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.

@ohCARP I think you are in the thick of it right now.
Between 9-12 weeks I hated the world and spent most the time horizontal. And that was with a med change.
I still find I am very tired. And like today, after a busy few days I'm constantly feeling sick and finding it harder to keep anything down.
Last time I was sick even in labour. So as long as it's manageable I'm celebrating that.

It seems I need to not drive at all for the time being. Which is going to cause issues with school runs!

Went to collect something from marketplace, 5 minute drive. Had to pull over twice to throw up, wet myself in the process so couldn't collect it because it was so visible. Cried a bit and DH's having to leave work early to get DS from school. To add insult to injury I then hormone cried while driving home.

13+1 and praying this goes soon. I extended my sick note so that it doesn't run out until a week on Wednesday but I'm wondering if it'll need doing again. Work's a 30 minute drive down country roads and I'm more worried about that than about actually attending! I wouldn't be as worried but I seem to be incapable of throwing up with the HG without also wetting myself.

Is this just me or is it a universal hyperemesis thing? Not sure it says much for the strength of my pelvic floor!

@rainbowzebra05 no idea if it's a standard thing, but I know I've been there.
If I'm sick I either have to sit on the toilet and throw up in the sink/bucket or if that isn't an option know there is going to be a puddle too.
I have however found always discreet for sensitive bladder (long plus) pads a massive help - they really do offer good protection (as long as it isn't full flow!) And I find having one on I'm more relaxed while crossing legs and being sick in a situation where otherwise it might embarrassing!
You aren't alone - I know that's no help in the situation.

@PopGoesBang it's full loss of bladder control unfortunately, I'm a bit mortified but wondering about tena pants to at least remove the worry of that. Not sure how effective they are though for that or if I'd still end up with the same issue.

If anything I seem to be getting worse instead of better at the moment

I have made the heartbreaking decision not to continue with the pregnancy. I can’t do this any longer and if it wasn’t for the sickness I wouldn’t be even considering this and would have my beautiful baby. Good luck to all you HG warriors, you are much stronger than me. Sending you all big hugs xx

Hi ladies, popping back in again. I took a break away from the thread as I was managing my HG better but the thread sort of triggered my feelings on these horrible times we go through. I'm struggling to feel bonded with my baby due to the HG and whilst I'm looking at prams, etc., I can't get myself excited yet. I remember this with my DD and thankfully by the third trimester I was really excited.

I got quite cocky after a really good week with virtually no sickness last week but this last weekend HG has had other ideas and it seems to be threatening a full return again at 18 weeks. No change to meds as I wasn't quite ready but I'm glad I didn't stop now.

@Melleebacca sorry to hear you've had a tough time with your glucose test but yay that it has been ok! Is there anything else your GP can give you for the constipation?

@ohCARP ondansetron didn't make me sleepy. Cyclizine did tend to knock me out and that never really stopped for me. My sleeping pattern is all over the place from taking it.

@rainbowzebra05 I have to wear the thick, long Tena pads but they are really good as they can hold a lot. I also use either the puppy training pads or bed pads for bed wetting on any chair I sit on and the bed. If I'm not on the toilet, I do let go of whatever is in my bladder whilst being sick. Whilst I was in labour with my last, a student was changing endless sheets after I was throwing up (from the excess hormones during the induction I think) and said it was completely normal to lose bladder control like that with sickness. Made me feel a bit better about it.

Sorry, I completely missed you @Sunnierdays7 This group has definitely helped me during my first and this pregnancy so far. Hopefully you won't have it too bad this time. Have you been able to get medication started in advance?

@Waddlegoose You really have to do what is best as you are having to live through it. Your decision is a very tough one to make, I wish you the very best with everything

@Waddlegoose I don't really know how to phrase this so please forgive me if any of it is clumsy.

You are strong. HG is torture and you have made the right decision for you. Nobody will judge you for that. Take all the time you need to feel better both physically and mentally. Please don't rush. You've been through a lot and you deserve to do whatever you need to feel ok. I hope your family are looking after you x

@Waddlegoose bless your heart. I have been there I fully understand. You are strong. Thinking of you xxx @BFPDec21 I have not yet started taking anything as no nausea at am as yet. I do have xonvea and odansetron as soon as it kicks in x

@rainbowzebra05 since having my DD my bladder was a bit crap, sometimes a sneeze would cause an issue. But with this HG every time I’m sick I lose bladder control. My poor husband is doing the washing for us, I’m so embarrassed at the amount of knickers he’s washing of mine! So I’ve started to quickly take them off before I’m sick as I know they’ll just get ruined. It’s a real thing and you aren’t alone :( god knows what’s going to happen to my bladder after this next one!

@Waddlegoose I am sorry to hear you are going through pure hell with this HG. You need to make the right decision for you, no judgement at all, as many of us have been and are in your boat we know the struggles. You are strong regardless and please continue to be strong no matter the outcome. Sending virtual hugs.

Melleebacca I'm glad you passed your sugar test after that awful experience. Sorry to hear of the anaemia and accompanying fatigue.
Wise words as ever.
Rainbowzebra Oh dear, that sounds awful, poor you. As others say, it's a common thing with the violent retching.
PopGoesBang and ChloeHel I too used to whip off my knickers, knowing they would be soaked.
ohCARP Very sensible about work.
Sunnierdays7 All luck.
BFPDec2021 Great advice. With any luck that good week is a sign of more to come.
Waddlegoose I am sorry to hear it is unbearable. No doubt you spoke to Pregnancy Sickness Support about counselling on 024 7638 2020 . You must do what is best for your family.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi everyone.
Lurker here, I write out posts all the time then end up deleting them.
I'm in my 3rd trimester and apart from a recent 3 week break, it's back.

I have to say, reading through some of your experiences mine does not seem as bad so my thoughts are with you guys x

I have all the usual meds but I've given up on them tbh, the only one I take is a drowsy one at night every so often so I can get a good nights sleep banked. I always seem to vomit up a metaclopramide and after my last pregnancy and the absolute horror of constipation (and resulting piles, which I still have) I decided not to take ondansetron this time. I know it's the only thing that really works.

I also have to vomit on the loo, I've been wearing tena throughout, zero control once the wretching starts.

I also have awful pgp which has overtaken the sickness in terms of how it is affecting everyday life. I'm unable to walk any distance, even with crutches and some days it's just too painful to even walk round the house.

I find pregnancy utterly miserable and this will most definitely be the last time.

I wish it were a cheerier post, apologises x

Thank you for the reassurance, I'm glad it isn't just me. I've run out of clean trousers today with it I'm in on a drip again, they're going to try the medication beginning with "on" that I can't spell, but it needs collecting tomorrow because the pharmacy's closed.

Sending love @Waddlegoose. You can only do what's best for you, it doesn't make you weak or any one else stronger x

Can anyone help me please. I have woken up today feeling queasy. I spoke with pss and they said that pre medication can be helpful. Has anyone started Zofran before they were in the full throws of HG? I have decided not to take Xonvea as has never helped me before and I spent too long battling with it that resulted in me becoming hospitalised with kidney issues.
I have zofran here and thinking maybe should just start taking ? X

How is everyone?

Sorry I haven’t read all the posts lately, I’m on Day 4 of Covid (at 30 weeks pregnant 🙄) and feeling rough. It’s not as bad as when I had it back in 2020 but like a really nasty cold and cough with fevers. Anyone else had covid while pregnant?

I also have a really sore face, it started a week ago by my left ear with a sort of burning sensation, then my ear and the area in front of it swelled and went red, then a cluster of blisters appeared.

I spoke to my GP this morning, sent photos, he isn’t sure if the blisters are caused by the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) or shingles (herpes zoster) so he’s prescribed anti virals to stop them spreading either way.

He also did a risk assessment and said as I’m over 35 and have HG I might need to self inject with blood thinners for a few weeks, but he wasn’t sure so he’s now ringing obstetrics to check!

It never rains but pours ☔️

@lilacover I definitely understand the not enjoying pregnancy. Hopefully it's not too long until you have your baby and you can wave goodbye to the miserable pregnancy days!

@Sunnierdays7 Unfortunately I don't have experience of taking it before sickness as my sickness started when I switched to it (albeit quite early on) but I think @Melleebacca has if I recall correctly.

@FateHasRedesignedMost I had covid quite early on but it was fairly mild in comparison to when I first got it. Hopefully the anti virals will help. It sounds like you're having an awful time, wishing you a speedy recovery from it all

@FateHasRedesignedMost gosh it sounds like you're going through it. I'm on day 6 of covid but mostly over it, still some congestion. I was extremely dizzy and worn out, lay on the sofa for a few days. No fever but some aches. Midwife or hospital midwife who called me didn't mention blood thinners, I'm 33, 11 weeks pregnant. Hope it doesn't get any worse for you.

@Sunnierdays7 I've never preemptively taken, but then nothing worked for me previously so I didn't think to do that this time. If u know it works I'd take it before u get to a bad place.

@Waddlegoose thinking of you xx

Hope everyone is doing ok, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted. My vomiting has eased off a bit, thank goodness, although I’m still struggling a bit with eating generally and still really struggling with taking the vitamins as swallowing tablets seems to activate my gag reflex and starts the vomiting off again. Am 15 weeks now, but nausea still lurking and is especially bad when I’m tired. Finding the exhaustion quite hard to cope with, it’s like nothing I’ve experienced, I’ve heard about this magical turning point in the second trimester but I don’t believe it.. I am falling asleep on the sofa at 7pm every night and napping at lunch when I’m WFH. Is this normal?

@rainbowzebra05 I also experience the loss of bladder control with the violent vomiting. Luckily felt very reassured by the lovely women on here that this is quite normal with HG. It also meant I was worried about leaving the house (which wasn’t possible anyway when it was really bad between 6-12 weeks) but I got some pads to have as well just in case (again on the advice from this thread)

@FateHasRedesignedMost sorry to hear you have covid, that sounds awful. I hope you start to feel a bit better soon.

@Waddlegoose so sorry to hear what you’ve been going through.

@Sunnierdays7 sorry to hear your nausea has started. I also didn’t get anything prescribed until I was had blown sickness/ couldn’t keep anything down. I hope you can find something which helps.

Hope everyone else is doing ok, after catching up on the recent posts I know so many of your experiences are much worse than mine these last weeks so thinking of you all and hope things improve soon.

I'm many pages behind as I thought my hyperemessis was getting better. I had 4 weeks that were quite managable, weeks 14-18.

Started back at work 2 weeks ago on phased return (I work 3 days a week in a special needs school as a support assistant). I did 4 hour days the first week, then 5 hour days the next. Im still on promethazine, but the queasiness didnt really hit untill about 2.30pm and if I started feeling sick before then I'd suck on mints and it would go away.

Went in to work yesterday morning and felt sick before even getting there. I haven't vomited in weeks, and the last time was probably my own fault for eating a large soft dough pretzel covered in garlic butter and melted cheese a hour before going to bed. But the nausea seems to be back to all day nausea. I came home early from work yesterday, I'm off today but I'm worried that the all day nausea is back (I'm 19 weeks tomorrow).

I also know if I am feeling like this its going to be a pain to get another sicknote as apointments need to be booked 4 weeks in advanced at the GP and I will need a sick note on Monday.

I'm nowhere near as bad as you ladies as I'm keeping food down, and only lost weight in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy before the promethazine started helping. But being dizzy and feeling sick I feel like I can't do my job, it would be fine if I worked in a office.

@Spottybutterfly just reading the info on the pretzel has made me nauseous haha!

Do you have to book a face to face appointment with the GP? Can it not be something you can book a telephone appointment for? Or you could even ring on the day and say can I book an urgent telephone consultation and say it’s regarding your hyperemesis and that’s it. Then GP can ring you! It’s say it’s pretty urgent, I couldn’t think of anything worse than working with my constant nausea!

@Balletshoes2022 thank you for responding. I’ve been eating all day to stop myself being sick but still nauseas. Might take Odansetron from tomorrow. Sorry to hear you suffer too x

[quote ChloeHel]@Spottybutterfly just reading the info on the pretzel has made me nauseous haha!

Do you have to book a face to face appointment with the GP? Can it not be something you can book a telephone appointment for? Or you could even ring on the day and say can I book an urgent telephone consultation and say it’s regarding your hyperemesis and that’s it. Then GP can ring you! It’s say it’s pretty urgent, I couldn’t think of anything worse than working with my constant nausea![/quote]
I think I can self certify the rest of the week due to going back for 2 weeks but if I haven't improved by monday I will try speaking to the receptonist to see if the on call doctor can give me a sicknote, my notes should state how many previous sick notes I've had.

I'm hoping its a 2 day blip and it will retun to being afternoon sickness.

Oh dear, lots of suffering.
lilacover Sorry you are still suffering. Did they ever offer steroids?
rainbowzebra Oh dear, in hospital. Poor you. I hope the fluids help.
sunnierdays7 Sorry to hear that the nausea has started. As the doctor prescribed prep-emptive meds, do take them.
FateHasRedesignedMost Oh no, that's miserable to have Covid and Hyperemesis. Much sympathy.
BFP20Dec2021 and ChloeHel Good advice.
nec22 Sorry to hear of that. I hope it's getting better.
Balletshoes2022 The fatigue is very common. It takes a very long time to recover from bad Hyperemesis, even after the vomiting eases.
Spottybutterfly That is disappointing, but at 19 weeks, might it be a hormonal surge? A good idea to get a sick note.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Hi, hope everyone’s coping ok. Thanks for the kind wishes.

I’ve got the blood thinners now (heparin based) that I have to self inject for 2 weeks. Apparently GPs now have to risk assess all pregnant women with covid in the third trimester, and because I’m over 35 and have HG that was enough to put me in the ‘at risk’ category. I’m grateful to the GP for sorting it out and contacting Obstetrics for me.

The injections aren’t too bad as they’re pre-filled syringes so quick and easy, if a bit of a sting.

I’m still coughing a lot and have what feels like a feverish head cold, so have antibiotics to clear any chest infection. I’m sooo glad I had the vaccinations and booster as this is much better than when I had covid in 2020 despite the HG and SPD on top.

Hope everyone else stays covid free!

Hi all, I've been reading this thread on and off since my last HG pregnancy, 5 years ago. I somehow managed to get through that pregnancy and got my little boy.

I made the very shaky decision to get pregnant again, to give my son a sibling and complete our family. I'm now 4 weeks pregnant and the hyperemesis has hit already. Last time it didn't really hit till 5.5 weeks. I thought this time my GP would be more forthcoming with meds, I asked for zofran to use if I'm really going downhill, was fobbed off. Have started on cariban and stemetil, which is what I was on last time. It's stopped the vomiting and taking the edge off the nausea, but I'm left absolutely terrified. I know it will get much worse at 5/6 weeks and it seems like I'll be left to get really ill and hospitalised before they'll offer me anything else.

Started having panic attacks last night, came to the decision that I just can't do this again. Have booked first consultation for a medical termination today, and then it won't be till Monday that I get the pills to proceed (am in Ireland and there's a 3 day wait period for terminations).

My husband is the saddest I've ever seen him, I know I'll have a lot of grief to deal with, but rn I'm just so panicked I can't feel much else. I was traumatized after my last HG pregnancy, and as soon as it hit this time I just felt like I'm back in that place, like I never left.

Not sure what I'm asking, has anyone else been through something similar and managed to come to some peace with your decision?

Hope you're all coping ok, you're so strong to continue on xx