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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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Lzgs · 19/08/2021 14:39

Love to everyone suffering atm.

Wanted to post an update here as you all supported me a couple weeks ago when I was particularly bad. I am 9 weeks now and I think the combo of cyclizine and metoclopramide is working for me now, though it took a while. I am now managing to eat (even though it’s still just beige food) and am not completely bed bound. Mornings are still very slow but at least I am not vomiting 10 times a day like before!
My advice to anyone who feels slightly better is to not think you are suddenly superwoman - take it easy. I majorly overdid it at the weekend unavoidably but was sick mon and tues. But today I am feeling optimistic and slightly more excited about this journey :-)

Lzgs · 19/08/2021 14:40

Potato smileys in the air fryer are my new favourite thing in the world. Reverted back to the diet of a toddler 🤣

Ttcbn2 · 19/08/2021 17:26

Well I spent all day on my mau yesterday as I was so dehydrated, they scanned me to check baby was okay too before I went hope, actually haven’t been sick in over 24h now 💃🏻

So I got my first sick note nearly 2 weeks ago, for 2 weeks, and I’m hoping to get another one tomorrow, how long do you ladies get your sick notes for each time? Thank you

thingymaboob · 19/08/2021 17:29

@Ttcbn2 blimey. Poor you. Are you feeling better? I got signed off from weeks 6-14 in one go this time. Supposed to be going back on Tuesday. Goodness knows how that'll go!

thingymaboob · 19/08/2021 17:30

@abbs1 how are you doing?

Ttcbn2 · 19/08/2021 17:42

@thingymaboob I mean I’m not being sick so that’s amazing, still feel a bit rubbish but I’d much rather be like this.. think I’ll probably just ask for another 2 weeks and see how I get on with that, I hate being stuck in the house but I physically can’t be at work, I worked until I was 10 weeks and it was so so hard as I was so poorly

Do you think your ready to go back on Tuesday? x

abbs1 · 19/08/2021 17:49

@thingymeboob got my medication and typical, my nausea has subsided considerably so I'm hold off taking it. Had some soup and bread for lunch and having risotto for tea.

Catconfusion · 19/08/2021 18:23

@abbs1 that’s so typical. Hopefully you won’t need the meds and you’ve turned a corner.

@Ttcbn2 it sounds like more time off is needed. Even when not being sick it’s so debilitating. I hope you start feeling better soon.

@thingymaboob how are you feeling about going back to work? I hope you’re ok or can take more time off if you need it.

@Lzgs potato smileys sound amazing. I must try them.

Catconfusion · 19/08/2021 18:30

As for me, I’ve had an awful day. Woke up to vomiting, then tried to have a bagel for breakfast and that came up too. I don’t think the promethazine is working. Im still feeling really sick and can’t move without vomiting.

Im supposed to be going to a music event on Saturday afternoon and a wedding on Sunday. Really not sure what to do. The wedding worries me most in case I’m ill during the ceremony and can’t get out. It’s such a shame to have to cancel things after a couple of years of not being able to do much (having last dc and Covid.)

I can up the dose of the promethazine to two tablets three times a day but I’m worried I’ll be sleepy. I’ve definitely felt more out of it on these tablets. I might have a word with the consultant at the EPAU when I have my scan on Tuesday.

I hope you all have a better night tonight. Xx

abbs1 · 19/08/2021 19:48

@Catconfusion I'm so sorry youre suffering so badly. Can you ask for ondansatron and metoclopromide as a combination? Both 2nd level treatment above the proc (spelling?) And cyclizine which are 1st level.

LindSan · 19/08/2021 19:50

I didn’t realize there was a new thread. Thanks Lucinda. I have been feeling ill all day still but the intensity of the nausea has calmed down a bit. Still highly unpleasant and Im not too functional but I guess I’ll take what I can get.

LucindaE · 19/08/2021 19:59

rk47 Welcome. As others say, and from all I've seen on this thead, LO will soon forget all about this period of comparative neglect. Sorry you are suffering badly this time. I hope this med helps. Everyone is very supportive on here.
I include my normal spiel that 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 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.
Lzgs I have added potato smileys. I'm glad that combination has helped you.
abbs1 I do hope that the meds will help. Sorry to hear about your disappointment with the delay. It's weird the hospital won't give the GP the notes; I can't think why not. As you suffered so badly last time, you think they'd have a co-ordinated plan. Or is it put down to the pandemic?
Ttcbn2 I am glad they treated you effectively and gave you a scan.
Catconfusion It's a shame about the wedding etc. Can you be seated by the door? Sorry it's beena bad day.
thingymaboob Mother Hen fusses and clucks and says don't try and rush back too early. As you say, from what I've heard on these threads, LO's seem to be amazingly resiliant and get over it all very quickly.
Apologies if I've overlooked anyone.

OP posts:
LucindaE · 19/08/2021 20:00

Lindsan Oh dear, I should have checked earlier we hadn't left anyone behind. Welcome to the new thread. Sorry you're feelling bad.

OP posts:
abbs1 · 19/08/2021 20:34

@LucindaE I rang the hospital maternity unit and they said the GP can prescribe 4mg of ondansatron for a week regardless of how much it was used in previous pregnancy as "each pregnancy is different" so they have to check how you react to the medication. The hospital looked up my notes and said if I'm not holding fluids and food down like last time and the 4mg doesnt work then I'd have to go into hospital to EPU to be properly assessed by a consultant and a treatment plan put in place which is fair enough considering how bad last time was.
They said maternity notes aren't given to the GP if you were or are under care of consultant at the hospital to keep continuity and so things dont get confused.
Thankfully today I feel much better so holding off on taking the medication and see how I go over the next day or so.

LucindaE · 19/08/2021 20:58

abbs1 Ah, that makes sense about consultant planning, though it seems to me the communication could be better.
We haven't had a Due Dates list for a while.
Due Dates
Anxious9thPG 17 September
RockinRobinn 24 September
Marnie1234 6 November
MimPimMim 14 November (provisional)
JessicaM2021 22 November
hporter10 25 December
LilmissCa 13 January
nomeslice 2 February

OP posts:
abbs1 · 19/08/2021 21:30

@LucindaE yes it could be. EDD 12th March. My 12 week scan is in just under 2 weeks so will have my confirmed one then!

Catconfusion · 20/08/2021 01:05

@abbs1 my GP wasn’t to keen on prescribing the next level up. She said it would have to get much worse 🤷🏻‍♀️. I mean I’m vomiting multiple times a day and pretty miserable. I guess I am managing to keep enough food and water down but it’s a pretty miserable existence. I’ll see what the consultant says on Tuesday. My GP just doesn't seem very confident with prescribing in pregnancy. She’s very risk adverse and reluctant. It’s now two weeks since we symptoms have got severe and I’m exhausted.

Anyway, hope you’re having a good rest. Xx

abbs1 · 20/08/2021 08:00

[quote Catconfusion]@abbs1 my GP wasn’t to keen on prescribing the next level up. She said it would have to get much worse 🤷🏻‍♀️. I mean I’m vomiting multiple times a day and pretty miserable. I guess I am managing to keep enough food and water down but it’s a pretty miserable existence. I’ll see what the consultant says on Tuesday. My GP just doesn't seem very confident with prescribing in pregnancy. She’s very risk adverse and reluctant. It’s now two weeks since we symptoms have got severe and I’m exhausted.

Anyway, hope you’re having a good rest. Xx[/quote]
Sounds pretty bad to me being sick so much. I feel for you. You sound like you need better medication to stop the vomitting.
This is a link for all the HG day units at hospitals in the UK. Are you near to any of them and go there for assessment and better medication? Thats what I had to do in my last pregnancy as the GP wouldn't prescribe anything other than cyclizine.

www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/get-help/treatments/hg-day-clinics-across-the-uk/

Catconfusion · 20/08/2021 08:28

@abbs1 thank you. My EPAU deals with hyperemesis treatment and I’m going in for a scan on Tuesday. I’m hoping they will help. Annoyingly it had only just started to get bad two weeks ago when I had the last scan so was happy for the Gp to treat me. My stomach is raw this morning with acid. I’m chewing Gaviscon like the gp recommended but it’s not working. She didn’t even want to give me ranitidine which I took with no problems in my last pregnancy. I’m now waiting for another call back this morning as I can’t care for my toddler like this. Xx

abbs1 · 20/08/2021 08:36

@catconfusion oh I see. I hope you can get some better medication until Tuesday as I'd not be able to care for a toddler either being sick either.
I know ranitidine hit the headlines while I was pregnant in 2019/2020 and was stopped being given out esp to pregnant women I cant remember why though.
If you don't get any help I suggest if you can get childcare to go to A and E over the weekend for some IV fluids and medication.

Catconfusion · 20/08/2021 09:03

@abbs1 I think I remember some worries over ranitidine. When I was pregnant with ds I asked my GP but she was happy for me to carry on. I think by then I was a lot better so I stopped taking them. It sounds as if they’re now not prescribing it at all.

I couldn’t get a phone consultation with the doctor. I explained it complicated as I’m pregnant and even the GP is hesitant with prescribing. I obviously got the usual reassurances that the nurse practitioner can prescribe just like a doctor can. Not holding out much hope.

I understand what you’re saying about a&e but I am keeping some food and drink down so I don’t think there’s a dehydration issue. I just feel really rough. This burning in my stomach is horrible. It just feels raw and angry. I’m hoping it’ll improve if I can keep eating small meals throughout the day and mostly keep it down. Xx

thingymaboob · 20/08/2021 09:08

@Catconfusion I agree with @abbs1. It sounds so much like you need more help. I've been taking omeprazole since week 6 and it's excellent for reducing the acid. I didn't have it in my last pregnancy until end and I remember the acid vomit and the sipping gaviscon, which didn't help. They gave it to me without hesitation at the HG unit. They said "it calms the stomach". Maybe ask to speak to one of the partners at GP surgery as they're more experienced. That's what I did in first pregnancy.

Catconfusion · 20/08/2021 09:41

@thingymaboob thank you. I definitely think I need something like omeprazole or ranitidine. I can only speak to a nurse practitioner today so not sure how helpful they’ll be. I was really surprised the Gp would only give me Gaviscon earlier in the week.

My ds is having a movie morning and I’m counting down the hours until DH gets gone from work. Luckily he’ll be home at lunchtime. Xx

thingymaboob · 20/08/2021 09:53

@Catconfusion hope you get something. It's agony!

Catconfusion · 20/08/2021 10:07

@thingymaboob it really is. As if early pregnancy isn’t worrying enough with all the concerns about whether it’ll progress and we’ll actually have a baby at the end of it. It’s so frustrating to not be able to do some light exercise and eat healthily to give the pregnancy the best chance. I’m 42 so the risks of something going wrong are greater. I swing from thinking it’ll all be ok because I was like this with ds and he was fine to worrying this will all be for nothing and we’ll get bad news. The physical agony is rough but also the mental and emotional agony too. Xx

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