23rd November
This is the day I have written all these blogs. I have written it from how I remembered it as I never kept any kind of diary. Everyone keeps telling me I will forget how bad it actually was. Yes I might forget the severity of the sickness but I don't ever think I will forget the feeling of lonliness and unhappiness.
Having a baby is meant to be one of the happiest moments of your life but hyperemesis quickely takes any happiness away from you.
Everyone keeps asking why I am not excited - how can I be excited when I have this horrible illness which at the moment is just being masked by drugs? I can't allow myself to get excited when every single day I am putting our baby at risk by taking drugs for sickness.
I don't want sympathy from anyone, all I want is for people to understand what hyperemesis does to peoples lifes. I have been lucky as so far Steve, my family and my friends have stuck by me, not everyones lives stay the same. Many relationships break down due to hyperemesis, many people lose friends and family.
This blog has only been about how I felt during the last few weeks. I know and will never forget how it affected others too, especially Steve. He has sat through night after night of vomiting, he has gone out to the shops to get me anything that I would possibly eat/drink, he put up with me shouting and blaming him for everything, he listened to me crying for no reason and he even missed football!!!
Mum, Dad and Emma also helped me a lot and I caused them a lot of worry. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have phoned NHS 24, I wouldn't have gone in to hospital when I did and there is a big possibility I wouldn't be here now.
Week 14
16th November
Some days are good, some are bad......... The drugs were still helping. Some days I felt sicker and tireder than others. Some days I had a few minutes where I actually got to forget I had hyperemesis. Some days I couldn't eat at all. Some days I ate a steak dinner! I never knew what the next day could bring but as long as it wasn't vomiting I didn't care.
In some ways this time, emotionally, is harder than when I was actually vomiting. I guess you feel people are now thinking that I'm not physically being sick now so why am I not just getting on with it and getting back to work.
I don't think people realise that for week after week, a person with hyperemesis can be house bound and sofa/bed bound! Your body begins to eat into your muscle because all your fat has been used. Your body has been starved of food and fluid and it takes a long time to build it back up again.
This week, we went to the hospital for another scan so Steve got to see his baby looking like a baby for the first time. We also had the booking appointment which was good. Steve, me and our families have such boring medical history that the appointment didn't take long.
Week 13
I went back to the doctor on Monday and he prescribed me ondansetron as well as cyclizine as he did not want me vomiting at all. Both these drugs together worked and it was a huge relief (again). I was still too weak to work just now, it'll take a few weeks to built myself back up.
I went out for a couple of hours every second day and I am very thankful to the people who took the time to take me out. I couldn't drive myself as the cyclizine made me drowsy. It was so hard depending on others, I havn't done it in a long time and its horrible having to do it.
The cyclizine made me drowsy and I slurred my words, I was also dizzy after being on my feet for 1/2 hour because of low blood pressure.
I felt much better emotionally but I still had that feeling of being alone and not being understood!!
I went out for a couple of hours every second day and I am very thankful to the people who took the time to take me out. I couldn't drive myself as the cyclizine made me drowsy. It was so hard depending on others, I havn't done it in a long time and its horrible having to do it.
The cyclizine made me drowsy and I slurred my words, I was also dizzy after being on my feet for 1/2 hour because of low blood pressure.
I felt much better emotionally but I still had that feeling of being alone and not being understood!!
Week 12
2nd November
I was sent home from hospital on cyclizine alone. For the first few days this was ok. I was eating little amounts and trying to keep my fluid intake up.
People began to act a bit different now I had been in hospital and for the first time been diagnosed with Hyperemesis. Finally!! I hoped now people would realise it wasn't over-reacting or making a big deal out of nothing. However, this isn't the case because nobody knows anything about hyperemesis. Severe sickness - thats about as far as the understanding goes. Nobody realises the emotional effects - the depression, the lonliness, the anger. Nobody understands the other physical effects - the tiredness, unable to live a normal life.
I done some reading myself on hyperemesis otherwise I would have only known what I experienced. I think hyperemesis is an illness like depression - you can only fully understand it after you have personally experienced it.
I struggled this week trying to get out a couple of times but it was so tiring! I found the days I went out worse with nausea and by the end of the week I had started vomiting again.
I was sent home from hospital on cyclizine alone. For the first few days this was ok. I was eating little amounts and trying to keep my fluid intake up.
People began to act a bit different now I had been in hospital and for the first time been diagnosed with Hyperemesis. Finally!! I hoped now people would realise it wasn't over-reacting or making a big deal out of nothing. However, this isn't the case because nobody knows anything about hyperemesis. Severe sickness - thats about as far as the understanding goes. Nobody realises the emotional effects - the depression, the lonliness, the anger. Nobody understands the other physical effects - the tiredness, unable to live a normal life.
I done some reading myself on hyperemesis otherwise I would have only known what I experienced. I think hyperemesis is an illness like depression - you can only fully understand it after you have personally experienced it.
I struggled this week trying to get out a couple of times but it was so tiring! I found the days I went out worse with nausea and by the end of the week I had started vomiting again.
Weekend - Week 11
31st October
My hospital stay
I woke up the next morning in Ninewells and felt so much better. I was sick a couple of times but after another injection that stopped. I was put on cyclizine, ondansetron and stemetil. I managed to drink and I managed to eat (very little but still more than I had the last week).
Litre after litre of fluid was put up attached to my hand. The feeling of depression had gone, even though I was in hospital (my worst nightmare) I was free from the sickness. It wasn't controlling my life anymore.
My urine and fluid intake, orally and IV, was closely monitored. I was desperate to go home but the doctor said I would be in at least another night. She explained that I was very close to losing my life, my body had begun shutting down and my blood had began clotting. She questioned me on how I managed to get in to the state I had, she questioned why no doctor had admitted me or put me on medication before now. Finally, someone understood. She stood in amazement as I told her about my trips to the doctors, how I was told it was ok and sent away each time with a sick line.
I was given injections to thin my blood, more IV fluids, more anti-emetics but I would take this any day over the sickness.
Later on the next day I was allowed home after 13 bags of IV fluids, more blood tests and an ultrasound scan. I had the scan alone because of the circumstances and I was a bit disappointed Steve couldn't be there. Baby was fine, a little small but fine.
My hospital stay
I woke up the next morning in Ninewells and felt so much better. I was sick a couple of times but after another injection that stopped. I was put on cyclizine, ondansetron and stemetil. I managed to drink and I managed to eat (very little but still more than I had the last week).
Litre after litre of fluid was put up attached to my hand. The feeling of depression had gone, even though I was in hospital (my worst nightmare) I was free from the sickness. It wasn't controlling my life anymore.
My urine and fluid intake, orally and IV, was closely monitored. I was desperate to go home but the doctor said I would be in at least another night. She explained that I was very close to losing my life, my body had begun shutting down and my blood had began clotting. She questioned me on how I managed to get in to the state I had, she questioned why no doctor had admitted me or put me on medication before now. Finally, someone understood. She stood in amazement as I told her about my trips to the doctors, how I was told it was ok and sent away each time with a sick line.
I was given injections to thin my blood, more IV fluids, more anti-emetics but I would take this any day over the sickness.
Later on the next day I was allowed home after 13 bags of IV fluids, more blood tests and an ultrasound scan. I had the scan alone because of the circumstances and I was a bit disappointed Steve couldn't be there. Baby was fine, a little small but fine.
Week 11
26th October
By the time this week came I was unable to eat at all. The smell of the house made me sick, the smell of the dogs made me sick, the smell of another person made me sick and I only had to think about food to make me throw up!!
The sickness had increased to 30 times a day, I was keeping nothing down although I lived in denial telling myself I was fine. I was so low, I would have done anything to just have a day off being sick. I still felt that nobody understood, I felt angry that people didn't "get it". I was unable to move off the sofa and the only time I got any relief was when I was sleeping.
I had a basin in my hands every waking second as I didn't have time to get to the toilet. I couldn't control it.
I felt really down, I didn't care about anything or anyone. I was tired, I struggled to keep my eyes open, I just wanted it all to end - any way possible.
By the time Saturday came I was extremely dehydrated (although I didn't know it), I couldn't walk, my hand, arms, and feet were numb, I could feel my eyes rolling about but didn't have the strength to stop it.
Mum eventually persuaded me to get help. Dad, Steve and Emma had already tried but I insisted I was fine. I wasn't. If I had ingnored them any longer I could well not be here now. Steve phoned NHS 24 who advised me to go to the out of hours doctors in Perth.
I struggle to remember the rest of the night, I remember vomiting uncontrolably in the van on the way to Perth, I remember begging for any injection which would stop me being sick, I remember the doctor acting very worried, I remember getting put in the back of an ambulance, I remember lots of injections and blood tests and being asked lots of questions in Ninewells.
I closed my eyes in hospital and didn't know if I'd wake up but I didn't care as long as the sickness stopped
By the time this week came I was unable to eat at all. The smell of the house made me sick, the smell of the dogs made me sick, the smell of another person made me sick and I only had to think about food to make me throw up!!
The sickness had increased to 30 times a day, I was keeping nothing down although I lived in denial telling myself I was fine. I was so low, I would have done anything to just have a day off being sick. I still felt that nobody understood, I felt angry that people didn't "get it". I was unable to move off the sofa and the only time I got any relief was when I was sleeping.
I had a basin in my hands every waking second as I didn't have time to get to the toilet. I couldn't control it.
I felt really down, I didn't care about anything or anyone. I was tired, I struggled to keep my eyes open, I just wanted it all to end - any way possible.
By the time Saturday came I was extremely dehydrated (although I didn't know it), I couldn't walk, my hand, arms, and feet were numb, I could feel my eyes rolling about but didn't have the strength to stop it.
Mum eventually persuaded me to get help. Dad, Steve and Emma had already tried but I insisted I was fine. I wasn't. If I had ingnored them any longer I could well not be here now. Steve phoned NHS 24 who advised me to go to the out of hours doctors in Perth.
I struggle to remember the rest of the night, I remember vomiting uncontrolably in the van on the way to Perth, I remember begging for any injection which would stop me being sick, I remember the doctor acting very worried, I remember getting put in the back of an ambulance, I remember lots of injections and blood tests and being asked lots of questions in Ninewells.
I closed my eyes in hospital and didn't know if I'd wake up but I didn't care as long as the sickness stopped
Week 10
19th October
Nothing could have prepared me for what was about to come.....
My sickness became much worse, I was eating and drinking very little, I felt alone and very depressed. I took a lot out on Steve and snapped at him a lot. He was the only person who seen me that way I was and physically he could see what was happening but emotionally he could never understand. He did all he could for me but I couldn't accept that. Unless he could stop this sickness he couldn't help me. I do owe a lot to him, he did what he could but for me, at that time, it wasn't enough.....
Movement made my sickness worse so I would spend hour after hour, day after day lying in bed or lying on the sofa. I sat in the house looking out the window wishing for this sickness to go away. I cried a lot at the most stupid stuff which I put down to pregnancy hormones. I snapped at people for no reason, only because nobody understood!! They made me feel as if I was making a big deal out of nothing, lots of people experience morning sickness, don't they?
I seen another doctor this week who, again, didn't seem to concerned. I showed him a diary of my sickness (which showed 19-25 episodes of sickness a day over 5 days). He signed me off work for two weeks and sent me away. By now I had just accepted this was normal.
Nothing could have prepared me for what was about to come.....
My sickness became much worse, I was eating and drinking very little, I felt alone and very depressed. I took a lot out on Steve and snapped at him a lot. He was the only person who seen me that way I was and physically he could see what was happening but emotionally he could never understand. He did all he could for me but I couldn't accept that. Unless he could stop this sickness he couldn't help me. I do owe a lot to him, he did what he could but for me, at that time, it wasn't enough.....
Movement made my sickness worse so I would spend hour after hour, day after day lying in bed or lying on the sofa. I sat in the house looking out the window wishing for this sickness to go away. I cried a lot at the most stupid stuff which I put down to pregnancy hormones. I snapped at people for no reason, only because nobody understood!! They made me feel as if I was making a big deal out of nothing, lots of people experience morning sickness, don't they?
I seen another doctor this week who, again, didn't seem to concerned. I showed him a diary of my sickness (which showed 19-25 episodes of sickness a day over 5 days). He signed me off work for two weeks and sent me away. By now I had just accepted this was normal.
Week 9
12th October
This week I was extremly tired and was sleeping up to 13 hours a night. However, I wasn't feeling quite as sick and was being sick about 10 - 15 times a day. Because this was 5 times less a day than the previous week I didn't realise how serious it acually still was.
I was beginning to feel a bit fed up already and enjoyed having family and friends around so I wasn't so lonely. However, at the same time I wanted to be alone, I didn't want people hearing me being sick, I couldn't be bothered making conversation with anyone.
People were still, with the best intentions, suggesting ways for me to help the sickness. I tried everything that was suggested but nothing made any difference. I accepted the advice and thanked people but it was so hard because people just were not understanding how it felt.
I went back to the doctors on Wednesday. I explained my sickness to the doctor, I explained that I was being sick up to 15 times a day, I explained that I was unable to eat, I wasn't drinking very much, I was passing little urine and every day activities (like having a shower) had become too difficult. This doctor (who obviously has no clue about this illness) told me nothing could be done and refused to even write me a sick line for work!! I was nearly in tears before he gave in and wrote me another line for a week. I couldn't believe how unsympathetic somebody could be. After speaking to this doctor I started thinking this was just normal morning sickness and really believed nothing could be done.
This week I was extremly tired and was sleeping up to 13 hours a night. However, I wasn't feeling quite as sick and was being sick about 10 - 15 times a day. Because this was 5 times less a day than the previous week I didn't realise how serious it acually still was.
I was beginning to feel a bit fed up already and enjoyed having family and friends around so I wasn't so lonely. However, at the same time I wanted to be alone, I didn't want people hearing me being sick, I couldn't be bothered making conversation with anyone.
People were still, with the best intentions, suggesting ways for me to help the sickness. I tried everything that was suggested but nothing made any difference. I accepted the advice and thanked people but it was so hard because people just were not understanding how it felt.
I went back to the doctors on Wednesday. I explained my sickness to the doctor, I explained that I was being sick up to 15 times a day, I explained that I was unable to eat, I wasn't drinking very much, I was passing little urine and every day activities (like having a shower) had become too difficult. This doctor (who obviously has no clue about this illness) told me nothing could be done and refused to even write me a sick line for work!! I was nearly in tears before he gave in and wrote me another line for a week. I couldn't believe how unsympathetic somebody could be. After speaking to this doctor I started thinking this was just normal morning sickness and really believed nothing could be done.
Week 8
5th October
I was due back to work on Tuesday, I was worried about going back because over the last couple of days I had become very sick. I was sick a couple of times every waking hour (up to 20 times a day).
Work was difficult on Tuesday, I kept disappearing to the toilet which in my job isn't really possible. I tried my hardest to get on with it and pretend I was fine. I struggled through the day but I managed it. I was extremely tired that night after work which made the sickness worse.
I had days off on Wednesday and Thursday which I was thankful for. I made an appointment with the doctor on Thursday. I got a young doctor who didn't know much about "morning sickness" so he called another colleague in to discuss what to do. The more experienced doctor explained to me that medication during pregnancy was too dangerous so all I was to do was rest. He signed me off work for a week.
I had never heard of "hyperemesis", I knew nothing about sickness during pregnancy, I knew nothing about taking medication during pregnancy and I definately never knew anything about the effects hyperemesis can have on a person emotionally. I left the doctors that day knowing nothing more than I did when I went in.
The rest of that week was a struggle, although I did manage to eat and drink. I craved bland food like dry spagetti, baked potato and soup.
I was due back to work on Tuesday, I was worried about going back because over the last couple of days I had become very sick. I was sick a couple of times every waking hour (up to 20 times a day).
Work was difficult on Tuesday, I kept disappearing to the toilet which in my job isn't really possible. I tried my hardest to get on with it and pretend I was fine. I struggled through the day but I managed it. I was extremely tired that night after work which made the sickness worse.
I had days off on Wednesday and Thursday which I was thankful for. I made an appointment with the doctor on Thursday. I got a young doctor who didn't know much about "morning sickness" so he called another colleague in to discuss what to do. The more experienced doctor explained to me that medication during pregnancy was too dangerous so all I was to do was rest. He signed me off work for a week.
I had never heard of "hyperemesis", I knew nothing about sickness during pregnancy, I knew nothing about taking medication during pregnancy and I definately never knew anything about the effects hyperemesis can have on a person emotionally. I left the doctors that day knowing nothing more than I did when I went in.
The rest of that week was a struggle, although I did manage to eat and drink. I craved bland food like dry spagetti, baked potato and soup.
Week 7
28th September
On Monday, we went to Edinburgh to see Beauty and the Beast at the theatre and then travelled to Oban on Tuesday.
Tuesday morning was the start of hyperemesis. I was sick a couple of times but picked myself back up and got on with the rest of the holiday. I felt nauseous all day and asked for dry pasta in the restaurant for my evening meal.
Wednesday morning brough the same. I was sick a couple of times and had a piece of dry toast for breakfast. We were travelling back home today and we had to pull over a couple of times to be sick. We had a good holiday but I was really glad to be home.
On Friday, we had booked an early scan in Perth. We did this so that we could tell our friends and family before 12 weeks because I couldn't have waited that long!! We were both nervous but excited getting the first scan. It was great to see the heartbeat but there wasn't much else to see! We went out for some lunch after but I struggled to eat it and the smell of food all around was difficult.
Over the weekend, we told family and friends. Everyone was really pleased and it was a relief to have shared it!! Everyone was giving me tips on how to help the sickness, which by now had become several times a day. They said to eat crackers, eat ginger food, drink ginger tea/ale, drink tea and eat a biscuit before getting up in the morning, the list went on. I tried it ALL!!! At this stage I had no idea of what was still to come
Week 6
21st September 2009
We found out a week ago that I was pregnant and although it was a shock and unexpected we're both very happy. Apart from a bit of cramping and tiredness, I am experiencing no symptoms.
We're both off work for two weeks now and have a holiday planned starting on Friday, I'm looking forward to getting away. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we painted the hall, living room and bedroom and got a carpet laid. On Thursday, we packed and put the dogs away for the next week.
On Friday, we went to Auchen Castle in Moffat, followed by Blackpool and St Annes on Saturday. We then travelled to the Low Wood Hotel in the Lake District.
We found out a week ago that I was pregnant and although it was a shock and unexpected we're both very happy. Apart from a bit of cramping and tiredness, I am experiencing no symptoms.
We're both off work for two weeks now and have a holiday planned starting on Friday, I'm looking forward to getting away. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we painted the hall, living room and bedroom and got a carpet laid. On Thursday, we packed and put the dogs away for the next week.
On Friday, we went to Auchen Castle in Moffat, followed by Blackpool and St Annes on Saturday. We then travelled to the Low Wood Hotel in the Lake District.
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