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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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thingymaboob · 23/08/2021 10:11

@Lzgs I was taking the boots vitamin but it was definitely making me feel sick. I am now just taking folic acid and vitamin D on its own then I'll swap if and when I feel better.

I walked into town yesterday (30 min walk). I threw up twice on the street. Then I sat down for a picnic and I'm absolutely crippled with pelvic pain. It's come much earlier this time. Wanted to practice the walk as it's my journey into work. Public transport not an option from my house to work for various reasons (longer journey). Returning to work tomorrow after 8 weeks off. I'd better have a wash and pluck my eyebrows

ohihateithere · 23/08/2021 10:49

Woke up feeling good this morning, soon as I had a drink and something to eat heaving and nausea kicked in again so I'm back in bed.

Couldn't get a doctors appointment so will just have to ride it out until I can get seen.

Has anyone told their family earlier? OH parents are popping round today I don't want to keep hiding upstairs in bed, however I didn't want to announce it this way.

@thingymaboob thank you it's so nice to have people to talk too. Your so brave going back to work do you work full-time? I really dread going back.

thingymaboob · 23/08/2021 11:06

@ohihateithere I told my family as soon as I knew I was pregnant as I knew I'd likely be ill and need childcare help. It would've been impossible to keep it secret. Same with work, told them immediately.

ohihateithere · 23/08/2021 14:22

@thingymaboob I should probably do that but I just don't feel ready yet. Even though it would take so much stress off me.

Managed to get a doctor to call me back after going back and fourth with the receptionist who was ready to palm me off as it's not a "medical emergency".

So fingers crossed I get some medication and a sick note.

Hope everyone is managing ok today :)

LucindaE · 23/08/2021 19:12

abbs1 I hope the Ondansetron really helps.
Lggs thingymaboob Catconfusion and others: a lot of sufferers say it is the iron in the vitamins. I did find that iron made me vomit. Some find that getting them in drop form helps.
thingymaboob Oh dear, about the vomits when walking. I am glad that you only have to do it for the training days and then can work from home. Wishing you all luck.
ohihateithere These medical receptionists can be so obstructive.

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abbs1 · 23/08/2021 19:34

@LucindaE i had to stop the ondansatron as it was giving me awful headaches and terrible tummy cramps from constipation sorry tmi and the lactulose only made the cramping even more uncomfortable. Ive got another Dr appointment on Wednesday so Im gonna ask for metoclopromide.

LucindaE · 23/08/2021 20:31

abbs1 Oh no, that is bad luck. I know it gives headaches/mgraines to some. I hope they can work out an some effective medication. Never worry about tmi on here: nothing is off limits...

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abbs1 · 23/08/2021 20:48

@LucindaE

abbs1 Oh no, that is bad luck. I know it gives headaches/mgraines to some. I hope they can work out an some effective medication. Never worry about tmi on here: nothing is off limits...
Its strange as it didnt happen in my last pregnancy but I guess hormones are different and most of the ondansatron I had was IV as well. Maybe it works slightly differently as I had it straight into my veins. Im staggering out the xonvea across the whole day as much as I can until I can get something else.
ohihateithere · 24/08/2021 10:46

Doctor prescribed me cyclizine but I feel dreadful slept in to 10:30 I never sleep this long. Does the dizziness wear off eventually? I remember I was prescribed it with DD but I can't remember now.

Catconfusion · 24/08/2021 16:49

@ohihateithere I didn’t get on with cyclizine when I was pregnant with ds. I think it lowered my blood pressure. I felt dizzy on it so had to come off it. I hope it improves for you. Xx

Catconfusion · 24/08/2021 16:55

So I managed the music event and the wedding. I felt awful but I managed to stay sat down and grazing on snacks and Lucozade. I did find getting out and having distractions helped a bit. I’ve been really sick over the last couple of days so I think it set me back a bit but it was nice to socialise again.

We had our second scan today. Baby is measuring 8 plus 4 and has little arms and legs now. All is good and it’s really helped morale knowing the sickness is for a reason. Xx

LucindaE · 24/08/2021 19:19

abbs1 I suppose that makes sense, as everyone on here says how drugs work better through IV, even mild ones like Cyc izine. Poor you.
ohihateithere A lot of sufferers find they get less sleepy after a few days, but it doesn't suit everyone, as with catconfusion's experience.
Catconfusion I am glad that you had two boosts - the scan and socialising at the wedding.
I'm not sure if it was it today thingymaboob was returning to work...

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LucindaE · 24/08/2021 19:21

Lzgs Sorry, I made a typo with your name in my comments about vitiamins and how some find that they are better in drop form.

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thingymaboob · 24/08/2021 23:03

@ohihateithere blimey - poor you. Cyclizine can sometimes take a while to get use to. It's a funny drug. I was like a zombie for first few days and now I can't be without it.

@Catconfusion glad you got out and about. How are you feeling sickness wise?

@abbs1 have you managed to get metoclopramide? How are you feeling?

Waves to @Lzgs and everyone else.

I went to work today. Taught all morning then walked home at 1. Done 13000 steps today which is alot more than my average 800 a day over past two months. I'm absolutely knackered and crippled with pelvic pain. I ate a lot today. A good day food wise but at 8pm it all went tits up and have been vomiting for a couple of hours. Feel absolutely horrendous. Got obstetrician tomorrow.

Catconfusion · 25/08/2021 08:23

Hey @thingymaboob I was really sick yesterday but then I had the scan so I wonder if the anxiety made it worse. I had the best nights sleep I’ve had since I found out I was pregnant. Nauseous today but not sick as yet. Just a load of dry heaving.

I spoke to the nurse after my scan about hospital hyperemesis support. She said they would prescribe the stronger drugs but only if I was dehydrated and had to be admitted. Usually they don’t prescribe stronger until 13 weeks unless it’s extreme. So it’s looking like it’s best for me to carry on with the promethazine and omeprazole. I think the omeprazole is definitely helping.

Well done for going to work. Sorry to hear it landed you with more vomiting. I hope all goes well with the obstetrician. Xx

MrsNovember · 25/08/2021 12:47

Hi everyone, new here, hope you dont mind me jumping in…been lurking and finding some comfort reading posts- it all feels a bit lonely and not how I wanted pregnancy to feel. I’m 9+4, first baby, although I have 2 step kids who live with us full time (I feel so guilty summer hols have been rubbish as I’ve been so unwell). I’ve have had HG since the turn of week 5. Every day feels like Groundhog Day at the moment. Im taking Phenergan, after unsuccessful tries with cyclazine and another one that just made me more sick. But my GP and the EPU midwives don’t seem to agree on what’s safe, which is worrying and making me feel like a bad parent before I’ve even birthed the baby..!

I’m signed off work for the first time in my life and finding it all a bit unbearable, like one step forward two steps back most days and if one more person suggests ginger biscuits because they felt ‘a bit sick too’ I might punch them…

abbs1 · 25/08/2021 13:05

@MrsNovember welcome to the group. Im so sorry you are suffering so badly. Can the midwives in EPU speak with a gynaecologist dr for advice so you can get better medication? Sounds like you need something stronger than what you are currently on. Are you going in for IV fluids and medication? Can you ask for IV ondansatron? I had that in my last pregnancy from week 7 and it helped a lot and I know its helped a lot of women on this group.

MrsNovember · 25/08/2021 16:54

@abbs1

Thank you for the welcome 💕

Since the latest round of medication I’ve at least been able to keep down fluid and food to a degree so they wanted to try that before iv med and fluid, although the slightest thing or overdoing it (too much walking from one room to the next!) sets of nausea again. They gave me an injection of the medicine last time I was at the EPU, and I’ve stopped losing weight so they’re less worried whilst the trajectory is up, even if it is exhausting and debilitating. One of the midwifes said to rest and watch some Netflix… chance would be a fine thing, I can’t watch TV as it just makes me sick. It’s hard to know what ‘normal’ feels like anymore. If this week doesn’t improve they said I can try Ondanstraton, but both my GP and the EPU seem reluctant to use it. Doesn’t help that my notes from hospital aren’t visible to my GP so when I ring they just act confused… my sister had HG in her pregnancies and she keeps telling me it’s worth it and I’ll forget it all, desperately hoping she is right?! 😬

abbs1 · 25/08/2021 17:42

@MrsNovember how frustrating. I reckon the injection they gave you was most likely ondansatron to help with the nausea and sickness. Its so annoying when the GP cant see hospital notes. Im having issues with that in this pregnancy. Is anything on what you are being given in hospital being written in your maternity notes at all? Can you ask them to so you can show the GP.
I completely know what you mean about watching TV. It makes the nausea even worse like motion sickness so not ideal them telling you to relax and watch something.
If you have the energy can you go back to EPU and tell them you need the ondansatron as your just not coping? You know your body better than they do. Even if you have to wait to speak to a gynae dr?
Your sister is so right that it is totally worth it but I never like to say that to hg sufferers as being one myself whenever i heard someone say that to me i wanted to scream at them as they have no idea how unwell I am. Dont patronise me. 🙈
I found that I have blocked a lot my memory out of my hg journey as it was so mentally and physically exhausting that I knew if I remembered every detail I'd never have more kids. Im on my 2nd hg journey and it is better but Ive had pre emptive medication to help keep the sickness away and its helped to a certain extent.
We are here for whenever you need advice, help, somewhere to just or anything. Sending hugs 🤗

LucindaE · 25/08/2021 18:50

MrsNovember Welcome. You have already had great advice. Everyone is very helpful on here. I hope the Phenergen helps. It is very infuriating the way people recommend ginger biscuits (I remember that one of the sufferers on here was given a couple by a doctor in hospital!). 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.
thingymaboob Goodness, I didn't know it was you who was doing the training. That was very brave of you, and walking too. Sorry the effort has caught up with you.
abbs1 Excellent advice as ever.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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thingymaboob · 25/08/2021 19:20

@MrsNovember hello. I feel so frustrated by your experience regarding notes / ondansetron. Everyone seems scared of ondansetron because of the tiny risk of cleft palate. Have you read the study findings?

www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/ondansetron-small-increased-risk-of-oral-clefts-following-use-in-the-first-12-weeks-of-pregnancy

Because I knew the numbers and was happy with the risk / balance as it was only thing helping me I was prescribed it at 6 weeks. Took it from 7 weeks in first pregnancy too and my child is in perfect health.

LucindaE · 26/08/2021 19:57

thingymaboob Great advice. How are things with the training?
MrsNovember I meant to say, do you find radio or audio books bearable?

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Guineapiggiesmalls · 27/08/2021 09:33

waves hello

Hi everyone, I’m sorry to be back and see that this is just as busy a thread as it was in when I was here with my daughter in 2017/18, but so glad to see lovely @LucindaE still being as supportive as ever, what a superhero you are Flowers

This is my second pregnancy this year, the first ended at 9 weeks, although the baby had sadly stopped growing at 5+6 which is why I think I dodged any sickness. I’m now just 6 weeks, and already have the most shallow gag reflex, having to work hard not to be sick and feel like I’m heading back down the horribly familiar HG route…

With my daughter, I tried cyclizine, then stemitil/buccastem, prochloperazine and metachlopromide from week 9-12 until they finally prescribed ondansetron which helped me return to work and manage to keep some food down. Obviously this time round I have a three year old and unfortunately can’t realistically have a month in bed. I know some other posters have mentioned preemptive meds - have your GPs been supportive in this? I’ve changed surgery since last time, and don’t even know if this is something they’d consider…

Sending love to everyone else in this horrible boat!

LucindaE · 27/08/2021 20:48

Guineapigsmalls Welcome back. Congratulations on your new pregnancy. I am sorry for your loss. An mmc is really awful. Thank you so much for your kinds words: yes, still here. I gather that there is some vomiting reflex in the brain which makes it harder to treat vomting when it has become constant, so pre-emptive meds sound a great idea. There is a new drug - comparatively new, which it might be worth trying called Xonvea. It has helped a number on here, and has been specially designed for use in pregnancy. I know they don't like using Ondansetron unless they have to early on, so it might be worth enquiing for. Your being a veteran, you don't kneed my spiel about coke, ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, kesostix, and anti acids. There are a number of returners on here at the moment, including abbs1 and thingymaboob. You are a brave lot.

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LucindaE · 27/08/2021 20:49

Guineapiggiesmalls What a thickhead I am - I misspelt your name, though I remember you well.

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