Unable to keep anti sickness medication down

[NP2705]

Hi,

After suffering with HG in my first pregnancy I am again experiencing it in this pregnancy. I’ve been on medication for a few days now but since yesterday I have been unable to keep anything down including the tablets.

Has anyone had anti sickness injections rather than tablets? I’m going to call my GP today to see what they suggest. I’m starting to feel dehydrated (can’t even keep water down) so need to get on top of this!

Commiserations. It's dreadful. The absolute worst. I've had two HG pregnancies. What drugs are you on?
You can take lots of anti sickness drugs together. At my worst I was taking stemetil, cyclizine, metoclopramide and ondansetron. Omeprazole also helps the acid. If you're not on the either ondansetron or metoclopramide yet then you must get them. However, if you're dehydrated then you will need to be admitted to hospital for IV fluids and they will then give you IV drugs. I was admitted twice. It depends where you live but certain areas will have special units for this. Mine was attached to the gynae ward in hospital. You're best off ringing Pregnancy Sickness Support (charity) for support. They have all the updated information and join the thread on here "Hyperemesis support" which was a great source of help.

Also, I had a few intramuscular injections of stemetil.

Sending the biggest hugs. Hg is horrendous and I completely sympathise.
Yes they can give you IV medication. Cyclizine is 1st line and then ondansatron is 2nd and if that still doesn't work 3rd line is steroids. I had all of them IV and tablet form. Cyclizine didn't agree with me so I ended up on metoclopromide alternating with ondansatron etc.

Depending where you live many hospitals now have day units specifically for hg sufferers to access iv medication etc without needing to be admitted. If you look on the pregnancy sickness support page there is a list of hospitals. Some you may need gp referral others are walk in. Most are part of the Early Pregnancy Unit. If you can't access that or the GP says no I would go to a and e. I had to several times before I was taken seriously. The sooner you can get on top of the vomiting the better. Also if they do give you ondansatron make sure you ask for a laxative as it makes you really constipated.

There is also a newer medication called xonvea that I got for my 2nd hg pregnancy and it worked really well. I didn't need iv medication or daily hospital trips for months like I did in my 1st pregnancy.

If you haven't seen already there is a hyperemesis support under the pregnancy section on here. Honestly that page got me through both pregnancies through the darkest of days.

Wishing you all the best OP.

Thank you @sunflowerandivy and @abbs1 at the moment I’m just on cyclizine but was on a combination of a few last time.

that’s really useful to know about the day units for IV fluids. Last time I was told my ketones weren’t high enough for fluids but from my initial chat with my GP last week attitudes appear to have changed.

Your messages have given me some good points to raise with him this morning.

Ondansetron comes in a wafer which just melts on your tongue. I found that great , and I also used to go and get a Maxalon injection every morning on the way to work. Good luck !

Thank you @ShippingNews i asked my GP about alternatives to tablets and he just said there’s nothing else he can prescribe and my only option is to go to A&E.

I don’t feel sick enough yet to warrant waiting for a hospital waiting room for hours but feeling a bit disheartened now!

Ours has a day unit for hypermesis speficially test ketones and give u fluids based on that

u can have prochlorperazine and others

gp sounds rubbish and wasting ED time? When they already full
do u have a epu??

I’ve just been to A&E where I was sent to the on-site GP. He gave me an anti sickness injection and then told me as I can’t do a urine sample (because I just can’t get any wee out) that he can’t admit me because he can’t test for ketones. But surely not being able to wee is a sign of dehydration.

Its left me feeling quite down about it all

Hey OP,

How are you doing? I hope you've managed to get the care you are needing. 🫂

Vomity high 5 from fellow hg sufferer @NP2705.
Agree with all above, I get stemitil buccal tablets which slowly dissolve under the gum. Have also had my pre natal vitamins and iron changed to liquid as can't hold the tablets down. Definitely pop over to the HG board!

Hi @abbs1 and @MichelleScarn i did thank you. I’m on my second admission for HG now with very understanding and lovely medical staff. Hoping this next change in meds will be the one that works for me!

Oh its so not fun, but enjoy the current loveliness of the relief getting an iv and fluids gives you and relax!

Oh I'm so glad you've got really good care and help. What meds are you currently being given?
Enjoy the rest and iv as much as you can. I was always admitted as a day case each day for months and the iv meds and fluids left me going home on cloud 9 and my midnight I was vomiting again and counting down the hours until I could go back in for more iv meds.

Oh @abbs1 im hoping I last a little longer before coming back.

Last time they tried me on Xonvea, metoclopromide and phochlorperazine and now I’m on

Prochlorperazine and chlorpromazine - it’s helped me keep feed down all today so I’m hopeful

Oh I hope so.

Xonvea worked amazing for me with my daughter but can take two weeks to build up in your body before you notice any change.

Metoclopromide and ondansatron were my main ones and then steroids with my son. But I really hope the ones you have work and keep you out of hospital 🙏

How many weeks are you?