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Pregnancy

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

Hyperemesis Support

994 replies

LucindaE · 22/11/2021 19:52

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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rainbowzebra05 · 15/02/2022 07:35

@LucindaE

rainbowzebra05 Cross posted. Welcome. It doesn't sound as if Cyclzine is helping much; can you get another anti emetic? I think you definitely need a sick note - realisitically, most sufferers end of being off work for some weeks at least. It's unlucky if you've had sick leave before, but the health of you and the baby must come first and most find that they really can't function at work as rest is really needed with this.
Thank you. We went with cyclizine because it worked last time. It's helping (I definitely know when I haven't taken it!) but not completely. I managed some wheatabix last night which stayed down, as the first thing that had yesterday so that's a plus. My mum was a midwife in a previous life and passed on the old school ice pops for hydration last time so I'm back on those today!

I was absolutely determined this time not to miss loads of work, I was off so much with #2 that it impacted on my mat pay. But I think I'm at the point where needs must. I can vomit at work, it's an office role and while I'm not concentrating I'm at least in and getting the basics done, but wetting myself would be a step too far!

PopGoesBang · 15/02/2022 07:36

Hello to all the new posters - sorry you are suffering so badly.
@Balletshoes2022 talk to your gp - it's impacting your day to day activities. Food aversions can be just as bad as the physical sickness. You may need to be firm but best of luck.

Not sure it will make you feel any better, but the loss of bladder control is something I suffer from too when being sick. I've found getting some bladder weakness pads to be the reassurance I need - they catch the smaller bits, I went through a phase of being sick out and about and was more worried about the leaks, these really have helped. I can have a check what ones I have if that is any help.
Have also found if I can sit on the toilet and have a sink/bucket to be sick in it takes away some of the issue too.

I will check back as I'm sure I'm overlooking some replies I've had. But not a good start to the day here. Knew it wouldn't be as my dd had a hospital appt yesterday which took 3 hours 😣 sitting up, focusing and trying not to vomit while wearing a mask, and the hospital was super hot as always. Hoping rehydrating today and taking it steady will rebalance me.
Hope everyone is ok - sending some post valentines love to all, we all need the extra love.

ChloeHel · 15/02/2022 10:19

@Balletshoes2022 aw god I really sympathise with you. I too have lost bladder control, if I feel the vomit coming I just quickly take off my leggings! I’ve been in bed for nearly 24 hours and can’t move.

Ladies at what stage would you say hospital intervention is needed? Im very shivery and achy today, all the promethazine has done is knock me out and made me slightly delirious. Will give it another day until I ring GP again to ask for an alternative.

I will have to tell my work next week as there is no way I can go into work like this. I only work one day a week and came back from maternity in October so feel really nervous about telling them as I know it’ll be a whole eye roll situation :(

abbs1 · 15/02/2022 12:16

[quote ChloeHel]@abbs1 Hi! GP has given me promethazine 10mg 1 tablet 3 times a day, increased to 2 3 times a day, which seems a lot! But I will give it a go!

That’s interesting, I’m a pharmacist and actually not come across that medication before; just looked up it’s profile and it looks really effective! I think they don’t prescribe it often because of the price but if this doesn’t work then I will definitely try and push towards that, thank you for the advice :)[/quote]
It is expensive but less expensive than being admitted for fluids and IV medication. That's what I told my GP when requesting it this time. Some NHS trusts do it free some you have to get a private prescription and pay but thankfully mine was free.

How is the upped medication working for you?

abbs1 · 15/02/2022 12:19

So sorry to see so many of you suffering so much. I hope youre getting some relief.

I had my 36+5 week scan today. Baby girl has done same as her brother and stopped growing 3 weeks ago so I'm being induced on the 24th of Feb (38 weeks) due my placenta not functioning properly again. Hopefully I don't develop pre eclampsia again before then but feels so good to have an end in sight.

Melleebacca · 15/02/2022 17:02

@abbs1 sorry that she’s stopped growing, but glad you have an end date (and my daughter was born on the 24th, so I think that’s a fab number). Good luck for the last few days.

Sorry to see all the new sufferers.

@Balletshoes2022 - yes you can have negative ketones and still be dehydrated. Ketones are a measure of how much you are burning fat for energy, and they’re really fickle. If you’ve been in ketosis for a while, your body actually gets used to it and doesn’t produce ketones as much. Keep in contact with your GP and request fluids when you’re not peeing much and it’s really dark. My GP will happily administer fluids whenever I ask, and A & E generally administer fluids by standard practice to all pregnant women (although I am in NZ, so things may be different).

@FateHasRedesignedMost oh my goodness! That sounds like something caused by pregnancy brain. I hope you aren’t too sore today.

Waves to everyone.

TotoAnnihiliation · 15/02/2022 18:08

Hello, I was wondering if you wise ladies could offer me some advice? I don't think I have HG, but I do feel very very unwell.

I have vomited a couple of times in this pregnancy, I'm 8+6. I'm not normally a vomiting person. When I have been sick it retch and heave over and over and it takes a few hours until I can hold down water.

I am completely on food aversion. I'm no longer capable of making food for myself because everything makes me retch. I'm almost permanently nauseous. With this description my doctor has prescribed me cyclizine. Which I take when it feel really sick.

I don't think I'm as bad as many on here, but I feel so so unwell. I can only take a few bites of food then I feel full. I also feel so lightheaded and dizzy, probably because I'm not eating enough.

I'm also ridiculously thirsty. I'm forcing water down but still feel thirsty. Can anyone offer me any advice?

TotoAnnihiliation · 15/02/2022 18:18

@TotoAnnihiliation

Hello, I was wondering if you wise ladies could offer me some advice? I don't think I have HG, but I do feel very very unwell.

I have vomited a couple of times in this pregnancy, I'm 8+6. I'm not normally a vomiting person. When I have been sick it retch and heave over and over and it takes a few hours until I can hold down water.

I am completely on food aversion. I'm no longer capable of making food for myself because everything makes me retch. I'm almost permanently nauseous. With this description my doctor has prescribed me cyclizine. Which I take when it feel really sick.

I don't think I'm as bad as many on here, but I feel so so unwell. I can only take a few bites of food then I feel full. I also feel so lightheaded and dizzy, probably because I'm not eating enough.

I'm also ridiculously thirsty. I'm forcing water down but still feel thirsty. Can anyone offer me any advice?

It's also worth mentioning that when I vomit wet myself! Is there no end to this?
LucindaE · 15/02/2022 19:47

BalletShoes2022 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering. Losing a stone is not normal pregnancy sickness. As others say, you certainly need meds.Do make an appointment with your doctor, emphaszing the weight loss. It is possible to have Hyperemesis without excessive vomiting, despite the name. Never worry about tmi; on here, there can be no such thing. Ten weeks is around the worst time for many.
Here is my normal spiel, which I hope will help. Ignore the irrelevant bits: 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. Also, pink lemonade , cloudy lemonade and Sprite. Foods of a sort include tinned fruit, cuppa soup, nibbles of crisps and chips, cheap ice cream, Scotch pancakes, bagels and biscuits, potato smileys, minature salty Yorkshire Puddings , dry cereals and slices of melon and mango. Protein drinks have also been mentioned.
TotalAnnhilation Welcome and that sounds grim as well. Definitely make a medical appointment and ask for meds, emphasizing the amount of heaving. That is definitely not normal pregnancy sickness. I hope my spiel above will be of use to you too.
abbs1 That must be a bit of a concern. I'm glad that they've got everything planned and wonderful that you will be meeting the baby soon and the suffering behind you. Interesting what Mellebacca says about number 24. I think it's a lucky number too.
FateHasRedesignedMost I hope you are OK after that drama?
PopGoesBang That does sound an exhausting day.
ChloeHel It is supposedly a medical emergency if a pregnant woman hasn't retained fluids for over 24 hours. Have you got the famous keostix, as hospitals do react to high readings of ketones on those? If not, as others say, do you have scanty, dark urine, dry, inelastic skin, a headache or dry mouth etc?
Rainbowzebra05 I hope Cyclizine really helps again, if it helped last time, and you can continue to work enough not to get your ML pay affected. I'm so long out of the workplace, I no longer know the current rules. What are the employers like regarding a helpful approach? Could you work most of the time at home, have reduced hours or something? Is there an HR department or union that could advise you?
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
abbs1 · 15/02/2022 21:11

@Mellebacca @LucindaE yes fingers crossed she comes on the 24th. All depends on what time I'm induced. With my son I was induced and he was born 7 hours later so hoping for a quick birth again. 🙏🤞

It is worrying but I fully expected it as Ive not felt right and been showing similar signs I did before pre eclampsia hit with my son so they arent taking chances this time. Looks like she will be similar size that he was. Ive got a membrane sweep on Friday at 37+1 to see if she comes naturally but if not Im being monitored every other day until induction. I cannot wait to meet baby and have this pregnancy over.

ChloeHel · 15/02/2022 21:15

@LucindaE I’ve just tested my ketone levels are they are fine! But oh yes I’ve got ridiculously dark urine, dry mouth and the headache comes and goes. I haven’t been able to get out of bed today. I’ve only just woken up now, these promethazines are horrible, definitely going to ask to switch to a non sedating antiemetic!

Ladies I’m feeling so sad :( this is so hard, I’ve barely been able to spend time with my DD and I just said to my husband I feel like I haven’t seen you for so long. Bloody HG!

LucindaE · 16/02/2022 11:11

ChloeHel It is so annoying about those ketones. I'm sure I've heard that some are more prone to them than others, too. It must be best to phone the doctor's surgery and say that you haven't been able to retain fluids for such and such a time and requesting other meds. If this goes on you certainly will become very dehydrated.
abbs1 Keeping my fingers crossed for welcoming you into the fabled Pink Castle on 24!

OP posts:
FateHasRedesignedMost · 16/02/2022 12:41

@ChloeHel

How are you feeling today?

If you’re struggling to keep fluids down and showing signs of dehydration, I’d ignore the negative ketone result and go to the EPU for IV meds and fluids. This is sometimes the fastest way to get a prescription for stronger meds too, I’ve found hospital doctors more willing to prescribe ondansetron etc than GPs (maybe comes down to funding). IV ondansetron usually gives relief to most sufferers and then you can ask for the tablets to take at home. I needed them for the first trimester then had a break now just take them sporadically eg when I’m vomiting right before school run.

Please don’t suffer in silence or worry about work. You’re protected by the maternity discrimination laws so even if they eye roll they can’t do anything about it.

Hope things improve soon!

Balletshoes2022 · 16/02/2022 13:10

Thanks so much for the advice and comments everyone.
@PopGoesBang thanks- I had a call with my GP this morning and will start cyclizine. Thanks also for the advice about bladder, I will get some pads as I have been worried about when I’m out. I’m sorry you had a bad morning yesterday, I hope today is better.
@ChloeHel, thanks. Sorry you’re feeling so sad- I hope things improve for you soon. Hopefully you can switch to a better medication soon, it sounds really tough
@Melleebacca- thanks, I spoke with my GP this morning and they suggested going to A & E if I’m still feeling dehydrated. I didn’t realise I could do this, so that is good to know.

@LucindaE thanks so much for this information - this is really useful and I will be trying lots of the suggestions. This has been a really difficult few weeks and also quite lonely/ isolating, so it’s helpful to have this thread.

I hope everyone else is doing ok, sorry to hear so many of you suffering badly. Hope everyone is having a better day today.

ChloeHel · 16/02/2022 13:40

@FateHasRedesignedMost hi! Aw I’ve had a very bad turn, the headaches are bad and my urine output is poor. Spoke to the GP who is deciding whether to give cyclizine or domperidone. Don’t think I’ve seen many women mention domperidone on here! She also said if Urine output continues at only 2-3 times day then off to hospital I go for IV fluids. So do you just manage your sickness with on and off ondansetron?

Has anyone taken domperidone for HG? At this point I will take anything!

Rcg2207 · 16/02/2022 14:24

@ChloeHel I am sorry you are suffering! Domperidone was the last medication I was prescribed after none of the others worked (I went through cyclizine, prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, ondansetron, and different combinations of them all) but unfortunately it didn't help me. I also found domperidone one of the trickier ones to take as you have to time it 30 minutes to an hour before eating and with the nausea I couldn't guarantee when I was next going to want to eat.

That being said, different things work for different people, so I really hope it works for you! But if not, do keep pushing for a different prescription and go to the maternity triage unit at the hospital if your GP isn't helpful.

I am 17 weeks now and (hopefully) past the worst of it but with hindsight I can see I really should have made myself more of a 'nuisance' at the hospital when my GP wasn't being supportive.

The thing that made the most difference for me was getting IV fluids and IV ondansetron and I wish I had gone in for that more often than I did.

I'm so sorry to read how many people are going through it with HG right now. I hope you all get some relief soon and that your good days soon start to outnumber the bad! Flowers

rainbowzebra05 · 16/02/2022 15:44

When using ketostix how many + do you do anything over? I ordered them after the recommendations on here but I'm not fully sure what to do with the result!

I can't decide which it matches either which isn't helping Confused

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Melleebacca · 16/02/2022 16:23

@rainbowzebra05 if I remember correctly, 2+ ketones gets you fluids pretty snappy at the GP/hospital. Although, I have gotten fluids without having ketones (once you realise that being hydrated reduces the sickness, you kinda want to stay on that train).

@ChloeHel I would definitely get fluids asap, and try the meds, if they don’t work, you can always ask for stronger ones. And try not to worry about DD. I found my second pregnancy the hardest mentally as I felt I was missing out on so much, but my daughter learnt how to be more independent which made it so much easier when I had a newborn as well. And they don’t remember. She’s now 6 and she doesn’t remember me being sick with a baby previously, but she’s likely to remember this one (but even so, we’ve sheltered her from my worst bits and she’s mostly excited about baby brother).

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 16/02/2022 17:46

I previously posted about my daughter who was suffering from morning sickness.

She is reluctant to take tablets but has taken 3x cyclizine a day.

She remained very sick which has led to a hospital visit today due to dehydration.

It's twins! (Identical)

ChloeHel · 16/02/2022 20:47

@Rcg2207 oh god you really did try them all! How did you manage in the end?? I’ve taken one domperidone and so far nothing, if anything I feel worse, I’ll give it two days and then I will go to hospital. How long did the IV ondansetron last?

I have managed to drink apple juice diluted with a lot of water today so I have some fluids, but I’ve just got a constant mucus feeling in the back of my throat which makes me feel even more sick. It’s never ending!

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche oh congratulations! I am questioning whether I’m carrying twins! I thought my MS with DD was horrendous but this HG is something else. But twins doesn’t run in either family so unlikely haha.

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche · 16/02/2022 20:54

@ChloeHel
No twins in our families.

Rcg2207 · 16/02/2022 22:26

@ChloeHel in the end I was just lucky that it gradually got better after about 14 and a half weeks (but I know that's not a reassuring answer when you're in the thick of it and I'm sorry for that). I wasn't ever vomiting badly enough to need admitting to hospital, so the consultant said they wouldn't go down the steroid route, which was the next "line" of medications.

After the IV ondansetron and IV fluids I usually didn't vomit for about 24 hours (the nausea came back sooner but was a bit more tolerable for a time). Also, definitely take a laxative with ondansetron from the beginning. I didn't straight away and had a really miserable few nights that I wouldn't want to relive.

I'm really pleased you are managing to keep down some fluids and you've got a drink combo that works for you. The nausea is definitely the worst for me and I think doctors sometimes underestimate just how debilitating it is, even without the added vomiting. Fingers crossed for you that you get some relief soon! But don't be afraid to keep going back if the prescriptions aren't helping.

AliBear90 · 16/02/2022 22:48

Hi ladies,
My first time on this thread. I had HG with my daughter (now nearly 3 years old). But luckily it got better around 18 weeks and was then only vomiting once or twice a day until birth. I’m 9 weeks pregnant with our second now and it seems worse. I was admitted to hospital for 24 hours last week. Cyclizine hasn’t worked, stemitil hasn’t worked. They’ve started me on a new medication now called Xonvea (doxylamine and pyridoxine). Has anyone tried this and had any luck?

I’ve struggled to keep anything down for the last couple of weeks and have lost a stone in weight. Luckily I’m managing to hold down some full fat coke tonight (I know it’s not healthy).

I’m back at the GP tomorrow for a review at their request, any advice on things I should be saying / asking. They saw me a few days ago but didn’t want to admit me again as ketones weren’t too bad then. I actually felt human for a couple of days after my 5 litres of fluid last week though.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 17/02/2022 06:55

@ChloeHel

Sorry you’ve had a turn for the worst! I hope the domperidone starts to work for you. I’ve heard of it and it was mentioned in my last pregnancy but I’ve never taken it; they offered me metaclopramide which I believe works in a similar way. Domperidone was the alternative but there’s some restriction on how many weeks you can take it (being a pharmacist you probably know far more about it than me!)

Yes I manage the sickness with occasional ondansetron now (and metaclopramide 3x day, thanks for your advice about the ampules by the way, it was the wrong order but the pharmacy let me keep them, they were very apologetic and said they still can’t get hold of the tablets so it’s IM for now!) Up until about 18 weeks I was needing ondansetron 3x day at the max dose. And that was with metaclopramide on top and cyclizine! So it does get better, the early part is the worst. I’m coming up to 27 weeks now and down to vomiting 2-3x in the morning on average then ok the rest of the day.

Waddlegoose · 17/02/2022 08:52

Not even 4 weeks, very faint line on a test and I’m already being sick and feeling sick. I have had two HG pregnancies before.

I know this is a hard topic but I’m not sure I’m mentally strong enough to do this again. I feel awful it’s a wanted baby but I also keeping thinking I could miscarry and it would all be over. Is that awful??