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.

Hi all, newbie to this group but so glad I found it. Currently 17 weeks and have been feeling rubbish since week 6. Started off with constant nausea with a bit of retching (which I could manage) to being sick every half an hour. From my boots style being sick. Spoke to my GP who said I’d managed for so long so could carry on managing as ketones weren’t present in my urine and said wouldn’t prescribe anti sickness due to risks to baby. Was admitted to hospital with 4+ ketones the next day. Now on some anti sickness but I still have really bad days where I feel so awful and can’t move without being sick. I just can’t face food as know I’ll bring it straight back up on those days. I really feel it’s starting to impact my mental health as I’m so exhausted from it. I just want a few days with no retching or sickness. I’ve read the amazing advice about what food and drinks help and have used some of those. I love the precious poster saying it got better so quickly after birth but how do people manage when it goes on so long? I’m really struggling.

Hyperemesishell That was a lovely message from Aim93, and I am so glad that you found it encouraging. Everyone who has been on here who comes back to post, says how it was all worth it in the end. Sorry you are still suffering badly.
They haven't suggested you're going in regularly for fluids,then, as it seems some hospitals do to those suffering badly? Constant nausea is miserable. Gentle pats on offer.
Aim93 I am so glad the thread helped in your darkest days. As the Eastern sage said, 'This Too Shall Pass' .

I've had a really bad day just drifting in and out of sleep. Still off food and trying to drink, I tried to eat tonight as I've been so unwell and I was just sick 😔. Worried about ketones as I feel so unwell.

TisforTucan That sounds bad. Do ask for more effective meds if they still have you on Cyclizine, though it is difficult fighting your corrner if you feel very ill.As you're a veteran, they must know that you are genuinely ill. You can get kesostix online, and hospitals as you know take note of them, but a dry mouth, headache, inelastic skin, dark and scanty urine etc are signs of dehydration building up. Also if you have been unable to retain fluids for over 24 hours in pregnancy it is a medical emergency. It helps if you take a family member with you to the GP's to act as an advocate.
Moonbeam4040 Thank you for the link.

Just to say you can buy ketone meters online for under £20. You have to prick your finger and squeeze out a drop of blood, but it’s really easy when you get into the swing of it and it can be reassuring rather than waiting for your next appointment.

Hi,
Does anyone have any helpful tips for the morning? That’s the only time i can’t get on top of the nausea/vomiting despite the anti sickness the minute i wake up. I’m due back in work next week after a month off, so with the earlier starts and not having the option to stay in bed until the second anti sickness kicks in (which is normally 12pm) is a bit worrying.

Wouldloveanother That's a great tip! I hadn't heard of those.
SpringChicken06 Do you have to go back? You might need a bit more time.
Can you have a staggered return, and avoid working in the early mornings, or something? I hope someone can come up with a good tip or two, anyway.

Hey hun, ive been through HG twice. I've been very quiet on here but thought I'd check in. How many weeks are you? Are you taking medication round the clock as prescribed even waking at night to take one? I found making sure i had food by my bed to eat before i even sat up. I first needed to get the sickness under control to be able to hold food and water down and then eating while laying down and waiting another 15mins or so helped a lot. Having an empty stomach made the nausea and sickness so much worse. Im so sorry your suffering. Can your work give you more time off?

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know that I think of you all suffering a lot and hope you're coping ok through the hell that is HG. I haven't been on this page for 6 months or so but @LucindaE has been the biggest support to me and so many others through my 2 pregnancies suffering with HG. I have a 2 1/2yr old son and a 6 1/2 month old daughter. I honestly wouldn't have got through my pregnancies without this page. Having people who understand and can sympathise with me was so helpful and all the many tips and advice. So many times I wanted to give up but I made it and crazy as this may sound I would consider doing it again as many of you have done too.

Sending you all massive hugs 🫂 🤗 ❤️

Feel free to tag or message me with any questions you have or just a virtual shoulder to cry on or rant to.

I can recommend this ketone meter. It also measures blood sugar, but the purple strips are the ketone ones.

www.onbuy.com/gb/abbott-optium-neo-blood-glucose-and-ketone-monitor-reader-freestyle-system~c7356~p30632188/?exta=gshp&extac=gshppa&stat=eyJpcCI6IjIyLjQ3MDAiLCJkcCI6MCwibGlkIjo5NTQwMTQ0MCwicyI6IjUwMCIsInQiOjE2NjM0NDIzMzEsImJtYyI6MH0=&exta=gshp&gclid=CjwKCAjw4JWZBhApEiwAtJUN0CUTCWQN3bSZyNWKXCy89J4rjA42EGgHxG7hLpI907CVZdKQ15jZNRoCPbMQAvD_BwE

(been using mine for 6+ years due to various medical issues and it’s very accurate)

Hi @abbs1

I’ll be 12 weeks on Wednesday so that’s why it runs out this week. They’d be happy to give me more time off I’m sure but there is guilt on my part and I would like to try. They’ve admitted to never seen a colleague with hyperemesis so are in the unknown themselves.
To be honest no I haven’t been taking them at night, I’ll start doing this and see if it helps 😊thank you for your help!
Sorry to hear you’ve been through it twice, really admire you for having a second ♥️

They have been previously flexible about the late starts and putting me in a non patient facing zone so I’ll definitely suggest this again on my return, thanks @LucindaE

Oh bless you. Youre right at the worst part for so many. For many it tends to get better around 15-20 weeks. Please don't feel guilty. Hyperemesis is so difficult and you need to rest as much as you can. Doing too much and returning to work too soon can set you back. It may be an idea to mention to your bosses/colleagues to watch a short 30min film on amazon prime called Sick: The battle against HG. A lady called Charlotte has spent hours and hours researching it and trying to raise awareness of HG that they may benefit from watching to try to understand more of what your going through.

Can I ask what medication youre on? With my son i was on ondansatron and metoclopromide alernating 1 every 4 hours through the day and night but spent my first 12 weeks daily in hospital for fluids and IV ondansatron as tablets alone didn't work. From 12-20 weeks I was on a mix of IV and tablet steroids along with those other medications which stopped the vomiting mostly and from then i coped back on the ondansatron and metoclopromide tablets up until i gave birth. Sometimes it needs a couple medications to full control it so you can feel human again.
With my daughter I was told about a new drug called xonvea. Its like a antihistamine but i took it from 5 weeks pregnant and it helped me sooo much! Could you possibly ask for that? It takes a couple weeks to fully build up in your system but i found it controlled the vomiting. I was still nauseas but didn't need daily hospital treatment.

If you do decide to go back to work depending on what you do could you do as Lucinda suggested and do a PM shift non patient facing?

Hey hun,
Im so sorry your finding it so difficult and your GP was so unhelpful. Can I ask whst anti sickness meds youre on? Have you had any IV medication at all and attending hospital for IV fluids to help with dehydration regularly? Depending where you are in the country hospitals have day units for hg patients. If you let me know which county your in I can check for you.
It sadly does affect your mental health as your body and mind are going through a lot. Have you talked to your midwife about some perinatal counselling or help? I remember so many times just wanting to be done with it all.

It is very true about the nausea going as soon as the placenta is out and it was the case for me in both pregnancies. Try not to think about how far there is to go but how far youve already come. Youre doing absolutely amazing and this group will get you through it. It did for me. Sending hugs 🤗🤗🤗

Oh thank you I’ll recommend that an even watch it myself.

Cyclizine and Metaclopromide, like you alternating every 4 hours. They seem to work sometimes which is much better than it was thankfully. They’ve not been keen giving me the ondansetron in 1st trimester due to the risks which I can understand. Oh gosh bless you, been holding on to the 12th week mark but know in the back of my mind it’s likely to go on for longer as I’ve seen with so many of you on here.

Hope your two little ones are happy and healthy x

Sorry forgot to tag @abbs1

Oh yes. I know cyclizine is the first one they try. I know they are very reluctant about ondansatron. It works well for many. If you do get some make sure you get some lactulose as it makes you really constipated.
I was on IV, injection and tablet ondansatron with my son from 7+4. Hes perfect and the most energetic little boy. Very clever and nothing wrong with him. He walked at 9 months!
My little girl is perfect as well. Crawling and sitting already bless her!
So the medication hasnt affected them but i know GPs and Drs etc have to cautious and outweigh the benefits and risks etc.

I hope you get some relief soon. I literally lived off carbs like mash and gravy once i could eat!

Something seems to be up with my PC. I only found the post by ChangeHtoaP by Abbs1 quoting it. Very odd. Anyway, ChangeHtoaP Welcome. You have had such a great reply by Abbs1 I don't need to expand, and you have already read my normal spiel further down the thread.
. Abbs1 Great advice for ChangeH toaP and to SpringChicken06. Lovely to hear from you and so nice of you to call in and help those currently suffering. Fancy baby being 6 and a half months already! A lovely age.
SprngChicken06 I can't improve on anything Abbs1 has said. I do hope you take more time off as you need rest until you've recovered a bit more; don't let guilt drive you back. You have to put the health of yourself and your baby first. Many do go back too early, and have to go off again, as rest is so important.
Wouldloveanother Thanks for that useful link.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Goodness, ChangeHtoaP your post was three days old! Really sorry I somehow missed it. I can see it in the feed now. I'm so glad Abbs1 picked it up with such good advice or I'd have missed it altogether.

abbs1 Mashed potatoes sounds a great idea, among your other great tips!

I hope everyone is coping today.

Very quiet. I hope everyone is doing ok. 🙏

Hi ladies. Thanks for checking in @LucindaE

Does anyone else find the sickness is actually worse at night than during the day? I haven’t had more than a couple of hours sleep without waking up feeling sick or to vomit. Even if I have a carby snack before bed.

I was also wondering how long it takes pregnancy vitamins to be absorbed into the body, I take them with some biscuits or similar to try to keep them down as long as possible. But what’s the timeframe in which if you’re sick, they come back up again? Or if after 2 hours say, you can assume they’ve been absorbed?

Hello everyone
I haven’t been back on this thread for a very long time, but came here for help when I was at my worst. Several hospitalisations, months off work and a very slow recovery later, I’m now 28 weeks this week and thankfully doing much better. Still on ondansetron and omeprazole and feel the difference if I try and cut back on those, but thankfully they are good at keeping things under control. Fingers crossed it stays that way until the baby arrives now.

Just wanted to pop back and say thank you everyone for your support when I was in the worst of it, and for people who are still there - it will get better at some point. I know improvement at 12, 16, 20 weeks etc feels like a lifetime away when you’re in the early weeks and suffering very badly but somehow, you make it day by day and things get better eventually. I found trying not to think of the overall time helpful as it can be terrifying and overwhelming to think you might feel so bad for months.

Sending strength & best wishes to all of you who are struggling, there’s hope I promise 💐

Well im checking off my first hospital visit, I've been given cyclizine as they were cautious giving me anything else as im 8 weeks pregnant.

I feel so awful i just want to cry, I think I'll need omeprazol too as I noticed when I gag I get reflux and burning bile in my chest. Honestly I've never felt so miserable and tired in my life.

I'm home now but I've just slept all day 😥, I don't want to go back again as I missed my family so much.

Abbs1 It has been quiet indeed.
Wouldloveanother Might that be acidity causing that, as it gets worse in a prone position? This might seem a comment on the obvious, but would it be worth trying sleeping more propped up and taking a strongish anti acid like Omprazole? On absorbing meds, I think that as a rule of thumb they are assumed definitely to be absorbed after an hour. Still, what with the stomach not operating properly in Hyperemesis, maybe I am wrong there.
TisforTucan Sorry to hear you've been in hospital. I'm sorry that they didn't prescribe Xonvea, as so many on here swear by that, and it was specially designed for pregnancy sickness. So true about needing Omprazole for the heartburn. Will your GP prescribe it asap?
Georgie2012 Thank you so much for calling back in with your lovely encouraging post,and I am so glad that you are a lot better at 28 weeks.
It is always heartening for current sufferers to hear from someone whose got through the worst, as evidence that 'This Too Shall Pass'.