Still debilitating morning sickness at 12+4 - does this mean it’s HG?

[Whosthecrazy]

I’ve been praying that at 12 weeks I’d feel miraculously better but no dice unfortunately.. some days better than others, but some days I’m sick up to 15 times a day. The days after night shifts are the worst. Currently taking cyclizine and ondansetron which doesn’t 100% control it anyway and the side effects make it not so worth it.

Honestly I feel so depressed with this, every day is miserable and now I’m terrified that this is actually it for the whole pregnancy.

I was still like that at 12 weeks except actually I was much better controlled by the meds (just felt nauseous) and it started to ease at 16 weeks. I think I began tapering down the medication at 15 weeks, then that was too soon, then slowly from 16 and at 17 I was totally off them. Obviously not a guarantee but I think it really depends on the person, however I know plenty of people on them for 16/17/18/19 weeks who then found it resolved.

I I was on cariban, which I think is a 'lower' level than ondansetron, but I know that some people respond better to different medication so it might be worth asking for more support and a review - vomiting 15 times a day while on meds suggests to me you need a higher dose or different drugs. All I can say is once it does lift, it is phenomenal, and I do entirely remember how low and debilitating it was.

I had HG twice and was diagnosed by about 8-10 weeks both times- what does your doctor say! It certainly sounds likely that you have it, yes. It’s miserable but you will forget it once the baby is here. Can you get signed off work?

Unfortunately I haven’t seen a GP face to face as they’re only doing phone appointments. Every time I’ve spoken to them they’ve been pretty useless but never mentioned the word HG, just sent off for a prescription or increased the dose. Started on cyclizine which didn’t touch the sides and made me so dizzy and tired, then was given one ondansetron to take a day alongside that, now on 3 a day. The nausea is so bad I honestly can’t bare to get out of bed some days. Unfortunately I can’t get signed off work as sick because I’m a student midwife (I know that means I should know the answers to my question but it’s way more difficult when it’s yourself ) and will fall behind if I can’t make it into work. I have a full week of nights coming up and am just absolutely dreading it. My last night shift I vomited so violently over and over that I peed myself 😭 so bloody humiliating!

If your not well enough to work then your not well enough 🤷🏻‍♀️. Having a couple of weeks signed off to rest will probably do you the world of good. My morning sickness eased by 14 weeks and stopped by around 15/16 weeks, so just because it hasn't stopped yet doesn't mean that it won't!

This definitely sounds like HG - have you found Pregnancy Sickness Support? They’re the HG charity and honestly they saved my sanity. GPs and midwives were unfortunately pretty useless. I’ve been on the cyclizine & ondansetron combo throughout my pregnancy, am due any day. I’ll be honest that my sickness didn’t decrease until about 20 weeks and it continued throughout my second trimester but was FAR less intense. My third trimester has been a dream compared to the other two!
As others have said, there are other medication combos to try including ones that you don’t have to swallow, you just place under your lip. Please give the charity a call as they can advise you on what to ask for with your GP, as well as providing other support.
Have you also checked your urine for keytones? If you’re being that sick you should ensure you’re not dehydrated as that can be dangerous.