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.

@buntywindermere no words, but sending you lots of love.

I've just spoken to the GP and he is going to prescribe me Ondansetron, he's said he is happy for me to start it now at week 10/11 as the benefits will hopefully be greater.
He is also sending a small amount of the ones I'm currently on just in case I decide to wait - but did make it clear I would be assessed before being admitted and it would be preferred if I was taking the Ondansetron to see if that helps first.

Today is a slightly better day, as in managed to make it to the sofa rather than bed. So at this point I think I'm prepared to take the small risk to see if I do better.
My DP has been quite worried so think he will be happy too. But we'll talk it over more when he is home from work.

Thank you again for your support yesterday, I was at rock bottom and having people understand really made a difference.

@buntywindermere wishing you the best and sending you hugs.

I'm having a low day again today and finding the HG hard. I really hope that it'll ease off some time in the second trimester. At the moment I'm just being regularly reminded of my HG and sickness every time a family member asks if my sickness has stopped or got better. I've had to ask them to stop doing it but think I've now upset them

@LucindaE yeah I'm struggling at work sometimes. No gone back on the same hours and same duties. Xx

Thinking if you @buntywindermere xxx

@buntywindermere lots of sympathy from me. The mental and physical struggle of HG makes a loss even more taxing. It’s not fair to be so sick and lose a baby, so I’m thinking positive thoughts for you.

@PopGoesBang take the meds. I’m probably a little too pro meds, but after our loss in 2020, I’m more certain that I need to keep me alive as well. We mums sacrifice everything for our babies, but the best thing for them is to keep our nutrients up, and in order to do that with HG, meds are required.
I have taken ondansetron from 4weeks with all pregnancies after my first (because first time around you don’t expect to be so sick), and it has really helped. I’m on cyclizine as well for this pregnancy which has again reduced the severity of my sickness. Which I am so thankful for.

@BFPDec21 I essentially hid from the world for October and November, and even a large part of December. I went to work for 2hrs a day and had very little interactions. We somehow managed to not tell family until the nipt came back clear, and honestly, it really helped. I knew I was sick, my kids and workmates knew I was sick, but not having anyone else enquiring after me, allowed me to get through it my own way. I know people just wanted to help, but their concerns were just an extra thing to deal with. I hope tomorrow is better for you.

Better get up now and check on the puppies. Xx

@Melleebacca Thank you - I've taken the first one tonight - and I'm touching wood as I type this for the first time in a couple of months don't have that constant nausea feeling - I don't want to be lulled into a false sense of security but if this can become a good day and they are more regular than the tough days, I'll be so much happier.

Puppies?! I'm clearly not caught up - I'm now going to see what puppies you have!

@BFPDec21 I'm sure you haven't upset them, it can just take time for everyone to adjust to not asking when they genuinely care how you are. We've had to simplify things to 'struggling' and ' doing ok' simply because talking about it in any more detail made me suffer and quite frankly no one needs to witness that while on FaceTime or a phone call!
Sending some gentle hugs your way.

Took my first cyclizine around 3pm today - nothing at first, but then (like all other evenings) nausea started to ramp up, until at 5pm I was the sickest I’ve been this pregnancy.
I managed to eat a bit of rice and lying down now. What I noticed from the first dose:
Cyclizine helps with the actual nausea (feeling of waves washing over you) but not at all with the sickness (lump in throat, heaving etc).
I’ll take more tomorrow, I do hope it starts to work a bit more…

Sending strength to everyone, Lord knows we need it.

@7Worfs biochemically speaking (that’s what my degree is in), cyclizine blocks receptors to prevent your brain recognizing the “I need to vomit” feeling, but doesn’t stop the sickness. I take it with ondansetron, which works to keep the valve to the stomach closed. You can still vomit with ondansetron (trust me, I know), but it does make it physically harder. The combo worked very well for me this time around and reduced my vomiting period by 3wks.

@PopGoesBang we have 9 goldendoodle puppies at the moment. You can see them on Wildflowercorner.com but I’m not shipping them around the world - sorry.
We decided when our dog came on heat when I was 8wks pregnant, to breed her even though I was hideously sick, just so I had something to look forward to if we lost this one as well.

@Melleebacca thank you! Another effect to report - I feel drowsy as fuck, which normally would be fine but not with an energetic toddler who wants his old engaged mummy. I’m such a shit mum atm, I hope I don’t sour our relationship forever.
Two questions if I may:

1. Should ask GP for additional or other medicine?
2. How do I stop letting down my toddler? I went from very attached, responsive parenting to distancing myself, lying down and raising my voice very quickly…

buntywindermere I am sorry. I will definitely pray for you, for what my prayers are worth. This is a very hard time for you.
Melleebacca Much sympathy about locked bowels, uncomfortably full bladder and that insensitive sonographer. You gave great advice as ever, anyway. Those puppies must be so sweet.
BFP2021 I don't blame you for wanting to avoid all the enquires, which sometimes can seem like the demand: 'Why aren't you better yet?' though obviously well meant.
PopGoesBang I am so glad that you have got Ondansetron and are findng the thread helpful. Were you on it last time? If not, then frankly, most sufferers need a laxative with it.
7Worfs Do you find an anti acid helps with the nausea?
Nursemommy That is a tough job to do with Hyperemesis. You deserve an award.
YummyMummy How are things with you?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

PopGoesBang Sorry! Ridiculous: that makes it sound as if you need a laxative with this thread, when I meant with Ondansertron. What do I do when I'm not being stupid?

@7Worfs I know it is so so hard with a toddler. We went through the same thing when I was pregnant with DD2. She cried for a week when I had to stop putting her to bed and it became a daddy job. I was just too sick. But it did make the newborn stage so easy. I had energy again, DD1 had already found techniques to keep herself amused without my constant input etc.
To cope with the tough part you’re going through now, we put food where she could get it without me, we set up an inflatable slide in the lounge, we encouraged independent play with books and duplo etc.

Just do the best you can, it is just a season.
And yes, cyclizine makes you drowsy for the first couple of weeks (I appreciated the extra naps as it gave me a break from the nausea).
You can get different, stronger meds, if you feel like you need them.

@LucindaE haha! I wasn't last time, but that's good to know. I shall keep an eye and make sure I get some.
I really am finding this thread so useful. You all are so welcoming despite everything going on.

@Melleebacca sorry your scan wasn’t the experience you hoped for, it’s awful when you get a snappy sonographer! Glad baby’s developing well though. I’m surprised they wanted you to have a full bladder for the 20-week scan, in the U.K. it’s only the 12 week one you’re meant to drink a litre of water for. Empty is fine for 20 weeks.

Interesting you’re feeling more kicks with a posterior placenta, mine was like that last time and the kicks felt so uncomfortable! I also read an article that said boy babies kick and move more than girls.

I’m 22 weeks and feeling gentle kicks and movements every hour or so, but not the strong painful kicks and somersaults I had with my son (this one’s a girl). My placenta’s low lying lateral/anterior so maybe that’s contributing to feeling less kicks. It’s very close to my cervix so I have to be re-scanned at 32 weeks to check it’s moved up out the way, or it’s an automatic c-section.

My bump’s really popped out this week, I actually look pregnant now! I’ve lost weight everywhere else so it’s more obvious. I’m at the weird stage of being proud of it and shy at the same time; the school mums look at me like they want to ask if I’m pregnant but daren’t ask yet as I’m usually bundled up in a coat! I’ve told a couple of them but I guess they’ll all realise soon enough! I kind of wish some of the other mums at the school gate were pregnant too so I don’t feel the odd one out 😂

@PopGoesBang

This time around I’m taking every med they’ll prescribe! I’m currently on ondansetron, metaclopramide and have been on these plus cyclizine since early in the first trimester. No abnormalities detected on the 20 week scan. I also took these meds (and more) in my first pregnancy and have a healthy 6 year old.

Thanks all for the reassurance. I have noticed a difference today, my gp would like me to start in one a day, but I might well talk to them again as around 3.30 I could feel the nausea coming back. And Altho it's isn't as bad as it was I don't want to get that way again. He said I could take 2 a day if needed. I've seen lots saying they have had the two (sometimes 3 a day) and other meds so I feel there is somewhere to go if needed still, which is sort of reassuring.

The other positive from the new meds is I was able to drink today, for the first time in weeks I've actually had enough water. Amazing. Feel much better about a full bladder for the 12 weeks scan next now - was worried I wouldn't be able to drink enough or worse still drink enough and then have no control if I was sick at the scan

Have got an awful headache currently, which could be down to the new meds. Hoping that settles. But other wise a positive day compared to where I have been.

Hope everyone had had ok days. Sending hugs for those having a tough day.

@Melleebacca totally missed your puppy update!
Oh how adorable! Wonderful time wasters.
It's ok, as much as I love a pup, I have an 18 month old springer spaniel. I love him to bits and when we were talking about babies and other puppies it was decided it was one of the other - and well it seems the baby is the way forward!
Give them all a squeeze from me tho.

@PopGoesBang we have 2 of our own furbabies, a 9yr old cavoodle and the 2yr old goldendoodle, so really enjoying the puppy snuggles and also super excited for them all to go to their new homes before I hit the 3rd trimester.

@FateHasRedesignedMost One of our neighbours is pregnant also, about 8wks ahead of me, so there’s another pregnant mum at the bus stop. But I’m very different to you. I carry small and spend the whole pregnancy hiding it as much as possible. My belly won’t pop till the 3rd trimester (even though I already feel huge now). I prefer very few people knowing until I actually birth a child because I don’t feel like dealing with congratulations until the hard part is actually over.
My girls were both anterior placentas and I loved it. I managed to sleep without too much discomfort, but this time around it’s more annoying.

PopGoesBang Everyone on here is very supportive, despite their own suffering. As for me, I suffered long ago and these days I am Mother Hen on these threads.
Melleebacca It's great that your DD1 learnt to entertain herself like that. It gives you so much more time to yourself. I am still indignant about that sonographer. As FateHasRedesignedMost says, it isn't even considered necessary over here after 12 weeks.

Ah, and FateHasRedesignedMost Congratulations on your bump.

@LucindaE thank you 😊

@Melleebacca hope the placenta position doesn’t cause too much discomfort this time! I think my maternity coat gives my pregnancy away as it has a zip in panel!

@buntywindermere and @abbs1 hope your are both doing ok, sending hugs! Abbs1 if you’re on fragmin injections I hope they don’t hurt as much as they did for me after an ankle op.

Everyone else I haven’t been on here for a while hope your not doing too bad. I’m 18+5 today. My 20 week scan is on the 31st and I’m petrified something might be wrong in the scan cause I’ve been so sick. Xx

[quote Starbeach]**@buntywindermere* and @abbs1* hope your are both doing ok, sending hugs! Abbs1 if you’re on fragmin injections I hope they don’t hurt as much as they did for me after an ankle op.

Everyone else I haven’t been on here for a while hope your not doing too bad. I’m 18+5 today. My 20 week scan is on the 31st and I’m petrified something might be wrong in the scan cause I’ve been so sick. Xx[/quote]
Yes, I'm doing ok thanks lovely. Thankfully no clot was found on my results so i can stop the clexine injections I was having to have. My poor thighs are very bruised from all the needles. I'm being sent for further investigations as an outpatient.
I definitely can understand your anxiety about your 20 week scan. It is so nerve-wracking. Try your best not to worry. Sickness I've been told is a good sign baby is well as your hormones are still high etc. Sending you hugs 🤗

Starbeach 'Try not to fret too much about the sickness. Babies are effective parasites.
abbs1 It's really about the all clear over the clot.
FateHasRedeisgnedMost A zip in panel sounds really innovative.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

@Starbeach Having HG has made me so much more aware of all the worst case scenarios, but one thing that is good, is sickness is generally the sign of high hormone levels. My 20wk scan showed baby was measuring 21+3, so even though I haven’t gained any weight yet, he’s doing just fine.

@LucindaE I was also shocked that they needed a full bladder. I don’t think I’ve ever had a particularly full bladder for any of my scans. I had been in the city for 2hrs prior to my scan, drinking lots of water and had no chance to pee, so it was quite full. Drinking 2 glasses of water in quick succession during the scan made me feel really, really nauseous. The sonographer said she needed it for the cervix measurement, which I could see was long, so I wasn’t worried.

I’m still struggling so much with constipation, that I can’t bear to take my iron meds yet. I’m thinking I might have to drop one dose of ondansetron, but I can’t decide between my morning one and my afternoon one. I’m quite nauseous for about an hour after breakfast, and generally sofa bound from 4pm.