When to go to the hospital...

So, I've been dealing with hyperemesis (as with all of my pregnancies) but this time the drugs aren't working. I've called my doctors office several times and they pretty much just dismiss it and tell me if I think I need something else just to go to the ER to get hooked up to the ER for hydration. How do I know if I need to do this? I don't feel like it's an "emergency" but I do feel pretty awful. I am not keeping any food down, but I do keep some fluids down by way of frozen drinks... maybe 24-35 oz day? I do keep my thyroid medication and my folic acid down, but I can't take any other supplements. I'm currently down about 12 pounds.

This morning I had a small melt-down. I feel so lethargic, weak, and emotional. Sometimes I just wonder how I'm going to get through the day and when I think about the rest of the pregnancy it just depresses me.

 

I personally would insist my OB see me and talk specifics of how you feel, what you are keeping down, how often you throw up. It is easier to get answers in person and to be taken seriously.

 

The earliest he can see me is this coming Monday... this will actually be the first time I've seen him since being pregnant. I set that apt up 2 weeks ago. I'm also going to be switching to a new OB that delivers at a hospital with a NICU, but they can't get me in until the end of next week. I'm so frustrated.

 

If you are feeling lethargic and weak, I would go. Those are key signs of dehydration.

 

I'd go in. HERE is a link about symptoms of dehydration in pregnancy. What is concerning to me is that you feel weak & lethargic.

Also, assuming you aren't a hypochondriac (neither am I) whenever I was entertaining going in, there was a reason.

Please update us with what you decide to do. :hug:

 

I used to go in when ever there was a few hours when I could NOT keep any liquids down. If I was throwing up stomach acids, and yes, when I was weak and tired. (More so than usual!!!)
If you have never gone in, bring a book and plan to be there awhile. I always felt WAY better after gettin IV fluids.

I would not hesitate to go. It gives you more strength for a bit.
Go!

 

Alright, I think I'm going to go ahead and go in a little later when my husband gets home from work. I've just gotten progressively worse today. So exhausted and weak. I've kept down about 6oz of lemonade, but I know that isn't enough.

 

:hug: Trisha. I'm glad you are going to go in later, please update us when you can.

 

Hope you are feeling better. I purchased ketone strips (any pharmacy has them) which helped me to know how bad things were so I could get hydrated. I ended up with a long term IV that allowed me to hydrate at home which did help as well.

What drugs have you tried? I did better with Anzemet than Zofran.

Hang in there.

 

I love my OB, been with her 13 years, but with my first child, she totally dismissed how sick I was. I ended up going to my family doctor who immediately gave me fluids in his office. At that point, I could not afford an ER visit, but I was at the point where I just couldn't take it any longer and my family doctor totally helped me out.

 

I went into the ER last night... 4 hours, 1 liter of IV fluids, IV zofran, and 2 huge potassium pills later... I came home. I was on the verge of tears when I first got to see the nurse and doctor though. They both looked at me, told me my complexion looked good and since I had only thrown up once that day that they didn't think I needed anything. The doctor said it was just women who threw up every 15 minutes who needed fluids typically and the nurse relayed to me her story of how she was 6 months pregnant and weighed only 100 pounds and thats what TRUE hyperemesis looks like. I tried to explain that the reason I'd only thrown up once is because I hadn't eaten anything and had only drank a very little amount that day. I felt so terrible and was desperate for them to do something last night. Thankfully they did a urinalysis and it came back with "high ketones" in my urine. Then, they decided to do some bloodwork. Apparently my potassium was low as well. They got me hooked up to the IV and gave me fluids and zofran. THey also gave me a couple of huge potassium pills to take. I feel better today.... well, back to my regular pregnant nauseated self anyhow. I don't particularly feel good, but I don't have the severe lethargy and weakness and crampyness that I had yesterday.

Thank you all very much for the well-wishes and your encouragement to get to the ER! I'm glad I did.

 

I'm so sorry they dismissed you at first! :grr: It really makes me mad when I'm told to go to the hospital under x, y or z circumstances and I get there and they're all Why are you here??? It sucks so much. Good for you for getting hydrated.:hug:

 

+1 -- it's so frustrating when drs tell you to go to ER when you feel something is not right, and go as many times as you need, etc... yet then some nurses are like "uh...WHY are you here????" and make you feel so small. It's terrible!! But glad you listened to yourself and your body and went in and got some help!!!!

 

Grrr it makes me so mad when they look at you like you are a big waste of time! Typically if you are at the ER, it is FOR a reason. Glad that you feel somewhat better today.

 

I have never heard of an ER that did NOT want to hook you up to a bag! They pretty much hook everyone up in the waiting room around here. (kidding) but that's crazy! I would never hesitate to go in. Any time you feel like something isn't right- you need to go in. You are doing the right thing by listening to your body. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not. You did the smart thing.


Hopefully your docs can get you some good drugs to take care of this ASAP.

 

I get to see my doctor for the first time this pregnancy today. Hoping he'll take pity on me and try something, ANYTHING new to help with this nausea and vomiting.

 

:hug: I hope he can help you out.

 

Today they decided to admit me to the hospital for hydration. The doctor said to plan to be here 24 hours. Being here at Labor and Delivery is SOOO much better than the ER. They are very compassionate/understanding nurses, unlike what I encountered in the ER. After this the doctor wants me to have home health come in 3 days a week for hydration. I hope this helps.

 

Wow. Sounds like your OB is on board and very helpful. :clapping: I'm glad you are feeling a bit better and have a plan of action.

 

Glad to hear they are taking good care of you!