Hyperemesis Gravidarum - ondansetron and working full-time

[Rikki995]

Hi all,

I'm 8 weeks pregnant tomorrow (and very, very happy about it 😊) but I have been struggling with HG. From 6 weeks I started being sick throughout the day. I'm talking non-stop nausea and being sick 15+ times a day, even sipping water would make me vomit. My GP prescribed Cyclazine, which didn't seem to make any different. Same with a 5 day course of metoclopramide. I ended up staying in the hopsital for a couple of days due to dehydration and vomiting blobs/streaks of blood. I finally got a handle on the sickness with IV ondansetron and cyclazine injections.

I'm now home and have cyclazine, metaclopromide and ondansetron. I'm trying not to take much of the ondansetron but really it feels like the only thing that is making this at all manageable for me. I'm still being sick about 5 times a day, and feel nauseous throughout the day but I can keep some food and fluids down and I'm taking max 8mg a day of ondansetron (I'm prescribed 12mg per day).

I just feel so guilty about taking the ondansetron due to the risks. The hopsital didn't mention any risks when they prescribed it but I have read up on them online and have been torturing myself.

Have any of you ladies taken ondansetron early in pregnancy? Did you have the same fears, how did things turn out for you?

Also, did you manage to stay in full-time work? I have been off work for a few weeks after falling ill with covid at the end of June. I was signed off work for a month, as I have Multiple Scerosis which made it a bit more complicated for me (yes, it really is just one thing after another! 😅) I should have returned to work today, however I have told my managers that I won't be back this week and I'm waiting for a GP appointment this afternoon to get signed off due to the HG. I really didnt want to tell my employer about the pregnancy yet, but it's unavoidable now. I just can't imagine returning to work while I feel like this, but I know this sickness can last until 16 - 20 weeks or beyond. Was anybody else signed off work with HG and for how long?

Sorry for all the questions, I know you may not be able to answer them all but any advice/insight would be appreciated! 😊

[Belangalo]

Welcome to the HG club 😖 Sorry to see you here. I also started vomiting and never stopped. I was diagnosed at 7 weeks. I am currently 19 weeks and the vomiting and nausea are still pretty much non-stop. If you find a solution...I'll totally try it! 🤣

On a more serious note, I am lucky to be working full time still but I work from home. This gives me easy access to a bucket and I'm propped up on the sofa with various pillows to keep me as comfortable as possible. My work is slower than usual because I feel so ill.

I take what the doctor prescribes. I've also had hospital stays and now I'm pill popping more than ever since I'm losing weight rather than gaining any because I don't have any appetite. I know the risks associated with continual weight loss for baby so I need to keep more fluids and food down. Anti-nausea pills are the answer. I honestly don't get relief from the meds most of the time though.

I find the best things to help my tummy are cold milk & cereal ( I can maybe head off vomiting for an hour afterwards) and ice lollies (they help me with staying hydrated and numb my acid burned throat and tummy). They don't really stop the nausea at all but make me a little more comfortable.

I've been told endurance is the name of the game and I just try to take it one day at a time. I am so lucky and grateful to be pregnant but geez, it is pretty much the sickest I have ever been in my entire life! 😅 Good luck Rikki! I really hope you feel better soon! There are many women that have HG clear up at the 20 week mark. I sincerely hope we are both in that group!

[cmbxm]

I took ondansetron throughout pregnancy, I had no negative side effects, remember with drugs used in pregnancy theyll list all sorts of horrific side effects because they can’t test on pregnant women and foetuses as it’s not ethical x

[Purpledoggy]

I’m not sure if you looked on BUMPS but it is fairly reassuring re ondansetron. Sorry to hear you have HG, really hope you feel better soon!

medicinesinpregnancy.org/Me...

Xx

[SRA8]

All I'd say is if you read the possible side effects of anything including paracetamol and many over the counter medicines you'll be put off but they have to list them. Hope you feel better soon.

[N-A-58]

I am the same. I’m currently 9 weeks pregnant and the nausea and vomiting kicked in around 7 weeks. I am 11lbs down so far. I can not keep anything down. No water or food. I am miserable. I had HG with my daughter too but somehow this one feels worse. I am terrified to take anything. Absolutely terrified. So I’m currently suffering in silence. I read about people taking these drugs and they make no difference to the nausea and vomiting, so I’m trying to push though.

Re work, I’m off this week but my work are pushing for us to be back in the office, so I really don’t know what I’m going to do. I can’t get out of bed, let alone get myself ready for work. I’m going to speak to my gp tomorrow to see if they will sign me off from the office and I’ll just work from home/bed.

I will say that when I was 24 weeks I was 95% better with my daughter. It’s a long way ahead I know, and it’s scares me, but it also reminds me that this isn’t forever. We have to try and take each day as it comes!

Take care xx