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
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.

Ah, and someone, I think it was Meg252xx, apologised for going into details about urine. Never worry about tmi on here...

@meg232xx - you are an absolute sweetheart being so nice to me when you’re so poorly. I’m very angry on your behalf with the hospital and your midwife, chastising you for coming back so soon?! What the hell? You didn’t pick this.

@meg232xx unfortunately going by ambulance will never guarantee a bed. I've taken many a sick person in and they've been shoved in waiting room. Previously I have taken in Hyperemesis sufferers (before I had HG and really understood the horror) and they've gone in waiting area. I had no idea what questions to even ask. I was clueless to the illness as I'd only see women in a fleeting way and most were ambulatory. I remember one woman was in a collapsed state with low BP and was vomiting. She got fluid and IV cyclizine from me and I got an eye roll at hospital and then I doubted what I'd done.

@meg232xx I’m so surprised they couldn’t sort something out for you last night. Also sorry you’re feeling so rough. I hope you’ve either got admitted through a&e or got some sleep and will be on the way shortly. Fingers crossed you get those fluids soon. I don’t know why they mess around with pregnant women. It’s saving two lives not one. Xx

It’s good news from me. I’m feeling rough on bad days but I seem to be getting a couple of good days between. I stopped taking the Promethazine and I felt exactly the same so I don’t think it was doing anything. Still got loads of food aversions plus a very windy and sore tummy but the vomiting had lessoned. It seems to be more dry wretching now which isn’t nice but more manageable. Also I’m managing a bit of water which feels nice.

Also I had another scan yesterday and our little gummy bear is doing well. Measuring 10 plus 5 so right on track. Our 12 week scan is next week. I’m nervous but can’t wait to get through the screening tests. Xx

Hiya @Catconfusion - glad you're having better days. 10 weeks notoriously awful, too.

@meg232xx hope you're at the MAU now. Please keep us posted!

I am feeling very nauseous this morning. I crave ate two packets of fruitella last night then (not surprisingly) vomited violently afterwards. Could have predicted! What an idiot!

Thanks @thingymaboob it’s been lovely to take ds to the park today and eat a normal breakfast. It’s given me a taste of what it can be like.

Sorry to hear about the fruitella. Hopefully you enjoyed them before you saw them again. Xx

22 weeks and still suffering here. Sick of people telling me to try ginger like it’s not big deal that I’m nauseous and vomiting all day long. Can barely pass urine either. Anti sickness meds not working.
Any advice on how to cope would help.

@justhaveagingerbiscuit

22 weeks and still suffering here. Sick of people telling me to try ginger like it’s not big deal that I’m nauseous and vomiting all day long. Can barely pass urine either. Anti sickness meds not working. Any advice on how to cope would help.

Im so sorry youre still suffering so badly at 22 weeks. When (if you have) did you last get some IV fluids? You sound dehydrated if your still being sick all day and not passing much urine. Can I ask what antisickness medication you are on atm? If they arent working I would see if you can be offered steroids to help.

Its awful when people dont understand and say eat ginger etc. Sending hugs 🤗

Oh no @justhaveagingerbiscuit I’m so sorry you’re so ill. It does sound like you might need some fluids at the hospital.

The ginger biscuit brigade really think they’re helping but it’s infuriating. As if someone who’s severely nauseated and vomiting hasn’t tried everything.

I hope you’re feeling better soon. Xx

Thank you.
I was given cyclizine.
I’m not sure the doctor believes me to be honest, trying to pass this off as a tummy bug as I’ve had maybe 2 weeks of lesser symptoms

Hi all!

New here, so I'm not sure if I'm replying in the right place.

Currently around 11 weeks pregnant with my first child and I think I've tried everything on the face of this planet by this point.

No medication seems to be working, I've been signed off work for two weeks, extreme dizziness and shivering as well as being sick throughout the day. I can't keep water down or anything tbh.

I do have access to the EPU (been in 3 times but I feel the drip doesn't help either) but apparently I don't have enough ketones, I can't stand up or walk more than 10 steps☹️ thinking of going in soon to get check up done as I'm struggling mentally as well as physically rn!

@theconfused welcome to the group. This is definitely the right place to be. I'm so sorry your suffering so much.
Would you mind advising what medications etc you tried or are taking so we can see if we can help and also did you have IV meds in hospital as well as fluids?
You definitely sound like you need more help. With being sick so much if you can go in Id definitely ask for a blood count done so they can check liver and kidney function, your iron levels and check thiamine. When i was so sick with hg my thiamine level was really low which gave me all the dizziness, low bp etc.
For me only IV medication worked in hospital so I was in on a daily basis and ended up on steroids at 12 weeks as that was the only way to stop me vomitting. Depending on what medication has been offered etc could you see if this is a possibility for you?

Im sure @LucindaE and other ladies will give you good advice too.

I spoke to a male gp today who also asked if I’ve tried ginger biscuits!! I wanted to scream. Been signed off from work for three weeks though so that pressure is off and I feel better for not stressing. Just trying to avoid going back to hospital by resting as much as poss.

@theconfused sounds terrible. You definitely sound like you need more help. The ketones thing is infuriating, isn't it?
Sorry you're suffering.

@Lzgs that GP needs a good talking to. I had it in my first pregnancy with a GP registrar. I said "are you kidding?"

@meg232xx are you ok? Have been thinking about you today and hope you're alright!

Hi everyone 💗 Today has been rough. I went to the MAU this morning, but I have no ketones once again.

I took the strips in with me, and got a lecture about how they're not the most reliable.

I told them how I was feeling, and told them how bad the dehydration has gotten. Eventually they agreed to do some bloods!

They had to get the ultrasound machine to locate a vein, because in the anaesthesist's words "we're not getting a cannula in someone this dehydrated". I could've screamed in happiness.

I've got low potassium again, along with a high count in my liver, but they started me on some fluids!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been kept in because despite having two bags of the potassium fluids, it's not come back up.

I'm not happy that I'm back being admitted (especially since this might have been avoided if they'd have listened to me on Monday), but I'm back on IV meds so no need to worry about throwing up my antisickness.

Thank you all for the advice 💗

@theconfused first of all congratulations! Although I'm sorry you've been bitten by the hyperemesis bug 😭

What medication have you tried? There's a few diff ones that they can work you through, and sometimes even a combination of them works 💗

I'm glad you've got some time off work, but it sounds like you're dehydrated.

I've had the same problem this week with the lack of ketones, and the refusal of IV fluids, so I feel your pain. All I can suggest is persevering and going back.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time 💗

@thingymaboob I'm sorry about the fruitellas!! I hope you enjoyed them, for that brief period of time. It's crazy how that's our mentality 😂🙈

@justhaveagingerbiscuit when I was last in hospital, I had a male doctor recommend I chew on raw ginger. If I had the energy I'd have told him how I really felt about that 🤣 seriously, I don't understand why people think ginger is the miracle cure 🙈

I'm sorry you're suffering so badly. It sounds like you're a bit dehydrated (with the lack of passing urine). Have you been able to keep fluids down?

It may feel like the antisickness aren't working, but still keep taking them. I felt that way and stopped them, for about a day before I realised they were taking the edge of slightly.

I've saw you're on cyclizine. Could you ask a different GP for something extra/stronger? 💗

I think I've caught up with everyone! Apologies if I missed you 💗

justhavingagingerbiscuit Welcome. I hope Cyclizine works for you.
If not, there are others they can try. You certainly sound dehydrated. I am sorry people are tormenting you with nonsense about ginger biscuits. I am sorry you are still feeling so bad at 22 weeks. Some have had a marked improvement after that; don't despair. I include my normal spiel that might help. Ignore the bits that don't apply. Most sufferers find that they improve a lot at some point between weeks 14 and 20, or sometimes later. 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 doctors, 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, potato smileys, slices of melon and mango. Protein drinks have also been mentioned.
TheConfused Welcome. I am sorry that no meds have heped so far. I'm assuming they have tried Xonvea, Ondansetron and steroids?
I am sorry to hear fluids haven't helped much before. You certainly sound very ill if you can't take ten steps! Your ketones might well be up enough for the hospital to admit you for fluids now.
I hope the normal spiel I quoted to *justhavingagingerbiscuit' might help you. Do keep us informed.
Meg232xx How are things? Apologies, I rudely got your name wrong. I blame my dyslexia.
thingymaboob The hospital rolled their eyes at your giving fluids to a pregnant, deydrated woman? My goodness. Sorry about the Fruitellas.
Catconfusion So true. Congratulations on water and visit to the park.
abbs1 Good advice as ever.
kalidasa How are things?
Lzgs It leaves me speechless that doctors recommend ginger biscuits. As below, I mentioned how a hospital doctor (I don't know if a specialist) left some ginger biscuits by the bed where one sufferer was having fluids! Good news about the sick note.
pleasedontworry How are things?
Apologies for anyone rudely overlooked.

Meg232xx Good to hear from you. I'm glad you are having fluids, but their grudging attitude sounds infuriating.

@meg232xx good to hear from you. I'm so shocked you had no ketones after all that vomiting. You're obviously dehydrated. It just shows what an unreliable indicator of dehydration they are!

@megs232xx been thinking of you today and wondering how you were doing.
Firstly I am so glad you finally finally got fluids! The way MAU have treated you is absolutely awful and I would definitely make a complaint. To base your health and your babys on ketones is crazy! You shouldn't have to beg so hard to get help when you are clearly poorly. Im so glad you had bloods done to see whats going on. I hope the anaesthetists had words with MAU about how poorly you really are. I hope from your admission they can see that more tests were clearly needed and how dehydrated you were.
Please make sure you stay and get properly well enough before leaving and get a good plan in place for medication. Also they need to understand you may be back again by the end of the week if you carry on being sick once discharged. I hope you dont but they need to be ready for you to come in at short notice for treatment.

@meg232xx though it's miserable for you, it may actually be helpful that you've been admitted. Hospitals are fined, I believe, if they have to readmit someone very shortly after discharge (as it implies the discharge was a mistake). Obviously with day trips to the MAU they avoid this. But now you have been admitted they have an incentive to make sure you are at least somewhat stable before discharging you again. I think when you see a doctor you need to recount what has happened -- that you were refused admission for hydration on the basis of having no ketones, despite your description of constant vomiting, and even though you were in fact so severely dehydrated you couldn't be canulated, your potassium is low and your liver function is compromised. These are all serious problems in a pregnant woman and would have been avoided if they'd listened to what you were saying about how you felt and how much you were being sick. If you can find the strength, make it clear to the doctor and/or matron of your ward that you are considering a complaint about this.

I am OK @LucindaE thanks for asking. I did one of those fancy "how many weeks" tests today which said at least 5. I think I only turned 5 weeks yesterday so that is encouraging re: HCG levels. Sickness wise, I feel amazingly (for me!) OK. I feel pretty sick first thing and again from about 5pm, but otherwise I am really functional as long as I eat promptly when I feel hungry, in fact I even feel quite energetic -- I haven't had that awful knock-out fatigue which came on almost immediately with my other pregnancies, I am still doing things as normal and in fact I'm doing an intensive language course each morning all this week, which is about a 20 minute walk away. I have cyclizine on prescription from the UK but haven't started it yet, I'm just taking ordinary pregnancy vitamins and ginger tablets (I know! But I have to admit that I always have found ginger in various forms a tiny bit helpful at the very beginning, though obviously it's totally infuriating when people bang on about it when you're practically dead from dehydration). Of course, it could ramp up suddenly, and it's also still possible despite the HCG that the manageability now is a bad sign re: viability, but I am feeling pretty optimistic that I've got at least another week at this rate before I am seriously unwell, which would push the start of vomiting beyond the crucial 6-week mark and make this more like my pregnancy with DS1 and (please God!) not a repeat of the absolute horror show with DS2. I've booked in to see a midwife on Monday as well, so I'll see how that goes. The system is totally different here.

@theconfused sorry you are having such a miserable time. Most people do start to feel at least a small bit of improvement fairly soon from where you are. Hang on in there! I've just checked my notes and with DS1 week 11 was awful, worse than the week before; I felt I was going backwards again and had a close call with readmission (having recently been discharged), but that was actually the last week that was that bad, week 12 onwards saw at least some tiny improvements.

@LucindaE @meg232xx @abbs1

I've tried I think about all of them, I'm a little scared of ondansetron with the whole side effect thing to be very honest (I know with my luck I'd be that 1 in 100,000)😓

I've tried clyclizine, proclorperamide (?) procloromethazine maleate, stemil and another one you keep under the tongue and none have worked. I've also been tried on Omeprazole in the hope it reduces the acid but noooope.

Went to my GP today and he wasn't very happy with the ketone based treatment either as he's like they wait for you to get worse before they help you.

But yes I've had thé antiemetic injection x3 and IV meds and it's all just pointless. The only thing helping is the fact that I'm off work, even though I feel soooo guilty!