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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
LucindaE · 28/02/2021 19:22

I hope sufferers are getting by...

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Ttc2017 · 01/03/2021 17:12

I'm 5 weeks today and can defo feel it coming feel so tired it's unreal and felt shakey today and yesterday and mood swings and feel hungry but don't know what for and on and off slight nausea but nothing major think I'll start cyclizine tomorrow to be safe but should i start on 3 tablets a day or just 2 I'm still a bit worried about taking them but I don't want to suddenly get hit by HG and regret not taking advice and starting meds early x

LucindaE · 01/03/2021 18:25

Ttc2017 I am sorry to hear things are going downhill. Nobody likes to have to take meds, but as a veteran, you know it to be the best thing in far from ideal circumstances (to put it mildly!).

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Caz1226 · 01/03/2021 18:35

Hi ladies
I just wanted to offer some support I’m 16 weeks now and I suffered sooooolo bad with HG!
Hospital 3 times, I literally just laid all day waiting for the next sickness to come, couldn’t eat or drink, lost a hell of a lot of weight and just felt so down and depressed!
IT DOES GET BETTER!!!!
people said it to me and I was thinking it won’t it will be like this until the end, but it does!
I’m still sick maybe two days but it’s manageable I’m back working and even though I don’t have a lot of energy im slowly eating more and feeling more positive
Please please if you cannot keep food or liquids ring your gp or I went direct to the early pregnancy unit to be re hydrated- you need to look after you in the early weeks because the baby will look after itself
I was scared about medication but I needed it, it got me through the tough period!
I’m thinking of you all and promise you won’t feel like this forever, it will pass, just stick in there and ride it out!
Xxx

Anyat212 · 01/03/2021 19:03

@composed thank you! Its not long for me, I don't think there's much longer for you is there? Sorry to hear you are having problems too, fingers crossed for you. I feel exactly the same I'm just hoping to make it as far along as possible (safely!).

Lucinda thank you- It was Omprazole! I do think the sickness comment around the number of times could be useful. They definitely didn't take me seriously in my first pregnancy. I only know one other person in real life who's suffered with HG and thankfully her doctor took notice of other symptoms as she thought the same as me when it came to vomiting.

@Ttc2017
Did your doctor tell you how many times per day to take cyclizine? If so I'd just follow that for a couple of days and if no improvement / it gets worse, ring your GP back. Don't let it go any longer as they can give you other meds. Hope the Cyclizine works for you.

@Caz1226
I'm glad you're feeling better! Smile it's the biggest relief ever getting over that "peak" isn't it!

I've had a third episode of reduced movement over the weekend and they've noticed baby is actually under the 10th percentile (going off my last growth scan) rather than bang on the line as previously thought. So the doctors are concerned baby is trying to tell them something. I was checked over today and baby seems fine in there today!

I have a growth scan tomorrow afternoon so should hopefully know more after that. I am feeling very anxious and the nausea has been on another level today. I'm sure me being nervous is adding to it though.

Hope everyone is coping today x

LucindaE · 02/03/2021 20:23

Anya212 Sorry to hear of all the anxiety; I hope you get reassuring news. Tension and sickness go together, as you say. You are so right about 'the number of heaves' issue and I must remember ot add it to the normal spiel.
Caz1226 Thank you so much for your lovely encouraging message. I am so glad things have improved and you can work again, and I hope things improve further still. As you say, things do get a lot better for most sufferers. Very few on these threads have suffered as badly later on as they did in the beginning, thank goodness!

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Anyat212 · 03/03/2021 16:13

Thanks Lucinda, all went well yesterday they estimated her at 6lb which is absolutely fine! Quite the difference and all they could really say is that position may have been different last time. Hoping I just make it to the 22nd now. Nausea is still at an all time high though.

Hope everyone is coping today x

Ttc2017 · 03/03/2021 18:24

Wishing you lots of luck anya nice to hear from someone who is nearly at the end of the tunnel.
I started cyclizine yesterday nausea and tiredness are hitting me. Can any one suggest any really safe snacks safe as in that shouldn't turn your stomach and bland to snack on through.the day
I'm mainly just eating toast potato or rice to try not to upset my stomach and start the vomiting but I know nutrition wise that's not great but I won't risk to much. I've eaten crazy amount of crisps and worried about salt intake but I don't know what else I can snack on that won't risk being sick. X

LucindaE · 03/03/2021 18:56

Anya212 Six pounds is really good after all their concerns raised. Sorry to hear nausea is bad.
Ttc2017 Some swear by melon? I suppose tinned fruit isn't exactly a snack, but a lot find that useful.

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CJ2021 · 03/03/2021 19:34

Hi Guys. I was just wondering if HG is defined by physically being sick? I’m 12 weeks on Sunday and have suffered with extreme nausea since about 4 days after conception, it literally started instantly :( I was sick a few times at the beginning but for me it’s just constant nausea 24 hours a day. I hate all foods and the last three months have felt like hell. I’m trying so hard to be excited to be pregnant for the first time but I’m at the point of feeling so low. I’m trying to continue to run a business and it’s just been the hardest thing ever. Sorry to sound so moany but I’m sooooo fed up. I haven’t been in our lounge for two months because the smell (who knows what smell!) just makes me feel worse so literally go to work in the morning, feel sick all day, come home at 5 and get straight into bed. I’ve tried everything, sickness bands, ginger tea, ginger biscuits, ginger sweets - nothing stops it. I’m starting to panic that it’s just not going to end and I think coupled with the gross weather and lockdown doom, I’m feeling like a right Debbie downer! Just reaching out really to find others having this battle, sending love to all xxx

RockinRobinn · 04/03/2021 17:46

Hi @CJ2021 my main symptom this time is the severe constant debilitating nausea. However I am on bed rest pretty much as if I start to be more active I am sick. Sometimes even just from talking.
I think whether this would be diagnosed as HG is tricky as there isn't really cohesion from medical professionals about what constitutes HG. Usually things like being dehydrated (urinating less than 500ml a day, skin doesn't spring back quickly etc.), extreme nausea and/or vomiting, ketones in urine and the inability to carry on with every day tasks.
Are you manage to eat and drink enough do you think?
Completely understand about the smells, every time I walk into a different room the smell makes me 🤢 until I get used to it but I mainly stay in my bedroom too. Sometimes I find finding a safe essential oil (orange and lemon seem good for me) and putting a few drops on a tissue and taking that with me if I need to go into a different room and try to just smell that.
I have found omeprazole has helped with the constant nausea as cyclizine doesn't help with the nausea per say but limits the amount of vomits. Maybe try some gaviscon and see if that helps? For me it only helped temporarily hence asking for a stronger med from GP. Now you're 12 weeks should be easier to get meds too.
Sending hugs the constant nausea is worse than the vomiting for me so completely understand!

LucindaE · 04/03/2021 19:59

CJ2021 Welcome. You have already had great advice from RockinRobinn. I so agree about the helpfulness of an effective anti acid with nausea. It is possible to have Hyperemesis without constant vomiting. That nausea certainly sounds severe. Some of the drugs do help with the nausea for some, others find they only stop the vomiting. I wonder if you phoned Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 if they might be able to advise on the chances of obtaining
meds in your situation? They will have to phone back,but they will with good advice. Here's my normal spiel: ignore the number of heaves part as not relevant in your case.
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. When reporting on the vomiting to doctosr, 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.

RockinRobinn Excellent advice. I am glad the Omprazole is helping.

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Tryingandhoping2020 · 05/03/2021 17:40

Hi everyone, I’m 9 weeks tomorrow and really struggling, being sick twice a day and feeling it contstantly, no energy at all, been signed off work for a week and am just lying in bed and sleeping Sad this is my first pregnancy and I’m finding it really difficult, been ill since 6 weeks. The doctor put me on cyclizine on Wednesday but doesn’t seem to have helped. What would the next medication to try be? Thanks x

LucindaE · 05/03/2021 20:13

Tryingandhoping2020 Sorry to hear that you are suffering. I am not sure myself if it takes more than two days for Cyclizine to work, but some sufferers better informed than me will be able to advise you about that. They may well add another drug, or substitute one. I believe they often go on to Metaclopramide and Stemetil and there's a relatively new drug for use in pregnancy sickness, Xonvea, which has helped various women on here. 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. When reporting on the vomiting to doctosr, 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.

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LucindaE · 06/03/2021 19:56

I hope everyone is managing today.

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Ttc2017 · 06/03/2021 20:09

I'm 5 plus 5 today feeling pretty fed up the nausea is making me miserable horrible taste in mouth hungry but don't fancy anything and then feel sick again after eating cyclizine doesn't seem to be helping. How soon can i try b6 for nausea should i ask doc for advice before I start. Just feel drained and fed up and like hg is rearing its ugly head again and so soon the constant nausea just makes daily life so difficult doesn't it I feel moody if I have to talk to anyone it's not their fault as they don't know but every time I talk it's effort and makes my mouth taste worse and feel more sick. Hope the rest of you are ok x

composed · 07/03/2021 13:30

@Tryingandhoping2020 sorry to hear you’re feeling so unwell, unfortunately you’re in the horrid early days but it does get better. What you are doing by resting is as important as the right meds, do not be disheartened. I would go back to your gp’s and ask to try second line meds, the pregnancy sickness support website that @LucindaE mentions in the opening website is great and has a list of which ones to try. There are quite a few and the can be mixed if no joy with one. Keep
an eye on your urine output and the colour as you may need a drip if you become dehydrated. In the meantime drink and eat what you fancy and can, don’t be too hard on yourself, we all understand how horrible it is and are here.

@Ttc2017 I’ve never got on with cyclizine im afraid so unsure about the B6 but hopefully someone else may be able to help. I would say if current meds aren’t working then go back to gp’s for something else. In the meantime do not feel guilty hg is horrible as it is, rest as much as you can, eat/drink ehatever takes your fancy. Re the horrid taste I had that in the first trimester and it still
comes and goes even now, I think I resorted to some sort of mint chew or fruit just to
help! I know @LucindaE mentions old fashioned barley sweets is it? Take each day at a time don’t think too far ahead, be kind to
yourself, you can do it and will x

Captainpeaches · 07/03/2021 13:42

Hey Guys,

I have joined this forum to get some help and advice. I’m 7+2 today and have been having extreme nausea since 6 weeks. I don’t vomit but I do gag occasionally and my IBS has flared up badly. I don’t know if this is HG as it’s my first pregnancy after trying for two years and I know most people have vomiting. I have booked an app with my GP next week and hopefully get some medication to help relieve the nausea. When I think about nausea and having it 24/7 it doesn’t seem that bad to say it out loud but when your suffering and going through it, it’s horrendous! I am managing to keep fluids down and dry things (toast, cereals, crackers etc). Can I still be HG with just nausea?

Tryingandhoping2020 · 07/03/2021 14:01

Thank you @LucindaE and @composed, it’s so nice to hear from people who understand what I’m going through. I have an appointment with a ‘hub’ gp tonight so I’m hoping they can put me on something else as cyclizine just isn’t working. Part of me feels guilty for asking for meds because there’s so much an attitude of ‘grin and bear it’ when it comes to pregnancy, and I would hate to do anything that might harm my baby especially as I’m already on sertraline for anxiety (have been on for years). Guess I just have to trust in the doctors. Feel like I’m just existing rather than living at the moment Sad

LucindaE · 07/03/2021 19:34

Captainpeaches You can certanly have Hyperemesis and not vomit very much or even at all, if the nausea is extreme. Many sufferers consider the nausea worse than the vomiting. You certainly need meds if you are prostrated and unable to do anything and do ask for them for the doctor. Are you able to drink enough fluids? Here is my normal spiel, some of which I hope 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 doctosr, 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.
Tryingandhoping2020 I do hope the doctor prescribed meds. Nobody likes taking them, despite the evidence that the risk is tiny, but if it's a choice between that or the very real dangers of dehydration, you don't have much choice.
composed Fine advice as ever from you and everyone. You are so right, it was old fashioned barley sugar I used to use. I believe you can get it online.
Ttc2017 I think if Cyclizine was going to be very helpful, it would have started working by now, so it is certainly worth asking the doctor for another medication or extra ones and asking about the B6 at the same time as Mother Hen has forgotten about doses! Parma Violets have been recommended on here to get rid of that dreadful taste. It is a balancing act, as sweets can increase the saliva. Also a good anti- acid like Omprazole can make a lot of difference.

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RockinRobinn · 07/03/2021 19:40

@Ttc2017 you can start the B6 ASAP maybe look it up and check that it's ok for you if you have other health conditions otherwise it's just an over the counter tablet. You can always look on pregnancy sickness support website they have info on it.

Sorry to see so many new people suffering.
I'm 11+4 and have my scan tomorrow. Been feeling a lot better in that I can hold a conversation and the nausea is more manageable but I've overdone it today and now feel awful! Hubby was meant to tidy last night because midwife came this morning to take bloods and do urine, and let's just say he really hadn't so I did it.
My scan is at 9.20 am so hoping I have an a good morning tomorrow!

composed · 07/03/2021 20:52

@RockinRobinn good luck with your scan tomorrow, something to look forward to x I have given up on tidying and decided to have a major spring clean after baby comes so putting up with whatever the husband can do between now and then, which I am incredibly grateful for Smile

Hope everyone else is doing ok, another day almost done x

Ttc2017 · 07/03/2021 21:04

Good luck with scan rokinrobin thanks everyone think I'll ask for different meds from gp this week and try start b6. I don't want to start ondansetron too soon as the side effects are awful esp the constipation so holding off that one long as I can

LucindaE · 08/03/2021 19:39

RockinRobinn I hope your scan cheered you up. Naughty of OH neglecitng the tidying. Of course, composed is right and just leaving it is best, but it can be hard to do. Ttc2017 All luck in getting new meds.

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Littletoaster2021 · 08/03/2021 21:45

Hi everyone,
I really could do with some advice from those of you with experience of hyperemesis. My morning sickness got gradually worse from 7 weeks (am now 11+4), starting with 24/7 nausea and building up to this Saturday with vomiting 7-8 times a day, throwing up everything I tried to eat, not able to even shower as was too weak. I finally realised this wasn’t normal and got my husband to buy some ketostix, was then horrified that I was 0.8. Called 111 who gave me the choice of admission to hospital on a drip or trying cyclizine first. Tried cyclizine, took first pill Saturday evening and slept for 12 hours (haven’t been sleeping properly at all due to sickness), felt incredible on Sunday morning but as day went on felt worse and was slightly sick but only once, ketones were almost gone entirely. Today felt ok in morning but totally shit as the day went on and was sick a few times. I tested my urine again just now and have 0.4. Not surprised as I just haven’t been able to drink much water today without feeling so sick. Have however kept some food down, although I can only stomach a few things (the usual like jelly, toast and pom bears).

Please tell me if I’m worrying over nothing and just need to give the medicine more time. I’m so exhausted that moving from one room to the other feels like I’ve ran at full pelt down the street. Took me till 5pm today to work up to a shower and then it left me exhausted and throwing up. I just don’t know what to do and I know so many women have it way worse. I feel pathetic but this is really getting to me.