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.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche it’s super worrying and not nice to watch someone you love.

I was exactly the same with my first that I didn’t want any drugs I was so worried about everything. So I really get this mentality. However its the long term affects (I have definitely damaged my throat with the sickness) that she really needs to think about. Agree with PP that she needs some more information on safe drugs.

@FateHasRedesignedMost
I just got off the phone with the Dr, short of admitting me to the hospital there isn't much else she can do.
Im keeping enough down to be hydrated enough but I have to call if I even think I'm not.
Sadly there isn't anything they can do for the horrific nausea which is killing me right now.

MyOtherCarisAPorsche Oh dear. I so agree with FateHasRedesignedMost's advice: persistent deydration is far more dangerous in pregnancy than the very small risks associated with medication. Thamidolide would never happen now, with all the concerns about safety for drugs used for pregnant women. That was sixty years ago. Perhaps your daughter could contact Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020. They will ring back with good advice about the safety of meds, as the specialists at the hospital failed to convince her.
SkaterChick Poor you. As well to be at home, in the middle of Storm Eunice, anyway.
FateHasRedesignedMost I hope you found the school was closed. You don't want to end up being blown down that slope where you had the misadenture a few days ago! I think they are all closed here in Wales, even the areas inland.
I hope everyone is coping and hasn't lost their power supply or roof.

Typo! That should be 'haven't'...

@myothercarisaporsche I'm so sorry your daughter is suffering so badly but won't take stronger medication. I can just imagine how worried you are about her.
I was very nervous about birth defects as well but the gynaecologist doctor said unless I accepted better medication and fluids and help fr hospital, my body would start struggling and shutting down. To be blunt I'd lose my baby and my health would be very seriously impacted. I could have died. The Drs will not give medication unless the risks outweigh the benefits. I accepted everything including steroids to keep me and baby alive. I now have a perfect happy clever little boy whose nearly 2 and I'm so glad I accepted help.
I dont want to scare you but dehydration in pregnancy is so dangerous. Did the Dr or hospital mention about admitting her at all to get her rehydrated properly and get a proper medication plan set in place?

Sending hugs 🤗

@Skaterchick how many weeks are you hun? I was put on IV steroids at 12 weeks for 10 days then had tablets for 3 weeks to wean me off them. I was immediately sick again once they stopped so I had another 10 days of IV steroids and then 4 weeks of tablets that took me to 20 weeks and it worked (I had IV and tablet ondansatron at the same time) and I could keep food down after that with ondansatron and metoclopromide tablets at home up until I gave birth.
I would definitely see what the possibility is. They literally saved me and I could finally keep food down so I stopped losing weight. My stomach rejected it for a few days as I'd not eaten properly months but it helped so much.

Hi all! What a day I’ve had, 8 hours in A&E and maternity day unit. I had to go in as I was having palpitations and very light headed! Good job I did as BP was high HR was 133BPM and ketone levels in urine was level 3+

Gave me the IV fluids and IV cyclizine and thank fully it’s made me feel the most human I’ve felt in 2 weeks! They’ve sent me away with oral cyclizine, so hopefully now I’m rehydrated I keep staying hydrated and not fall into that state again.

Feeling happy but also anxious as I’m nervously waiting for the sudden nausea to kick in :( but going to enjoy my few hours or normality whilst I can!

ChloeHel That must have been grim, and in this weather.
I am glad you are feeling better.
abbs1 Wise words!

Waddlegoose I forgot to say, that's good.

I don’t think I can do this….I can’t do this again. I want to miscarry. I have started to look into abortion routes. I feel so sick already and on my second set of meds. I feel like a complete idiot that we ever thought i could do this. That it would be worth it. I just want the sickness to end

@FateHasRedesignedMost good luck with the storm! I’m also suffering with heartburn at bedtime when I lie down. I’m taking some magnesium and calcium powder in water, and it works a treat!

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche every single person on this forum doesn’t want to take the meds because of all the fear of damaging their baby in any way. It took me losing my last pregnancy at 17wks due to genetic malformations to really understand that not taking the meds and destroying myself still didn’t end up with a healthy baby. I’m very religious about taking my meds because my two daughters need me, even if I just lay in bed and listen to them ramble on non-stop.

@SkaterChick every pregnancy I say is my last. But then the baby comes, and the life that we have after pregnancy is just amazing. It’s also somewhat terrifying to go through pregnancy again, knowing how sick I will get, but with each pregnancy I’ve gained more knowledge, and become better equipped to manage the sickness, so it hasn’t been as bad.

Tough week here. Husband is now on antibiotics and finally improving, but he’s been sick for so long, the recovery is slow. I’m hideously constipated and sore from the gigantic baby in my belly, and school is starting to get covid cases, so lots of angst and worry. I haven’t been sleeping well enough and the sickness is getting worse because of it. Hoping to improve everything soon!

My daughter has been prescribed prochlorperazine. She took the first tablet and 20 min later she was asleep.

It looks like it doesn't work. She was sick a few hours later (nothing in stomach). She had half of a lemonade ice lolly yesterday and threw that back up.

Her partner's mum called me last night, concerned that 'the tops of her legs look like my arms' - pointing out how much weight she's lost.

I don't want this to get to crisis point. She's saying she'll ring the doctors on Monday. (She hasn't had her booking in appointment yet, it's next Saturday.)

It's very hard for all of us, her partner and both families, and especially her daughter, who has been crying for mummy whilst we all rally round looking after her.

She has been signed off work for another week.

I'm not sure that she's communicating exactly how extreme her condition is when she talks to the professionals. I can imagine her saying 'I'm still feeling a bit sick' when she should be telling it as it is.

I'm cross that she didn't get to see a GP yesterday, surely the fact that she's having twins would have been relayed to the GP surgery? Or maybe it didn't. She was prescribed the latest drug over the phone - no examination, no urine test. I went to pick her prescription up for her.

I have read that some ladies here take a combination of drugs, including steroids. How do you get that prescribed? Will her GP speak to me? I know that you have to attend appointments alone because of covid, so I can't go with her to one.

@Waddlegoose it’s Groundhog Day, I know. It’s absolutely shit and I feel the same, I’ve cried every day asking myself is it even worth it. But everyday is going by and I know that eventually it will end! Don’t give up on getting more meds, im now on my third lot. Just go through the list, something will work for you and make you feel half human again. If you feel really bad then go to hospital for IV meds and fluids. I went yesterday and although the nausea and heaving has returned I managed to eat a meal last night and keep it down so my body doesnt feel as shit today!

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche I am a bit confused by your latest post, as I understood your daughter had refused stronger meds for fear of birth defects and that was why she isn't t on them. I am sure if she asks for stronger meds they will try to find one that works. They tend not to prescribe steroids until the other drugs have been tried and failed. I suggest she goes to A and E to be checked over and to get fluids as she must be severely dehydrated by now. Please urge her and her OH not to don't let her leave it any longer. It is important for her to emphasize the number of heaves as doctors sometimes count each as a separate vomit.
Waddlegoose It is hard to bear, particularly early on. Did you find that with your last pregnancy things improved a lot at some point?

@LucindaE I found it was more manageable after 20 weeks but lasted till birth both times.

I’m only 4 weeks but I’m tempted to get referred to the day unit to see if I can get this under control. Also booked an appointment with bpas just to understand what happened etc. I think it my way of feeling in control when it’s so uncontrollable

@LucindaE

Yes - she's reluctant to take the drugs because she thinks they will harm a baby. She started cyclizine which made no difference but refused to ring the GP back as she was convinced it would 'kick in' any day now. Since then, she's changed her mind when she was still being violently sick on Thursday, she knew she couldn't go on.

She only found out it was twins on Tuesday pm. (After being sent to the hospital.). This came as a huge shock - she's had time to let it sink in now.

I picked up her prescription for prochlorperazine at lunchtime yesterday - the doctor prescribed it over the telephone. I think she should have been examined - she would have been in hospital yesterday if he had.

She's now in hospital. When I arrived at her house this morning she wasn't answering the door. Her partner was at ballet class with their daughter (almost 2). Because I childmind for them I have a key, so I let myself in. She was barely conscious on the floor of the bathroom. She had vomited and had diarrhoea at the same time and was lying in the mess.

I wanted to ring an ambulance. She wouldn't let me. She said she wasn't poorly enough for one.

She 'allowed' me to ring the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit - they advised A&E.

I'm sat in the hospital car park, car steamed up, windows cracked open, sideways driving rain. I practically had to drive up to the door of A&E and fetch help. She is so weak.

I'm waiting for her to get in touch.

Just found out: she's wanting to walk out.

The person on the desk said 'well there's nothing we can do about that'.

What do I do?

Been sat here about 45 min.

MyOtherCarIsAPorsche Oh dear. I hope they can persuade her not to do such a thing. Very worrying for you.

Waddlegoose I am glad it did get better, even if it didn't go away.
The comparatively new Xonvea has helped a number of sufferers on here, though expense may be a factor in why some GP's are reluctant to try it. It might be worth enquiring about that.

ChloeHel
Sorry, I meant to say I am glad you at least have had a bit of temporary relief.

My daughter fortunately stayed in hospital. She was sat on a chair in agony from lunchtime. She got a bed late last night. She has lost 10.5 kg weight. (62.5 - 52kg)

She reacted badly to a first lot of drugs injected into the cannula. This incident actually got her a bed. Heart rate went haywire and she had an ECG later - normal.

She's had four bags of fluid up to this morning and her ketones are measuring 4 with the first urine test at 6.30 am. She's had a couple of further injections - including blood thinners and she's wearing compression stockings.

She's been prescribed some drugs that she's not had before but she can't remember what they are yet.

She's waiting to be reviewed by a doctor. She's said she didn't realise how bad she got because it crept up on her slowly but she can see now that she was very ill because she feels great this morning and she has had two slices of toast. She's talking about going back to work, despite having a doctor's note until after her booking In appointment next Saturday.

She had her coat on most of the night because she was frozen. She didn't want to buzz for a blanket and put anyone out. She had a couple of dozes because of the noise and can't wait to be home.

I'm not sure that this will be the last hospital visit. It's her second within a week.

Hello all, feels like ages since I was last here. Had a good week, definitely getting less bouts of sickness. 16 weeks today.
Half term this week so going to try and balance out doing things and not over doing it!

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche I'm sure you are aware of this, but your daughter may need it pointing out a little bluntly. Being tired and over doing things often makes HG much worse. She will be much kinder to herself and in turn the babies if she takes it easy and really looks after herself the best she can. She's had a tough week. Rushing back to anything like work could well make the next week tougher than it needs to be as well.
She may not be like this the whole pregnancy, but while she's suffering and trying to carry on as normal it will not help.
I'm glad she stayed in hospital and is feeling better for it - it just shows how important meds are in these situations. I hope she continues to take meds and continues to feel their benefits.

@PopGoesBang

I agree - she doesn't like letting people down/putting people out.

I'm desperately trying to get her to reassess her priorities.

Stubborn as a mule is this one.

Her BMI is now 18.

Her ketones are now 1. I was wondering what it was when she first went in - she was 4+ after four bags of fluids this morning. She's waiting for the discharge. I'll have a look for some of those dip sticks so she can test herself at home.

Her neighbour has had her entire pregnancy off work due to various problems. When I pointed this out to her she said that her employer is a small business and is affected much more by her absence than a High School would be. She has an answer for everything. Working from home not an option.

Saying things like 'You have to look after yourself first before you can look after anyone else.' goes over the top of her head.

She's accepting that she has to persevere with the drugs. She was on cyclizine up to giving birth to her first daughter at 34 wks. It sort of kept the sickness to a minimum but she didn't start it until 16 wks. She's only 9 wks at the moment and thought that she could last until later in the pregnancy. She thought that it would be less 'dangerous'. She keeps saying that the drugs are not tested and therefore how does she know they're safe? She thinks she's doing the right thing in her head.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche I completely understand her thoughts. But, one thing I had to look at myself when my GP said he'd prescribe me Ondansetron was the actual research out there and reassure myself that actually, the babies health is far more likely to be affected by a mum that can't keep anything down and is risking my own health by being stubborn. The pros out weighed the cons. Plus I'm far more use to my dd and dp by keeping on top of things. I still have days I beat myself up because I'm not how I was pre-pregnancy. I tried explaining to my dP how I was last time, but it didn't prepare him at all, he genuinely thought I was making it our to be worse than it was.

As for work, your dd can't take on the responsibility for how they will cope. She has to focus on herself.
I work in a company of 8, any absence is felt by all, but the whole team have made it very clear that me being able to function is far more important. My boss has already told me he is planning for me to take full mat leave, he knows all too well I'd go back sooner to make sure everything is ok, and he has told me in no uncertain terms I am to take as long as I need because it's important for me and the baby, and that they'll cope. I'm not up replaceable, sadly no one is, and this is something we have to remember and put ourselves first.

Your dd hasn't failed by not reaching x weeks before needing meds. Twins are double the strain, plus she already has a family this time, it is all very different.
I am sure with the amazing support she has around her she'll sort out what is best for her. Even if the stubbornness wins a few times before she realises she might need to try a different route.
I'm sure it is very worrying for you at the same time, but you are doing a super job of being there for her, makes a super tough situation that but better knowing you have someone supporting you no matter what.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche
Hope I don't sound ranty! Definitely don't mean to be. I'm my no means an expert and can understand your daughters worries.

MyOtherCarIslAPorsche I am your DD is getting treatment. It might be useful for you to read through the thread to see the sort of treatment options given to those who suffer severely, as your daughter obviously is, especially with twins.
PopGoesBang Excellent advice. I always say those who go for it again deserve a medal.