Support Thread for Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) Sufferers

[willow5]

This is my 4th pg and second HG pg. There will be no more!! I have had success with meds this time too. A Restavit and Zofran combination has made it so much more bearable, not easy, I'm still useless for the most part but better than last time. I got onto it pretty quickly this time, I'd lost 6kgs by 6 weeks, found the right med combo by about 9 weeks and the weight loss stopped. That weight loss was with out vomiting! Extreme extreme nausea where you think you could die and aversions to pretty much all foods, motion was a terrible trigger along with smell I've weaned down from 8mg Zofran in the morning and 4 in the evening, to 4mg in the morning. I was doing so well I thought I'd try no Zofran at all as of yesterday, I'm not sure that was a good idea. I had not so good day yesterday which was hard after a really good one the day before. Today seems a little better but I can tell my stomach is not doing so well with no Zofran. I am still taking the Restavit, it helps a lot with the nausea, but the Zofran helps more with the vomiting, which I feel is near with out it. I'm hoping it's a hormone surge as I've noticed feeling worse coming into a new week which I just have. So we'll see I guess I don't feel anywhere near as good as the other day when I was eating chicken and veg dinners and going outside.

Hope you're doing ok.

[Sagres]

I have not felt hunger for months. Only that feeling of you need to put food in now or your stomach will turn it's self inside out and claw it's way out of your mouth! Then make sure it's the right food or it's either not going in or coming straight back out

This is EXACTLY how I felt - never hungry or never looking forward to a nice meal, just that you HAD to eat. Both times about 3 seconds after the girls were born I almost murdered the midwife for some food, after 8 months of not feeling hungry I suddenly get all that hunger in one hit. Actually I tell a lie with DD1 I had an epidural and that killed my nausea (weird eh?), so I was in transition screaming like a banshee (I don't think the epidural worked fully, I still felt pretty much everything) but also demanding they feed me Do you think they would consider an epidural in the first trimester to help with HG? (Just kidding of course)

[willow5]

Do you think they would consider an epidural in the first trimester to help with HG? (Just kidding of course)

Ha! I was just thinking if that works hook me up! kidding too, but how tempting. I remember asking my GP last pg if maybe they could just sedate me, or put me in a coma until the pregnancy was over so I didn't have to feel the sickness any more.

[Lily Dust]

Hey girls

Ive been staying away (no offence) in attempt to tell myself that HG wont happen to me again.....pretty sure Im kidding myself Im sitting here nauseous and about ready to spew. Im hoping it doesnt actually happen but I am absolutely gutted. I really hoped to be the person who never suffered again (stupid I know). But at worst, Id hoped it wouldnt be on the severe spectrum it was with DD. Poor me post, Im sorry. im just really stinkin scared.

to you gorgeous, brave women

ETA: And my HCG levels are pathetic in comparison to my HG pregnancy so that isnt even helping.

[willow5]

Oh NO! I know how you feel about staying away. I found this thread quite a while back when I was only talking about ttc. I thought it might be good to join and talk to others who'd been there too hear success or tip that helped etc. Well I think I posted once and got scared. I wanted to be an ostrich and just not know about it because it bought back so many memories.

I hope it is just m/s for you Do you think it could be? I just knew, the feeling was distinct for me I knew it wouldn't get better.

Have you got a plan with your doctor already for just in case? So sorry you might be joining the HG nightmare again

How far along are you now?

[Lily Dust]

I have no idea With DD I had nausea at 6 weeks (February 14th) at 10am by 11am I was head down the toilet and never came back out until 37 weeks. Atm it is nausea but it is getting a bit more 'gaggy' for want of a better word. It does feel different but Im wondering if it's just starting more slowly given my HCG levels (they are 1/3 of what DDs were at thsi stage).
Plan is in place and I have scripts in my hand ready to go. I dont know that the plan will get followed through but at least I have the scripts, which was more than I expected him to provide. Havent had scan confirmation but going by O, 6 weeks today. LMP dates 6 weeks 2 days. I guess on the upside I made it to the same gestation without throwing up....yet.

Thanks Willow, I know you'd get it

[willow5]

Yay for not spewing! You know you still might not. I haven't spewed at all this time. Even so the nausea can be a killer. Good you have the scripts. I was really torn, not wanting to take anything if I didn't have to, but I was also terrified of the HG. I really put me doing so much better this time down to early treatment.

What do you have scripts for? I can not speak any higher of the huge positive effect Restavit has had for me!!!! Zofran stopped vomiting for me but once I added the Restavit the relief from the nausea was huge. You could even try Restavit alone first, it may work wonders for your nausea without needing heavier stuff. I was still constantly nauseated on the Zofran and had a lot of trouble eating and drinking, but the Restavit eased it enough for me to eat and drink more and all my weight loss stopped. It is OTC so you don't need a script. It's the Restavit for insomnia, not the 'nausea' formula (which is just vit B) A Restavit and vit B combo helps a lot of people too.

I know you'd rather have to take nothing, and here's hoping you don't. I'm not sure there's hard evidence of HCG levels playing a big part in HG, but it definitely does for some. Maybe you're just going to have the odd gaggy day and leave HG in your past

[willow5]

Lily Dust hope you're doing ok xx

[Lily Dust]

Sorry hun, just getting online now......

That's exactly where I'm sitting, trying to wait it out but so scared if I do, then I will just crumble

Ive heard of the restavit and will give it a try too. My scripts are for zofran wafers. Im taking B6, Im trying to believe it's working but meh, I dunno. Really bad morning and pretty much ate a piece of fruit all morning, by lunch was ok but back to feeling blergh. Still no spew but I came close this morning. Im thinking Ive blocked a lot of DDs pregnancy out but i dont recall the nausea like this. No wait, actually I do. That was really dumb. I guess Id get nausea, spew, get relief for 5 or 6 minutes and it would start again, over and over. The fact Im even on the computer is more than I was capable of with that pregnancy.

Thanks for thinking of me again

[willow5]

I couldn't use the computer either last pg, or watch TV or read a book nothing. Sometimes I would have the TV on low volume and listen, not watch.

You're doing well waiting to see how it goes Just make sure you don't let yourself dehydrate, if you can at least keep hydrated you may avoid vomiting, or at least the unrelenting vomit cycle. HG really is evil! Even when you're not sure you're there yet you still feel terrified It really sux.

I'm so hoping you skip it and just have gross m/s for a little while, then feel fantastic!!
If you do feel you're sinking into HG again I can also give you the link to an Australian facebook HG support group. It's got nearly 100 members now I think, the lady that started it is now setting up the Australian branch of the Help HER Foundation. I think Dr Phil started it in America a few years back it's a great resource if you haven't seen it before. So I can PM you the link, whenever you feel you might need it. I have learnt heaps from the ladies in there soooo many tips and advice on treatment options. Also recommendations for HG friendly doctors if someone near you knows of one. A good doctor that knows about HG can make a huge difference.

Just let me know, even if you want to have a look now just in case, or so you can get some more ideas for later if you need them. Up to you let me know if you want the link

Hang in there

[willow5]

If anyone would like the link to the fb support group just let me know! I know we have each other in here which is great, there are so many in the other group that there is a wide range of ideas, advice and experiences which is good too.

[Lily Dust]

Thank you willow I woke up this morning fine. Am feeling blergh now but Ive had a reasonable day. Choked on my folate tablet this morning yeah, its the size of a pin head, I know! Got me gagging but no throwing up, probably cause I wasnt nauseous already. Im 2 days past the time HG started with DD

I was a member of that FB page (think its the same one), hardest part for me is Im in the country and no one is within a 3 hour drive of me!

[willow5]

Woohooo!!! So you might be just going to have the odd off day

It's hard when you're in the country when it comes to a choice in doctors. I know quite a few of the ladies in the group have to travel for medical care. I don't know how you do it! I thought I had it tough when my old doc was a 20 minute drive from home that was bad enough with HG but hours I don't think I'd cope. I think there is one lady that found a good OB and he even suggested he do the majority of appointments with her on the phone so she didn't have to endure the long car trip. Great score I thought!

So glad you woke up feeling fine!!!!!

I had a good day today, so good that I started to worry something was wrong with the baby you'd think I could just enjoy not feeling like death, but nooo the paranoia kicks in almost straight away. I'm pretty sure I've felt a couple of little kicks which help put my mind at ease now.

[willow5]

Hi just checking in

LilyDust - Are you still HG free?

Amy Jellybean - How are you going, you must be in your final weeks of pg now.

2cheeky boys - How are you? How's the weaning going?

I have been Zofran free for a week now and doing pretty well. Still taking the Restavit. My appetite is really good now, too good I think lol I've gained more weight 3 1/2 of the 6 I lost so that's good. Today I almost feel normal, I'm hoping it lasts!!
I did pull a muscle cooking dinner on Tuesday night though The one right under your boob so when you breathe it feels like you're being stabbed through the chest OUCH!!! I can't wait to get all my strength and fitness back, who pulls a muscle cutting pumpkin

[Caz_88]

Hi Ladies!

I was just wondering at what stage should I be seeking out my doctor? I spewed for the first time at 3w4d and now at 4w2d I've thrown up in total, about half a dozen times. The nausea is almost constant and I get maybe a couple of hours per day that I'm "ok" . I'm finding it really hard to eat anything except during my couple of hours I feel ok early afternoon. I've already lost nearly 2kg.Should I give it another week and see if it settles? I really don't like the idea of medication :-( this sucks. Such an exciting time but I haven't even told my mum yet because I want to tell her to her face, but for the first time in my life I'm getting car sick. Plus I have uni exams in the next couple of weeks and that is 1.5hour drive away.....

[willow5]

Hi Caz Congratulations! Butsounds like you're having a rough time already I think if you've lost 2 kgs already and you're only at 4 weeks it could be time to see the doctor. I let things go too long with my last pg, I put doing better this one down to getting to the doctor early and getting the right meds. I hate taking anything but a
malnutrition and dehydration are not any good for you or your baby either.

You could wait a bit longer if you want, you may just have bad m/s and it might settle but it can't hurt to be prepared if it gets worse. Are you taking any Bvits? Sometimes that can help, if you can keep them down of course.

You might even find a short dose of something will help you. I had a friend who was really sick around 7 weeks threw up every time she went in the car and most of the day at home for a few days. The doc gave her Maxolon which she took for a week and she's been happy and healthy ever since with no meds at all.

One of the main markers for diagnosing HG is rapid weight loss, losing more than 10-15% of your pre pregnancy weight and still not improving.
So if you're happy to wait a little more then you, can just try to stay hydrated. That's really important.
I hope you don't end up with HG but keep a close eye on yourself and see your doc if you don't start improving.

Maybe some ginger tea will help if you haven't tried it already? it made me sicker lol but I tried everything before I went to meds the first time

[Lily Dust]

Yah you willow on being zofran free and before half way!!! That is awesome!!!! It doesnt take much to lose your strength with sickness but with HG it just disappears so fast

Caz, I had a really hard time getting meds with my last pregnancy and I had been throwing up 12- 15 times a day for 7 days. Id lost 11 kgs in 2 weeks. Have you tried the 'normal' suggestions yet? eg acupressure bands, B6, small frequent meals, ginger etc etc. Just a thought before medicating especially if it is m/s and doesnt hang around too long iykwim. Not saying it isnt HG just that you try alternatives so you dont have that guilt of medication if other things are working sick sux.

Sooooo, the spew began BUT and is this weird....it doesnt feel the same as it did (and I knew as soon as I threw up) . Really hard to explain but Im guessing perhaps severe m/s???? Could that be possible?? Ive only thrown up a few times but am down 1.5kgs, which is insane but with the debilitating nausea Im struggling to get the calories in iykwim. I have better days and oh crap this might be HG days but all in all Im not in a panic (just yet) When I wake through the night Im nauseous. But I do have a question.....I have that shaking/ jelly thing going on (like when you have been sick and get up after a day in bed) why?? I had it with DD too but i assumed it was the vomitting. It's pretty severe, you can see my hands literally shaking all the time

[willow5]

I know what you mean about not feeling the same LilyDust. HG seems to take over your whole body it's a very distinct feeling. Funny you should say about being shaky. I remember being absolutely exhausted, shaky and breathless with DS2 and I thought it was all from the vomiting for so long, but I have the same this time even though the meds are stopping the vomits, so I think it's just part of the HG. Maybe your shaky/jelly is how your body reacts to being pg even with out the HG, hormones maybe? It will be interesting to see if you lose the jelly feeling when your hormones settle after 12 weeks. Glad you think it's just m/s

Caz88- how are you going now?