Kaila's HuGStory
I am 21 wks pregnant (due Jan 25) with my fourth child and suffering from
hyperemesis. It began during my second week of pregnancy with what I
thought was food poisioning. During my week long hospital stay, I was given
a Zofran and Benadryl combination I.V. drip. Upon my release, all hell
broke loose! The Zofran stopped working (the side effects were awful!) and
I then began a long process of medications that included: Tranquilizers,
Tigan (suppositories), Compazine (suppositories), Benadryl, Zofran (in oral
form with combined Benadryl), Sea Bands, a Reglan Pump (through my leg),
oral Reglan, Vitamin B6 and various homeopathy methods.
Since that first
admission, I have been admitted 8 times as an inpatient, and 7 times as an
outpatient for rehydration. I am currently being set up with a nutritionist
for a feeding tube since my doctor wants to use TPN as a last resort because
my veins keep collapsing with each I.V. insertion. The last time my veins
collapsed, I ended up with a nasty blood infection (bacteremia). I've even
had an I.V. in my foot! I am now taking the Reglan (oral) along with
Benadryl around the clock, and able to tolerate Pedialyte and Gatorade. No
solid food, no vitamins. I recently had my 20 wk ultrasound and baby is
developing fine. I've had some episodes of preterm labor so I've been on
modified bedrest.
My 2 boys (ages 8 and 2.5) were problem free pregnancies. My 2.5 yr old had
IUGR and stopped growing at 30 wks. so I was induced at 38 wks. Never
nauseated with those pregnancies. And then my 18 mo. old daughter was born!
I suffered from hyperemesis until my 26th wk. but it was controllable and
I only vomited 3 - 5 times a day and took Reglan and Benadryl. My labors
with my boys were 4 hrs 45 min and 4 hrs 30 min (from first pain to last).
My daughter was 38 hrs long and she turned out to be the smallest (5'15). I
suffered from preterm labor with my daughter beginning at 21 wks! I
actually started to dialate and she fought the Brethine that they gave me.
So along with the vomiting, I ended up taking Brethine and being admitted
countless times for vomiting and preterm labor. Finally, she stopped
growing also, I begin to lose a lot of fluid.
My OB has told me that he connects the preterm labor with my constant
dehydration and lack of nutrition. I have lost 15 pounds, but I can now
walk and move around more. I vomit no more than 8 - 10 times daily, but I
can now brush my teeth (my teeth are horribly loose from the vomiting)!!!!
This is a major accomplishment for me. I can also tolerate the sound of
voices and running water now. I've had a few recent episodes that have
landed me back in the hospital, but I'm slowly doing better. My advice:
Stick it out and try whatever works. I also have a Sidelines Volunteer who
has been a god-send for support. I've also found a few of the drugs on the
internet by searching by the words hyperemesis (such as the Zofran, and
Tigan) so I was able to ask my OB about it. Good luck to all of you out
there, I know how you feel. E-mail me if you'd like: kcharice@hotmail.com
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