hyperemesis support thread

[imogenlily]

Anyone else with hyperemesis?

It's really starting to get me down, morale wise. I'm 17 weeks, and I really just want this to be over.

There is disagreement between my midwives and ER dr's about what's going, and basically neither one is treating it. The midwives say it's not hyperemesis, it's a GI problem that's not pregnancy related, the ER docs say it's just morning sickness and won't refer me to a GI specialist. All they agree on is that I seem to need IV fluids a couple times a week and there's nothing they can do.

[lillymonster]

Are you throwing up? It really doesn't matter if it's a GI problem, that can cause it, but it might not. I mean, I have had a stomach and dudodum (sp?) ulcer since I was 18, it flairs up, but mostly have it under control, except when I get pregnant. Anyway, there are many treatments. Hypermesis is morning sickness, I mean, I don't understand them saying it's "just" morning sickness, it's bad morning sickness. There are certain criteria for it to be hypermesis, but either way if you are vomiting and can't hold down food or water, are dehydrated, losing weight (or not, I didn't the first time, but would have if I wasn't on medication) that is what it is.

There is a lot they can do. b-6/unisom combo, zofran, phenegran, accupuncture. I took zofran and zantac. I might try acupuncture next time. It's just a matter of finding what works for you. I don't like the zofran because of side effects, but it worked.

This website has a lot of info, they have a list of criteria, and one of them is "You will probably require fluid hydration through a vein and/or medications to stop the vomiting."

http://www.helpher.org/

I had it for 26 weeks for both pregnancies. At 26 weeks I felt better, first time I was on zofran for 26 weeks, second time I forced myself off at 20 weeks. It is hard, it causes depression for me, but then it got better, and the rest of my pregnancy has been fine, I haven't even had heartburn this time.

I hope everything works out, and maybe try to see an OB mentioned on the website or another OB to see if they can give you some drugs. It's a lot easier to take the drugs, if they work, then sit through an iv a few times a week. I think there is also some type of electronic stimulation they do on your wrists if you don't want to go the drug route. It's $200, probably cheaper than an Iv drip and ER visit

[imogenlily]

I've been vomiting every half hour when I'm awake for about two weeks.

The funny part is, I had morning sickness. I controlled it with a B6/unisom combination. It went away at 12 weeks, along with food aversions and sense of smell. I was fine from week 12 to week 15.

This is why the midwives are saying it's an undiagnosed GI problem. ER doctors are saying it's morning sickness/hyperemesis.

I'm in Canada so the ER visits are free.

I'm starting to get worried to because I actually have net weight loss from the beginning of the pregnancy.

[~Amy~]

If you're in Canada, go get yourself a script for Diclectin.  The ER docs should write you one.  I got one from a walk-in clinic once.  Or your family doc.  It's very safe & effective and definitely worth a try.

[imogenlily]

I've actually been taking Diclectin - no results. I was at the maximum dose for a while, and pretty much gave up on it. I can't keep pills down at all, so now I'm on (TMI?) gravol suppositories and IV gravol a couple times a week.

[~Amy~]

Originally Posted by imogenlily 

I've actually been taking Diclectin - no results. I was at the maximum dose for a while, and pretty much gave up on it. I can't keep pills down at all, so now I'm on (TMI?) gravol suppositories and IV gravol a couple times a week.

Oh, wow...so sorry, mama.  I really hope it passes for you soon.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by imogenlily 

I've been vomiting every half hour when I'm awake for about two weeks.

The funny part is, I had morning sickness. I controlled it with a B6/unisom combination. It went away at 12 weeks, along with food aversions and sense of smell. I was fine from week 12 to week 15.

This is why the midwives are saying it's an undiagnosed GI problem. ER doctors are saying it's morning sickness/hyperemesis.

I'm in Canada so the ER visits are free.

I'm starting to get worried to because I actually have net weight loss from the beginning of the pregnancy.

It could be an ulcer or something like that - I think hormones play a part in it, at least for me. Although I wouldn't buy that just because it went away it's not morning sickness, because mine came back at like 32 weeks, so I had like only 4 weeks I wasn't sick to my stomach, and for like 2-3 weeks it was really bad again.  I still get random smell issues and food aversions at 37 weeks. I have read it can come and go, although it's not common, it can happen.

Have you tried probiotics? If it is a GI problem, I think that might help a bit - it certainly won't hurt. Can you try something like acupuncture? Or maybe some strong heartburn medication like zantac? I don't know what they have in Canada, so I am just guessing, because I had hypermesis, but I also had ulcer pain that needed to be treated and zantac and probiotics helped with that.

[imogenlily]

Regretfully I do not know anything about probiotics. What's a good way to start? Dietary sources like yogurt? Or in pill form?

Thanks for info and support!

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by imogenlily 

Regretfully I do not know anything about probiotics. What's a good way to start? Dietary sources like yogurt? Or in pill form?

Thanks for info and support!

I take a pill form because I do have the ulcer and I did a search for certain strains that help with stomach (some just go to intestines) I can't find the link I had that listed the strains and what they were for, but it was based on actual testing. I take Nature's Way Optima because it has a lot of strains in it.