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.

7Worfs I meant to add that everyone recommends coming of the meds s-l-o-w-l-y.

@7Worfs

Hello fellow sufferers… I’ve just started week 13 and have small windows of feeling a bit better, but mentally am at an all time low - crying a lot (bawling) and having doubts, being scared of balancing a toddler and a baby, and most of all - EMCS and recovery.

Got my first scan tomorrow.

When will it be safe to stop Stemetil and see if I don’t need it anymore, week 16-ish? Do I come off gradually or cold turkey? I’m scared of that too.

Hello hun, what youre feeling is completely normal and with hg its even worse so don't be hard on yourself.

In regards to medication the gynae consultants normally say you start to feel better 16-20 weeks. If I was you Id stay on medication until 20 weeks and then drop 1 of your doses and wait a week or 2 and then if your still ok drop another one but take it really slowly your body has time to adjust. I recommend dropping the lunchtime one first. If you feel worse try dropping 1 dose but every other day.
Please please dont go cold turkey. It will end up backfiring from my own experience.
Sending hugs. Hang in there.

I'm being induced on Thursday and have a 23 month old so I'm definitely nervous about a baby and a toddler but trying to just go with the flow and not worry to much.

@Bluesky57 try not to stress too much about what the GP said in regards to medication and your scan. I was on daily IV fluids, IV ondansatron and metoclopromide tablets and then once I had my 12 week scan I got put on steroids as my sickness was that bad and they needed to control it more.

The GP may have been saying it more because with women who have morning sickness and not hg have an improvement in sickness around 12 weeks whereas 12 weeks for hg sufferers is when some of the worst sickness hits and she doesn't have the knowledge on that? So wants to see how you go.
Can you ask for some omeprasole for thr acid reflux? I know its helped some women on here.

Has anyone been on xonvea?

@7Worfs please please wean off meds slowly! I dropped one dose at 17wks, the second dose at 22wks and I will be dropping my last dose at about 28wks (when I run out of meds). I phase them out so slowly because it’s amazing how much they are actually helping even when it feels like they’re not!

@abbs1 a toddler and a baby are so much easier than a toddler and HG. Mostly because you have energy again, and can eat. Pop the baby in a carrier and for the first few months you can give the toddler more attention than you have been while pregnant. Plus, the baby is a new plaything that you can both enjoy.

Hello ladies, popping back in. I hope you are all having better time. For those that aren't, please take it day by day and don't be hard on yourself.

Still sick into my second trimester now and I'm still being promised about the golden second trimester when this will stop. I'm being optimistic about it as some days I'm able to tolerate more food of a bigger variety but I know those hormone surges can kick you up the bum when you least expect it. Not sure what it'll look like returning to work to a stressful environment yet but that's another hurdle for another day. I'm not there yet (and don't expect to be for a little while) but have any of you been able to come off meds during your pregnancy/previous pregnancies? If so, did you taper off or just try a day without anything?

@Waddlegoose Yes! I requested it after speaking to my peer support person from pregnancy sickness support. My GP okayed it and I took it from 5 weeks pregnant. I started with 2 at night and then from 6-7 weeks I had 2 at night, one morning and one lunch time. It made a huge difference. I was still nauseas but could function and do daily tasks, take my toddler out places etc. I did have some bad days where I just lay on the settee all day but it was a night and day difference to my first hg experience of daily hospital visits for months etc.
I have no idea if having a girl this time has made it easier or not but I would definitely try it if you can get some. Its considered an antihistamine apparently but ive heard from my peer support person that its helped many women who she supports.

Since 30 weeks I've been down to 1 tablet in the morning. Im now 37+4 and being induced on Thursday.

@abbs1 thank you for the feedback, I was worried as I’m early (I know everyone panics taking drugs in pregnancy) so it’s nice to here a positive story being on it. I will definitely look into it more.

@PopGoesBang @LucindaE @abbs1 thank you all for your replies! I’ve now been given some omeprazole for the acid reflux at least

I have been able to eat a banana for lunch and this evening today so I am thrilled as this is the first time! I am still a bit annoyed at the doctor on the phone all earlier though. She just made so many comments that I’ve overreacted to in my sick, hormonal state I needed to extend my fit note as without different medication, I am far too unwell to go back to work. She said ‘oh no, you won’t be going back to work anytime soon’ right after telling me I don’t need medication as I’ll likely improve after my 12 week scan which is actually next week

Hi ladies hope you’re all as well as you can be! I need some advice though and to give you all a bit of a chuckle as I finally felt a bit not a lot better on ondansetron so I’ve gone back to work (wfh) I had to run to be sick yesterday and as you know this can take a bit of time, when I got back my dog, who has been nursing me through my hg, if she could have brought me the toilet bowl she would have! got hold of my work headset I use for calls and chewed it to shreds 🙈 I don’t think she thinks I should be back in work 🙈 anyone any tips on explaining how my over protective dog has decided I shouldn’t be in work 😂

Thank you so much all - I’ll take it very slow with coming off meds when the time is right.
Still so long to go!

Before I ring my doctor again
The cocktail of meds I’m taking still aren’t working, still sick 4-5 times a day and up most the night. Can I ask for something else? Has anyone else had this issue where three different meds didn’t work then magically one did? Am I wasting my time?

@Sicksmellymess yes I tried loads then they gave me ondansetron the rest didn’t touch my sickness I’m not 100% by any means but much better than before how far along are you?

@Starbeach
I’m 10 weeks on Saturday so only 9 weeks but like to look at what week I’m due to be to try and make myself feel better. How much did ondansetron ease it for you? Were you still vomiting?

Well, the cyclizine worked for 3 days and now doesn’t touch the sides :( so bloody depressing! With the way I feel at the moment I can’t even be bothered to ring my GP again to request another med. I think im going to just wait until 12 weeks and then request ondansetron, as going by this thread that seems to be the only one that works!

Here is to 4 weeks of bed and toilet!

I tried all the ones they could give me. Like @ChloeHel some worked for a day or two and stopped. They prescribed me ondansetron at 8 weeks but I wouldn’t take it until I was at least 12 weeks due to the risk of clef palette I started taking it at 14 weeks and I’m not being sick all day now only either very first thing or in the evening and 24 weeks on Friday xx

Spoke to someone on pregnancy support group and they told me to get ondansetron so I phoned my gp back and left a message. Now he’s making sure I know all the risks before giving it

Thanks for the advice last week, and sorry to see so many of you having such a rough time.
I ended up in A&E on Thursday and had IV fluids all day as ketones were high. Felt a bit better after and sickness hasn’t quite been as bad since (although am still being sick). Bit worried thought- as even though I’m managing to eat a bit more now ive not been able to keep my folic acid tablet down- as soon as I take it am really really sick right after, I think it’s my gag reflex with being sick so much. Can’t take the liquid as even the smell makes me sick… any advice? I’m worried not taking it will be causing harm. Also I’m supposed to be getting my second covid vaccine today but worried it will make the sickness worse if I have any side effects (I know rationally this might not make sense) any suggestions or any advice on this?

@Balletshoes22 Im glad you got some IV fluids to help you.
In regards to folic acid it does make a lot of hg sufferers feel worse. If its any comfort to you, I only managed 2 weeks on it (4-6weeks) with my little boy and hes fine.
This pregnancy was more planned so I managed 6-8 weeks on it before I got pregnant and up to 6 weeks but then had to stop again as it made my naisea so much worse. Baby so far seems fine. Im due induction on Thursday.

I know some women try taking it ar lunchtime or in the evening which seems to help a bit.

@abbs1 thanks that does help, I’ve been so worried. I did take it (most days) a few months before while TTC and the first weeks of pregnancy, I think I’m 11 weeks now. I didn’t realise it can make nausea worse. It’s the worst part of my day now taking it as I know more often than not it’s going to make me sick along with the little food I’ve managed to keep down. I also bought the gummies to try but the smell of iron is enough to set me off. Spend a fortune on these different formulations but nothing is working for me!

I’m so sad to read how much you are all suffering - getting weepy for all of us.

My scan went ok, baby was moving a lot, but I still feel an emotional void, I really can’t stand being pregnant.

Nausea central is back in town. Started about lunch time yesterday and is still going strong. No rhyme or reason. I'd sort of forgotten how constant it could be after a few days of just small waves of it. Back to feeling like I could be sick at any second.
I'm one of those that does not do well with the feeling sick, I don't love being sick but somehow that feels done and dusted, until the next bout. If that makes sense.

Sorry everyone is having a rough time, and so many struggling to get meds changed. Fingers crossed you all get some relief soon

abbs1 Wishing you all luck for your induction. We will all miss you like anything on this thread. I hope you'll call back.
PopGoesBang That's disappointing, but some good days are often a sign of a turnaround.
Melleebacca Wise words. StarBeach's story makes me want to ask how the pups are?
BlueSky47 I am so glad Ondansetron is helping.
BFPDec21 I do hope it soon improves for you soon. As others say, tapering off slowly is the thing.
ChloeHel That is disappointing; it is definitely worth asking for Xonvea, if they wil give it, as it has helped several on here, like abbs1.
Balletshoes2022 I'm sorry to hear you were admitted. I'd say the majority of sufferers can't take vitamins for a prolonged period. Don't torture yourself. The vast majority of babies came out perfectly healthy in the days before vitamins and good diets. Many whoppers have been grown on here on a diet consisting mainly of tinned peaches and flat coke.The main thing is to avoid prolonged dehydration, as you have done by going to A and E for fluids.
StarBeach Glad things are a lot better. Ha, Ha, about the nurse dog.

Fine advice from everyone.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

@LucindaE pups are a handful! 10 days till the majority go to their new homes. They are wonderful, but also very exhausting.

@Starbeach my dog has been very protective of me while I’ve been pregnant, but she is well out of the destroying stage. Instead she just insists on being next to me even in places she’s not meant to be, like the bedroom. I have no energy to get rid of her, but eventually hubby takes her away.

@7Worfs I hate pregnancy, I really do. I say it’s 9 months of torture for a lifetime of joy. I hide my pregnancy as I don’t want anyone congratulating me until the hard part is over, and that’s when the baby is actually here.

@PopGoesBang nausea here too! I didn’t sleep well, and I did some gardening after work yesterday, so today I’m flat. Nauseous, hot, fatigued, snappy. Just not a fun person at all.

For those worried about Ondansetron. I’ve taken it from 4 weeks. The incidence of cleft palate is barely statistically significant. But the risk on my mental health of vomiting every half an hour, much more significant. I take the meds as required because I do want to survive pregnancy.

Waves to all.

I'm on a mission to have my meds looked at today. I'm not being sick with the prochlorperazine, but I feel nauseous 24/7 which is making eating difficult to face. It's like being on the edge of throwing up constantly. I think the nausea might actually be worse than the vomiting, it just feels so unproductive and pointless!