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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
composed · 08/03/2021 23:28

@Littletoaster2021 first of all you are not pathetic at all please do not think like that! You are going through the worst of it by the sounds of it, have you been prescribed cyclizine to take regularly? If you find the meds aren’t working that well after a few days (2/3?) then please go to your gp’s and ask for something else. Pregnancy sickness support website as mentioned by @LucindaE has a list of all the meds you can try and are safe to take during pregnancy.

If you can’t stand takin showers as many of us struggled so know only too well, think about using a flannel and water to have a wipe down. Rest as well as good meds are very important for hg. Eat what you fancy and when you can, good you are keeping an eye on your urine but if you are really struggling sometimes going in for a drip does help.

@LucindaE has some great suggestions for food and drink in her initial post, have a read if you can and see if theres anything you fancy, I know ice lollies were a saviour for me at one point. Take each day at a time, ask for different meds and most importantly know that you will get through this as hard as it is atm x Hopefully others will be along with more advice/suggestions.

Anyat212 · 08/03/2021 23:41

@Littletoaster2021

It sounds like you are having a tough time! Although it's great you are aware of ketones, I wouldn't focus too much on them. Although hospitals / doctors tend to take action quicker when they are present, but I think your other symptoms sound worrying too! What is your output of urine? And are you aware if you've lost any weight? I imagine you will have but these are other factors doctors will want to know as well. I know when you're feeling like this weighing yourself is the last thing you want to be doing but the doctors took my weight loss seriously. Weirdly enough, I never had any ketones in my urine in my 1st pregnancy (well whenever I was tested I guess) but I've had +4 at my lowest point in this pregnancy. I was actually much worse in my first pregnancy though.

Cyclizine usually takes a few days to get into your system, so if you are not seeing any improvement I'd call your GP and explain. There are stronger medications they can prescribe or give you another medication to take alongside it known as a combination. I'd also tell them the effect it's having on your day to day life, as "normal" morning sickness should not have that effect.

With food, just eat what you can and what tends to stay down. I lived off caramel chocolate, fruit pots & ice lollies until my sickness / nausea improved. Contrary to advice plain food didn't help me in either pregnancy. Forcing myself to eat made me sicker too, it's so easy to worry but your baby will get everything they need from you even if you are eating little amounts.

Please don't think you are worrying over nothing, sickness in any form is horrible. What you describe does sound like HG if I'm honest. Alongside effective meds, rest is also essential. You should be patting yourself on the back for having a shower no matter how long it took, I remember them days where I'd just sit in the shower feeling dreadful. I'd have to ask DP to come and wash my hair for me. The shower often does make people feel worse though! So you aren't alone there.

I promise you it does get better & just try to take each day as it is. I hope you feel better soon.

@RockinRobinn I hope your scan went well today!

Anyat212 · 08/03/2021 23:42

Ah cross post with you composed - Hope you are doing okay!

Littletoaster2021 · 09/03/2021 07:34

@composed and @Anyat212 thank you both so so much. I do have a full cyclizine prescription and have only been taking it for 2 days so will give it another go today before I ask to try something else. I don’t have scales at home but I can tell from the mirror that I’ve lost some weight (although BMI was at the high end of normal before so I’m hardly emaciated). Really just being able to connect with people who understand helps a lot, my DH is supportive and have told my mum and a few friends but weirdly I still feel really isolated. Was worrying so much about ketones but will try to put that out my mind for now!

Anyat212 · 09/03/2021 09:12

@Littletoaster2021

I'd still keep an eye on your ketones but just watch your water intake and urine output. As composed has mentioned below, fluids are really helpful in hydrating you properly should you need them. I'd still mention the weight loss to the doctor when you next speak to them as I believe they are concerned if you loose >2 pounds per week (I think in total it's around 5% of your body weight possibly!). As you say though you don't need scales to know when you are loosing weight!

It is a really isolating condition, I'm glad you have a supportive DH too. It makes things that little bit easier!

RockinRobinn · 09/03/2021 15:38

Hi all just wanted to say scan went well yesterday and I'm due 24th September still.
I'm gradually improving and have dropped down to 2 cyclizine tablets a day as I keep forgetting the afternoon one. The evenings are harder because of this but I'm up and about the last couple of days instead of being in bed all day. Also having a shower every day which is amazing to be able to do this!
I've just been told I have a urine infection so they prescribed me antibiotics, nitrofurantoin which I've had before outside of pregnancy. Not sure in length of course yet. Has anyone found that antibiotics have made them worse? Urine infection wasn't picked up by dipstick at GP but they sent it off a week ago and I only heard back today. I had a urine sample done on Sunday by the midwife too but my cystitis symptoms have relieved so I'm wondering whether to wait for results of the urine sample from them before taking antibiotics.

RockinRobinn · 09/03/2021 15:42

@Littletoaster2021 welcome sorry to hear you've been so poorly this sounds exactly like my first pregnancy. I pushed myself to carry on as much as possible until I ended up in a&e to have fluids. That's when I accepted actually this isn't normal morning sickness. You should be at the peak now so hopefully medication helps to manage it. Rest as much as you can as most find this really limits vomiting. And just have whatever you fancy/can stomach.
Hoping you start to gradually improve now, especially now you're getting more rest too. Pregnancy sickness support has great info on and they advised me to try vitamin b6 with the cyclizine and I think it did help it to work better. But it is another tablet to swallow!
Hope you're having a better day today Thanks

LucindaE · 09/03/2021 20:01

Littletoaster2021 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering badly. You've already had great advice, but as others say, do ask for other meds if the Cyclizine doesn't start working soon and do keep checking the ketones,but often the scantiness and dark colour of urine can be a better guide,and having a dry inelastic skin, headache, etc.

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.
RockinRobin Unfortunately, some on here have said that antibiotics do make the nausea worse, but so can the uti. If your symptoms have reduced it might be worth waiting for the results? Great advice for Littletoaster2021 Good that your date remains the same and not put back. Waves to Anya212 and composed and #RockinRobinn*. Brilliiant advice. What will Mother Hen do without you all when you reach the Pink Castle?

OP posts:
Braxos · 10/03/2021 07:53

Hi guys! Been a while since i posted. Im around 7 and a half weeks now and have had to give in and get medication as i just wasnt coping. Ive been put on cyclizine & metraclopamide (dont know how to spell them sorry!), and consultant said i can have a 3rd once i get to 10 weeks. I wouldnt say i was "cured"
I am still being sick in the mornings, and having some nausea through the day, but definitely so much better than I was. Im being closely monitored by consultant for other reasons, so at least I feel like help is near!

Braxos · 10/03/2021 08:03

I forgot to post the question i came on to ask!

Have they done any studies on why some women get HG, and how/why it can differ between pregnancies? I find it really weird that ive only suffered for 2 out of 3! What happened during my 2nd pregnancy that meant my body tolerated it more?

Ttc2017 · 10/03/2021 09:51

I always wonder the same thing and have spent alot of time googling trying to find answers and never seem to find anything. It's so unfair why some of us suffer so badly and some people have no nausea at all and like you said why even our own pregnancies can differ from one to another. Also I keep frustratingly searching why have they not found a cure for hg by now why why why do they let us suffer surely something must be able to take the edge of it more than what is already out there. The nausea I find the worst constant 24 7 I feel like there must be some way surely to stop it.

RockinRobinn · 10/03/2021 10:26

@bracos they really don't know why you get HG there is hardly any research into it. It seems like there is a genetic link and some things like having a girl or twins can make it worse. There is a book by some of the women who run the pregnancy sickness support website and that's quite informative if you wanted more info.

I've started the antibiotics because I had symptoms again last night. Definitely feel more sick again this morning too. It's a weeks course so just praying it doesn't get progressively worse. It needs to be done though as an infection left untreated can be dangerous.

Anyat212 · 10/03/2021 10:32

I don't think they know the specific reasons why women suffer with HG. They have some sort of reasons they've identified which increases your risk of having it in your pregnancy such as your mum/sister suffering with it, being overweight, having twins etc. I think they are on agreement it's down to the level of hormones your body produces but there isn't any clear reasons why. I'm sure Lucinda will know more on it though!

There is a great documentary on Amazon prime called sick: the battle with HG which I'd recommend. From what I've gathered there just isn't the proper funding for research into HG but I completely agree I'm at a loss as to why we are allowed to suffer.

I wish there were proper guidelines to diagnose and recognise the symptoms but instead there's huge discrepancies between advice/doctors. This is the other battle of HG. There needs to be clear cut guidelines and not just the opinion of that doctor you've spoken to (who may or may not know much about the condition). The amount of times in my first pregnancy I was told "it's just normal morning sickness" was ridiculous. It makes me so angry thinking about it and this happens everyday!

I agree on the nausea too, it's just relentless isn't it!

composed · 10/03/2021 14:19

@Anyat212 I’m plodding along counting down the days as I am so tired and feel
as though I’ve had enough! Not long
for you, hope you’re doing better.

Research into hg is still very limited it seems but I hope things get better. Agree the nausea is sometimes harder than the actual throwing up as atleast I get some relief.

I’m sure there is some sort of protocol re hg as set out by NICE but it seems to vary drastically all over the UK which makes getting help so much harder than it needs to be.

@LucindaE you have been such a great support for all these years and I cannot thank you enough as during some of my darkest times just reading the thread has helped me so much x p.s I am WAITING to reach the pink castle and enjoy a tall
glass of iced lemon water, I still struggle with water so badly even at 27 weeks.

I hope everyone else has a better day today

Ttc2017 · 10/03/2021 17:36

Why will doctors not agree to b6 ? My gp said this when I asked about taking 10mg 3 times a day.

As a medical professional all the advice I give you must have clear scientific evidence to support my advice. The use of B6 for pregnancy related nausea is not in any of the NHS guidelines and I have been unable to find any safe dose guidance in pregnancy in the British National Formulary or any NHS research papers. I apologise but therefore I am not able to advise you on a safe dose.

Also my fertility clinic refused to give go ahead for me to take it they said they can't advise and you must he very careful in first 12 weeks. It's making me really worried to try it but the nausea is making life so miserable.

LucindaE · 10/03/2021 19:03

Braxos I am glad things are a bit better but sorry about the sickness every morning. It's good that they will give you a third med at ten weeks.
I wish I could answer the question: but anecdotally, there does seem to be a connection with a slight hormonal imbalance in many cases. Anecdotally, some on here have commented on a correlation between sufferers and those who suffer menstrual migraines, cystitis and car sickness. In other words, those who have all the fun, I don't think...
Ttc2017 I so agree about how odd it is that so little research has been done on the cause. Frankly, I think it is because it's by definition a women's disease, and a pregnant women's disease, at that. There is so often that assumption of overreacting (being hormonal?) that makes medics so dismissive, as Anya212 found.
RockinRobinn Sorry to hear about the return of cystitis and the increased nausea with antibiotics. I hope it levels off.
composed Thank you so much for your lovely words and I am so glad that the thread has helped you. I'm looking forward to welcoming you into the Pink Castle.

OP posts:
Littletoaster2021 · 11/03/2021 15:45

Just wanted to update after getting so much kind advice and support on here a few days ago. Yesterday I woke up with enough energy to get out of bed - it really feels like I’ve turned a corner. The cyclizine took 3 days to really take effect but it’s hugely reduced my nausea and although I’m still stick 3/4 times a day it’s nothing like before and I’m keeping food down which has given me enough energy to start feeling like myself again. Am still not at the stage of able to leave the house but I feel like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. This forum has been a lifeline. Xx

Anxious9thPG · 11/03/2021 16:45

Hi all
I've been following these threads, going back over a few years to get me through the last few weeks!
I'm on my 9th pregnancy, had HG with my son 3 years ago, had 7 mcs. Super anxious about this pregnancy, HG much worse this time around. 3 admissions so far, I'm on ondansetron and cyclizine which has reduced the vomiting but the nausea is persistent and intense. I'm now 12+6 and have been off work for 5 weeks. Baby is fine which is a huge relief. Definitely feel I'm gradually coming out of the 'death zone' but taking each day as it comes. Thanks @LucindaE for the amazing advice, the tinned fruit and juice has definitely kept me out of hospital again!

LucindaE · 11/03/2021 18:18

Anxious9thpreg Welcome. I am very sorry to hear of your seven miscarriages. That must have been traumatic. Obviously, I don't know at what stage you had them, but I hope your reaching over 12 weeks with this pregnancy is an excellent sign. No wonder you are anxious. I am glad you are on that excellent combination, and that reading through this threads has helped you and ice lollies and juice in particular. Obviously, you don't need my normal spiel and I hope the symptoms ease without causing you anxiety. There is lots of support on here.
Littletoaster2021 That is excellent news; long may it continue!

OP posts:
bunhead34 · 12/03/2021 17:03

Hello, I thought I would just check in here.

Wow there are so many new people suffering, hoping you all feel better soon!

I was on ondanseton and cyclizine, managed to drop the ondanseton around Xmas time. But still on the cyclizine, I haven't been sick in ages but still feel
Quite nauseous a couple of times a day.

I was wondering of those who were medicated the entire pregnancy
When did you manage to stop after birth?
I have daydreams of the baby popping out and all of my symptoms magically lifting away 🙈😂

I'm also worried about any type
Of withdrawal - I've been taking cyclizine daily for 9 months

LucindaE · 12/03/2021 18:05

bunhead34 Lovely to hear from you. I am glad things are so much better. It's a pest some of the sickness remains. I hope someone who has experience of being medicated throughout can advise you about how they found it best to go off the meds. Most sufferers get relief almost as quickly as you hope - anyway, within hours or a day of the birth.Smile A tiny minority (trust me to be one) have some sickness connected with breast feeding hormones, but that always resolves itself when they stop feeding.

OP posts:
snapple21 · 12/03/2021 18:09

Hi @bunhead34

I'm 29 weeks and still on meds. Have good days and bad days! Dreaming of the day I no longer feel sick!

bunhead34 · 12/03/2021 18:37

@snapple21 I'm 35 weeks now! I think it will feel so weird to have a full day of no
Sickness - I can't wait!

Annie1290 · 12/03/2021 22:38

@Ttc2017

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
Hi all. Checking in again, my son is now 3 and a half.

. @Ttc2017 I could of written this post above. I'm only just over 4 weeks and ridiculously think I can feel it coming. Ringing the GP on Monday who was v sympathetic last time so hoping he will prescribe straight away.

Anyat212 · 12/03/2021 23:32

@bunhead34

You're not far behind me, I'm 38 weeks and I'm still taking Cyclizine throughout this pregnancy as well. My vomiting is (dare I say) now rare but quite brutal when I do. The nausea is still lingering though.

When I was pregnant with DD (2 years ago) I took ondansetron until she was born. I had an injection of it in labour as I was being violently sick throughout. I did have a lot going off though including sepsis. I also had it a couple of times after giving birth (I had to stay in hospital) but it wasn't down to the HG. I'm sure the nausea disappeared very quickly for me after having her and I wasn't physically sick again. I do remember saying to DP the next morning how great it was to wake up without feeling or being sick. I'm hoping it goes as quickly as it did this time too! Hopefully it will for you as well.

I didn't have any withdrawl with the ondansetron. I can't speak on the Cyclizine side as I've only taken it throughout this pregnancy.

@composed ah you are doing great! You will get there, I do hope you feel better soon.

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