HER Forums

[TiredDad]

I'm new to the forum, but unfortunately I am not new to HG. My wife is pregnant with our 2nd, and this is the second time that she has had HG. In her first pregnancy, she would be admitted to the hospital, get rehydrated and some IV meds, start feeling better then come home. We did this cycle three times, until she had a Zofran pump, which seems to help, although she got the pump and started feeling better around 17 weeks, which is when I am told HG wears off for a lot of women.

This time, it seems to be worse. She went on the Zofran pump, but that didn't seem to help, and has been in the hospital for almost two weeks, and if anything has gotten worse.. The doctors don't seem to be doing much by way of treatment. She is on IV fluids and Phenergen (sp?) and some other bag of nutritional liquid. This stuff is gross - a big milkshake looking bag, that I think makes my wife smell, which isn't doing wonders for her condition. I am trying to get them to try other treatments but they seem happy to keep things status quo.

Meanwhile I am getting totally worn out. My in-laws are staying with me and my daughter (thankfully), but when I get home from work, I do dinner, give my daughter a bath and put her to bed, then go to the hospital until it is time to go to bed - then repeat.

I'm not sure what I am asking exactly, I may just be venting, but I will be grateful for any advice.

[janiecw]

I know how tough this can be my hubby has watched me go through the same thing twice and now we are pregnant again. One of the things that saved me last time was a PICC line. I received fluids and nutrition the line but was able to do it at home. I had IV zofran and pepcid through the PICC line as well. I was still throwing up but not nearly as much and it kept me home. I was able to hook up my own bags and a nurse would come out once a week to change the dressing. It can be left in for several months as long as it doesnt get infected alot of women find these helpful. Also are you a member of a church or any type of community based thing maybe someone can help with meals?

I hope things start to look up for your wife you sound like you are dong a great job being supportive

[eliana1300]

It is tiring. I can't imagine what my husband went through when I was pregnant. In some ways, it was easier for me because all I did was get sick and weaker. He had to deal with all the house and food, as well as taking me to the hospital.

In all honesty, take some time for yourself. It isn't selfish if you decide to go to bed early one night rather than go visit your wife in the hospital. In fact, it is healthy for you to recognize that you need a break, so you can help your wife when she is able to come home. Take advantage of your in-laws and ask them to fix dinner or give your daughter a bath one night. You can even switch off: one night your inlaws can go to the hospital and visit their daughter, another night you can. The one(s) that don't go to the hospital can rest with your daughter.

BTW, it sounds like your wife is on "nutrition in a bag" or TPN. They often reserve this for the sicker women. There is one more step to go, the NJ or NG tube, but I don't know many that have gotten there. How far along is your wife? It does let up a little bit after 20 weeks for many women, but only some get a miracle "cure".
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Eliana
Caleb arrived 11/16/07--HG from 8 weeks to delivery

[TiredDad]

My wife is about 9-10 weeks along. Thinking that she was able to function at around 17 weeks last time seems like an eternity, particularly if it lasts longer this time. I am getting pretty good support from family and friends, but the lack of any downtime is getting to me. At least when she was home and sick we could relax on the couch together at night. Now I am sitting in a comfortable chair avoiding my eyes while she vomits (she doesn't like to be looked at while this happens)

I think she is on the TPN, but I honestly think it is making her sicker. She seemed to be improving before they put her on it, but has gone downhill since. Could it be contributing to her sickness?

It doesn't seem like the doctors are thinking about this at all, and not being a medical professional I am totally frustrated with the care she is getting.

[FinallyBlessed]

Hi TiredDad,

I am sorry ur wife has to go thru this, she sounds a lot like me in that stage. As for the "big milkshake looking bag," if it is thick and white then it could be just lipids, which is basically fat. They put me on that to keep me from losing weight so much. Honestly, I felt like it wasn't working and was only making me sicker, so I demanded it be stopped. Soon after I got my PICC line and started tpn.

I know its stressful for u right now but it sounds like u need to be a little more aggressive about ur wife's treatment if u don't feel its working. Maybe try a perinatologist for a second look because there are tons more options for combinations of medicine than just phenergan and zofran. I myself was on about 7, but after sharing with these ladies, found my doctor didn't nearly try enough. A lot of doctors are afraid of trying different things on a pregnant woman so they won't even suggest them but there's nothing wrong with getting a new more agressive doctor.

I'm sorry I couldn't help with different suggestions but alot of the ladies here said steroids worked wonders for them. I do hope ur wife gets better soon!
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-Davina M.

DD edd 10/04/10 (severe HG from 5wks- now)

[TiredDad]

I have called a bunch of the docs and have made a nuisance of myself, but they are going to change her medication and give if another day or two. If there is little to no improvement, they are going to do a PICC line and send her home. At this point that would be a relief to at least not go to the hospital every day and we can all be a little more comfortable.

[jarezuny]

You are an amazing husband - you are doing the best you can and I agree with others on here that you deserve a break, too! Be sure to take some time for yourself. By giving your self that time, you will be the best version of yourself for your wife and daughter.

I was pretty unresponsive to all medications in my first trimester. One medication that did work for me was steroids - I was able to take them for almost 2 weeks around week 12. (There are some risks but I think the benefits outweigh the risks at this point.) That might be another option for you and your wife to consider with her doctors.

Also - just to give you some hope - around week 20 or so Zofran started to work a little better for me. I was able to go a day or two without throwing up and had a bit more energy. Even though I wasn't feeling amazing, I was certainly functional most days and just learned how to not push myself at all. The HG was much more manageable by the end. Maybe your wife will have a similar experience?

Good luck. I hope your wife turns a corner soon and you start to see some improvements!
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-Jessica

Mom to Ewan (9/27/02) and Laren (9/03/09)

[Amanda_Ray]

hmmm I would inquire about a PICC line for your wife, not that she will be able to help with your daughter but a PICC line she can have at home. she can get fluids sometimes as she needs on her own or if she is losing to much weight TPN that has nutrients fats and lipids in it and wil actually make her have more energy. There is a little risk involved, but don't let that scare you or her away. My doctor was scared of them so I didn't get one until 30 weeks with my first and to be honest it was the WORSE thing I didn't stand up for myself for.

Aggressive treatment was the only thing that curbed HG for me. Fluids sometimes are not enough. With the second I was unable to have a PICC cause I had a blood clot and infection with the first (and yet I still m an advocate for them. ) I

What I'm saying is if your wife is home its a load off your mind. You can be there with her in your own bed or wherever she sleeps (i couldn't sleep in the same bed as my hubby during my pregnancy his smell made me sick... not that it was bad just strong)

Then you can not be going to the hospital. I commend you for going to the hospital everyday, my hubby wasn't very good about that. His dad died when he was 11 in a hospital from a massive series of heart attacks so he hates being there. Even if they won't do it there inquire about home healthcare. I know local ones in my area were able to do iv therapy (unfortunately at that time they were down funding and staff so i had to go to the hospital daily to get mine)

I pray your wife gets better soon. Its a very hard time I know, and even harder when you have a little one.
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[TiredDad]

Things have been up and down since I posted last. First she was sent home, and looked to have turned the corner. She was eating some toast, some juice, etc. and the vomiting frequency went down. But she decided (on her own and without telling me) to go off her Phenergen, and just stay on the Reglan, because she said it made everything taste acidic and things got worse. Now she is back in the hospital, on Reglan and Zofran with a PICC, but she is still vomiting all the time. Her weight is stable being on TPN, but she is absolutely miserable, with the burning caused by all the vomit. The doctor was thinking about Kytril, but implied that it wasn't really well tested and seemed a little hesitant to prescribe it. From what I gather here, it is a close cousin to Zofran but works sometimes when Zofran doesn't.

I wonder what the next step in treatment is if Phenergen, Reglan, & Zofran don't work? Ideas?

[aaronsmommy]

What is she on for the burning? Anything? What about starting with something for that - some pepcid, or something like Nexium? I needed both and when the burning stopped, the nausea and vomiting got a bit better too.

Has she tried steroids? (do a search, there have been a few recent posts, and many old ones) You usually want to wait until after 10 weeks for them, but it sounds like she is there at this point.
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Aimee

Aaron 12/4/02