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Original poster

hyperemesis and general unwellness...what can I do?

362 replies

pavlovthepregnantcat · 13/05/2009 15:09

I am sick of feeling unwell. I feel really really unwell.

I have been signed off for 3 weeks with hyperemesis, this being my 3rd week, due back to work next week.

The sickness is improving somewhat at 13 weeks (today) This time 2 weeks ago, nothing was staying down. Now I keep down more than I sick up, but I am also eating less. I am fine for fluids now, much better than last week.

But overall, I do not feel better, I feel groggy most of the time, I sleep a lot, does not make a difference. I have an almost constant headache, most food makes me feel sick/be sick, bowels feel like I am going to have a tummy bug although I do not have a tummy bug. I am moody, grumpy, snappy, feel hot although no temperature. I do not feel pregnant, I feel unwell.

I have had 2 sessions of acupuncture but what with DH being out of work, can't really afford any more right now (£35 a session). I have acupuncture bands, am trying to eat as healthily as I can, but not eating very much.

I am quite sick of it right now, I want to feel just abit more human.

Any tips please?

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pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 13:11

Dr signed me off for rest of week. I said, probably be ok by tomorrow, so today will do, he said, no, you have a headache as you are dehydrated and you should have the rest of the week off get your hydration back to normal. Also said that if i feel dehydrated over the next few days go back to see him as he would like to consider arranging for me to go into hospital for a full rehydration . Weird eh, as I have been ok ish for a week, I guess its going on too long for nothing else to be done? I don't know. He also said, drugs are not a magic cure, they will ease it for some, and stop it for some.

rookie81 · 27/05/2009 13:33

So i went to the docs............ i walked in and burst into tears!!! how lame! was sat in waiting room feeling awful it all just got too much for me. she has given me cyclizine, although she says its unlicensed for pregnant women. so i'm in 2 minds. I got to the chemist and they were VERY reluctant to give me it, they called the company who made it and my gp to make sure so i think this has made me panic...... i dunno. Chemist very sweet tho n said i looked very pale (i'm mixed race ha) and got me a drink bless!!!! My gp has also suggested GINGER, If i hadn't been so emotional i think i may have got violent!!!! eat little n often, fibre blah blah blah. So i went to asda on way home to get some bran flakes haha, then some woman behind me plonks some supposedly 'fresh' fish on counter next to me- my god it smelt sooooo bad.
have eaten bran flakes with sultanas and so far so good ( its been 20 mins).................. watch this space!!!!

YanknCock · 27/05/2009 13:38

rookie, don't panic, I was given cyclizine too, and GP phoned up specialist unit in Liverpool to check it was ok. It's what they give some of the pregnant ladies who are admitted for hyperemesis. Nobody even blinked at my chemist (not sure if that's a good thing?).

Sorry, I threw my back out yesterday trying to 'tidy' (stupid SPD!), so I couldn't put on my Anti-Ginger Avenger outfit and swoop in to slap your GP!

YanknCock · 27/05/2009 13:40

pavlov, glad GP is making you take the time off. Try not to push yourself, it only makes it worse in the long run. Hoping you don't need to get admitted.

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 13:42

rookie - I have been given cyclizine too. Dr was also very very reluctant to give it, and like you so was the pharmacist. However, the gp explained it to me as - whether there is a risk is unknown, not that there is a risk or no risk. He said there has been no known cases of any health issues with women or babies born by women who take this drug. But he said that gps do not like to prescribe any medication to a pregnant woman unless absolutely necessary. When the duty Dr prescribed this to me, he said, the risk of the unknown, the uncertainty (but not ever proven to be a risk) was weighed against the known risks of dehydration and malnutrition of the pregnant woman and the developing baby. When he put me on it, I was at risk of becoming ill enough that known harm could be caused to the baby or me, and that outweighed the unknown hazards of a drug that has been used in this manner for years with no known problems. So if you are being as sick as you are, you need to consider this. I also found up until last couple of days that I only needed one tablet in the morning to hold me. That might work for you.

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 13:45

Yank x-posted! Duty Dr also told me that if I am admitted to hosp, they would give me a cockail of anti-emetics to keep the sickness at bay while they hydrate me, so I felt, better to have one drug I have some control over, than be given whatever they shove into me with no say at all.

rookie81 · 27/05/2009 13:50

Thanks guys............ i think i'll give it a go then. I've put myself back in bed now, bran flakes are still down.......... i'm sick of this taste in my mouth tho. gonna have a nap and hope all is well when i wake up wishful thinking i know..............

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 13:54

rookie - hope the nap and bran flakes help x

I just feel so useless. Again. I have had so much more energy over the last week or so, and felt so much more normal again, and now i just feel walloped again .

AND, we got the builders in on monday to put up scaffolding, the following monday, work starts on our loft...DH has not even cleared the loft out yet! its going to be hard 2 months that is for sure

audreyraines · 27/05/2009 14:28

[slaps the ginger advice giving dr]

pavlov, sorry you're being so sick again my love, what a pain, just after you were managing to eat a little bit again. rest up and be gentle with yourself. xx

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 14:32

It is just too much. I want to enjoy this pg but i just can't i feel too rotten.

YanknCock · 27/05/2009 14:33

pavlov, I'm beyond useless these days. The SPD is making everything so difficult. Honestly, all I tried to do yesterday was tidy up, and in doing so I lifted one of DH's guitars to put it in the corner--and promptly threw my lower back out. Can barely walk today.

I've always been very strong, used to do care work and lift adult men FFS, and never waited for a man to carry/move heavy stuff for me in my life! DH used to call me his 'little pack horse' because I could carry so much. Oh, I want to be myself again! I will seriously cry if I need a C section, I want to be up and lifting everything as soon as this is over!

Trikken · 27/05/2009 14:38

Just wanted to say I too seem to be ok if I take just the one cyclizine tablet in the morning, once you've been able to eat properly your stomach seems to settle.

audreyraines · 27/05/2009 14:53

it's really hard. i feel a bit guilty for not enjoying this pregnancy. i just hate saying to ds 'mummy's just going to sit down/lie down for a bit' when he's desperately wanting me to do something.

beakysmum · 27/05/2009 20:19

my heart goes out to you all; its so true no-one knows what it is like until you have been through it. Epecially crap women managers who had great pregnancies.

We are supposed to be trying for our third this summer, but I have to say I just can't get excited about it knowing how ill I will be from now until Easter.... and I'm not even as ill as some of you, some sickness but just horribly nauseous the whole 9 months, travel sick, headaches, exhausted and a bit low.

I'm taking encouragment from you Vanload! Watch this space and hope you all feel better soon.

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 20:49

beaky - 0h good luck! I am hoping that this won't put me off another one, should we decide to have a 3rd. We had sort of said we would like 3, but if we don't I don't want it to be because of the pg, but we shall see how long this goes on for.

audreyraines · 27/05/2009 22:06

beaky - i hope the next one will be a magical blooming pregnancy for you.

i think i'm afraid that this is my last. certain that i don't want to go through this again! i'm happy with two though.

pavlovthecat · 27/05/2009 22:45

Tea stayed down. plain salmon, boiled new potatoes, green beans (have i said that already? can't remember ), i ate about half of a small portion so that is good.

But, DD and DH made me carrot cake. I ate some about 30 mins ago as felt faint and thought I might be hungry. It has all come up, along with sooooo much acid where is that coming from? (well obviously my stomach but not happened so far apart from on occasion, now its constant!).

Shame, DH and DD made a LOT of carrot cake. I think it shall be given as gifts to some lovely friends!

I think I am getting a cold. Perhaps that is why I am being sick, upsetting my body or something?

Kathyis6incheshigh · 28/05/2009 09:27

Pavlov maybe it's because you used up a lot of energy at the weekend that you're feeling bad again? I always found (until a couple of weeks ago) that if I had a good weekend I paid the price. Sensible doc making you rest.

pavlovthecat · 28/05/2009 11:23

Yeah, you might right kathy. Also I have a stiff neck and headache, think i have a cold/bug of some kind coming, perhaps that is not helping. I have just had the most intense craving for peanut butter and crumpets. DH had to go get them as he has ordered our shopping to arrive tonight! But i ate 3 of them and now worried i overindulged. I was so hungry though as no brekky .

Moosy · 28/05/2009 11:34

Pavlov I'm always sick if I have a stiff neck/back or headache. I get DH to massage my back and neck to ease it and that really helps, is your DH any good at that? I second the idea about over doing things at the weekend too, tiredness certainly makes it worse so maybe this is just an extended version?

pavlovthecat · 28/05/2009 11:44

I had a bloody great time at the weekend though, and felt fine then. But have been sick ever since, so it may well be the case that i over did it. I swam in quite rough seas each day, although for only a short while (body boarding on some surf waves....fantastic) well, guess no more of that for a while then

audreyraines · 28/05/2009 13:20

pavlov, i'm the same, can have a really great energetic weekend with dh and ds and feel totally fine. come monday though, i'm a complete wreck and just want to sleep all day (and go back to vomiting). i'm quite certain my vomiting is based on level of tiredness. it's hard to find a good balance between enjoyijng yourself and resting up. i get quite bored if i rest all the time.

i just bought a large size salad from ottolenghi (their salads are hte BEST) and i'm looking forward to nibbling it all afternoon. hope that keeps the tiredness at bay. it's my birthday tomorrow and i'm trying to make a baked cheesecake to have in the park with friends tomorrow. want to do it while ds naps, even though i should probably nap myself.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 28/05/2009 13:46

You do have to push yourself to do these things that cheer you up, even if you have to pay for it later, I think. It's no surprise that people get depressed with HG.
Good luck with baked cheesecake Audrey

audreyraines · 28/05/2009 14:44

it is totally depressing when you can't enjoy food, and don't have energy to do anything. i'm just so glad i manage to have some decent days now. actually sometimes i enjoy the small things more because of this experience. i am really looking forward to digging in the sand all afternoon with ds and making sandcastles. the weather is nice too. pity i haven't waxed my legs in an eternity - must get to that soon

pavlovthecat · 28/05/2009 15:41

I have just had a 4 hours nap DH has taken DD to nursery rhymes. I kept dreaming of all the stuff I have to do, like sort out the loft, and usually that kind of dream wakes me up but I did not wake! It also meant I did not vomit up my crumpets which is good.

Audrey - you must be in London if you have shops with exotic names such as Ottelengi? Enjoy the cheesecake. I LURVE cheesecake. But only the baked New york deli style with fruit coulis (sp) dribbled over.

Without the drugs, vomiting is definitely linked to tiredness/stress/emotions. But with the drugs, I guess I have not been able to see a pattern as I was ok, then I wasn't. I guess time will show me how my body will work with the drugs.