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Original poster

need help re Hyperemesis/morning sickness and my medication to help it??

50 replies

glaskhamhasoneintheoven · 20/09/2008 10:14

I am nearly 10 wks pregnant, had Hyperemesis with DS 4 years ago, was in hospital on drips etc etc... fine with DD'd pregnancy... this time i was throwing up from 4weeks and GP put my on a medicine called Maxolon at 6wks as i was borderline Hyperemesis, he said if the meds didn't work he'd have to send me to hospital which i can't physically do with 2 under 4's and a DH who can't really take time off work so easily.

Anyway, went to collect my new prescription of my meds yesterday and he wanted me to see him, so made an app for yesterday morning. Saw him and he's given me my last dose of 100mls of medicine, i normally get 200mls and it lasts about a week. Have reduced the dosage myself as i could last without the mid-day dose, but i'll be sick in a morning until i get my first dose. Last night i tried to half my bedtime dose to ease the coming off the meds for my body and i was up all night throwing up, and am now looking after my kids with only 2hrs sleep!!

Will my GP have to give me more if i am still sick after coming off the meds?? I'm scared it's going to escalate fast like it did with DS's pregnancy and i'll be in hospital. I planned to have a work with my midwife when i see her on weds.... my sickness didn't stop at all with DS either, i'm just really scared i'll end up not getting anywhere with my GP as yesterday i seemed fine about coming off it... its only since it sank in and he'd given me half my normal prescription that i realised i'm gonna only be just over 10wks pg when i run out....

Please help me????

OP posts:
lilymolly · 20/09/2008 10:28

Why dont you just go back and tell him, you need more medicine?
What is the generic name for Maxolon btw because the durg of choice now for hyperemesis is cyclazine- I have just been given another 30 days supply at 14 weeks as sickness has still not gone away- no questions asked.
I would insist on medication tbh, speak to midwife on wednesday and ask her advice- she will be able to ask the consultants at the hospital to give you more medication
GPs are notoriously bad at helping with morning sickness.
Hope you feel better soon, its really shit isnt it. x

Original poster
glaskhamhasoneintheoven · 20/09/2008 10:31

I did think about just going back after a couple of days throwing up and insisting on more medication... think i'll speak to the midwife first... someone on my pregnancy thread said it's the cheap stuff he's given me, but it works so i'm not bothered what it is!!

I did expect him to fob me off to begin with but he did prescribe me with something!!

And yes it is shitty!! Thanks!!

OP posts:
Cosmogirl · 20/09/2008 12:58

Hi Glask,

Sorry to hear you are still suffering. I am going to see my GP on Monday because am still feeling terrible and think I need so help now. I'm not able to eat much still - just cereals and bread - sick of it now! I'm nearly 13 weeks so all the stuff about it wanning after 12 has not come true for me, in fact it was week 11/12 when I started vomiting rather than heaving.

I'm sure your GP will give you more meds if things aren't getting any better. If not, maybe see if you can get a second opinion. I have no clue whether my GP will be understanding or not - she is a she - so maybe that will go in my favour but you never know..

Good luck.

Original poster
glaskhamhasoneintheoven · 20/09/2008 17:23

thanks cosmo... i've spent most of the day on the couch feeling sorry for myself- i suppose i'm just worried about what 'might happen' when i come off them. I will soon have a midwife to go to aswell as my GP if he wont give me anything else.

as for you, i never stopped being sick when pg with DS... but most wear off between 12 & 16weeks so there's still time for it to wear off, but i know how you feel as to wanting some help, surely if only eating so little you'll get given something very easily.

OP posts:
lou031205 · 20/09/2008 17:52

Maxalon is metoclopramide.

Cosmogirl · 20/09/2008 18:08

My day has been pretty much the same. Sitting on the sofa and waiting to throw up. Finally did at 3 pm, then again at 4 - now I am in bed with my laptop feeling the nausea build again.... It just seems to be never-ending.

I am eating very little and have lost over a stone, so will tell the GP this and hopefully will help my case. I hope I'm one of the lucky ones who feels fine after 16 weeks - but there is always this negative voice in my head who says 'what if you have it until the end?' Can't bear that thought at the moment.

Try not to worry too much. They shouldn't deny you the meds if they are helping you function, esp with your past history.

Peachy · 20/09/2008 18:12

Go back

with ds1 i was ospitalised; good case management that after developing it with the next 3 hospitalisation wasnt needed

good luck. if you get nowhere see another gp; the only real danger with hg (bar psychological) is dehydration; if meds aviod that then they're clearly indicated

Original poster
glaskhamhasoneintheoven · 20/09/2008 18:13

DH said he'll come with me to the GP later next week after my meds have ran out if i need more.... and he'll make sure i get given some more if i need to!! He's my hero!!

Oh Cosmo- thats a lot of weight to loose when pg- i'm still weighing less than i did pre-pg because of the amount i lost in the 2weeks before i got the medicine. My appetite isn't what it was so i've not been eating enough to put much back on, but maybe thats not such a bad thing when i'm showing so much already too!! (and may make loosing baby weight after easier to begin with!! )

OP posts:
Swaliswan · 20/09/2008 21:07

I'm not sure why your GP has put a limit on your medication - it seems like a very strange practice. There are other meds you can have but each Trust has different views on what the drug of choice for hyperemesis is and how much they are willing to pay if you haven't been hospitalised. The important thing with hyperemesis is to treat it aggressively preferably before it becomes very problematic to prevent complications arising from dehydration. The complications can be very serious (more so for you than the baby to begin with) so it is important that you persist with the meds if you need them. Preventing escalation of symptoms will be easier than treating them so why not go back to your GP before you have run out?

Make sure that you are getting enough salt and sugar as well if you can. It is perfectly possible to avoid hospitalisation with appropriate care. I would definitely push for more meds and ask why he wants to ration them. GPs are very scared because of the thalidomide problems but if you have already had meds it seems strange to not let you continue if they are working well. I know that in our trust, you can have regular anti-sickness injections given by the district nurses if that is more appropriate and effective for you.

Not sure what else to say really. Every experience of HG is different but they are all completely terrible. I do sympathise. I nearly kissed the pharmacist today that managed to get hold of my meds for me that I had during my last pg. Apparently they are no longer manufactured so you can guess how desperate I was getting!

RosyBelle · 20/09/2008 21:17

Any time before 12 weeks the GP's will be wary of any prescription drugs. I was on Maxalon in 1st pregnancy with DD - it didn't work for me. It is used my migrain sufferers to digest the contents of the stomach quickly (thus enabling the migraine tablets to work quickly). It made the contents of my stomach digest quickly but I still vommited bile instead of food.
I have managed to stay off meds this time until 21 weeks (v. determined). But am 24 wks now and after trying avomine & stemitil I have today been prescribed Zofran .
It is a very scary drug used by chemo patients to limit their vommiting. I have just thrown up my last tablet so am not hopeful.
if you are confident that your sickness will end then try to keep sugar levels up too - lucozade etc.
I have been sick since 4 wks and depression is setting in.
Good luck

Swaliswan · 20/09/2008 21:32

Rosybelle - If you are throwing up the tablets, there are other methods of getting and keeping the drug in you. Zofran is normally very effective but as I'm sure you are aware it is the most expensive anti-sickness drug by quite a long way. The tablets are the cheapest form IIRC, but if you haven't lost too much muscle mass, the injections aren't too much more expensive and would be better for you. Alternatively, you can get suppositories that are effective but very expensive (£14+ per suppository).

RosyBelle · 20/09/2008 21:37

Thanx Swaliswan - i was on 'melt in mouth' stemitil but my GP seemed to think the Zofran tablets would work so well that I wouldn't need other methods of getting the drug in. If I continue to throw them up I will def ask about the injections.

Swaliswan · 20/09/2008 21:48

I find buccastem rubbish as well, Rosy. I used to have to take it out to throw up and then put it back in my mouth afterwards - eurgh!

NorkyButNice · 20/09/2008 21:57

Definitely go back to the doctors and say you need to up your intake again - they'll be as keen as you to avoid a stay in hospital I'm sure.

I ended up on Zofran after losing over 2 stone in the first 3 months of pregnancy. I'd been on metoclopramide for a couple of months by this point but it was only when I lost 12lb in 2 weeks that he wheeled out the big guns.

HG is the worst (and enough to put me off getting pregnant again anytime soon) - I literally couldn't move quickly or suddenly without being sick, and just staying upright quickly led to vomiting.

Good luck!

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 20/09/2008 21:57

Ended up on Zofran with DD1 ( + several hospitalisation) was on it from the start with DD2 is no scarier than maxalon or stemitil just vvvvv expensive but it is also (for me) much more effective, one of the reasons it's used for oncology patients!

glaskham I would not leave it until you have run out to see your GP you may find it difficult to get and appointment etc... and will end up feeling dreadful prior to the meeting go sooner if you feel you are going to need the cointinutation as it sounds you are.....your GP should be there to help HG is not some imagined thing or a bit of morning sickness it is debilitating and he/she should be there to help!

bikerunski · 20/09/2008 22:04

I was hospitalised 4 times (28 days in total) between weeks 8 and 14 with hyperemisis and went through the whole arsenal of clyclazine, metoclopramide and stemitil. Stemitil, as intramuscular injections worked best for me, mostly because it knocked me out! Cyclizine tablets were no good, and cyclazine in my drip just made me hallucinate!

My GP was very good and very understanding about getting me admitted to hospital. Fortunatley, I have no other DC to look after, and a very understanding employer and a brilliant DH.

As well as dehyration, of rather because of the dehydration, I had a urinary tract infection - sympoms - nausea!!!! I ended up having the antibiotics for it by drip, as I couldn't keep them down if I swallowed them.

I had DS two weeks ago. Despite the weeks of hyperemisis and emergency caesarean, I fell in love with him immediately. All the aggro of the last nine months has just paled into inignificance.

Peachy · 20/09/2008 22:18

Bucastem made me worse too. Zofran is very high;ly regarded but when it comes to HG, there's no magic pill- different women suit different meds, there's a bit of trial involved

Pruners · 21/09/2008 18:23

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aGalChangedHerName · 21/09/2008 18:35

Yoo Hoo Pruni!!! Congratulations to you!!

Just found out on Wednesday theat you are pg. I am sooo sorry to hear that things are so bad for you

I wish i was nearer,i could have helped you out with ds in some way.

Never suffered from hyperemesis so no help to you. I hope things improve for you very soon xx

Cosmogirl · 22/09/2008 11:07

Pruners - I think they check your urine to see if you are dehyrated and if you are starving (if so they fine ketones in your urine). At that point they will admit you I think. Not an expert tho.

I'm going to the GP tonight to beg for some help. 13 weeks and am throwing up 4/5 times a day and have lost 1 stone 5 pounds since the beginning of this preg.

Pruners · 22/09/2008 15:05

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Pruners · 22/09/2008 15:06

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lilymolly · 22/09/2008 15:13

how high where ketones pruners? mine where plus 3 and that was cause for admission to hospital for a drip.

Massive sympathies btw
I am now 15 weeks and feel better but still yacky sometimes

Cosmogirl · 22/09/2008 18:36

Hi fellow sufferers,

Back from Dr and she prescribed 4 weeks worth of Metroprocloide tablets [think same thing you are on Glask]. She tested my urine and found I was dehydrated and might have a urine infection because high levels of protein, which could be why I'm feeling so sick. She has told me not to go in to work for the rest of the week and to come back on Fri to see her, and see if things are improving.

I feel relieved to have got some help at last. Anyone have experience of these tablets. Do they work and if so how quickly?

countrylover · 23/09/2008 12:49

Hey Comsogirl,

Have the tablets taken effect yet? Do you feel any better?

Sending you hugs xx