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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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LucindaE · 28/11/2021 13:51

BitchFace21 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering again. Much sympathy. I am Mother Hen these days, as I suffered years ago. It is very hard on those who suffer for a long time or even throughout. Did you fnd that it improved to some extent after the first dreadful bit? Take heart: it may not go on as long as it did last time. kalidasa who is now on here suffered very badly in her first two pregnancies, and by normal standards is suffering badly in this, but it is a lot better than she was in those. Things are also a lot better for abbs1 on here, who found that while she had to be on multiple meds last time, she has been able to manage on Xonvea with this pregnancy. As you are a veteran, you certainly don't need my normal spiel about 'Kesostix, are not the best test of dehydration, but hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'Do you fnd flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit' bearable, and
''A good anti-acid can make a big difference.'

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kalidasa · 28/11/2021 16:31

@BitchFace21 it's so depressing when it drags on and on. Have you had any improvement in the second trimester? 16 weeks is late for an admission, poor you. I think sometimes it's easy to overdo it at this stage because you (and everyone else) thinks you "should" be better by now. I am 17 weeks now and I am a lot better than a month or 6 weeks ago but still quite limited in what I can manage. Just survived DS1's 9th birthday party thank goodness but am totally shattered and still have four hours of the evening to get through . . . Looking forward to the moment when I wave them off to school at 8.15 tomorrow and I can "work" in bed for a bit!

LucindaE · 29/11/2021 19:56

kalidasa I hope you have had a more restful day today and things continue to improve.
Waves to all.

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BitchFace21 · 29/11/2021 21:42

[quote kalidasa]@BitchFace21 it's so depressing when it drags on and on. Have you had any improvement in the second trimester? 16 weeks is late for an admission, poor you. I think sometimes it's easy to overdo it at this stage because you (and everyone else) thinks you "should" be better by now. I am 17 weeks now and I am a lot better than a month or 6 weeks ago but still quite limited in what I can manage. Just survived DS1's 9th birthday party thank goodness but am totally shattered and still have four hours of the evening to get through . . . Looking forward to the moment when I wave them off to school at 8.15 tomorrow and I can "work" in bed for a bit![/quote]
It's soo hard isn't it! And like you say people just expecting you to be fine now.. and your not.. and god I feel so lazy atm as I'm just doing the bare minimum to get by and I hate it 😢 awww that sounds good! Rest up as much as possible!! Wouldn't wish this on anyone honestly.. how have you been feeling lately? Xx

FateHasRedesignedMost · 30/11/2021 09:23

How’s everyone getting on?

I’m coming up to 15 weeks now and I think the baby’s finally moved up out of my pelvis as I actually have a bump (albeit a tiny one) and pressure around my ribs/upper abdomen. My womb is retroverted and I was worried the ligaments (recently treated with excision surgery for endometriosis) might stop it tipping forwards and up, but it seems the scar tissue has broken down enough for them to stretch. I can also feel baby twitching higher up than before. The only downside is struggling to eat or drink much; if I drink a full glass of water I throw it up regardless of all the tablets I’m on. It’s like there’s no space for it! I remember this from my last pregnancy too.

Also my lower back and hips are increasingly painful and stiff. I might start wearing the tubi grip the physio gave me last pregnancy (although I was further on so I guess it will be far too loose at this stage).

Melleebacca · 30/11/2021 16:24

@FateHasRedesignedMost One of the things I am looking forward to most after giving birth is the ability to drink a whole glass of water. I ended up a little dehydrated and worse for wear on Sunday after spending half an hour in the garden. It’s a real struggle to get hydrated without vomiting it all up.
I also have muscle pains. Generally in my right arm and left leg. I think it’s just caused by prolonged bed rest. Hopefully should fade as I recover.

@BitchFace21 I really struggle with week 12 because of the expectation that I “should” be better. I’m recovering at week 13, which is way earlier than I ever have before, but I’m still weeks away from “being better”. I also find, peoples sympathy fades after the first trimester because they can’t really empathize with the prolonged sickness. The second trimester of sickness is more of a battle for acknowledgement.

@kalidasa I hope your son had a lovely birthday and you had a good couple of days of rest afterwards.

LucindaE · 30/11/2021 19:12

BitchFace21 and everyone: this supposition that you 'should' be better by week 12 is so infuriating, particularly because many sufferers from normal pregnancy sickness still feel bad past week 14 or even 16.
kalidasa I hope you had a good rest.
FateHasRedesignedMost Having that full up feeling so early is certainly unfair. Is it a case of taking mouthfuls of water?
MelleebaccaSorry to hear of sufferings after being in the garden for half an hour. Were you clearing up after the storm or playing with LO's?

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FateHasRedesignedMost · 01/12/2021 17:04

@Melleebacca hope you’re feeling better after the gardening incident! It’s so easy to get carried away when you’re feeling good, then regret it later!

I’ve finally stopped getting up at 3am (still waking up but managing to get back to sleep). Think the cyclizine is helping with that, I only take them at night.

Really frustrated not being able to drink much liquid though! I just threw up a cup of tea I’d sipped over 20mins. I feel like the baby’s lodged it’s feet under my ribs or something!

LucindaE · 01/12/2021 19:16

FateHasRedesignedMost Oh dear,I am sorry to hear about the re-appearing tea. One misses tea more than anything - particularly in cold weather.

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lilacover · 02/12/2021 08:20

Hi everyone 👋🏻
I've been keeping eye on this thread, I write out posts then delete them, not sure why. I'm 16 weeks and feeling much like the rest of you. I had HG the whole way through my first pregnancy, I was sick every single day. However with this one my sickness has changed recently, I've gone from several times a day, everyday to just feeling sick, then every few days having a huge (what seems quite violent, if thats the right word) vom sessions. Like last night, I couldn't sleep, felt sick then boom, I fill every sick bowl around me. I've woken up completely exhausted and I know I'll be really dehydrated. Anyone else experiencing this? I'm wondering if there is something else going on x

alpinia · 02/12/2021 10:32

Any advice on acid reflux induced vomiting? I thought the vomiting had eased off but the last few days everything I eat, even very small plain portions, seems to trigger acid reflux that in turn triggers vomiting. I have an antacid on prescription, and an appointment next week with the ob/gyn. I will ask then about omeprazole but the return of the vomiting is pretty unpleasant and I'd forgotten how painful reflux can be.

LucindaE · 02/12/2021 20:38

lilacover Welcome. Sorry you are suffering badly. What meds are you on? Can the doctor add or substitute others? If it keeps on, do report it as an emergency that you can't retain liquids for much longer. As you are a veteran, you don't need my spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'a good anti acid can make a big difference to the sickness' and 'do you fnd flat full sugar coke, ice lolies and the juice of tinned fruit'.

alpinia I think Omprazole is regarded as the best anti acid now available. Many found Ranitidine good before, but it was withdrawn a couple of years ago. In the meantime, does Gaviscon help you at all? I always found it made me feel bloated.

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LucindaE · 02/12/2021 20:42

lilacover I phased that badly: I meant to say, 'If this level of vomiting goes on for many more hours, do report as an emergency that you can't retain liqiuds'. You may need to be admitted for fluids, as may well have happened in your last pregnancy.

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lilacover · 03/12/2021 06:58

@LucindaE thanks for your message. I've got all the pills, cyclizine, metaclopramide, phenergan, ondansetron and I have omeprazole left over from last time that I've been taking - although reading your comment below I wasn't aware that this wasn't being offered. They know I have it, but I'll check with them again. Im aware there have been changes in them offering ondansetron but when I was sent to hospital they told me to still take it.

I have to admit I've not been taking the ondansetron because of these new found risks, even though they told me the study wasn't very reliable. Several reasons, but mostly I know from last time, for me, it's the only one that worked but (tmi sorry) it's left me with piles, even with all the latulose. So it's weighing up everything.

I need to keep an eye on this new pattern of sickness as it's so much in volume I imagine it is tipping me over, I'll test ketones next time, it hasn't happened again yet but I'm sure it will.

In the meantime I'll gladly accept a bit of rest-bite in between! I am hopeful this pregnancy will be different and the sickness might not last the whole way through. Wishing everyone a happy Friday x

MrsJdot · 03/12/2021 12:27

Hello ladies, I was recommended to come to this group as I have been struggling a lot with all day nausea, excessive saliva and vomiting after everything I eat.
This has been happening since 6 weeks of pregnancy, and I am currently 9 and a half weeks.
I am constantly in a sad mood, bedridden and it has come to the point where it is affecting my relationship with hubby due to me being low and angry at my symptoms.
I was prescribed Cyclizine, Buccastem and Metaclopramide which did not help me. I have now been prescribed Ondansetron for 2 weeks, but I am scared of taking it after reading about the risks, I am wondering if anybody can offer any reassurance? I am miserable and crying on some days as it’s such a difficult time.
Many thanks for any responses.

Melleebacca · 03/12/2021 17:38

@MrsJdot I’m an ondansetron veteran. This is my 4th pregnancy (3rd living), that I have taken it. The son we lost last year was due to genetic malformations, so definitely not caused by ondansetron. I take 8mg, 3 times a day from 4wks till about 24wks. I have taken it right up to birth due to increased nausea in the 3rd trimester. I’m not sure what recent studies there are surrounding it, the only one I’m aware of is the marginal increase in cleft palate formation (additional 6 cases per 1000 births or something like that).
I choose to take ondansetron as after trying all other anti nausea meds, it is the one I feel helps the best. Without meds I would vomit every half an hour and rapidly get dehydrated. With ondansetron I tend to vomit daily from 6w to 14/16w, and then slowly recover. HG is tortuous, and I’m so relieved that I can be prescribed meds or I would’ve never have survived my first pregnancy.

@lilacover I’ve been drinking pulpy orange juice this time around which has really helped with hydration and also constipation. I would also talk to your GP about trying a combo of meds that might help you reduce needing ondansetron.

@LucindaE Thanks for your concern. My gardening over doing was probably a little bit of heat exhaustion. Fortunately december is traditionally cooler before the hot, humid January days get here. Hopefully I will be feeling much better by then.

Waves to everyone else!

MrsJdot · 03/12/2021 21:33

@Melleebacca Thank you so much, that puts my mind to a little ease. I have been prescribed 4mg twice a day. I hope it will help me in reducing the nausea and vomiting as I am unable to keep any food down, I have even lost about 3kg of weight. Just took the first dose.

LucindaE · 03/12/2021 21:48

MrsJdot Welcome. There's lots of support on here. One of the worst things from this scourge is the feeling of isolation, which is bound to make anyone feel sad, even apart from feeling terrible. Great advice from Melleebacca. The doctor would not recommend Ondansetron unless s/he had weighed up the very small risks associated with that with the very real ones of chronic dehydration as decisive in your case, so you mustn't torture yourself about that. kalidasa has pointed out on these threads the drawbacks of that research. I include my normal spiel, which I hope may help. Most 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 and slices of melon and mango. Protein drinks have also been mentioned.
lilacover I hope it eases for you soon. I think on the Ondansetron issue, there were drawbacks to the research which kalidasa pointed out. I'm glad you have got pills left over, and never worry about tmi on here. All things are discussed: impacted constipation and vomiting up foam from anti-acids included.
Melleebacca I sympathise. I was expecting DD in one of the hottest UK summers on record, though I am sure that didn't come near the temperatures over there. Great advice.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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Melleebacca · 03/12/2021 22:04

@LucindaE it’s not so much the heat here, but the humidity. Any day over 25degrees with humidity feels as suffocating as 40degree days in the desert (my hubby used to travel to the states for work a lot, pre-covid). NZ doesn’t get as hot as Aussie, but we do tend to have higher humidity. We are lucky to live quite near the beach, and I intend to spend a bit of time in my in-laws pool over the summer.

@MrsJdot oh I’m so pleased you took it! I’ve had to fight doctors to get it prescribed to me, because of the barely statistically significant increase in cleft palate. With my daughters I lost roughly 6kg each pregnancy. I was only 4kg over my pre-pregnancy weight when I birthed my 8lb DD2. This time around I’ve managed much better, only losing 3.5kgs. My weight has plateaued the last 4wks, so I’m likely to start gaining some back soon.

LucindaE · 04/12/2021 20:30

Melleebacca That sounds awful about the humidity - I'm glad you're near the beach and sea breezes. Do you find that sea air helps with Hyperemesis symptoms? A couple of people on here have sworn by it, over the years.

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MrsJdot · 05/12/2021 15:11

@LucindaE thank you so much for the response and advise, I really appreciate that.
The Ondansetron has made a dramatic difference, it is my second day of taking it and I have not vomited, just been nauseous a few times. Though, something that is not improving is the excessive saliva, I have to spit all the time, I am wondering if anybody knows how to get rid of it? I can’t go out or do anything because of it. I know that researching on Google shows no real remedy, but I am extremely depressed despite the nausea and vomiting improving. It’s like I constantly have a black cloud over my head, and don’t find joy or interest in anything.

Melleebacca · 05/12/2021 15:25

@MrsJdot unfortunately excessive saliva is quite common with HG. Some people have a cup to spit into over the course of the day. I’ve only really struggled with it in the evenings when vomiting. It has let up a bit now I’m 14wks. Also so glad to hear the ondansetron is helping. Stay on top of the constipation as that can cause the vomiting to return.

@LucindaE I’ve never tried the sea air as an HG remedy. But I have found that even just a few minutes in fresh air can help.

I tried to drop my morning cyclizine this weekend, and it didn’t go well. Nausea was crippling all day long instead of having some good patches. I haven’t vomited in about a week, but have been very close to it this weekend. I’m going to have to get some more meds next week as my doctor only prescribed me some to 16wks, and I don’t think I’m ready to wean off them yet.

MrsJdot · 05/12/2021 17:03

@Melleebacca oh Sad I am so fed up of spitting from the past 3 weeks. I also keep a cup on me all the time to spit in to. Praying it disappears soon.

Qwerty2000 · 05/12/2021 17:35

Hi all. Did anybody suffer from (and find any relief through medication) ptylism gravidarum (majorly excess saliva) and a foul, foul constant unending taste of metal garbage in their mouth and brain? Although a 'non-serious' symptom compared to the actual HG, it is driving me mad and making the nausea thousands of times worse. Yours in desperation.

BFPDec21 · 05/12/2021 17:36

@LucindaE I'm so glad to see you're still around for these threads. I've got a new account due to forgetting my pw to my email but your support was so helpful!

I'm 4 weeks into my second pregnancy and feel like the nausea is starting in waves. DH has refused to accept this and put it down to worry. I was actually up late reliving my last pregnancy, it started with food aversion and nausea then at 6 weeks the sickness kicked in and stayed until 2 days PP. Stupidly, whilst we made sure DD was in school before thinking of another, I hadn't put any other measures in place and put it to the back of my mind.

So I have some questions:

  1. Has anyone's GP had medication on standby for them? How did that conversation go? I've moved since my last pregnancy and my biggest fear is the lack of knowledge and understanding I had initially last time.

  2. What can I do to prepare in case of another journey? I'm thinking of batch cooking some meals and getting some bits my DD can do in bed next to me.

  3. How do we have conversations with DD4 about why mummy is sick? Have you told your children early as a result of HG? As it's come up within earshot of DD, she does know I was very sick when she was in my belly but it was my body and not her fault.