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Please just encourage me....


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I'm having a really rough day. I can't even look forward to this afternoon, let alone weeks or months down the road when this will be over.

 

I've had 3 IVs and 4 blood draws resulting in over 10 of the most painful pokes I've ever experienced in the last week. I've lost 7-8lbs and am throwing up bile. I know I need fluids again, but the thought of another IV scares me to death. I've never been scared of IVs/needles until now. The last 2 IVs required 3 tries and 2 nurses each. I'm bruised and battered and my head is throbbing. I just don't want to be here today.

 

FWIW, I do have an appt with my OB at 2pm today to discuss options to handle this better.....and I have reached out to beyondmorningsickness and helpher, but I'm just having a really bad day today.

 

Thanks for "listening".

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Just do what you have to do. Focus on the end result. :D Unfortunately only you can take care of this baby now. I hope your doctor has a few more ideas. Really don't avoid the IVs if you need them. You can do this! If you are going to be needing fluids regularly can they leave a port in? Oh and the fluid might help your headache. I'm really sorry this is so difficult! :grouphug:

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Sorry. What I do is ask for the nurse who is great at IVs for people with hard to find veins...the assigned nurses will go for that person after the first unsuccessful attempt, or they'll call if I request. The other thing to do is keep warm. The extent of bruising has nothing to do with the insertion pain ime.

 

The first time they had trouble was at the OBs office. I'm not sure if I really had options or not, but I probably should've asked. The 2nd time was in the ER and their best nurse tried 2x before finding the life flight nurse. The lab tech who was in the room even commented on how she couldn't believe that nurse couldn't get it because she is "the best". They all hurt more than I ever remember any IV start hurting. Sigh.

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Oh Kristen it is so hard to be feeling this way especially when you have others to care for. I hope the doctor can help this afternoon. Do have family near that can take the others for a day, especially the younger two?

 

Linda

 

Unfortunately, no. My mom still works, and my only other family in town is my 82yr old grandma. She can handle my 12yr old, but not the younger two.

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:grouphug: I don't know if this will help but I kept reminding myself that if baby was here I would do anything to keep it alive, thus that was just what I was doing pre-birth. As for the kiddos, baby proof a room, put on videos and punt to the 12 yo to keep an eye on them while you lay on the cool bathroom floor. :grouphug:

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I didnt read through, but with my first daughter I had 7 ivs while I was in the hospital. They busted 6 veins and my arms were a MESS. Towards the end it was so painful that I requested the numb my arm before the pokes. Can you do that? :grouphug:

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Things did not go well. I cried. She's basically unwilling to do anything but continue to have me come in every 2-3 days for fluids as needed. I'm sitting here for 2L fluids and IV Zofran right now. Again. I'm about out of IV sites. They had to look at my feet today. The nurse said I need a PICC line.

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A few thoughts: emla cream beforehand and have them use a butterfly needle.

 

Get a picc line. They are easy to care for at home.

 

If they are having problems sticking you, they can use an ultrasound machine to guide the needle. That specialty person is called different things at different hospitals....but they exist.

 

My dd was a very difficult stick after heavy steroid use during cancer treatment. Often if they couldn't find good veins in the hand, wrist, or elbow we went to alternative sites. Chances are your issues are from extreme dehydration. You have my sympathy!

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I'm having a really rough day. I can't even look forward to this afternoon, let alone weeks or months down the road when this will be over.

 

I've had 3 IVs and 4 blood draws resulting in over 10 of the most painful pokes I've ever experienced in the last week. I've lost 7-8lbs and am throwing up bile. I know I need fluids again, but the thought of another IV scares me to death. I've never been scared of IVs/needles until now. The last 2 IVs required 3 tries and 2 nurses each. I'm bruised and battered and my head is throbbing. I just don't want to be here today.

 

FWIW, I do have an appt with my OB at 2pm today to discuss options to handle this better.....and I have reached out to beyondmorningsickness and helpher, but I'm just having a really bad day today.

 

Thanks for "listening".

 

I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time. I pray you are healed right now in Jesus' name!

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You can do this! It's worth it for baby! This will end at some point....and several years from now, it will be a distant memory and a war story about the sacrificial love of a mother for her child.

 

I've been sick for 27 weeks now....not to the point of needing an iv, but it is tough to manage day to day. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

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Things did not go well. I cried. She's basically unwilling to do anything but continue to have me come in every 2-3 days for fluids as needed. I'm sitting here for 2L fluids and IV Zofran right now. Again. I'm about out of IV sites. They had to look at my feet today. The nurse said I need a PICC line.

 

Can you find a doc who is more comfortable with hypermesis patients? It sounds like you need more aggressive treatment then what you are being offered.

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Can you find a doc who is more comfortable with hypermesis patients? It sounds like you need more aggressive treatment then what you are being offered.

 

:iagree: Most doctors are not familiar with HG. You need to find one that is or is at least more sympathic to HG. Right now, you are in a terrible cycle. If you could break the vomiting cycle, things might start to turn around.

 

Are you taking something when you aren't getting IVs? I took phenerghan for my HG pregancy. Zofran wasn't offered at that time.

 

These three are recommended doctors for Iowa for HG:

 

The following healthcare professionals in Iowa were found in our Referral Network:

Bonnie Beer MD

McFarland Clinic PC

1015 Duff Ave

Ames, Iowa 50010

USA

515-239-4414

http://www.mcfarlandclinic.com

 

Dr. Kenneth Naylor

Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists, P.C.

2322 E. Kimberly Rd.

Davenport, Iowa 52807

USA

563-355-1853

http://www.obgyngroup.com

 

Dr. Tauhni T. Hunt, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Siouxland Obstetrics & Gynecology PC

2730 Pierce St., Ste. 201

Sioux City, Iowa 51104

USA

712-277-3141

http://www.siouxlandobgyn.com

Edited by mom2samlibby
doctor list
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:iagree: Most doctors are not familiar with HG. You need to find one that is or is at least more sympathic to HG. Right now, you are in a terrible cycle. If you could break the vomiting cycle, things might start to turn around.

 

Are you taking something when you aren't getting IVs? I took phenerghan for my HG pregancy. Zofran wasn't offered at that time.

 

These three are recommended doctors for Iowa for HG:

 

The following healthcare professionals in Iowa were found in our Referral Network:

Bonnie Beer MD

McFarland Clinic PC

1015 Duff Ave

Ames, Iowa 50010

USA

515-239-4414

http://www.mcfarlandclinic.com

 

Dr. Kenneth Naylor

Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists, P.C.

2322 E. Kimberly Rd.

Davenport, Iowa 52807

USA

563-355-1853

http://www.obgyngroup.com

 

Dr. Tauhni T. Hunt, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Siouxland Obstetrics & Gynecology PC

2730 Pierce St., Ste. 201

Sioux City, Iowa 51104

USA

712-277-3141

http://www.siouxlandobgyn.com

 

None of those doctors are close enough to be feasible for me.

 

I have Zofran ODT (doesn't help), Reglan (I puke it up), and Phenergan suppositories (they burn terribly, cause intestinal cramping & are expelled in 5 min). The ONLY relief I've experienced is from the IV Zofran. It is just enough to get a little food and liquid in me, but as soon as it wears off, I begin vomiting again. No food or liquids stay in at all. Even after 2L of fluid, I'm never fully hydrated & never fully clear the ketones.

 

My nurse today was wonderful and understanding. She felt I needed a PICC and to be in the hospital where I could get continuous fluids and consistent doses of Zofran. I cried and told her that I feel like I'm suffering terribly when I don't have to be, because I know the IV Zofran allows me to eat/drink a little, but instead I'm just supposed to add benedryl to my cocktail of pills I can't keep down anyway. That nurse actually went and talked to the dr on my behalf and got all the same answers. She felt awful. She told me that the dr told her that they will NOT admit for this unless I've lost 15% of my body weight (21lb for me). I'm currently losing 1lb/day and a 6% loss. 99% of that loss has been in the last 3wk. Dr just thinks this will be over in a week or two. 2wk at 3x/wk IVs is a LOT of sticks when I'm already looking at my feet for IV sites.

 

That nurse could tell I was at my limit. She felt bad that she couldn't do anything to help me. She wanted to.

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Did they try giving you phenerghan in pill form? That is what I had.

 

I would see if maybe you doctor would consultant with one of these three doctors to find a form of treatment that will help you.

 

No, but I can't keep even sips down in order to take the pill, so I'm not sure it would matter.

 

I don't think she's willing to entertain any suggestions. She was quite matter of fact & just "that's the way it is".

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Years ago I worked for an OB and she admitted woman in your situation for a couple of days. She put them in a private, semi dark room and no visitors were allowed. I'm not sure what she gave them IV. She felt they needed their entire systems calmed down.

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These is my best idea, you may have tried this. Find something to drink you can get one spoonful down, for me it is decaf. iced tea lightly sweetened (Sprite is another good one). Get a small spoon, take one spoon. Wait 10-15 min., then again, if for a few times it works and you don't throw it up, try to get it to one spoon every 5 min. Don't gulp, don't take too much! I know its a pain every 5 min. but if you succeed then you might be able to get yourself hydrated. Jello might work as well, but one spoon at a time, wait, then again. I remember even digging my fist into my gut getting that spasm that was about to send my food back up to let up.

Edited by Susan C.
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My mom is contacting a new doctor for me today. He came at the recommendation of a volunteer from beyondmorningsickness who is from my area. I'd dont have the voice or energy to wade through the hoops I'm sure they'll make her jump to get a new patient appt quickly.

 

I realized that I probably should've done this a long time ago. It's just that this doctor is all I've ever known (and I thought this other office didn't take my insurance, but beyondmorningsickness was able to help with that too). This isn't the first time I have felt brushed off by my doctor....I'm just always scared of change for some reason. I'm hoping that a consultation with his new doctor will make me feel so cared for that changing wont be a big deal at all.

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I'm glad you're talking to a new dr. My mom lost twins (30 yrs ago) because she was so sick and had a kidney infection. Her dr gave her oral antibiotics and went on vacation. Of coarse, she couldn't keep them down. The next day, she was so sick that she went to the ER. The nurse couldn't believe he hadn't had her admitted before he left. They were unable to stop the premature labor and the babies were born too early to save.

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My mom is contacting a new doctor for me today. He came at the recommendation of a volunteer from beyondmorningsickness who is from my area. I'd dont have the voice or energy to wade through the hoops I'm sure they'll make her jump to get a new patient appt quickly.

 

I realized that I probably should've done this a long time ago. It's just that this doctor is all I've ever known (and I thought this other office didn't take my insurance, but beyondmorningsickness was able to help with that too). This isn't the first time I have felt brushed off by my doctor....I'm just always scared of change for some reason. I'm hoping that a consultation with his new doctor will make me feel so cared for that changing wont be a big deal at all.

 

Kristin, so glad to hear your mom is able to help you. :grouphug:

 

Just a few suggestions, in case they can be of any use...

 

Ask the nurse/phlebotomist/whoever's drawing your blood if they can use a 'butterfly' needle. It's a smaller gague needle they use for pediatric patients, and they can sometimes use them for adults too who are a 'hard poke' or who have small veins due to dehydration.

 

You could also try asking for topical lidocaine, if they have it/you have time to let it work. It's just a topical numbing gel that they put on the skin area they're going to work on, that numbs the skin, making the 'poke' less painful. If you look desperate enough/pitiful enough, lol, they might be willing to try.

 

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'll be praying for you!

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Kristin, so glad to hear your mom is able to help you. :grouphug:

 

Just a few suggestions, in case they can be of any use...

 

Ask the nurse/phlebotomist/whoever's drawing your blood if they can use a 'butterfly' needle. It's a smaller gague needle they use for pediatric patients, and they can sometimes use them for adults too who are a 'hard poke' or who have small veins due to dehydration.

 

You could also try asking for topical lidocaine, if they have it/you have time to let it work. It's just a topical numbing gel that they put on the skin area they're going to work on, that numbs the skin, making the 'poke' less painful. If you look desperate enough/pitiful enough, lol, they might be willing to try.

 

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'll be praying for you!

 

They've been using the pediatric needle for my IVs...thankfully. The pain is the burning deep inside as they dig....would the numbing help that? So far, every site they've used in the last week and a half is blown - black and blue, which is why she was looking at my feet yesterday. She finally found a spot in my hand, but it's blue today too (about 3-4in up my arm).

 

My mom just called to tell me that the new office was awesome on the phone. They went ahead and put me in their system (they don't usually do that until they have your records). Mom and I are trying to arrange transfer of records right now, and then I'm supposed to call them back this afternoon with insurance information. Mom said they seemed very anxious to get the ball rolling.

 

I feel cautiously relieved.

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