Nausea is ruining everything

[Bythefire90]

I had hyperemesis in last 2 pregnancies, this one is just nausea so far but it’s consuming my life. I’m only 7-8 weeks and I have two small children to care for (school runs, 1 year old at home, dinners to make etc). I am trying everything that has helped with nausea in the past.. eating small amounts often, ice lollies, ice, mints, sweets etc..

It’s so bad we’re now considering a termination, something which we never thought we’d have to do in a million years.

My DC1 said to me that I don’t laugh anymore and they’re right, I’m miserable.

I’ve been given ondansetron but BNF says it’s not safe in first trimester (cleft palate risk) and GP won’t give me anything else, not even cyclizine (which I had in last 2 PG) and buccal.

I’m at my wits ends, I can’t function and so low.

I know it could be worse that I could be actually vomiting but I’ve been there before and the vomiting actually brought temporary relief whereas this is constant

I’m not an expert but didn’t want to ignore your message. What makes it worse? Is tiredness a trigger (it was for me). If so can you get help in? Family/paid?

I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this. Sending you and a hug and hope someone will come along with more practical advice.

Does your early pregnancy unit have a hyperemesis clinic? Mine has and they've been great but nothing has helped my vomiting and nausea at all. Your midwife can refer you to the unit if your gp wont

Get to the EPU and speak to someone. I was tried in 3 drugs befor I found one that worked a bit. The GP won't prescribe them , but a hospital will. It's bloody awful, I suffered similarly and ended up being admitted for IV fluids. Don't give up, it can get better. Xx

Why won’t your GP give you cyclizine? Download the Pregnancy sickness support leaflet with the list of medication that you can try in early pregnancy and go back, or see a different GP.

In sorry, I remember exactly this happening to me and it is utterly grim

Thanks everyone. I just feel ridiculous getting help just for nausea, in my last two pregnancies I was being sick upwards of 25 times a day, but this is all consuming nausea, 24 hours a day, I wake up retching if I turn over too quickly, I can’t be driven anywhere, alsorts 😓

It’s bloody awful.. I feel your pain massively.. I couldn’t and still on some days cant do anything.. it affects my whole being. Mine is starting to get better and did from around 12 weeks.. peaked at around the stage you are.. I was fed up of telling people how awful I felt and just wanted to curl up in a ball.
Do you have lots of support as I feel like that’s what I required whilst I muddled through the day.. at times not moving because of the headaches and feeling of hangover/flu.
Did hyperemesis last your whole pregnancy or get better eventually..
Sending hugs and strength.. it truly is the pits xxxx

I found like you that being sick in earlier pregnancies gave me some relief. The constant nausea of my last one was awful, I couldn’t raise my head from the pillow.

At the start I was just retching over 40 times a day from the nausea and I found that keeping my stomach from being empty helped to ease it. For me rice crispies and milk really helps. Some people find ginger or by helpful , while others say sucking on ice cubes helps. I've read of people making ice cubes out of drinks that contain ginger.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm currently suffering with really bad morning sickness and the only way to get through is to be in bed. I've got a toddler too, so it's not really possible. I've been prescribed prochloprozine which seems to be helping. Have you tried this? Why won't they give you anything else to try?

I thought cyclizine was the first thing they offered so definitely go back and push for more anti emetics to go with the cyclizine, especially if that worked well for you last time.
But also OP it's ok if you decide that this time is too much and want to consider a termination. It's not much talked about but many women have terminations because of HG. I terminated my third (unplanned) pregnancy due to HG. I had two small dc, dc2 was just 2 and my DH worked away and we had very little family support and it was just too tough. I went into hospital and they still couldn't get it to a manageable level.
But I would say the GP should be doing more, pregnancy sickness support as a PP recommended have some really amazing things you can take to the GP to push for more help.

I've been there, its awful and feels never ending.I had pretty much constant nausea (no vomiting) in all three of my pregnancies from weeks 5-14 then intermittent nausea (would clear up for a few days then return) from then until weeks 17-18. I tried everything but the only thing that helped me was constant snacking on salty things (not sweet). Salt and vinegar rice cakes, salted crackers etc. Drinking lots of water and trying not to move too quickly. I used to retch all the time, I'd retch if I walked too fast, retch when I tried to brush my teeth.

It was awful and each pregnancy I found it harder with working full time and having other kids. Third pregnancy with my then 4 and 6 year olds, I felt absolutely done in. Each time I felt it would never end and then it would get better gradually, come back with a vengeance for a few days then finally disappear. Can't tell you the relief I felt when it finally did disappear, but it did eventually.

@NamiSwan

I've been there, its awful and feels never ending.I had pretty much constant nausea (no vomiting) in all three of my pregnancies from weeks 5-14 then intermittent nausea (would clear up for a few days then return) from then until weeks 17-18. I tried everything but the only thing that helped me was constant snacking on salty things (not sweet). Salt and vinegar rice cakes, salted crackers etc. Drinking lots of water and trying not to move too quickly. I used to retch all the time, I'd retch if I walked too fast, retch when I tried to brush my teeth.

It was awful and each pregnancy I found it harder with working full time and having other kids. Third pregnancy with my then 4 and 6 year olds, I felt absolutely done in. Each time I felt it would never end and then it would get better gradually, come back with a vengeance for a few days then finally disappear. Can't tell you the relief I felt when it finally did disappear, but it did eventually.

Do you mind if ask if your genders were different? I had heard having a girl can make it worse and I wondered if that might be true?

Hi OP. So sorry to hear this. I had hyperemesis with my first two pregnancies and remember distinctly the point at which the drugs had stopped the vomiting but not the nausea. It’s a horrific feeling.

You do need to access some proper drugs. Sounds like you need a new GP/go to a hyperemesis clinic. Fwiw I always started with metaclopamide, which was very effective and safe in first trimester. (In my second pregnancy I had metaclopamide + cycl then added ond. in the second tri)

Good luck and I’m sorry you have to fight stupid GPs to get the medication you need

I had this with one of mine, it's awful & as you saw no relief. I did get some medication which helped a bit but ended up in hospital a few times on a drip. Honestly the only thing that helped me cope was constantly stuffing my face with carbs.

PS you probably know this but the effects of medication on hyperemesis are cumulative ie it’s better to start earlier. Your GP should know this too!!

Contact pregnant sickness support.

Ondansetron is safe. (Pregnancy sickness support have a brilliant video explaining this,)

Whatever medication worked for you in one pregnancy won't necessarily be the same in the others. Cyclizine did nothing for me for first pregnancy but was my lifesaver 2nd time round.

I’d see if you can talk to a midwife who can refer you to a consultant. I had HG in my first pregnancy and this time spoke to my GP ASAP who contacted a consultant at the hospital. The consultant wrote a letter outlining the treatment options available to me, the GP is now happy to prescribe anything off the list (I found it difficult to get meds the first time round as GPs are so scared to prescribe anything to pregnant women).
I will admit I started ondansetron at 8.5 weeks this time (consultant advice was only before 10 weeks if needed), I wasn’t even vomiting that much but, like you, had awful nausea and a toddler to look after. I weighed up the risks and decided that I needed to prioritise myself and my child that is actually here now (that is just how I felt not that I think if you don’t take drugs you aren’t prioritising your child!).

Even 25 years later l remember that nausea/ sickness. It's a nightmare. Maybe your doctor is not taking it seriously because you said nausea. Just tell him/ her you are getting sick and they might help with meds. Every time l was pregnant l completely regretted it for the first while due to the awful nausea but it passed and looking back now it was worth it. But right in the middle of it l could barely cope. I had to get someone in to help with DC while dh at work as keeping head on the pillow was the only thing that stopped the nausea. Is there any chance of doing that? It is truly awful.

Should have said.. I’m also still breastfeeding (DC2 is only just 1) so the GP struggled to find something that was safe for pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. I’ll get onto my midwife today and see if we have a HG clinic. In my 1st PG the Hg lasted until the day after I had them, in last it only lasted until around 25 weeks so I’m hoping it’s similar but even still.. another 17-18 weeks of this I just can’t function for the two I have. No family or friends in local area that can help, only support is hubby who does long shifts so I’m on my own most days 5:30am-8pm

I’m (fingers crossed) coming to the other side of this now I’m 20 weeks. It’s been hard but I kept going back to the doctors to get the right combination of medication that gave some relief to me. Please don’t feel a burden keep going back to the doctors/midwife and find someone who is more experienced than the previous doctor you spoke to. I have a toddler too and it’s really hard telling him I can’t play, mummy’s not well etc but I will make it up to him and have a conversation with your husband - mine has had to literally take over everything to see me through this.

Almost all anti-sickness meds are safe for breastfeeding.
Contact the breastfeeding network for advice (can contact them via Facebook)- lots of other options.

@pinguwings I don’t have Facebook or any social media I’m afraid. Do they have a normal website? Thanks!

You can bury cyclizine over the counter, although I suppose your dr may have had a reason for not prescribing it. See a different dr!

@MotherOfCrocodiles she said it’s the manufacturer that recommended it not be used in pregnancy anymore, I did say to her I’ve used it in my last two and she said she said she had to go off the manufacturer

@Bythefire90 that absolutely isn’t true - I’m 15 weeks and have been on cyclizine for HG for about 7 weeks now. It is still considered the first line HG medication.

I really recommend calling the Pregnancy Sickness Support helpline. They are incredibly supportive and totally nonjudgmental. They gave me lots of resources and supported me asking/demanding different medication from my GP. Like you, my GP is completely uninformed about HG treatment and gave me wrong and outdated info. I think you’ll find them super helpful whatever path you decide on xxx