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.

Posted too soon.
Coffewithmyoxyg3n Oh dear, poor you and DD with your sick bowls. I hope the GP can prescribe something more effective.
gg9320 Good about asking for Omprazole.
Zallfruit How are things?
Good of greenerfingers to post her happy news. That always is so encouraging for current sufferers.

I think I spoke to soon @LucindaE went into work as I thought I was feeling better . Once it hit 10am - the sink at work became a crime scene . I was in tears - because we have gender neutral loos and there was my big boss - just hearing / watching me vomit . He was trying to be nice but it just made me burst into tears from being mortified.

Hi guys. I've joined this thread in my past 3 pregnancies with hg. I've got 2 dds and last pregnancy I had to terminate in June because the HG nearly killed me and I felt very fragile. I wasn't confident I would be able to carry a baby safely or live for that matter.

I wasn't going to join this thread because I don't want to acknowledge the HG. I had a really bad day today I'm 8 weeks 2 days today same day I had my first set of pills for termination. I was and am sad about that pregnancy but understand it had to be done. Husband is a little bit more supportive this time as last time he said I'd done it 2 times why can't I do it a 3rd time. After multiple hospital visits he agreed to the termination. Anyway hg isn't as bad as last pregnancy (which was extreme) but it started with full force today. I feel a bit better right now. I just sat in bed with the tv on for my 2 girls for 2 hours then got some energy to do the dishes and laundry. My husband can still be insensitive. I actually had to tell him today if he doesn't stop arguing about small things then it's going to stress me out and I might not be able to carry again. But no way am I going with a termination again. Last pregnancy I had a lot of pills but they really drugged me out and made me worse so I'm trying not to take any as I can't cope with sleeping all day especially with a partner who doesn't really get it. I'm taking b6 to help nausea and I'll try b12 soon. They're helping but sometimes with hg it's impossible. This will be my last pregnancy and I feel a bit teary that my 2 daughters will experience it too. I should have stopped at 2 kids but this third one will be a blessing. Thanks for your support @LucindaE.

Hi all, I am only six weeks pregnant with 2nd baby and my sickness hit in full force at the weekend. The doctor has given Cyclazine but unfortunately I am still unable to keep anything down and now have restless legs from the medication 😭 how long do I need to try it for to see if it will work? I just feel so miserable with a one year old and a dog to look after. I really thought if I got medication early it would be better this time around 😔

@heartbroken22  I am so sorry that you are suffering so much. You deserve a medal for going through HG again

@Thumberline if cyclizine doesn't work, the doctor should give you something stronger. I can sympathise with the restless legs as well - I have some BetterYou magnesium spray, take 2 paracetamol before bed and sleep with a fan on. This eases them considerably.

I am 30 weeks tomorrow and since coming off the steroids I have just regressed. Pretty much bed bound again and the nausea is awful. I am done with work now I think. I also got a diagnosis of gestational diabetes on Monday (unfortunately probably caused by the steroids) and it seems like an impossible task to balance that diet with a HG one. Baby is measuring on the 97th centile and now I just want her here safely.

This thread has been a lifeline.

Welcome to heartbroken22 and Thumbeline. heartbroken22 I am sorry that you had unwillingly to opt for a termination, and that OH isn't more supportive. As you are both veterans, you don't need my normal spiel about 'have you got kesostix, as while not the best test of dehydration, hospitals do take their measurements seriously' and 'do you find that flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit are helpful' and 'a good anti-acid can make a big difference to the level of sickness'. Great advice from IHaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes. I would never have guessed magnisium etc as a way of easing the restless legs with Cyclizine. Thumbeline A small number of women on here have had that with Cyclizine. As rest is so important, I so agree that you need other meds. Did they try Xonvea last time, as several sufferers on here have found it very helpful? However, it is more expensive than Cyclzine, which is I think, why some doctors avoid it.
heartbroken22 Did they find that no meds were useful in your previous pregnancies? I am glad at least that you are not suffering to the extent that you were last time.
Zaalfruit That sounds awful about the gender neutral loo, your boss and the sink. It doesn't sound as if you are up to returning to work yet. Can they extend your sick note? At least there is the comfort that one good day, or a few, are usually a sign of more to come.
I HaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes Sorry to hear you have regressed so badly. That is disappointing. Does your doctor suggest anything such as regular trips to the pregnancy unit for top ups of fluids?

Sorry, that is Thumberline and I have been typing out Thumblinel!

Thank you @LucindaE I have my first appointment with the diabetes midwife tomorrow so I might see if I can get some fluid top ups to help with the diet changes I need to make.

It is so frustrating to be back bed bound! It had long passed by now with DS so I think that isn't helping.

IHaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes Much sympathy. That is really difficult. I hope they can suggest something.

Just popping on to say that my baby boy Gregor was born on Saturday morning, a few hours after his due date. My sickness went immediately! Thank you so much to Lucinda and everyone else on this thread for the amazing support. Lots of love to you all who are still struggling. It will end eventually!

@IHaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes thank you. Hope you hospital appointment goes well x

@LucindaE thanks so much. Cyclizine helped a little in my first pregnancy but it made me drowsy. I didn't have other children to look after so I could take it. Took it on and off in my second pregancny. In my 3rd I took it religiously but it made me so poorly that I couldn't eat anything or do anything. I got the sickness injection too which worked for a day. Then when my pills ran out the hospital wouldn't give me any (chemists were closed near me to get it over the counter) and said we are a unit for real problems like early bleeding etc. I was heartbroken. Spoke to doctor who gave me the ginger biscuits and eat regularly solution and I thought sack this no one will help me. I made a choice not to go to the doctors or hospital as much if I was pregnant again as it was stressful and time consuming. I'd rather rest at home and be sick in the comfort of my own home. Hope I don't cause any offence to people who need medication and it works for them. It's just it was really traumatic for me to be refused medicine when I needed it. I'm even scared of taking antibiotics because they wiped me out. It was really stressful taking vitamins/sickness pills and antibiotics. Hopefully this pregnancy will be less stressful.

Thank you @LucindaE and @IHaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes .
congratulations @BalletN
I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon to hopefully change the medication. I was starting to feel very dizzy with the cyclazine so hopefully they will offer a better solution.
@heartbroken22 that is absolutely awful they treated you that way, I really hope you get some real help this time.
Has anyone else struggled with getting the folic acid in?

@heartbroken22 I'm so sorry to hear about how you were treated, there is so much misinformation about this condition 

@Thumberline I took folic acid before the pregnancy but stopped with all the vitamins at 6 weeks because I couldn't stomach them. All the scans have come back normal, which is something. I also took folic acid for about a week with DS and he's a healthy nearly 12 year old now.

The gestational diabetes midwife was amazing. I was expecting a lecture on my diet and to just deal with the nausea/sickness but she was so understanding and supportive of how restrictive a HG diet can be. I have my blood sugar monitor and we will be taking it from there!

BalletN Congratulations on Gregor. So thoughtful of him to arrive on schedule! I'm glad to hear that the sickness has gone. I am so glad, too, that this thead has been helpful. Thank you so much for your encouraging message.
heartbroken22 I'm sorry to hear of the insensitive treatment. Perhaps it might be an idea to phone Pregnancy Sickness Support on 024 7638 2020. They will have to phone back, but will give good advice about the best way of obtaining effective meds.
thumberline I hope all went well. I know that you can get pregnancy vitamins in drop form.
IHaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes I am so glad the gestational diabetes nurse was helpful.

@IHaveBeenFallingFor30Minutes thank you. I feel a bit better today. But the nausea is coming back right now

@LucindaE I think I will call them thank you. I gave it a thought and I'm willing to try something slowly. I honestly felt like an addict when my pills ran out and I was searching for them on the floor. It's not good to suffer with it. Hopefully something will work.

heartbrocken22 They have certainly helped many on here, and I hope that they can help you. Glad that things weren't so bad for at least a part of today.

heartbroken22 Sorry, misstype of your name!

@BalletN congratulations!! You are showing at the end of the race there is a price . I hope you and baby are happy and healthy .

I can’t lie down anymore properly - I just feel like any movement will bring everything up - I can’t even keep the meds down . I called my doctors today for an appointment and they said go A and E . I can’t face A & E thinking about the smell the lights the people , it’s making me gag . Until I speak to a doctor I can’t even get a sick note. Feeling bad for my sweet toddler - my moods are so bad and sometimes I feel like I’m neglecting her because feeding her makes me sick , moving around makes me sick . She constantly asks me Mummy why are you crying . I’m 14 weeks 4 days now , just waiting now patiently for it to ease off.

@BalletN I meant PRIZE lol auto correct !!

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with excess saliva? I have been given metroclopamine which has reduced the vomiting but the saliva is driving me crazy!
@Zaalfruit that sounds truly horrific. It’s horrible not being fully there for your baby isn’t it. Would your midwife be able to arrange for you to be seen on a maternity ward for fluids, I found the injection they gave me in my last pregnancy amazing too.

Thank you all. The view is wonderful @LucindaE and I couldn't have got here without you all. Even when I wasn't posting, just reading helped a lot knowing (sadly) I'm not alone. As soon as my baby was born I was like a ravenous beast 😂. I hadn't yet delivered the placenta and was already starving. The sickness, depression and the acid stopped immediately. Baby is 5 days old now and although I'm physically broken and life is very busy, I feel healed mentally and positive after a very long time.

Wishing you all the speediest of recoveries and hope you get your newborn cuddles soon. I remember at 7 weeks not knowing how I'd last another hour let alone day, but looking back time has flown too.

Good luck all xx

Zaalfruit From what I have seen on these threads, your LO will soon forget all about this period of comparative neglect, though it's distressing for you. A sibling is the greatest gift. Wishing you better days soon.
Thumberline Some use a sort of spittoon they carry about - much sympathy, it's vile and extra nauseating. Great advice for Zaalfruit.
greenfingers Glad you like the prospect from the Pink Castle! Thank you so much for your encouraging messages for others. Wise words. 'This Too Shall Pass', but it can seem to pass in slow motion when at your worst.

Thank you all !
Words are so encouraging and seeing that once baby is out it doesn’t last makes it even more encouraging just to take each day as it is .

@Thumberline I have the same the meds are giving me excess saliva ( I think the midwife said it’s called Ptyalism) I spit constantly which is so gross but the idea of swallowing it makes me sick.

Can anyone give any tips on how to get rid of the excess saliva ( thank you for bringing it up !) ( I get so consumed by everything I forget to ask for help for the little things )

Zaalfruit The vast majority of sufferers find that the symptoms vanish within hours of birth. A tiny minority - I have been doing these threads for twelve years, and so far as I know, only ten or so out of all the sufferers on them - find that the hormones released by breast feeding mean that a mild symptoms can persist for a while. I was one: a puzzle, as I didn't suffer severely, and only for a short time. However, it reduces to mild symptoms when feeding within days and entirely goes on giving up breast feeding.
I hope someone can advise you and Thumberline on best ways to reduce
excess saliva. I found that sucking boiled sweets (travel sweets, old fashioned barley sugar etc, helped with that and the foul taste in the mouth. Many say spitting is counterproductive, but difficult not to do...