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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
OP posts:
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LucindaE · 17/12/2021 13:06

pregnancydiaries That is a shame. I wish I could advise you about that. I know it does give some people headaches; I don't know if that improves, as I wasn't given it. I think it might be an idea to ask your GP or hospital doctor. Others may be on to advise.

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Spottybutterfly · 17/12/2021 16:30

I haven't been diagnosed with HG but I'm really struggling. First baby and I'm on week 5. I've had to have the last 2 days off work.

Been prescribed cyclezine yesterday, it gives a little relief so I can eat sometimes but still feel terrible.

I've just vomited on the way back from collecting the rest of my prescription as a car with stinky fumes drove past.

I'm heaving about 10 times a day, but not always vomiting.

Melleebacca · 17/12/2021 17:11

@Spottybutterfly oh. You poor thing. You many end up needing stronger meds. Week 9-12 often is the peak for HG, so keep an eye on if your symptoms get worse and revisit the GP. Try to keep your fluids up in whatever way works for you. I find lying still is the best way to combat the nausea and vomiting, although that becomes a mental challenge.

@pregnancydiaries I don’t tend to get ondansetron headaches, but I have had headaches due to dehydration throughout this pregnancy. Lots of little sips of icy water is how I coped. I refused to take paracetamol because my stomach struggles with it even when I don’t have HG. I do remember past sufferers who struggled so much with the headaches that they preferred not to take ondansetron. If you are coping with the sickness, you could drop a dose for a day or two and see if that helps? My doctor recommends dropping the midday dose first and bringing forward the dinnertime one. I have to start doing that soon, but thinking I will do it after the mayhem of Christmas has passed.

Spottybutterfly · 17/12/2021 19:55

I'm struggling with swallowing tablets (I struggle usually but it's worse, even little ones make me gag). Any tips on keeping the vitamin and folic acid in, I feel like my baby isn't getting what's recommended.

pregnancydiaries · 18/12/2021 10:28

Thanks as always @Melleebacca ♥️ Unfortunately I know it has to be related to the Ondansatron because it started when I was in hospital with a steady flow of IV fluids so not dehydrated. Yesterday it was so bad that I’ve woken up today and decided I just can’t take it…back to square one which is annoying as it was doing the trick with sickness so much. Xx

Melleebacca · 18/12/2021 16:11

@Spottybutterfly a lot of HG sufferers struggle to take a multivitamin. I feel like I’ve heard of some chewable ones? On the worst days, I just skipped them. Ideally if you’ve been taking them for a couple of months prior to pregnancy, it’s ok to skip one here and there as you will have enough already in your system. When it comes to anti-emetics, you can get ondansetron in a dissolvable tablet (tastes like berries), and it just dissolves on the tongue.

@pregnancydiaries that sucks. Are you on a secondary anti-emetic too? Something you can keep taking while you figure out what to replace the ondansetron with?

LucindaE · 18/12/2021 18:23

Spottybutterfly Welcome. Sorry to hear things are so bad. As others say, if the Cyclizne isn't working, do ask for stronger meds, though it can be hard to fight your corner when suffering. I believe there are drop forms of vitamin pills available? Amazingly, though everyone worries about babies not getting enough fluids, they are effective parasites. You have already had great advice from others, but here is my normal spiel. Just ignore parts not relevevant. 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.
pregnancydiaries I wonder if they might suggest Xonvea, if Ondansetron is no good for you? It has helped various sufferers on here. It is expensive, so some GP's avoid prescribing it, but I am assuming, not more so than Ondansetron.
Melleebacca Excellent advice as ever.

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LucindaE · 18/12/2021 18:25

Spottybuterflies Sorry: I typed the wrong thing there, that message was misleading. Everyone very much should worry about unborn babies not getting enough fluids if you are dehydrated, what I should have typed in was 'vitamins or nourishment' as they do seem to be able to get enough from you as long as you are getting enough fluids.

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Donimo · 19/12/2021 20:23

Hi all. I am wondering if anyone can offer advice/reassurance. I am 8 weeks pregnant with twins. I have had sickness throughout (since before a positive test). Last weekend it got worse and my GP prescribed cyclizine which was helping until yesterday. Since yesterday afternoon I have been vomiting loads (over 50 x). So managed to get an out of hours GP appointment this evening. The GP said he would admit me if I wanted or I could go home and try some new medication in the morning. But if it gets worse to go to A&E to get admitted. I have come home but now worrying I have put my babies health at risk by making this decision. Also he has prescribed metoclopramide but the prescription says can only take for a max of 5 days.... not sure how this will help longer term (especially as next weekend is christmas). Thank you

LucindaE · 19/12/2021 21:11

Domino Welcome. Congratulations on the twins. That's exciting. Sorry you are suffeirng badly. Might it be a hormonal surge? I'm assuming the doctor checked your ketones, and so didn't think that as of then you had to be admitted as an emergency? It is certainly true that you shouldn't stay dehydrated too long - it is highly unllikley you have endangered the twins' health by delaying getting fluids for a few hours or the doctor wouldn't have let you go back home. However, if it keeps up, you should go to A and E. Many sufferers on here say that if you reach a certain stage of dehydration, it isn't really possible to get on top of it without fluids. Have you got some kesostix to check for dehydration yourself, as while they are not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously? Some doctors do prescribe metaclopramide for longer periods than that. Some sufferers on here have been on it for most of their pregnancies, particularly if suffering badly and unable to get on with Ondansetron. I hope it is of some comfort that those who are expecting twins often suffer badly early on, but often get better earlier than those who have Hyperemesis with singletons.

Spottybutterfly Sorry, I had a migraine yesterday, and made that error with your name, calling y ou Spottybutterflies. I hope you got my amended message!
I hope everyone is coping today.

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AnyaC84 · 19/12/2021 21:33

Hi everyone! I have been pretty quiet in the last weeks. Still struggling with nausea and throwing up but I am managing to keep things down. Mostly. So that's good. I am 16 weeks now and after going to acupuncture weekly and having B12 shots weekly as well I found that they took the edge off a bit. But sadly benefits ran out and I had to stop for about 3 weeks and the nausea came back full force.
I'm going to head back to acupuncture and B12 shots (even though they are painful!). And hope nausea subsides by 20 weeks.
As for the good news, we found out we are expecting another girl! We are very excited. I told my husband I'm building a mini-me army.

LindSan · 20/12/2021 01:21

Hi everyone, I haven’t posted in a long time. Still suffering with HG at 33 weeks pregnant but it has gotten better in the 3rd T. However, I’m having all kinds of aches and pains now like hip/groin, foot, and occasional back pain which is adding to the misery. I cry and have panic attacks all the time. This has been a nightmare pregnancy and still can’t help but feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life by getting pregnant. I feel like I will never be the same after this. I’m so depressed and worried if I don’t bounce back I will have severe PPD. Pre Pregnancy I was super fit, happy and energetic. Full of life. I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m also terrified of child birth. In the US you can’t eat or drink anything but ice chips. Not sure about UK. How have you ladies managed giving birth feeling so sick if you can’t eat anything. I can’t imagine vomiting while having contractions….

Melleebacca · 20/12/2021 17:31

@LindSan oh you poor thing. It’s awful to suffer the whole way through. But it is worth it! The first couple of weeks post childbirth might be a little rough as your body recovers, but generally once the placenta is delivered, all HG symptoms disappear.
Also, it’s normal to be scared of childbirth. This will be my 3rd time around, and it’s not something I look forward to (I much prefer about 24hrs later when I’m stuffing my face and everything tastes normal). But, after months of HG, childbirth is only one day. I ate in early labour with my first, and then threw it all up 3hrs later when active labour started. A lot of woman vomit in labour without having HG. The best thing you can do is be as relaxed as possible and trust your body, it’s only one day and then the HG is gone.

@AnyaC84 glad to hear you’re figuring out how to manage, and congratulations on the little girl. We have 2 daughters currently, and they are more like mini my husband than mini me. One is obsessed with space, and the other with dinosaurs. Maybe this boy will be a foodie like his mama.

Waves to all!

FateHasRedesignedMost · 20/12/2021 17:54

Hi everyone, and welcome to all new ladies (and sorry you have to be here, HG is terrible!) 💐

I’m 18 weeks now and had an appointment with a lovely consultant obstetrician today (NHS). She was so kind and really listened. I’m still vomiting 2-6 times a day (especially at night) so she prescribed 4 months supply of ondansetron and omeprazole to save me getting it from the GP! She weighed me and I’m just on the edge of gaining enough weight, so she booked me in for extra scans and appointments, and also referred me to a specialist team for help with the stress side of things.

I also had a physio appointment on the phone (didn’t want to travel to that one as it was out of town and I daren’t drive with HG). She confirmed I do have SPD again, especially right sacroiliac iliac joint is affected. She sent me lots of exercise sheets and videos, and posted a support belt and tubi grip. Again NHS, I was impressed with how quickly they got round to seeing me (initially they said the wait time was over 8 months so I wasn’t expecting much 😂🤦🏻‍♀️)

FateHasRedesignedMost · 20/12/2021 17:57

@pregnancydiaries

Sadly the ondansetron headaches didn’t go away for me, so I try to only take it when I really need it (eg being sick and have to do school run or some other thing that can’t wait!)

I find staying hydrated and taking pre emptive paracetamol helps a bit.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 20/12/2021 18:03

@LindSan

Sorry you’re suffering. With my first I suffered all the way through, even in labour when I hallucinated the back bedrail was the tail of a ship.., and repeatedly vomited over it whilst kneeling up 😳 But the midwives took it in their stride and gave me several anti sickness injections so by the time I was pushing I’d stopped being sick!
Very normal to fear labour. This time I’m hoping to get an epidural ASAP as my first was born with his hands first and I’ll never forget that ring of fire!!

This time the first trimester was awful but now I’m into the second it’s eased off a bit and I have hours of not even feeling nauseous. I think thanks to metaclopramide and omeprazole, being on a good anti acid really helps.

LucindaE · 20/12/2021 19:57

Lindsan It certainly sounds worthwhile asking for physiotherapy. Many find Osteopaths can do wonders. Don't suffer uncessesarily. They can give anti emetics during labour. I am sure you won't find it as bad as you fear, after the horrors of Hyperemesis most things don't seem as bad. Of course, you will get your energy back. Hyperemesis can be a prolonged illness and it is bound to drag you down.
AnyaC84 I am so glad Acupunture and the B12 shots helped and you are going back to having them. Congratulations on your girl.
Wise words from Melleebacca and FateHasRedisignedMost. I am glad you are both coping OK.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

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LindSan · 20/12/2021 20:29

@FateHasRedesignedMost- What are your symptoms with your SPD? I think I might have it too.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 21/12/2021 06:37

@Lindsan

My SPD symptoms are pain in my lower back especially to the right, which radiates/shoots into buttocks when I step forward or climb stairs or roll over in bed. Also pain in my hips and my whole pelvis just feels ‘unstable’. And stiffness. Everyone’s symptoms are a bit different though, mine is mostly sacro iliac joint related but some get pelvic girdle pain badly.

I highly recommend NHS Physio, who will know which exercises will help you and can give/post you a support belt and tubi grip etc if they feel it will help. Some physios do massage too.

Spottybutterfly · 21/12/2021 12:35

The doctor prescribed me something different, promethazine teoclate. So going to see how that goes. She could prescribe what she wanted to as it interacts with my anti depressants.

She also said take vitamin B12 so my husband bought some in Holland and Barrett.

I don't know how any of you ladies here have done this more than once. I spent a good 10 minutes yesterday just sitting crying saying I can't do it.

Melleebacca · 21/12/2021 16:53

@Spottybutterfly I was speaking with a friend yesterday who’s birth of her daughter didn’t go according to her plan. And I realized that on the transition to motherhood we all grieve. Kids don’t follow our plans. HG made me realize that quite early on. I always planned for the worst since my diagnosis because if I was one of the unfortunate few who get HG, everything else bad would happen. Fortunately that wasn’t true. Everything post HG was easy in comparison. But I did grieve the loss of an “easy” pregnancy.
Once you’ve finished the battle of a HG pregnancy, and you realise you have a lifetime of joy with your child, then you will understand why some people do it again and again,

Hump1 · 21/12/2021 18:33

Hi all, hoping for some advice. I had HG with my last pregnancy but I was just sick a lot, never felt sick and that seemed manageable (oddly). This time I’m 9.5 weeks and I’ve been admitted to the hospital twice so far and I’ve tried cyclizine and metoclopramide, now they’ve prescribe xonvea. Im so nervous to stop the meto to give the xonvea a try, has anyone tried it and it’s been a god send? Currenlty my nausea is horrendous and I’m sick also, I’ve lost 10lbs in the last fortnight but desperately need some help now. Xx

LucindaE · 21/12/2021 20:36

Hump1 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering again, but congratulations on your pregnancy. As you are a veteran, you don't need my spiel about ice lollies, flat full sugar coke and the juice of tinned fruit, and a good anti acid making all the difference, and 'have you got kesostix, because while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously'. At nine and a half weeks, you are going through what many find the worst bit. Several sufferers on here have been helped a lot by Xonvea.
Spottybutterfly I think those who undergo it multiple times deserve a medal, but I do regret not doing so myself. Sympathies over the tears. It is a very isolating experience and demoralising, too.
Melleebacca Wise words as ever.
Melleebacca

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BFPDec21 · 21/12/2021 22:44

Hi all, popping back again. It seems my HG is gearing up now I'm getting into my pregnancy.

I've spoken to a GP who asked what worked last time and as it was ondansetron has prescribed it after the metroclopromide wasn't as effective as I'd liked. Unfortunately I've been sick and when I wasn't, finding it hard to eat and drink and had zero energy to even WFH. I'm reminded now how rest really is important!

My question is, I read ondansetron is not really advised in early pregnancy as it has an increased risk of cleft palate defects in babies. Since the GP seemed to be busy/rushed me off the phone without saying anything and explaining this to me, has anyone else's GP/consultant explained about this? If so, could you shed any light on it?

Last time I believe it was towards/in my second trimester that I was prescribed this so less of a risk.

LindSan · 21/12/2021 23:09

@BFPDec21 I have been on that medication since July and I am due February 5th. My doctor explained to me that the problem with all the studies where a cleft lip was present there wasn’t even conclusive evidence that it was caused solely from the Ondansetron. He said because of this the risk is there but minimal. I’ve known many women who had healthy babies being on that drug for most if not the whole pregnancy. My baby has no indication of a cleft lip on her anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I would do what you feel most comfortable with. For me the Ondansetron didn’t really help much and has given me awful constipation my whole pregnancy. I can’t wait to be off it it in 6 weeks!