Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

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

Hyperemesis Support

324 replies

LucindaE · 17/07/2023 19:34

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
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Jessica1782 · 10/08/2023 21:39

Hi everyone

I’m wondering when you would consider sickness bad enough to get meds?

I am 8 weeks pregnant and prior to today haven’t actually vomited, just been nauseous 24/7

But today I’ve vomited in 5 separate sessions, including completely wetting myself the final time. I can’t keep anything down.

I have a GP appointment Monday but I’m supposed to be catching a short flight tomorrow - do you think it’s OTT to call EPU tomorrow to see if they can get me something sooner? Or chalk it up to one bad day?

thank you

Vivi0 · 10/08/2023 21:39

Rohise · 01/08/2023 20:35

Hello, just wondering how’s everyone doing?

im nearly 23 weeks this week. Anatomy scan showed good organs so for those worrying about the effect of ondansetron its looking good.

i have tried going without ondansetron, managed three days only once a day, then tried it totally without. However, sickness was back up so i just went back to twice a day (my usual dose).
im back to work so ill try reducing doses again after my 24week during my holiday/leave. but work has been really understanding, i can take a lot of breaks.
still taking lactulose daily to keep my regular movements.

Just wondering how was it like for previous hg sufferers here, until when did you have to take ondansetron and lactulose?
i know i need these medications still, and it has helped me greatly keep food down and gain some weight (finally). But im keen to not take them if i really could and really enjoy my pregnancy.

thanks

I’ve just come across this thread.

I had HG in both my pregnancies.

With DS1 I took Cyclizine for the duration of my pregnancy, and that allowed me to just about function and work right up until the beginning of my Mat leave.

With DS2 however, I was signed off work from around week 4 of my pregnancy. I was in an out of hospital repeatedly until I could be prescribed Ondansetron at 12 weeks. I took it up until DS2 was born because the alternative for me was hospitalisation for IV fluids and not being able to pick my head up from my pillow. My HG never got better in either pregnancy, I’m afraid.

I would recommend taking the medication if you need it. Both my boys are healthy and doing great.

I hope you’re feeling as well as you can be.

Vivi0 · 10/08/2023 21:45

Jessica1782 · 10/08/2023 21:39

Hi everyone

I’m wondering when you would consider sickness bad enough to get meds?

I am 8 weeks pregnant and prior to today haven’t actually vomited, just been nauseous 24/7

But today I’ve vomited in 5 separate sessions, including completely wetting myself the final time. I can’t keep anything down.

I have a GP appointment Monday but I’m supposed to be catching a short flight tomorrow - do you think it’s OTT to call EPU tomorrow to see if they can get me something sooner? Or chalk it up to one bad day?

thank you

It’s definitely not OTT to ask for something sooner.

If it is indeed one bad day, you don’t need to take the medication. Much better to have it with you to take should you need it.

LucindaE · 11/08/2023 22:12

Jessica1782 Welcome. I so agree with Viv0 do ask for meds and you can take them if it stays bad. Sorry you are suffering. I hope you won't need my normal advice, but just in case, here is 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 recommended), 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.
Viv0 Sorry you suffered so badly before. Great advice.

OP posts:
LucindaE · 12/08/2023 15:10

Jessica1782 I hope you got the meds.

OP posts:
LashesZ · 13/08/2023 15:17

Hi all, hope everyone is managing okay.
I'm 10 weeks and sadly HG is worsening, I initially thought I had it a bit easier this pregnancy.

Im so down in the dumps that poor DH and DD are picking up the pieces. I feel useless. DH has had a week off this week and looks worse for it. They aren't complaining though, I am lucky to have them.

Cyclizine isn't cutting it anymore so I'm going to have to sort some ondansentron Monday. I've tried to avoid it so far as DH is wary of it given the fuss the Drs made when prescribing it for my last pregnancy but I can't go on like this, especially as HG lasted up until delivery last time.

Hugs to all - it's reassuring to know there are others out there who understand it isn't just a bit of morning sickness!

freshprints · 13/08/2023 18:27

Hi everyone. I'm 16 weeks and so far my sickness has been quite well controlled with Xonvea. Still nauseous all the time but coping. However, today I've been vomiting all day and not keeping anything down. It feels like it did at 6 weeks and i feel so defeated. Hoping it's just a bad day (surge of hormones?), but could the xonvea hace stopped working?

Sending love to all suffering. It sucks x

LucindaE · 13/08/2023 22:01

LashesZ It is disturbing when doctors are so cautious about meds. Yet, in over 12 yearsof these threads, with countless women on them on a cocktail of meds throughout their pregnancies besides Ondansetron, not one has reported an abnormalty. The risks are very low and if the choice is between that very small risk factor and prolonged malnutrition and spells of severe dehydration, most doctors choose Ondansetron.
freshprints It could well be a bad day or a hormonal surge. I know there's one round 14 weeks and one round 20 weeks, not sure about 16 weeks, but it could well be. It does seem to have come on suddenly, while you would expect the meds not working to start a bit more gradually. It's nerve wracking, but it might be worth seeing how things are tomorrow and if they're still bad asking for something else? Not sure if this is your first Hyperemesis pregnancy? From your resigned tone, I suspect you to be a veteran...

OP posts:
freshprints · 14/08/2023 12:38

Thanks @LucindaE ! You are right, this is my second time, and having a toddler to look after makes it extra challenging.

Have been a long time lurker on these threads and picked up some helpful tips :-) still feeling grim today but less vomiting and managed an ice lolly at least.

foldingtowels · 14/08/2023 16:36

Hi,

Can I join please? I am a long time lurker on this thread. Changed my username before this post as it will be identifying and don't want it linked to my other posts.

Due on 2nd November with a little boy and suffering from Hyperemisis. On my 5th set of medication. Have a combination of ondansetron (3 times a day) and prochlorperazine (twice a day).

First time trying this combination, both tablets on their own didn't work for me. Has anyone had this combination and found it helped? I am so mentally and physically drained. Not being physically sick as much anymore but have constant nausea 24/7. Feel like it is ruining my life.

Can't even do simple tasks like housework etc as I am so ill. Really getting me down now and feel scared that this will be my life forever.

I already have a little girl and my 1st pregnancy was totally different, I was fine the 1st time round.

This will 100% be my last pregnancy as I could never go through this again.

Sorry to anyone else who feels like this as it's not nice.

Thanks for reading

Yarnle · 14/08/2023 20:57

@foldingtowels sorry you are going through this! I am 12 days behind you and could have written this myself, although it’s only my first pregnancy. Constantly nauseous and it’s debilitating beyond belief. I haven’t tried the combination of meds but have heard they can work for some. I just keep thinking we are on the home stretch now and managed more than half the pregnancy feeling like utter rubbish so we can do the rest, as hard as it is!! Hardest thing I’ve ever been through physically, mentally, emotionally. There is an end! I too have the fear I’m stuck like this forever but know that for the majority of people as soon as the placenta is out, the HG vanishes. I am counting down the days!

freshprints · 14/08/2023 21:41

@foldingtowels I've had prochloroperazine but not both together... it does seem to be trial and error what works. My docs seemed less worried about the nausea but it is awful isn't it and really affects your life! Like @Yarnle said you've made it through most of the way, hope the rest goes quickly for you both! I'm in the NEVER AGAIN camp too.

LucindaE · 14/08/2023 22:13

FoldingTowels Welcome. Sorry you are suffering badly. As you have seen my normal spiel as a long time 'lurker', I won't need to repeat it. I hope that combination helps you. it has helped many on here. Sorry to ask an obvious question, but does an anti acid help? Things have improved for many later on in pregnancy. I hope it does for you too. I hope you have help with your LO from friends or family or OH. I've added your date.
freshprints I am glad this thread has helped. I hope you are gettng help with LO too. Great advice from you and Yarnle.

Due Dates

Yoga817 7 August or 28 August TWINS!
Wrenegade 15 August
Roxster 31 August
Improbablecat 13 October
Bunda 19 October
FoldingTowels 2 November
Ambern7 10 November
15 December Dinosaurous
15 December OnNature's Course
Mamash 22 December
Kxxx 28 January

OP posts:
Lwrenagain · 14/08/2023 22:40

Hi hg family!

@LucindaE hope you're well aunty Lucinda!

Well ladies my final HG battle has ended, yesterday my little girl decided at 35 weeks she was bored of cooking was born via EmCs! She is a beautiful and healthy 7lb05 bundle of joy! We're both doing well, shes a touch of jaundice and I'm feeling a bit "day after surgery", but that aside all good!

Sending love and strength to you all.
Clichéd, but goodness knows she's worth it!

Mamash · 14/08/2023 23:55

Awwww Congratulations @Lwrenagain
So happy for you!

These little ones always have a mind of theirs isn't it? 🤣
Hope the jaundice clears up quickly and you also start to feel better soon...

foldingtowels · 15/08/2023 09:56

@LucindaE thanks for the reply. Only tried gaviscon as gp hasn't prescribed omeprazole yet. I asked about it yesterday but she said to try the combination of tablets first then we can look at adding that in. Fingers crossed these start to help a little. It really is so draining.

foldingtowels · 15/08/2023 10:01

@Yarnle @freshprints thanks to you both for the reply. It is good to hear there is other people feeling the same way as no1 I know has had hyperemisis so they don't understand it like we do.

Taking both tablets made me feel a bit "funny" last night but I am exhausted and had been panicking about taking both together so the stress probably added to the funny feeling.

I must admit most days I am thinking to myself "I honestly can't do this anymore" I know I can but it feels impossible. So grateful for this pregnancy as we suffered a miscarriage last year but can't believe how different 1 pregnancy can be from another.

Sending love to everyone on this thread Flowers

LashesZ · 15/08/2023 13:09

My GP has prescribed Xonvea which I must say I'm hesitant to take although aware it's licensed for pregnant women.

The GP was basically clueless (I understand it's newly licensed) and gave me a lecture on cleft palate risk of ondansetron when I asked as it's what I had with my previous pregnancy.

I don't like the idea of having to wean myself off Xonvea. I think it's just new to me and sounds a bit daunting. The challenge will be finding it in a pharmacy I'm sure!

InvisibleDreamer · 15/08/2023 14:35

Bit of positive news Promethazine seems to be working for me! I can manage small meals without hours of horrible nausea (still a bit nauseated for about an hour) and no evening retching and vomiting! Apart from prochloroperazine (which docs made me wean off!) nothing else has worked including xonvea so I would recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already or if you are like me and most drugs don’t seem to work. It may also be HG is now naturally starting to improve but after a really rough week last week I am so relieved to be on these tablets.🤞all ok with little one getting regular movements now so that’s reassuring.

Mamash · 15/08/2023 16:56

@LashesZ I tried cyclizine, ondansetron and prochlorperazine but they didn't really help. Xonvea was recommended by a friend who is also a GP and had HG till a week after she had her baby. I spoke with my GP and it was prescribed. I've been on it for a while now and I'm at 21.5weeks I am able to keep food down quite well.
The aspect of weaning myself off it or reducing and stopping completely is related to me ensuring that I do not start to have severe symptoms afterwards because I'm no longer medications to help with the symptoms. And this you'll be required to do with all the medications until you are symptom free or are okay without them.

LashesZ · 15/08/2023 20:13

@Mamash thank you for the info - glad it's working for you. I went in to the GP consultation fully expecting ondansetron to come my way so walked out a bit baffled so thank you for the reassurance.

LucindaE · 16/08/2023 09:16

Lwrenagain Congratulations on your baby girl. That is such happy news. I am glad she is doing well, despite arriviing early, and hope she soon throws off the jaundice. Thank you so much for coming on to encourage others and enjoy baby. I hope you get over feeling battered soon, with so much joy ahead.
FlowersStarSmile
Mamash So true. Great advice.
FoldingTowels Sorry about your previous mc. I hope anti acids do the trick.
LashesZ I believe there was a study where a miniscule correlation between cleft palate and Ondansetron was seen - but infinitely lower than the damage done by prolonged dehydration. I understand doctors being cautious, but nobody on twelve years or so of these threads has ever reported that as a result of Ondansetron.
InvisibleDreamer I am glad that Promethazine is helping.
Apologies to anyone rudely overlooked.

OP posts:
LucindaE · 16/08/2023 21:25

Everyone: I have to go down to see Mother in hospital. I hope to be back on Sunday. I know you will all do an excellent job of supporting each other.

OP posts:
Luce8910 · 18/08/2023 13:53

I recently got prescribed xonvea after my first hospital checkup at 10 weeks- I'd been prescribed cyclizine previously by the GP which I found to be useless and was being sick between once and 6 times a day as well as having 24/7 nausea and dysgeugia (which I find particularly horrific in the evening). I wasn't able to do more than a few sips of any drink - except really bizarrely mocha Frappuccinos (currently contributing quite a bit to their profit line!) I was also so miserable, lonely and depressed as was unable to go to the office or to see friends. HOWEVER, having started xonvea on Monday, I'm now feeling a lot better- I've even managed to do an online pilates class today (I love exercise but haven't been able to go since 6w), I don't have such bad nausea at all and haven't been sick since Monday pm. It feels like I have some semblance of a life again and feel SO much happier for it. The hospital told me the GP would kick up a fuss as Xonvea costs them £25/ packet Vs £3 a packet for cyclizine - they were right and GP threw toys of the pram but I pushed on the basis hospital said it was now the NICE recommendation, I was dehydrated, other meds didn't work and I couldn't actually consume any liquids and eventually he relented. It's just a combination of B vits and antihistamines- of course they can't say anything is 100% safe but since it's now NICE first recommendation it feels like a sound option- and it's helped me so much!

LashesZ · 20/08/2023 07:42

Unfortunately Xonvea put me right back to the start of not being able to keep anything down and ended up being admitted. At least I was discharged with my holy grail ondasetron/cyclizine combo in the end.

Glad to hear Xonvea works for some - at least it is another option Smile