Thyroid and hyperemesis

jarmstrongmj · August 2013

Hi ladies. I've been suffering with hyperemesis since week five...I'm 9 weeks now and still feel like absolute death and have had to be hospitalized. Zofran barely cuts through the severe nausea and vomiting. I have been in bed for weeks and can only crawl around my house and need help with even simple things such as getting dressed. Recently I had some blood work and my doctor told me I have very low thyroid levels which she feels is the reason why I'm so ill. I have to go see an endocrinologist. My question is, has anyone else experienced this? Will I ever get any relief and be able to enjoy my pregnancy? This is so hard...it's my first pregnancy and I just don't know how I am going to make it through feeling this horrible every day...I feel very isolated and depressed.

RondackHiker · August 2013

I'm sorry you've been so ill. Hyperemesis is the worst, isn't it? I'd hug you but one of us would puke on the other and then that'd be bad.

The good news is that on average, hyperemesis ends at 16 weeks. If it lasts longer, it usually eases.

Have they put you on the zofran pump? Or spoken to you about reglan, phenergen, or unisom or b6? There are other drugs or combos of drugs they can try.

I know it seems unending. But it does end. Promise.

MamaFantastic · August 2013

that sounds like the pits! i'm so sorry! i know a lot about the thyroid, but i've never specifically heard about a link between hyperemesis and thyroid disorders.

to clarify, was your actual thyroid hormone (T4, T3) low? or was your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) low?

jarmstrongmj · August 2013

Thanks for the replies ladies. 16weeks seems so far away ugh. I have phenergan which helps me a lot but I was told to use it sparingly because it is a class C drug. No zofran pump because I can sip water most of the time but its been challenging. The doctor only said, "your thyroid levels are really really low go see an endocrinologist ASAP" . I wonder if I get on some kind of thyroid med will I be able to function? I just want to go back to my normal life I have a full time job and this pregnancy has just debilitated me. I am taking all of my pregnancy leave now!

RondackHiker · August 2013

I've heard thyroid issues can mimic hyperemesis and have the same misery.

I'm hoping they treat it and bounce back.

I know what you mean. I cry often that 16 weeks is so far away. And I want to hit people who say to hang in there (because they suck and how can I hang in there when I'm losing my mind?!) so I won't say that. Send me a private message or look for me on parenting or in February 2014 any time you need to vent.

Luck Be A Lady · August 2013

I had hyperemesis when I was pregnant with my son, but no experience with the Thyroid issue.

Unless someone's been there, I don't think anyone can possibly understand hyperemesis and how torturous it is. I'm assuming they have you on Zofran or Phenergan? Both? If you're not on one (I recommend Zofran - Phenergan didn't do anything except make me effing exhausted), I'd suggest talking to your Dr. about it.

Other than that, trying to stay well rested helped me a little, and eating tiny bits of dry food around the clock helped a lot. The second my stomach became empty, i was all over and I wouldn't be able to keep anything down for the rest of the day.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Severe morning sickness doesn't have a cut-off date, unfortunately, and it's different for everyone. I was stuck taking Zofran every day of my pregnancy until I delivered, and even then I thew up frequently throughout the pregnancy. If I remember correctly, I stopped feeling like I wanted to die somewhere around the 17th-18th week.

I know that's not very encouraging, but what might encourage you is that the 6-10 week period was the absolute worst for me. After that, I was still sick but the actual vomiting slowed down some.

I'm sorry you're going through this - nothing like hyperemesis to rob the joy of pregnancy from you. :-(

Luck Be A Lady · August 2013

jarmstrongmj said:

Thanks for the replies ladies. 16weeks seems so far away ugh. I have phenergan which helps me a lot but I was told to use it sparingly because it is a class C drug. No zofran pump because I can sip water most of the time but its been challenging. The doctor only said, "your thyroid levels are really really low go see an endocrinologist ASAP" . I wonder if I get on some kind of thyroid med will I be able to function? I just want to go back to my normal life I have a full time job and this pregnancy has just debilitated me. I am taking all of my pregnancy leave now!

Zofran comes in pill form - I swear, making the switch from Phenergan to Zofran was the only thing that kept me out of the hospital during 1st Tri.

Andrewsgal · August 2013

I had HG with my first pregnancy it was awful! The zofran pump was the only thing that made a dent. I would seriously talk to your doctor about it. I also had a home health care nurse do home IVs to keep me hydrated those also made a world of difference.

kkangl161 · August 2013

I haven't had to deal with the hyperemesis though I have known people who went through it. There is a light at the end!

What my experience is in is the thyroid problems. I have extreme Hyperthyroidism w/ Graves disease throughout my whole pregnancy. Once you go to the endocrinologist and they run your T3/T4 and thyroid stimulating

hormone levels they will be able to figure out where to go from there based on your levels. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for this too I promise. Most likely if your levels are low they will give you medicine to take daily and then its just figuring out what dosage is right for you.

I hope that everything works out for you and You will be in my T&P.

jarmstrongmj · August 2013

Again thank you everyone for the advice and responses. Although I still feel like death it does help a little to know that other people have made it through this! I never could have prepared for it that's for sure. You figure you'll vomit once a day or whatever and go about your business, not be completely down for weeks!

callie3260 · August 2013

When my Thyroid was off (went high, developed a goiter, killed it with radiation) i felt like you described. I needed help dressing, dreaded a full bladder, and felt so sick alllll day. I saw an Endo within 2 days as a rush since my levels are now in a text book. My Thyroid (Hashimotos since I have Lupus as well) has been low-normal on a high dose of synthroid UNTIL I got pregnant. I just went for testing again, and since I have a cough again (linked to Hashimotos) I feel its low again. Let me tell ya, as soon as they give you Thyroid replacement meds, you'll start to feel like a million bucks! You'll look back and wonder how you even managed to BLINK!! Good luck girl!

jarmstrongmj · August 2013

Oh my gosh I hope that happens! I have my appointment tomorrow I so desperately need relief! My sister has hashimotos so I'm suspecting I may be similar. I also have had a horrible sore throat for weeks which I wonder is from this also. Or it could be from vomiting ha.

divinespirit30 · August 2013

How did you make out!!! I was diagnosed and hospitalized with hyperthyroidism before I got pregnant. I am now 7 wks pregnant and my levels are low, however, I am not having symptoms like I used to. For the most part everything is ok. The doctors had to change my medication to a more pregnant friendly one. I go back to the endocrinologist on the 15th to draw more blood to check my levels again. You'll be just fine and will get through. Keep us posted! .

iverske9 · August 2013

I had hyperemesis but not a thyroid issue. I was admitted to the hospital for two weeks and then it subsided. I was on bed rest at home for another week. It started at 7 and I felt more normal around 10-11. I hope you get better and if it is a thyroid issue than hopefully it can be corrected asap.

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