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.

Hello everyone just wanted to introduce myself as I'll be popping in over the bank holiday weekend a bit to give advice if/when Lucinda isn't available.
I've had two hyperemesis pregnancies and two wonderful daughters aged 3.5 and 6 months. I found this thread a lifeline, especially in my first pregnancy and the advice and support was always so great.
Hope you're all having manageable days and I'll read through the last few days so I can get to know what stage you're all at a bit more.

[quote Worryant]@LucindaE thanks for checking! To be fair my boss is fantastic and would never push me to do anything. He’s really understanding and so far I’ve done work from my bed when I can and that’s been enough.

Am feeling a bit low, I had improved a bit but today I was really sick and nauseous all day. Has anyone encountered real negativity about taking medication? When i said I might start I had real judgement, from parental generation, lots of comments like ‘in my day we got on with it’ and ‘maybe the medications have improved then, it’s your choice to take that risk at the end of the day if you think the medications have got better since my day’. Just feel like if I take them and something (totally unrelated) went wrong it would be held against me forever.[/quote]
I'd really recommend going onto the pregnancy sickness website that is signposted at the beginning of each thread with the pink castle. It's such a great source of info and has an area for carers/relatives to get info. There is normal level pregnancy sickness which is manageable without medication and last up to 14 weeks then there is more extreme sickness. Most people don't understand how debilitating it is unless they've had it or live with you. With my first my mum didn't realise how bad it was until I went to stay with her for a week when she was having chemo in case I needed to drive her anywhere as my dad was away. Needless to say she ended up being less ill than me when I was with her and she really saw the condition in a different way since then.
The toll on your mental health is so important so please listen to your inner instincts and do what is right for you. You don't have to tell others that you're taking medication if you don't want to. If you are also medication averse though vitamin b6 has some evidence to help also I'm sure the website also cites ginger tablets at quite a high concentration. (Sorry for swearing by saying ginger 😂). First line medications are deemed to be pretty safe now though.
Hope that helps sending you strength.

Slept till 5am today, so slightly better. Still going to be a bit rundown and tired today.

@PopGoesBang we’ve gotten the girls books for Easter, as have their grandparents. Plus we are visiting my dad and stepmum while hubby is away, so I will have some extra help (just have to drive almost 4hrs to get it!). They’re mostly pretty good, my only real concern is trying to feed them dinner as I’m not at my best around dinnertime, and between me and the fussy 4yr old, it’s going to be a fun challenge picking meals. Lots of cereal for dinner I think!

@LucindaE have a lovely break away!

@RockinRobinn Nice to have you around for the weekend.

Thanks girls, I held out overnight and thankfully woke fever free and had a much better day today! What's everyone's experience with metochlopramide? I'm currently on prochlorperazine which helps but I'm sitting an exam in just under 2 weeks when I'll be 10 weeks so hoping for something more effective to get me through the 3 hours vomit free!

@Melleebacca yay for help while your partner is away! Hope the long drive goes ok. So long as I'm the driver I don't feel too bad but being a passenger these days is not working!

@Lou2022 I've only had metochlopromide in hospital, but it made me really drowsy and gave me weird leg muscle spasms lol. Not violent jerky ones just uncomfortable. I'd say ondansetron if the prochlorperazine isn't cutting it.... unless you wanted to try adding in another, but that might make u more drowsy.

@nee22 oh yes! I moan and complain whenever I’m the passenger. I’m sure hubby hits all the potholes! I’m not too worried about the drive, the girls and I are early birds, so we will leave early and then I will just rest the whole time I’m there.

@Lou2022 unfortunately metachlorpromide did the same thing to me. Stopped the vomiting for only 3 days but I got the side effects of jerkiness and also crazy anxiety. I didn’t like being on it at all. My winning combo was ondansetron and cyclizine but everyone is different. I do think you should get something stronger to get you through this tough part. I can’t imagine trying to do an exam at peak HG. At 10wks I could barely even sit up! Wishing you all the luck in the world.

Hi ladies, hope you're able to enjoy the Easter weekend! Just a little question - I've had HG for almost two weeks now (feels like longer though). Was finally prescribed Cariban now. But in the past couple of days I now also have diarrhea. Would this be common with HG?

Ah okay thankyou both! I'll ask for ondansetron then! I know it's really unfortunate I booked it when I wasn't pregnant and they won't let me reschedule 😫

@chocolateaddict231 hey there! So it looks like Cariban is the same drug as Xonvea, different name. I've not personally taken that one but perhaps someone else in the group could comment on side effects? Wouldn't say I've had diarrhea as a result of hg, more likely opposite due to dehydration. So it could be the meds, or something else. Hope it clears up soon

Hi everyone, how are you all?

Sorry for going off radar for a bit, Easter holidays are so busy with a 6-yr-old.

I’m over 35 weeks and still vomiting a lot every morning, but the nausea eases off by noon most days which is a relief.

Mostly I’m in pain with SPD and sciatica now. And braxton hicks which are getting painful now my time is approaching. I’m on edge looking out for signs of preterm labour, as have a c-section booked so as soon as labour starts we need to rush straight there! (It’s booked for 16th May when I’m 39 weeks but DS came at 37 so I’m not hopeful this one will wait that long!)

She’s very active and almost constantly kicking me in the ribs/pelvis, which is reassuring but rather painful and sometimes makes the HG worse!

I’ve been staying in bed a lot due to SPD and braxton hicks.

Managed to do a brief egg hunt for DS yesterday but I kind of rushed him through finding the eggs as I thought I was going to be sick in a bush 🤢

@chocolateaddict231 as far as I know diarrhoea isn't a symptom of hyperemesis itself. Have you got a patient information leaflet with the medication as that usually lists the potential side effects? Make sure you're keeping as hydrated as possible if you have diarrhoea too - I usually use a rehydration drink but it depends on what you can stomach. How are you feeling today?
@FateHasRedesignedMost you're nearly there! Well done for managing the Easter egg hunt I'm sure your little one really enjoyed it.
Hope everyone else is managing to have an easier weekend symptoms wise.

Hi all. I disappeared again for a bit because we went away which was lovely and I coped surprisingly well, however as soon as we got home I started being really sick (you know the painful kind that burns? 😩) and the nausea isn't great either. I think it's made worse by anxiety about going back to work tomorrow. So much will have piled up while I'm away and we're due Ofsted which I am not prepared for so it's going to be hell. I'm going to see how I get on this week and then if it's too much ask to be signed off again.

I can admit that my perinatal depression is getting the better of me. I need to speak to my midwife about the mental health referral because I haven't heard anything. Pregnancy hormones mess me up mentally and physically.

We did have a lovely time away though. I managed quite a long walk on Saturday and I was really proud of myself. My daughter had a great time and it was nice to be away together as a family because she's never had a holiday before.

We're going out for lunch today and then egg hunt in the garden this afternoon. Then at some point I need to build up to courage to check my emails but the thought alone makes me feel sick.

I hope everyone is having a nice long weekend

Back! Thank you, RockinRobbin, PopGoesBang Melleebacca everyone, it was a lovely visit in Cheshire.
I see that RockinRobinn has been doing a wonderful job. Ha, ha, about g!

ohCARP It is surprising how many sufferers feel better away from home and the normal routine. Is there no way you can extend your sick note (sorry if I've said this before)? You don't really sound well enogh to be going back to a stressful job like teaching.
Lou2022 It's bad that they won't let you reschedule: that seems highly unfair to me. All good luck with the Ondansetron and the exam.
nee2022 Medics tend to take sufferers off Metaclopramide if they suffer from that twitchiness, as you and Melleebacca did. It sounds awful.
Choclateaddict2022 It's certainly an idea, reporting it as a side effect,given how, as RockinnRobin says, diarrhoea increases deydration.
FateHasRedesignedMost I was wondering hopw things were with you. Glad all isn't too bad. Congratulations on the Easter Egg hunt! Lovely weather for it, too.
Melleebacca All luck with the long drive and I am glad there is some help on hand.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Welcome back @LucindaE - glad you had a wonderful time.

I'm currently procrastinating, should be working but feeling very zombie like today and have a huge dose of can't be arsed! Never a good combination. On the plus side right now not feeling sick, so I'll take the small wins!

@Melleebacca I hope the journey has gone ok. And that the books etc has helped keep dc's occupied for you.

Still a week of Easter holidays left here. Dd is currently reading on the sofa next to me. In between eating fat too much chocolate and YouTube intervals. Balance... that's what I keep telling myself!

PopGoesBang Thank you. Glad that there is no nausea, anyway. I''m sure LO is enjoying that.

@LucindaE I'm definitely not above extending it if it gets tough again. I actually had an ok day today but it was INSET and no students. I'll see how I get on tomorrow and decide. I need to speak to them about my risk assessment as well because my class have become extremely violent in the weeks I've been away 😬

There seems to be a new format on Mumsnet. No doubt it was advertised: I didn't notice, if so.
ohCARP That sounds a very good idea, if they've become violent. Not what you need in pregnancy, let alone a Hyperemesis one.

@ohCARP its so strange to read your post because I’ve just been in the exact same position. I went to my parents for a week over Easter, with DH and DD (it’s my childhood home), the first night I was a bit rubbish but it was as if by magic my HG had massively subsided! The nausea was there at night but was ok. I managed go put makeup on and left the house a huge 4 times!!! I felt human again and it was so lovely.

I got home yesterday, projectile vomited everywhere last night and bed bound today. WTH?! You are right, it’s definitely linked to anxiety, as I have no family or friends where I live and the anxiety of looking after DD has kicked in again and just the general feeling of being alone! So now I’m right back where I started :(

My husband works shifts so he’s now in work for 2 weeks, I’ve decided me and DD are just going to have to move to Wales with my parents for a bit until this HG buggers off! Another 4 weeks signed off work, at this rate I’ll never go back.

Hey. I've been popping on reading this thread for a couple weeks just to seek advice but finally I have decided to post!
I am 9 weeks pregnant today and from 6 weeks I have suffered awful with my sickness. I have spent the last 3 weeks just stuck in bed! Im sick a few times most days and usually it gets the worst just before I go to bed ! It's like waking up with the flu everyday and I'm just so down with it knowing everyday is the same. I am taking cyclizine but really at this point it doesn't do anything! I'm pretty much spending everyday sleeping or just stuck in bed.
I have amazing support from my mum and partner, but I just feel I'm annoying just being the same everyday and moaning about my sickness.
I am just so scared I'm gonna be stuck like this till I'm due in November!

I suffered a miscarriage around 3 years ago and this pregnancy was a totally surprise! We did a early scan and everything is perfect and the baby is doing well with a strong heartbeat, but of course on top of sickness I am worrying constantly. I then also feel bad to moan about how I feel so rough when everything with the baby is good and it's a healthy pregnancy.

I just keep trying so hard to be positive but today I finally have hit a wall. Cried a lot and felt so rubbish! This thread has brought me a lot of comfort when I've really struggled so I'm pleased I've finally posted ! I send all my best wishes to everyone else suffered with HG right now too 

Hi all, thanks for all the lovely concern. We haven’t yet gone away - we were meant to leave tomorrow, but Miss 4 bought a cold home from kindy. I’ve been essentially bedridden the past 3 days, and the nausea and acid reflux have just been awful! Hubby was meant to fly out on Tuesday, but due to being sick, managed to postpone it till today. Definitely covid negative but OMG we have all felt terrible. At this stage, looking to do a 24hr trip to visit my dad on Saturday, just need to shake the final cold symptoms.

@ohCARP I always managed better away from home - distraction, and excellent mind of matter, but then would be terribly ill as soon as I hopped in the car, or got home. It was like my body was running on adrenalin, and as soon as I got to a safe place, it would all escape.

@ChloeHel oh no! I hope you manage to survive ok without Hubby. I definitely can’t complain about the 9 days mine is in the states for then!

@ajb22 if the cyclizine isn’t really helping, you can get stronger meds. If you’ve seen a healthy babe on ultrasound, it’s incredibly unlikely that stronger meds will do any damage to babe, but will help you no end!

Waves to everyone else!

@Melleebacca aw thank you! But you definitely can complain, DH is still in UK! Oh gosh, I’d definitely be moving in with my parents if he was away in the USA for 9 days!

Feeling a bit better today but I’ve had a headache for over 24 hours now, covid test is negative and BP is 106/74 so absolutely fine. So god knows what’s happening! I’ve booked a private scan for tomorrow at 16+2 as apart from the HG and the larger breasts, I haven’t got a bump at all and not really feeling much, as it’s my 2nd I thought I’d atleast have a bump by now. So going for reassurance, if I can get out of bed!

@ajb22 Welcome! And congratulations on your pregnancy. The anxiety is real and so many of us go through it, I’m 16 weeks and still have anxiety! You are definitely not alone. If the cyclizine isn’t helping then don’t be afraid to contact your GP for an alternative! The cyclizine didn’t touch the sides for me either and after 4 days I had to try something else! Just keep trying anything until you get some form of relief :)

@ChloeHel I hope your scan goes well tomorrow. Sounds like a great plan to stay with your parents for a bit, nice to have had some relief for short while. I agree that having backup around eases the burden and anxiety making sickness less.

@Melleebacca sorry you've all been ill :( just makes everything worse. Are you just taking calcium powder for acid or also omeprazole? I know for me omeprazole is game changer but maybe not for everyone.

@ajb22 definitely try another med, cyclizine also didn't work for me. Sorry you're suffering!

@ohCARP I hope past couple days at school haven't been too bad and you manage to get your perinatal referral. I found them really wonderful.

I think the headaches I've been getting must be to do with pregnancy congestion... it's been three weeks basically everyday but not for the whole day. Either that or left over covid effect....or dehydration. Several options I guess. Anyone else getting headaches?

Thank you guys so much for messages back means so much right now. Your kind words really help right now, especially today I'm feeling so bad and down.
I would tag everyone who replied to me but I'm not quite sure how I do that yet haha still new to this!

I have got a appointment with my GP today finally! After all last week ringing them for help and asking for new tablets they just did nothing, seems I've got really bad the past couple days! When I did speak to doc on phone earlier they mentioned something about a surge in hormones could be why I'm so bad at the moment? I never heard of that before but I guess it makes sense! Have any of you guys heard of that before?

Fingers crossed they actually help me today, sick of everyday being in bed and feeling like a zombie so so fed up.

One of the replies someone said about how if the baby is healthy the tablets shouldn't effect anything and thank you so much for that, I hadn't thought of it that way and that makes sense and puts my mind at ease! Im so happy my baby is doing amazing and so healthy and i know in the end it's so worth it just some days it's harder than others to be positive.

You guys are all so kind! I'm trying to proper read all the posts in here to get to know you all better and I promise Ill work out how to tag people when responding!

Hey everyone,
I'm new to MN and came across this thread. I'm 8 weeks and currently bedridden. On cyclizine, prochloperazine and omeprazole which is helping but still brutal. I know I haven't peaked yet so a bit nervous about that. I have a 3 year old who I vomited with for the full 9 months. I've also had 2 miscarriages since then so quite anxious. I had an early scan yesterday though and baby seems to be doing fine.

@BalletN

Hey everyone, I'm new to MN and came across this thread. I'm 8 weeks and currently bedridden. On cyclizine, prochloperazine and omeprazole which is helping but still brutal. I know I haven't peaked yet so a bit nervous about that. I have a 3 year old who I vomited with for the full 9 months. I've also had 2 miscarriages since then so quite anxious. I had an early scan yesterday though and baby seems to be doing fine.

Hey So sorry to hear your going through it. I'm new to the thread too and in the same boat pretty much! Just stuck in bed everyday and being so sick! Have you tried asking docs for new tablets possibly? I finally got to see a doctor and get some new ones today.

So pleased to hear your early scan was all good too, all I keep being told is sickness is a sign of strong good pregnancy but that doesn't help too much when your stuck being sick every second of the day!
But it's true at least you know the baby is doing okay and everything is healthy. All I keep telling myself is it'll all be worth it.

I wish I had better advice but I really do understand how your feeling . I'm always here if you need a chat x

Wishing you all the best my lovely