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.

@Hairstylist2023 I tried cyclizine which didn’t work for me then something beginning with P that worked for a while, now I’m on onadestran which works a bit I think but I feel terrible in the evenings. It’s the nausea I struggle with it’s just so horrendous. I’m also having quite strange symptoms which are worrying me - I’m getting very cold and shivery then belching & belching for hours.

@InvisibleDreamer aw no I feel you too. . I have been in bed the past 2 weeks I try to get up and atleast do basic tasks but i end up back in bed . Those didn’t work for me and they seem they don’t want to put me on the o medication the midwife wasn’t that helpful and said if things don’t get better to go to and e where they will assess their . I feel like is this just what I’m supposed to get on with and is normal as people tell you to get on with it but Iv tried for weeks and it’s unmanageable I don’t feel like it’s taken seriously enuff sadly xx I hope you find something that helps the night time I understand also sometimes my sickness at night makes me faint from how bad it is x

@Hairstylist2023 thanks for your kind words and sorry you’re struggling too. None of the antisickness drugs were working for me. I’ve ended up getting in such a bad state that I’ve been admitted to hospital for IV antiemetics and fluids. Starting to feel a bit better although still being sick so they’re trying different anti sickness meds.
One thing they did say is this I should’ve gone a lot sooner as the earlier you’re treated for dehydration, the quicker they can fix it. Because I left it so long it’s going to take a bit longer to fix. Now I’m on the radar they have an open door policy on the gynae ward so I can just call and come in as much as I need to.
If you’re not drinking because of the nausea and think you’re dehydrated definitely be seen. No harm in trying other meds too, not found any that that stop the nausea, just reduce the number of times I’m sick xxx

@InvisibleDreamer ive tried 4 different anti sickness now. None worked for me. Will discuss what they discharge me with tomorrow when I leave hospital. I’m so glad I came into hospital, should’ve done it a lot sooner. They said they won’t let me go until I’m feeling significantly better xxx

Hairstylest2023 Welcome. Sorry you are suffering. Some do have Hyperemesis without vomiting. It might be worth phoning Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 76382020 about obtaining more effective meds, as well as the problems with sick pay when self-employed. They will phone back with good advice. Here's my normal spiel, which I hope helps. Just ignore the bit about how doctors count vomits. 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.
Seasidegirl11 I so agree with others, with dark urine and not able to retain fluids, do report to A and E for fluids.
Great advice from InvisibleDreamer and everyone.
Spanglesj and Evuscha The hormonal surge round 14 weeks is dismal. I hope you get an improvement soon.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

Seasidegirl11 Sorry, I missed your last posts somehow. I am glad that they have admitted you and you are getting fluids.

@Seasidegirl11 aw I’m so glad your getting something done . Ah that’s interesting with the stopping sick but not the nausea . I am wondering is their anything that does give some relief to the nausea at all . I have got a course of another med for 5 days after that I am back on the old . I am eating and drinking but I am constant retching and nausea and that’s what makes me ill and not being able to function and no one seems so solve that for me ( don’t think they can) I am glad they are helping you and you have a plan my midwife said if your struggling after that to go into a and e but I feel like they won’t be able to do much than what the docs are doing for me with me not actually being sick and still drinking it’s just the other horendous side to it . I will see how I go but do let us nw your medication your on and how it goes xx

I've just found this thread. I'm so sorry that you are all suffering with the debilitating effects of HG. Nobody in my family had ever experienced it. I had it during both my pregnancies from about 6 weeks to 26 weeks. I was so sick and struggled to even hold down the liquid from sucking ice cubes. I had IV drips fairly frequently in hospital.

The district nurse taught my husband how to inject me with antisickness drugs that didn't really work too well. I seem to remember drinking lucozade just for the calories I could get from it, before I was sick. It was such a really tough time. However, I just wanted to give you the positives. One morning I woke up, when I was about 26 weeks and realised I'd slept through the night without having to be sick. From that day I was never sick again.

My children were both a very good birth weight, over 8lbs. They are both now in their 20's and both very happy and healthy. There is light at the end of the HG tunnel. It's one hell of a journey but just focus on doing whatever you can to get through the worst of it. In the end it is so worth it. My best wishes to you all xxxxx

PurpleReindeer Thank you so much for your lovely encouraging message. I am sure that it will give new heart to many, especially as you improved so late on in your pregnancies.
I hope that Seasidegirl11 is feeling better with the fluids at hospital and that Hairstylest2023 and everyone else is getting by.

It’s encouraging to hear from others that it does improve, certainly doesn’t feel like it when you’re in the midst of it!

Am now out of hospital after 10 bags of iv fluids and several iv meds trying to see what combo worked. I was very poorly indeed. I had put off going in as I didn’t think I was bad enough but all the nurses and doctors said they would much rather I went in before getting that dehydrated as it takes a while to improve and a longer stay in hospital. Normally an aggressive rehydration does the job in a couple of hours without being admitted. Now have direct access to the ward when needed. So encourage people to use this resource - if you’re considering needing fluids then you probably do, don’t leave it like I did!

Seasidegirl11 I am so glad that you had such good treatment. Did they change the meds? Great advice about getting fluids earlier rather than later.

I'm considering phoning my GP next week.

I still haven't been physically sick but I am swallowing it down and having to do my breathing and tricks of the trade (strong smells, gum, fresh air, fan in face) nearly every 20-30 mins to stop the sick.

My anti sickness seems to make me feel worse and it adds to my tiredness.

I thought I was turning a corner recently as my stomach acid pain had settled slightly but... I noticed today my lips are horribly cracked and bleeding, and my skin is going flakey so I can only assume I am starting to get dehydrated (complete lack of appetite and fluids aren't sitting well, often come out my mouth before I've had a chance to swallow as my gag reflex is so sensitive)

😭

@OnNaturesCourse hey I feel for you what you have describe is exactly like me ? Have u been prescribed anything yet ? I got onto the gp straight away and nothing helps at all I’m on my 3rd meds . I take them but I’m still getting the gag reflex over everything . I live in one room in my bed Iv managed to get down stairs twice the past 2 weeks .

when I tell the docs my symptoms they don’t seem to listen and I honestly I’m not sure if their is medication to stop this ? Rather stop the sickness is what they describe when I say to them I have every other symptom but being physically sick they don’t seem to take much notice yet I tell them how I can’t function work or even look after my self properly . The midwife said if nothing works u can do is go to a and e but I can’t see how they could help these symptoms . I am eating and taking fluids still so I am managing that way .

please keep in touch with your journey because it can be so isolating .
family members just say the wrong thing also .

we have to think positive that this isn’t forever but that’s the only thing getting me through xx

I have anti sickness (can't remember the name) but only because I already had a supply after a stomach bug a week or so before I fell pregnant. My GP said I could keep taking them but I'm dreading trying to get another prescription once these are done. I don't really find they help much with the nausea.

It seems to be set off by anything. Fluid in my mouth, smells, thoughts of smells or fluids, certain foods either eaten or smelt, my DPs aftershave, my DDs hair product are examples from the top of my head. The past few days sudden movements have triggered it too. Just today I stood up off the sofa took four steps and then spent 30 mins spitting up saliva and fighting my gag reflex.

Its hard with other kids in the house. I gave up last night and took myself to bed once DP was home just before dinner time. Didn't sleep right away as struggling with a bit of insomnia too. But was able to relax and try to zone it all out.

I hate that we are all suffering but glad we have this forum to bounce off each other. Because I'm not being actually sick I feel like such a fraud most days when I am complaining how crap I feel, or that I am struggling.

@OnNaturesCourse aw this is me too especially movements do you work ? I can’t seem to get out of bed worried sick how long this will go on for with me being self employed . My goal is to just try and get down stairs x luckily my hubby is supportive and helps with my son and skewl just can’t wait to live again xx

@OnNaturesCourse
r u thinking of getting meds at the docs and try something else ? This is the prob Tho I got a nice doc the third time who called me to look thru my options and every med has not taken these symptoms we have off they seem to work if your being severely actively sick and do nothing for the gag or nausea . Which in its self is dibilitsting but because I’m not being sick nothing seems to help . Surely theirs a medication for us that helps these symptoms . I haven’t got any answers yet x

I don't know as like you say there isn't really anything specifically for nausea / gag reflex.

I also have a head cold at the moment and snot/bunged up feeling isn't helping.

I have a constant horrible taste in my mouth too which is just the tip of the ice berg 😔

I have actually said to my DP if I could make myself be sick I would as I feel like atleast then I'd get a short while of maybe being symptom free. But I have a strong stomach and I am rarely sick, even when I try to make myself.

I don't work but I am SAHP, and my youngest is at home all the time (not nursery or school age yet). I just want to stay in bed all day.

@OnNaturesCourse hey sorry I’m not sure on the abbreviations?
aw I feel you with the child is their any one who can help give you rest ?
when are you due ? I am 11 weeks this week I really hope their isn’t much longer I keep wishful thinking about work but It’s the first time Iv left my bed tonight and it was horendous just to go to the toilet . If you would like to chat on WhatsApp also I have pm you xx

DP - dear partner
SAHP - stay at home parent.

Sorry, I'm that used to Mumsnets abbreviations!

I can't access my PMs on the app but I will check when my children next allow me on the PC aha!

I'm 9 weeks, I've worked out my due date to be around 16th December BUT I was measuring about 4 days behind my dates at my early scan. With my others I never made 40 weeks, always between 37 & 38 so I'm hoping for the same this time!

I'm lucky that my parents help me out - usually one or two afternoons a week. I did ask for them to do a overnight stay last week though and that was BLISSFUL.

What is it you do for work? Do you think you'll get back to it? I hope you manage to. Even for a bit of sanity!

OnNaturesCourse and Hairstylist2023 Sorry you are both suffering. The anti emetics seem to help some sufferers with the nausea besides the vomiting, but this varies. I hope you can get something that helps. OnNaturesCourse Oh dear those cracked lips and that dry skin sounds like marked dehydration. I'm assuming you're monitoring it with kesostix? It sounds as if you might need fluids, as it is very possible to become dehydrated without vomiting.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

@LucindaE unfortunately I have not but I do have more sticks etc in my basket that I will need to order soon.

@OnNaturesCourse ha ha this is the first time Iv been on it but my hubby is obsessed with it lol . Thanks for that .

aw that’s good of the support . What does your partner do ? I am a hair stylist I have my own home salon I do hope to be back soon I have took the next two weeks off which will make me over 12 weeks . Ahh I am due the 13th December that is nice to mayb have a twin date . This is my second so I am having a planned c section as I had emergency last time so I may be 39 weeks for that they have said .

I really hope to be back to work
as maternity pay is rubbish so this is the time to save .
have you had a winter baby before ?
my son is June .
do you have a preferred gender .
this is your third ?

xx

@Hairstylist2023

Yes, it's my 3rd! I don't have a preference but I think I am carrying a girl. Very similar to my pregnancy with DD.

My babies are all winter babies, and within weeks of each others birthdays. This one will be right in the middle of them probably. Great planning haha.

OnNaturesCourse I hope you are managing to avoid becoming too dehydrated.
HairStylist20223 I hope you and everyone else is coping today.

Hi All, Just an update that I hope may be useful - so after an overnight hospital stay have been discharged with a bigger dose of stemil to use with cyclizine, staggering them seems to be working so far!! Also I was told to avoid liquid type foods such as soup and even decaf coffee - I think this is helping! so sticking to cold drinks and solid food for now.