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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

989 replies

LucindaE · 14/08/2021 09:39

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.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
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Melleebacca · 16/10/2021 20:34

@BBonBoard oh I’m so sorry that you’ve got this horrible condition. I’m not sure if it’s worse knowing what you have in store, or being naive to how long the sickness will carry on for.

@abbs1 it’s natural to blame yourself and HG for anything that happens to our children. I often wonder if my lack of flavorful food while pregnant is why my 4yr old is an incredibly picky eater. But it’s extremely unlikely.
I’m sorry you have worries about your son, but every child is unique, and if your son is growing at the same pace he always has, it’s probably his normal rate (and teething is just so varied for each child, even siblings). Try not to worry about your daughter, she is her own unique person and is likely to worry you in other ways. My girls’ pregnancies were almost identical, but they are so different in many ways

abbs1 · 16/10/2021 20:48

@Melleebacca thankyou for your reasurring words. I think as parents we do always worry and I blame myself for my son being little and his mishapen skull, his milk allergy etc. No one seems to notice these things but I do as his mum. I think I just need to remember that I'm so blessed to have him in my life and he's my absolute world and the affection and love he shows me every single day is just so precious.

RockinRobinn · 16/10/2021 22:05

@BBonBoard my gp hadn’t heard of xonvea either here is some info that you may be able to tell them where they may recognise the name better as the name varies from country and brand The medication names are DOXYLAMINE + PYRIDOXINE
Trade Bonjesta, Diclectin (Canada), Diclegis
In terms of peeing with every wee this is so common partly because your pelvic floor muscles are already more relaxed but also just the force from vomiting so strongly. It is such a horrible part of it though and I found it so exhausting because then I’d have to change my clothes and shower so my skin didn’t get sore.

@abbs1 it sounds like you’re feeling worried about your sons growth because you were so ill in pregnancy and whether this will impact this pregnancy too. This is such a difficult concept as I think most parents will partly blame themselves for these things. I know I have done similar. My first daughter was 6lbs 7oz and follows the 9th percentile pretty much so she grows more slowly than a child who was on a bigger percentile. She has just hit 3 and had a sudden growth spurt. But despite being in cloth nappies she was always in a smaller size than her peers. I’m sure at 18 months she only just went into 12-18 month clothes. Whereas my second hg pregnancy my daughter was born at 8lbs 7oz and is growing so rapidly!
In terms of head shape I think it’s unlikely due to a deficiency in the womb our bodies are amazing at putting baby first and giving them all the nutrients. We are the ones who suffer first even when breastfeeding milk is the same quality in the western world to those in war zones/famine. With allergies they are so complex and can be familial but it seems that cows milk allergy is becoming very common and usually something that th ey can grow out of.
Also with the teeth there is quite a large age range they can come in. My DD didn’t get her first tooth until she was a year old but my mum said it was the same for me and my sister. Mention it to the dentist if you are concerned though.
@kalidasa how interesting you mentioned about neurodivergence as I had similar
Waves to everyone else I hope you’re managing to have a better weekend. Sorry to anyone overlooked. Hopefully everything makes sense as I'm a bit sleep deprived today!

Melleebacca · 16/10/2021 23:56

@RockinRobinn how well put! That’s very much what I wanted to get across, but I’m just not very good at communicating at the moment. My DD2 also didn’t get her first tooth till just before 1, despite DD1 having her first at 6m.

@abbs1 we all worry, about big things and little, it just shows how much we love. I hope your fears are eased.

I’m feeling so achy and sore. I know it’s because I’ve gone from active to bedridden essentially overnight. Anyone else have sore shoulders from being in the fetal position 24hrs a day? I’m not looking forward to work tomorrow. I think I’m going to get signed off completely the week after. I just need to tie up as many loose ends as possible first.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 17/10/2021 05:23

@abbs1

That’s interesting about your son’s head, my son had the same as a baby despite us turning him frequently and buying a special pillow so he didn’t flatten one side of his skull. It still is a bit mis-shapen (aged 6) but you can’t tell now he has thick hair. I always assumed it was because he was born at 37 weeks and a tricky presentation (hands over his head) so he got stuck briefly and was delivered rather suddenly (elbows before shoulders) which squeezed his head. I wondered if lack of calcium could have played a part as I couldn’t keep down dairy the entire pregnancy (or much of anything really). But he’s the tallest in his class now and athletic, so I’m not worried about his growth. He’s hyperactive and doesn’t sleep much but not sure that has anything to do with HG?

Hope you all feel better soon, a bug on top of HG must be horrendous!

abbs1 · 17/10/2021 07:33

[quote FateHasRedesignedMost]**@abbs1

That’s interesting about your son’s head, my son had the same as a baby despite us turning him frequently and buying a special pillow so he didn’t flatten one side of his skull. It still is a bit mis-shapen (aged 6) but you can’t tell now he has thick hair. I always assumed it was because he was born at 37 weeks and a tricky presentation (hands over his head) so he got stuck briefly and was delivered rather suddenly (elbows before shoulders) which squeezed his head. I wondered if lack of calcium could have played a part as I couldn’t keep down dairy the entire pregnancy (or much of anything really). But he’s the tallest in his class now and athletic, so I’m not worried about his growth. He’s hyperactive and doesn’t sleep much but not sure that has anything to do with HG?

Hope you all feel better soon, a bug on top of HG must be horrendous![/quote]
Oh thats interesting your son had the same. Im so glad hes thriving now and doing so well.
We used a pillow as well but I realised he had torticolis but due to lockdown it wasnt picked up due to no appointments so the pillow definitely helped with sorting that as well but by the time we fully noticed his head was already mishapen. He had a quick birth due to pre eclampsia and I had to have an episiotomy and the consultant literally pulled him out!
My little boy is so full of energy and doesnt sit down all day but sleeps well at nap time and 11-12hrs at night finally.

Its been a rough few days all being sick. Hopefully we are over the worst of it.

Pleasedontworry · 17/10/2021 11:16

I do wonder for those who have sceptical (or useless, or rude…) GPS what would happen if you vomited on them or down the phone. I’ve always been able to hold myself together in appointments, and haven’t needed to push anyway, but for women who are very bad I’d imagine it’s easier to throw up on them than it isn’t. It makes me so angry when some of you are effectively mocked, told to get some ginger biscuits or distract yourself, or ignored despite being so ill. It’s the ‘you’re not poorly your pregnant mantra’ that stopped me taking time off work at first, despite working through a day when I kept nothing down and was sick around 20 times. I struggled through another week after that before I called in. It’s understandable from us, but not from medics who we are in the care of.

BBonBoard · 17/10/2021 14:53

Thanks so much @abbs1 and @RockinRobinn really grateful I joined this chat. I've already gone through the script in my head many times for what I say to the GP tomm (assuming I can get a telephone appointment). Just helpful to be able to say that other people in the UK are being prescribed x and y. I'm Canadian and don't have family here so it's hard to know what is normal and not. My friends in Canada are all prescribed Xonvea without having to ask for it so it's a bit frustrating.

BBonBoard · 17/10/2021 14:55

@Pleasedontworry

I do wonder for those who have sceptical (or useless, or rude…) GPS what would happen if you vomited on them or down the phone. I’ve always been able to hold myself together in appointments, and haven’t needed to push anyway, but for women who are very bad I’d imagine it’s easier to throw up on them than it isn’t. It makes me so angry when some of you are effectively mocked, told to get some ginger biscuits or distract yourself, or ignored despite being so ill. It’s the ‘you’re not poorly your pregnant mantra’ that stopped me taking time off work at first, despite working through a day when I kept nothing down and was sick around 20 times. I struggled through another week after that before I called in. It’s understandable from us, but not from medics who we are in the care of.
OMG yes... I think that every time I talk to the GP and they just say 'bless you' when I tell them how sick I've been. Unfortunately, it's telephone appointments now but perhaps I should take the phone into the bathroom with me and let them hear me vomit (and wee all over the floor) at the same time.
Pleasedontworry · 17/10/2021 15:09

@BBonBoard - yes, do it! All my shame is gone, I had the wetting myself too (told my GP, she said ‘bless you’ or something like that). There were a few days I just didn’t bother to wear knickers - less to wash.

Melleebacca · 17/10/2021 16:42

@BBonBoard I have had my share of unsympathetic gp’s. I changed gp’s during my first pregnancy as the male doctor I had would only sign me off work for 3 days at a time. I ended up being off work for 4 months in total. My current GP is doing ok, but when I rang for a doctors note for reduced hours, and mentioned I needed to up my meds due to being so sick, she said I hope you feel better soon. I crazy laughed her off the phone.

I feel awful here. Bringing up more acid than I previously have. Could feel it burning in my throat while trying to sleep. Then woke up in a hot sweaty mess at 4am. Spend all day shivering and all night sweating. It’s not fun.

Pleasedontworry · 17/10/2021 16:57

Oh @Melleebacca I feel for you the sweaty shivery acid thing is not fun.

RockinRobinn · 17/10/2021 22:53

@Melleebacca have you got an anti acid medication to help? I did find love hearts helped with the horrible taste in my mouth and acid a little bit too.

Sorry to all of you who have had unsympathetic GPS the pregnancy sickness support website have great support and helped me come up with what to say to my GP, however because I only lost half a stone and didn't have ketones in my urine I was only given cyclizine this pregnancy and had to fight for omeprazole even 😞 they seemed to think it was acceptable that I couldn't even shower and had to crawl to the toilet. This then led to a UTI and cue the antibiotics making me feel worse. It is so difficult advocating for yourself when the effort of an appointment is so much already, I reckon we must get an adrenaline rush or something that helps to get us through these appointments without being sick.

Melleebacca · 17/10/2021 23:10

@RockinRobinn I never got relief with any anti acids previously. Usually after I vomit I have a few peppermints to cleanse the tastebuds and soothe the belly. But yesterday I vomitted up peppermint tasting potato, and couldn’t stomach any more.

Survived 2hrs at work. Colleagues are so compassionate towards me. I was really proud of myself. Heaved on the way home though. Now tucked up in bed for the rest of the day.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 18/10/2021 04:13

@Pleasedontworry

Ahh that mantra! DH has his own version of it: ‘you’re pregnant not an invalid!’ 😵‍💫
Makes me so cross. Like it’s not possible to be pregnant and ill at the same time. It’s like when he complains of feeling tired and nauseous, I feel like saying ‘at least you haven’t been crouched on the bathroom floor for an hour vomiting’ but I know he’ll say something more annoying so I just smile, nod and return to bed, leaving him all the housework 😊

FateHasRedesignedMost · 18/10/2021 04:24

RockinRobinn

Sorry you had trouble getting meds this time! How awful.
The first time I was put through the whole cyclizine, phenergan, stemetil trial before they realised I needed something stronger and eventually resorted to metaclopramide, omeprazole and ondansetron.
This time I couldn’t get hold of an NHS GP so had an e-consult with a private one, who immediately prescribed metaclopramide and ondansetron and wrote to my NHS GP recommending these as they helped in first pregnancy. So NHS GP just took his lead and put them onto repeat (didn’t need to see him, a 5 minute phone call was enough).

FateHasRedesignedMost · 18/10/2021 04:26

@Melleebacca

The only anti acid that’s made a difference for me is omeprazole (slow release so just one a day). I can’t take Rennies or anything similar as they make me instantly vomit.

RockinRobinn · 18/10/2021 07:06

@FateHasRedesignedMost that's so interesting about the private consult. If we do decide to have another I will bear this in mind as I'm sure it's worth the money. My GP surgery even called to the obstetric department at hospital for their recommendation and that's what they said so I knew after that it would be a battle.
Yes omeprazole is what helped me too.
We have discussed adoption for if we want a third child though.
@Melleebacca I'm glad work was manageable I hope you can get through this week to tie up your loose ends ok ❤️
Hope everyone got some rest last night and has an ok day.

BBonBoard · 18/10/2021 14:33

So I spoke to my GP this morning. Had this whole speech prepared and ready to ask for Xonvea. She said she had to check with the partners at the practice and that she would text me with the results. Well, she sent a text saying that Xonvea is not recommended in primary or secondary care by our prescribing authority but that she has issued a prescription for metoclopramide. She said it may be even better than Xonvea. It seems way more intense than Xonvea so I'm not sure why they're so hesitant with Xonvea. Also, I take escitalopram, which is an antidepressant and so now I'm at risk of serotonin syndrome.

kalidasa · 18/10/2021 16:09

@BBonBoard honestly I suspect the reluctance re Xonvea is to do with its cost, it is fairly pricy, whereas older drugs like cyclizine and metocloprimide are probably a good deal cheaper. Some women find metocloprimide really helpful though. Just watch out and let your GP know if you start to get twitchy -- it can cause neurological issues for a few women especially if you're on it for a long time. I took it for ages with DS1 and had to come off it for this reason and was told I shouldn't ever take it again. Most people seem to be fine with it though.

Melleebacca · 18/10/2021 16:48

@BBonBoard I was first on metachlorpromide with my first pregnancy. But I was jittery with it. I am jittery was nauseous as it is, and it just made me feel more anxious and out of control. But a good friend of mine got relief from it. For me, I’ve done best with ondansetron and this time around I’m trying cyclizine too, but even with both, I’m worse than I was the last 2 pregnancies.

I spend every day (apart from work), lying in bed just waiting to sleep. It’s so hard to have given up all my hobbies, activities and even time with the kids. I keep forgetting it’s my DD1s birthday this weekend and I currently have people rsvp-ing me. Invites were sent out before I got sick 😬. Poor hubby is going to have to deal with all of that.

Pleasedontworry · 18/10/2021 16:54

I’m with @kalidasa - it’ll be about cost, I found this for my area when I was scoping it out: www.nottsapc.nhs.uk/media/1609/jfg-minutes-october-2019-final.pdf

FateHasRedesignedMost · 18/10/2021 17:04

Agree it’s to do with cost and local prescribing guidelines.

I’m still out of ondansetron (ordered a repeat last week) but pharmacy haven’t got it in stock! So I’m now waiting for a call from private GP to get another prescription so I can take it to a different pharmacy. NHS GP just sends prescriptions straight to the local pharmacy and it’s pot luck whether they have it or not 😡 Ondansetron is the one med that really helps me! Naturally they won’t cancel and re-issue it as it has ‘already been processed’! As if anyone’s going to abuse ondansetron or take it when they don’t desperately need it 🤔😵‍💫

Melleebacca · 18/10/2021 17:30

@FateHasRedesignedMost How awful! My dad has undergone a few rounds of chemo, and they give him so much ondansetron for that. Sometimes I think they over prescribe it here.

LucindaE · 18/10/2021 18:50

Back, everyone. Sadly, I wasn't on holiday, but spending some days doing cleaning etc for my mother, who's elderly and very frail and housebound and since her cleaner sadly died of Covid during the height of the pandemic, she keeps putting off getting another. Thanks so much to RockinRobbin for her wonderful advice on here. Others too, have been really helpful.
Welcome to BBonBoard. You've already had great advice. Very odd about why they don't prescribe Xonvea at your health authority; what others say about expense is unfortunately very likely the reason. Just in case it might be of use, I include my normal spiel that might help, though you may have come across it on the thread. 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.
Melleebacca Sorry you are still in a state of suspense. I am afraid that the figures that you and kalidasa mention mean nothing to me, as I don't think they were ever disclosed back when I was expecting DD.
abbs1 I think we tend to blame anything that is slightly out of the ordinary on HG or on taking meds. I suffered mildly and was given no meds, just told to take Gaviscon, but I did take paracetemol- then considered 100 per cent safe - in early pregnancy, and my daugther has a very slighlty turning in foot. After I heard about paracetemol possibly having a small risk of birth defects, I at once thought 'Ah, that's what caused it!'' That, of course, is unlikely. You mustn't torture yourself.
Waves to thingymaboob, FateHasRedesignedMost, kalidasa, abbs1, Pleasedon'tworry, BuffyFanForever and everyone.

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