New member - due 3/15/05 baby #3 & sick, sick, sick

[almaciaszek]

Hi,
New here, found this site while searching the web for add'l info. on HG. Due 3/15/05 with baby #3. I had kidney stones, along with HG with #1, and HG with #2, so I expected this with #3, but it's still so hard. It has hit earlier and harder with each successive pregnancy. I even swore with the last pregnancy that I'd never put myself through this again, but we always said we wanted three, so here I am...why, why, why????? I have a PICC line, I'm on Zofran, I've recently started seeing an acupuncturist/homeopath. That doesn't seem to be working all that well. I don't know what else to try (also did the Preggie Pops), and don't feel like there is an end in sight. I just want to cry - I'm so sick of this. I'm only at week 10, have had 4 weeks of this already, and anticipate 10 more weeks of this.
It's good to know I'm not alone in this, but I'm sorry anyone has to go through this at all. It shouldn't have to be so hard.
Ohhhh, I can't write anymore, just needed to get this off my chest.
Allison

[carriedodson]

Hang in there!

I am so sorry it has been rough. I hope that you find some support to get you through this pregnancy. Sending well wishes and lots of hugs,
Carrie

[PamelaRose]

Hi, Allison. You're right in the middle of HG's "Hell Weeks" right now, and that's not a good place to be. I kept going to get my 3 babies, too, so I can relate to your feelings right now!

How much fluid are you running, and how often? How much Zofran are you on? What worked for you in the past? We do have HGers who have great success with homeopathy and other alternative treatments, but it seems that they start their consults pre-pg and have remedies ready before HG kicks in. But once HG starts to let up you may find some relief from your treatments, so it's worth a shot to keep it up if you can.

If you'd like me to find you a volunteer from your area, just send me your e-mail. Hugs to you; you'll be in my thoughts!

[almaciaszek]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I was hoping I'd already hit the peak, but as each day passes, I realize that isn't the case.

I'm on 2L. of fluids, every other day, and I feel like I practically had to pull teeth to get that. I'm only on 8mg. Zofran, 2x/day. I called and asked my Doctor to increase the order, which she said she would, up to 24mg./day. She said she's never read any literature for a dosage above that. The other problem is my insurance will only cover 9 pills at a time, and they need prior authorization before covering any more. They didn't authorize my last refill (yesterday), so I had my husband buy just one pill...$50! I just got off the phone with them, and they're still trying to get authorization.

Nothing has really worked for me in the past, other than suffering through it and the passing of time. I've tried: Zofran, Phenergan, the ReliefBand, Seabands, ginger (gag). My acupuncurist said the same as you, she usually starts treatment prior to getting pregnant - there are times when it seems to briefly make me feel slightly better, and other times when I feel like it's done nothing at all...and it gets expensive, she's around $95 each visit.

I'd love to get a volunteer; my e-mail: almaciaszek@yahoo.com.

Thanks again,
Allison

[aaronsmommy]

There is discussion of up to 34.6mg in the literature if your doctor wants a reference, unfortunately it is only an abstract and one that I can't copy right to post here, but your doctor could find the original pretty easily.

This is the protocol that the home health company Matria uses with the subQ pump. It might be worth looking in to that, because it takes the dose worries out of your doctors hands and it gets rid of the hassle of the presciption authorizations.



Monday, May 6, 2002

April 2002
Volume 99, Number 4 (Supplement)
Page 24S

Safety and Efficacy of Ondansetron Therapy for Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy*

Lowell McCauley, MD
Ob Gyn Specialists, Knoxville, TN USA

Suzanne Coleman, MSc, RNC, Debbie Jacques, MPH, Beverly Palmer, BSPharm, RPh, and Gary Stanziano, MD







Objective: To examine response to therapy and pregnancy outcomes of women prescribed continuous, subcutaneous ondansetron therapy (SOT) for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP).

Methods: Prospectively collected data from January 2000 to July 2001 from a perinatal data base were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were singleton or twin gestation, 3 days of SOT, Modified Rhodes/PUQE (RP) NVP scoring system at SOT start/stop, side effect(s) data, and pregnancy outcome data. The RP is based on number of vomits, hours of nausea, and number of retches/24 h.

Results: Seventy-five women were included in this analysis. Of these women, 47% had subcutaneous metoclopramide therapy pre SOT; 72% had adjunctive therapies as needed with SOT (antiemetics, acid blockers, intravenous hydration, total parenteral nutrition); 61% were hospitalized pre SOT; 7% reported one or more side effects related to antiemetic therapy; and 40% had weight gain or stabilization. RP: 56% had symptom improvement from SOT start to stop (P < 0.001). Five had first- or early second-trimester abortions; two had perinatal losses: one stillbirth occurred at 29.1 weeks of gestation (2 weeks post SOT) after maternal report of decreased fetal movement, and one neonatal death was due to maternal suicide at 38 weeks (20 weeks post SOT). There were no reported congenital anomalies.

(there is a table that goes here that shows the dose - mean 24mg, min 12, max 34.6 , but I can't get it to copy here)





Conclusion: In this patient population, SOT was a safe and efficacious treatment modality in women with NVP. Subcutaneous ondansetron therapy can be a viable option in patients where conventional therapies have been less than effective.

This document includes a discussion of use of a product that is unapproved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

(Obstet Gynecol 2002:99:24S.

[IslandDreamer]

Allison,

What you are going through is totally unfair, horrid, and will eventually end, but right now, you're in the thick of it (excuse the cliche).

You ask why you are doing this...I so relate...begged the doctor to get the baby out of me so I could be better...only a week or two later, baby Hope was gone on her own...What you face sucks (can I say that word here?) beyond all being, but if you can--I know I couldn't and I deeply regret that I couldn't--remember how much you really do love this baby and let him/her feel it. For me, that awareness of love and desire for my child came too late...she never felt anything but anger, regret, and vomiting.

Your little one is due on my birthday...

[almaciaszek]

Thank you for taking the time to respond, and for your kind words. I am so sorry for your loss. I read about your story on another posting, as well. More often than not, the stories here bring me to tears...so much of what is said strikes a familiar chord withing myself - I cry because finally someone else really understands what I'm going through, and I'm so filled with sadness at what so many women must endure, and some of the stories are even more horrific than mine, and I actually guiltily feel a little thankful that mine's not worse..

So often I mention Hyperemesis, and people say "What??". They have no clue. I talked to a woman on the phone the other day who's 10 days ahead of me, and she told me she knew just what I was going through - then she goes on to tell me she's just started working out again!!! I can barely stand up for 5 minutes to try to get some lunch on the table for my two kids!

All the best,
Allison

[IslandDreamer]

(((Allison)))

She totally gets it, eh? Not!

I think standing for five minutes is actually an impressive rather huge work out for an hg mom...and prepping food makes you an olympic contender in my book.

It's totally isolating to be so sick when everyone else thinks you mean you have "a little morning sickness." Yep, that's it for sure. A little morning sickness...almost forgot about being pg...

Thanks for your words about Hope. I appreciate it. I, too, feel quite isolated and alone right now. It's amazing how people either "get" what you feel or dismiss it, eh?

Remember we are all with you and looking forward to a fat screaming baby and huge party when you post your announcement: March 15, right? That's my vote. Vent away all you need until then...we'll read, respond and understand. Have you seen "I Got Crackered"? You'll feel in good company there.

[PamelaRose]

Aimee has great information on the SubQ pump--a way to get around the insurance co's balking at Zofran dosage. You could also try running fluids daily to see if that helps even things out.

Hang in there; I will get in touch with you about a buddy soon!