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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

988 replies

LucindaE · 19/10/2022 19:24

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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BettylovesAugust · 14/04/2023 14:00

I’ve heard good things about UCLH but don’t have personal experience I’m afraid. So sorry you had a bad experience at North Mid, but I have had friends who have positive experiences there. It’s so tricky isnt it as I really feel it depends on the midwife team/surgeon you have on the day and how they communicate with you and respond to complications. I had good a experience of EMCS at the Royal London but thought the aftercare and breastfeeding support was very poor. So I’m undecided for this time!

LucindaE · 14/04/2023 21:11

Puddenandpie That treatment sounds really bad. Can you see another GP, or are they all as offhand? If they are, it might be worth asking Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020 about anti obtaining effective anti acids that you can stand, unllike Gaviscon. They will have to phone back,but they will with good advice. Have you got your own kesostix, as they are being so indifferent?
Bettylovesaugust Good advice for Puddenandpie. Yes, at least you only have to suffer one Hyperemesis pregnancy for a family of two. I am glad you find the image of the Pink Castle encouraging. Also, as I say in the 'normal spiel' about kesostix, drinks and anti acids, most do improve a lot as time goes on.
It had my daughter so long ago I'm not up on the current rules about hospital choice for giving birth. Back then, everyone said Queen Charlotte's in Hammersmith was wonderful, but I had a very bad experience there and wished I had gone to my then local Ealing Hospital!

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LucindaE · 15/04/2023 11:29

Everyone- I have another none pleasure trip down to Buckinghamshire for a couple of days on Sunday -to take my mother on a visit to a care home which she needs to go on the waiting list for - but hope to be back by Wednesday. In the meantime, I have seen how you are all brilliant at supporting each other, welcoming new people onto the thread, etc.

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Mumto3172225 · 15/04/2023 14:45

I am seriously struggling to cope right now. I’m 7+2 been severe for a week now finally got a prescription for promethazine today wanted to fly down the phone and attack the gp for all the stupid things she was saying to me. Really hoping these work the same they did last time. Sending love to you all going through this I’ve had it 8 pregnancies including 4 miscarriages I’d love to know WHY some women get it so bad and others nothing??

evuscha · 15/04/2023 16:50

@Mumto3172225 it’s genetic though noone in my family (mum, 2 sisters) had it, just me :( But the HER Foundation recently published new research that identified a gene that women with HG pregnancy had increased and others didn’t.

It’s hell. Doctors and other people are so unhelpful. I was recently refused IV fluids because I wasn’t “dehydrated enough”.

Laura0589 · 15/04/2023 19:41

It feels so unfair when you are suffering I know that feeling. I spoke to a Gp that had suffered with it and her gently telling me ‘not much works’ made a big difference to how I was coping. It was refreshing to have someone understand and acknowledge the treatments are shit and so is the condition.
I’m in healthcare and I definitely treat people differently with it now that I have experienced it. It’s shameful. I think it’s because most of the general population have only experienced nausea and vomiting with a specific cause for a short period of time. They can’t empathise with what happens to you mentally/physically when that is prolonged. I had a weird episode where everything just stopped for 24hrs and I felt cured when I was poorly with a virus which makes me curious why. I doubt much research is being done on a condition which is essentially self limiting because it ends once the baby is born. All the current treatments are dealing with the symptoms. I really hope the genetic link leads to better understanding of the cause and treatments that work.

QueenBee22 · 15/04/2023 21:09

@Mumto3172225 sorry to hear you've been so unwell. Hopefully the medication starts to work for you soon.

My consultant told me there isn't a lot of research done on HG as naturally women with the condition aren't exactly in a position to be taking part in studies and or trials for medication. She said what they know for sure is that it is definitely hereditary and runs in genes. I met a friend today with three kids and she never vomited once in all her pregnancies. She couldn't believe how I sick I have been.

Ambern7 · 15/04/2023 21:46

There’s an interesting documentary about HG called ‘Sick’ which I think is on YouTube. The pregnancy sickness helpline suggested it as something to educate friends and family on the condition. It’s really sad that they are so behind on researching treatments for it, I think because they didn’t acknowledge it as real condition for a long time.

Mumto3172225 · 16/04/2023 13:28

Yeah I found out yesterday that my Nan suffered it through all her pregnancies- she had 6kids but strange thing is out of all my aunts and all my cousins I’m the only other one to have it. 😩🤯

spanglesj · 17/04/2023 23:13

Thank you @LucindaE , no this is my 4th time pregnant and amazingly first time with HE. But then to my knowledge I may have only been pregnant with boys before if it really makes that much difference? (Not that I know yet!) didn’t even think to get some ketostix in. Good idea. I rang PSS support and tbh it helped a lot. My GP was very mean and sort of said it’s my fault because I won’t take meds. (Just fear after loss which PSS said is understandable and not to feel guilty!)
but I have started to function better in the mornings now (I was in a right state when I posted this). The eves are awful for me. Long reply - sorry!

Buttons86 · 18/04/2023 15:59

Thanks @LucindaE . I have been prescribed cyclozine for the sickness. Managing to keep a bit more down now thankfully. Managing by eating very small bits at a time and lots of tangy/fruity drinks and lollies.

LucindaE · 18/04/2023 22:09

Mum3172225 Welcome. I hope meds prove effective. Sorry to hear of your miscarriages and repeated Hyperemesis.
evuscha Very interesting about that research. Awful you were refused IV fluids recently.
QueenBee22 So true.
Laura0509 Really intrigung you had relief during a virus, when many suffer worse when anything else puts a strain on the body.
Buttons86 I am glad the Cyclizine is helping.
spanglesj I'm glad that phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support helped and that you've got kesostix. Sorry to hear of your loss. Never apologise for long posts. As it's your first Hyperemesis pregnancy, here's my normal spiel, which I hope helps. 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, frozen smoothie ice lollies, the juice of tinned fruit, Vimto, 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 (M and S has been recommende), 7Up, isotonic drinks, sips of strawberry orchocolate 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. Frozen apple juice has been recommended. 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 dry cereeal.
Ambern7 That dcumentary sounds interesting.
Apologies to anyone rudely ignored.

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Roxster · 19/04/2023 20:28

Hey 👋 so just to give you an update on me and possibly give some of you ladies some hope. I’ve turned the 20 week corner and am definitely starting to get breaks in the sickness/nausea. So much so that I’ve started back at work this week. Hopefully it’s the same for some of you that are in the early stages.

LucindaE · 19/04/2023 21:15

Roxster Mother Hen Lucinda always clucks about sufferers rushing back towork,but if you're up to it, that's really good. I am so glad that things have improved a lot. Thank you so much for your encouraging message. Smile

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InvisibleDreamer · 19/04/2023 22:20

Hi All, Just in early stages of pregnancy and today the faint nausea and nasty taste in mouth of the last few days has ramped up in to bloating and belching. I know what is coming but at least this time I am more prepared. Just wondering if anyone else started off like this? Unfortunately the anti sickness medications don’t work for me so I’m just trying to keep things moving through my digestive system by drinking apple juice as I’m thinking this may be part of the problem. Sorry for everyone else that is suffering.

QueenBee22 · 20/04/2023 09:10

@InvisibleDreamer I also started off with a lot of wind before the nausea and vomiting. I know you said antiemetics didn't work but have you considered an anti acid? I am continuing to take one and find it great for wind and also reducing nausea.

InvisibleDreamer · 20/04/2023 09:31

@QueenBee22 This is what I’m thinking of doing. I did try gaviscon last time but didn’t feel it really did anything & I struggled to take it due to the taste/texture. I will try and get to a pharmacy today and see what they have.

LucindaE · 20/04/2023 20:13

InvisibleDreamer Sorry to hear it is ramping up. It's very unlucky that none of the meds worked. Was the Hyperemesis severe enough for them to recommend steroids?
Not everyone wants to take the strongest meds, of course. Did it improve naturally at some point? Great advice from QueenBee22 about anti acids. Some sufferers on here swear by Omprazole.

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QueenBee22 · 20/04/2023 20:22

@InvisibleDreamer get your GP to prescribe omeprazole. I take 20mg twice daily. I thought it wasn't doing much until I ran out the other day and felt much more nauseous without it. Well worth a go.

InvisibleDreamer · 20/04/2023 20:38

@LucindaE I am already on steroids for a different reason. They had no effect last time but I was on a much lower dose. The sickness only eased last time around the time the baby passed away so any reduction in sickness is now a worry. I was still pretty sick for about a month after and couldn’t drink a cup of tea for about 3 months. I feel a bit better today which I’m hoping is due the apple juice & having smaller meals. @QueenBee22 I’m going start with the gaviscon tonight and see how that goes.

LucindaE · 21/04/2023 20:39

InvisibleDreamer That is really unlucky, and having the sickness after a miscarriage. I had lingering symptoms after birth, that is in itself very unusual, and I can't imagine what it is like to have them after a lost pregnancy. If steroids weren't helpful, then yours is obviously a very severe case, and I should imagine they are monitoring you carefully,particularly after previous mc's. It might be a good idea to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020, as they may be able to suggest something I can't think of. Did the hospital offer daily fluids, as they sometimes do for severe cases?
QueenBee22 I so agree about Omprazole.

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InvisibleDreamer · 21/04/2023 20:57

@LucindaE unfortunately my GP and midwife were pretty useless they just told me to go to A&E if I thought I was dehydrated so I had a couple of overnight stays on fluids last time. I will be going to A&E much earlier this time around and I’m more likely to stay in, before I was anxious to get back home to my dog but sadly he passed away at Xmas.

Laura0589 · 22/04/2023 08:20

Hiya have any of you been given ondansetron? If so what dose? Feeling low atm, had a rare side effect from the cyclizine and had to come off them so suffering all
day again. I’ve been given 4mg three times a day and it’s not doing much. Had a shit GP experience, just for a change 😂🙈

northernmam · 22/04/2023 09:32

Laura0589 · 22/04/2023 08:20

Hiya have any of you been given ondansetron? If so what dose? Feeling low atm, had a rare side effect from the cyclizine and had to come off them so suffering all
day again. I’ve been given 4mg three times a day and it’s not doing much. Had a shit GP experience, just for a change 😂🙈

Hi, I'm currently 17+3 and on Ondansetron now after cyclizine and prochlorperazine didn't help. I've been on it about a month now and thankfully it has helped to the point where I am now eating (although still not my normal amount). I'm on 4mg twice a day and it took about a week or so for it to really kick in and help. If you're still not noticing a difference I'd definitely go back to your GP xx

Laura0589 · 22/04/2023 11:33

northernmam · 22/04/2023 09:32

Hi, I'm currently 17+3 and on Ondansetron now after cyclizine and prochlorperazine didn't help. I've been on it about a month now and thankfully it has helped to the point where I am now eating (although still not my normal amount). I'm on 4mg twice a day and it took about a week or so for it to really kick in and help. If you're still not noticing a difference I'd definitely go back to your GP xx

Thank you so much that’s good to know! It gives me hope I think I’ll carry on a bit longer then