit of telepathy from Mother Hen, then! Smile It is brave of you to keep on taking the iron tablets. They gave me awful heartburn that often led to vomiting and after a bit I just gave them up. But it is worrying if your iron levels are low. Cheering you on as your make your way towards the fabled Pink Castle at the end of the Hyperemesis Horror Experience. Great advice from you and from RockinRobinn.
Ttc2017 It is all very well for the doctor to talk about 'morning sickness' but there is a big difference between a manageable level of that, and Hyperemesis. It is very hard to fight your corner when you feel so awful, as others say, but I so agree with them. If the Cyclizine isn't helping, do ask for a second opinion. I believe you have a right to do that (even in a pandemic). The awful thing is that often, even in this era, getting your OH to press for meds, perhaps on the phone, (more difficult to take someone else into the appointment at the moment) can make a difference.
Apologies to anyone rudely ingored.

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Ttc2017 · 25/02/2021 20:41

I did the same thing before cladding a vomiting session as 1 vomit when in fact it was about 3 or 4 times each session and lots of sessions a day. You are doing well taking the iron I couldn't stomach iron or the folic acid last pregnancy. I've avoided folic acid this time but do you think I should try it and also doc said vitamin d we must take? Did anyone start cyclicine before 6 weeks I just don't know weather to start now so I can see if it does help to start before sickness kicks in or if I should wait til after 6 weeks when I have an early scan incase anything is wrong or til sickness kicks in full force. Also should i be taking any other supplements is there a certain anti acid I should take or should I wait til the sickness kicks in I have had some bad heartburn on and off. And b6 how much should I take is 30 the daily dose did you mean? Thank you so much all of you for all your help x

Anyat212 · 26/02/2021 10:18

Lucinda I've tried to hold off taking them but they are really on my case to get my iron up. Last week count was at 92/104 but they said with me being anaemic and having a PPH with DD I'm at a higher risk of another haemorrhage from the c section.

I've never heard that before but it's worried me. The last thing I want is to be in hospital longer than needed especially with DD who is going through her really clingy stage. I'm thinking now it could be the iron making me sick again though, I've only been on the tablets for around 10 days.

I was taking liquid iron (just one OTC) but my count was still dropping as dose wasn't strong enough. I guess that's a good option for people who may be borderline anaemic, I found the liquid version much easier to handle. I never knew you could get iron in a liquid version.

@Ttc2017

I agree iron is hard to handle I couldn't take it last pregnancy either, although I developed anaemia much later last time. Is your folic acid mixed with anything else? I know some have added iron in them. I only took it until I was 12 weeks although if it stayed down is another thing!

I've never took vitamin D mainly as I've just forgot. Nobody told me in the first pregnancy until I was around 25 weeks pregnant and I've forgot this time as well if I'm honest, if you could handle it I'd try it. You might be able to get folic acid with vitamin D in perhaps?

Heartburn wise I've just stuck with gaviscon double action, it works for me. I only take it when I have heartburn or when sickness / nausea is bad and I'm not due a sickness tablet. There is another one on here for heartburn which is apparently really effective it begins with 'O'.

I'm not 100% on B6 as I've never taken it & I've only had Cyclizine / any other sickness med after 6 weeks. There are some ladies on here who have been given meds before 6 weeks though.

Hope everyone is coping x

MeadowHay · 26/02/2021 10:28

@Ttc2017 I would take your meds right now even if you don't have symptoms. There is some research to indicate it can prevent development of HG in people who had HG in previous pregnancies. My own anecdotal experience is that my HG was s lot worse in my first pregnancy where I delayed medication compared to this time when I took promethazine before symptoms really kicked in when I just had mild, intermittent nausea. I also take omeprazole for reflux/heart burn but I was taking that as hoc prior to pregnancy as I have long-term reflux. I also take Pregnacare which has iron, folic acid, vit D etc all in the one tablet.

LucindaE · 26/02/2021 19:10

Anya212 Sorry to hear that the liquid form of Iron isn 't strong enough. Brave of you to battle on with the tablet form. You certainly want to avoid that with the C section if you can. Was it Omprazole you are thinking of?
'I might be alone in this, but in my 1st pregnancy when I was asked how many times I vomit I'd class one vomiting 'session' (not sure if that's the right word I can't think of another though!) as one. Even though I'll have been sick many times in that 'session'. I remember thinking "how are women sick 50 times per day" once I realised - the doctors probably did think my sickness was just "morning sickness" as I'd be telling them it would be between 4-8 times per day. It was much much higher than 8 times.'
Sorry, I missed this part of your comment and I really think I should include it as 'part of the normal spiel' , when as you say, dr's are constantly underestimating how bad the sickness is due to their method.
Good advice as ever from you and MeadowHay. I hope the meds work for Ttc2017 .

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composed · 26/02/2021 23:28

Hello all, sad to hear so many struggling. I would second @MeadowHay(?) in taking meds pre emptively, I did this time round and found I was able to cope better in getting the vomitting under control sooner rather than later or losing all control. As @Anyat212 says if one gp is reluctant please try another!

@Anyat212 not too long to go now for you is there? I’m having problems with my bp atm which leaves my c section in limbo as to whether it will be 39 weeks or earlier, hoping I can make it as far along as I can safely. Hope you’re getting more good days than bad and as @LucindaE says the pink castle is on the horizon.

@LucindaE hope you are well and apologies for not name checking, struggling with screens again x

RockinRobinn · 27/02/2021 11:15

@Ttc2017 yes I take 30 mg a day but you can take a lot more. I've attached what pregnancy sickness support sent me about it. I was having the gaviscon tablets to help with heartburn but now I'm on omeprazole. I'd definitely recommend getting something preemptively.

Hyperemesis Support
LucindaE · 27/02/2021 20:20

Lovely to hear from composed again - sorry to hear things could be a lot better - and wishing her all luck on her section and great advice from her and from RockinRobinn as ever.

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