I knew I had concieved both my babies because I felt slightly nauseas and full on HG started by about 5 1/2 weeks and I felt instantly better when I gave birth. I thought I was really sick with my first pregnancy until I fell pregnant with my second. During this pregnancy I lost 13 kg in the first trimester and was rehydrated throughout my pregnancy 3 times. I also had a toddler to manage. I recieved a lot of help from family, they rostered themselves on to care for my toddler, I had someone clean my house and my husband basically took on the duties of the house. I couldn't eat or drink much, coudn't shower or dry my hair without total exhaustion, the thought of brushing my teeth made me dry reach. We will not be having any more children, last week my husband had a vasectomy so we won't be changing our mind on this. I have been through a grieving process about not having any more chidlren, I think this is about grieving the healthy pregnancies I did not have, more than anything else... I was fortunate to have positive birth experiencing (particuarly with my second as I had a home birth) so this has helped. I didn't necessarily experience people who didn't believe I had HG, but more that people really didn't understand how severe the symptoms are. I think they believe you feel a bit sick but get on with things i.e. they would ask how I was, I would tell them then in the next few minutes they would ask me what I was doing on the weekend.
Anyway, I hope things settle for you bjrose. Please keep us posted...