Horrible pregnancy digestion issues – help needed!
December 9, 2022 4:11 PM Subscribe
Wow, pregnancy is ROUGH. Argh! Up to 15 weeks I had hyperemesis gravidarum – was hospitalised a bunch of times, could barely eat or drink and felt like I was dying. I'm now 18 weeks and the nausea/vomiting is mostly controlled by medication, but the indigestion is something else. The feeling of food rotting in my throat/esophagus/stomach all day, every day is horrendous – and I can't find any way to make it bearable. Please help!
So I know the growing baby is squashing my digestive system, and I'm sure that's contributing to the problem.
I also know that the HG caused an issue with stomach acid that means I have excess mucus (in the back of my throat, gross) and hypersalivation (having to spit it into a towel every 60 seconds for ten weeks now). Am also aware that progesterone and/or the hormone relaxin slows down digestion.
But something is VERY wrong with my innards – I eat something because otherwise I get nauseous, and even if it's liquid, it sits in my esophagus. All day. When I eat again, no matter how little or liquid, it gets worse. The only break from it is when I'm actually eating!
(TMI: am fairly constipated but taking laxido, which helps). I'm also on 20mg Omeprazole ('Prilosec' - sorry, am in UK) first thing, and 8mg Ondansetron & 1 Xonvea - anti-emetics - every day.
I tried a tiny bit of ACV and it didn't do much – I'd happily try again but have read it's not recommended in pregnancy. I also tried baking soda because I feel the constant, desperate need to burp, but then I stopped as I saw that wasn't recommended in pregnancy either. Gaviscon makes me sick and Rennies help like 1%.
Can anyone help with the esophagus rot? I feel like it's just going to get worse through the pregnancy and am desperate to overcome it. Thank you so much!
So I know the growing baby is squashing my digestive system, and I'm sure that's contributing to the problem.
I also know that the HG caused an issue with stomach acid that means I have excess mucus (in the back of my throat, gross) and hypersalivation (having to spit it into a towel every 60 seconds for ten weeks now). Am also aware that progesterone and/or the hormone relaxin slows down digestion.
But something is VERY wrong with my innards – I eat something because otherwise I get nauseous, and even if it's liquid, it sits in my esophagus. All day. When I eat again, no matter how little or liquid, it gets worse. The only break from it is when I'm actually eating!
(TMI: am fairly constipated but taking laxido, which helps). I'm also on 20mg Omeprazole ('Prilosec' - sorry, am in UK) first thing, and 8mg Ondansetron & 1 Xonvea - anti-emetics - every day.
I tried a tiny bit of ACV and it didn't do much – I'd happily try again but have read it's not recommended in pregnancy. I also tried baking soda because I feel the constant, desperate need to burp, but then I stopped as I saw that wasn't recommended in pregnancy either. Gaviscon makes me sick and Rennies help like 1%.
Can anyone help with the esophagus rot? I feel like it's just going to get worse through the pregnancy and am desperate to overcome it. Thank you so much!
Oh, and what you are going though is horrible, I know. And not all people are nice about it. You deserve all the hugs and love and care. I hope you are getting them, otherwise this stranger on the internet is sending them to you from abroad.
posted by mumimor at 5:58 PM on December 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 5:58 PM on December 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
I have very little experience with most of this but I do have some esophageal problems. Some things to try to help that bit:
Carbonated beverages - try little sips of ginger beer if you can find it, something about the carbonation can help calm the muscle spasms and the stronger flavor of ginger beer can help mask other things that might trigger nausea. Big gulps are not as effective as regular little sips for me.
If I start to feel like something is stuck or pooling in my esophagus I try to stand up and slowly pace around, avoiding any sitting, reclining, or bending over, for at least fifteen minutes. Usually I also sip a beverage at this time. Nothing to get my heart rate up, but enough to get my body engaged with other actions and away from focusing on the feelings in my throat and chest. Lying down is unfortunately the worst even though all I want to do is rest.
Drink water before and after taking a pill. It’s like I need to pre-lube my throat even when it doesn’t feel dry at all. Have a big sip of water, take one pill, another big sip, another pill, etc. Then sip more water until your glass is empty. It helps also to do this standing up. Sometimes I think I’ve taken a pill just fine and then fifteen minutes later I have burning spasms and swallowing problems and terrible saliva issues as the pill, I don’t know, burns my esophageal tissues? Scrapes on the way down?? Triggers some kind of issue??? But only sometimes. It’s so frustrating, but liquid before and in between and after, while vertical, does seem to mean it happens less often.
I also find that more regular snacking and little meals spread throughout the day can keep these issues at bay when they’re otherwise acting up, instead of having larger more spaced out meals. If you don’t feel horrendous while eating, maybe you could just kind of always be eating?? One almond at a time, a cracker here, an orange wedge there, etc.
posted by Mizu at 5:59 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Carbonated beverages - try little sips of ginger beer if you can find it, something about the carbonation can help calm the muscle spasms and the stronger flavor of ginger beer can help mask other things that might trigger nausea. Big gulps are not as effective as regular little sips for me.
If I start to feel like something is stuck or pooling in my esophagus I try to stand up and slowly pace around, avoiding any sitting, reclining, or bending over, for at least fifteen minutes. Usually I also sip a beverage at this time. Nothing to get my heart rate up, but enough to get my body engaged with other actions and away from focusing on the feelings in my throat and chest. Lying down is unfortunately the worst even though all I want to do is rest.
Drink water before and after taking a pill. It’s like I need to pre-lube my throat even when it doesn’t feel dry at all. Have a big sip of water, take one pill, another big sip, another pill, etc. Then sip more water until your glass is empty. It helps also to do this standing up. Sometimes I think I’ve taken a pill just fine and then fifteen minutes later I have burning spasms and swallowing problems and terrible saliva issues as the pill, I don’t know, burns my esophageal tissues? Scrapes on the way down?? Triggers some kind of issue??? But only sometimes. It’s so frustrating, but liquid before and in between and after, while vertical, does seem to mean it happens less often.
I also find that more regular snacking and little meals spread throughout the day can keep these issues at bay when they’re otherwise acting up, instead of having larger more spaced out meals. If you don’t feel horrendous while eating, maybe you could just kind of always be eating?? One almond at a time, a cracker here, an orange wedge there, etc.
posted by Mizu at 5:59 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ohhhh I remember this feeling (although mine wasn’t even as severe)and I just want to say you’re right, it’s terrible and you deserve all good things. I’m a stoic type but I would cry at night because I was just so uncomfortable and then I would finally fall asleep and then I would throw up in my sleep and wake up and start crying again. Literally the second the child is out of your body you will feel better. The only thing that made me feel better was to realize that a pukey mother typically means a healthy pregnancy. Good luck, and hang in there!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:07 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:07 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
So, normally I wouldn't respond to a medical question about something I have no personal experience with. But. This is sounding a bit like gastroparesis, which worries me. So I thought I'd at least draw that connection and send the link.
posted by spiderbeforesunset at 7:28 PM on December 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by spiderbeforesunset at 7:28 PM on December 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
I have a mild gastric emptying delay and thought I'd share what I've learned through trial and error, though I can't promise it'll apply to your situation.
For me, standing or taking a short walk after eating helps everything move in the right direction. Hot/cold foods can slow things down, so room temperature may be best. Small portions are really helpful.
My understanding is that omeprazole can slow things down further, so might be worth asking your doctor whether Pepcid/famotidine is a viable alternative? If omeprazole is what works for you, disregard this. Know that if you do stop taking omeprazole, you may get some rebound reflux.
Do you know what's bothering you about the Gaviscon? Have you tried both the liquid and tablet versions, and the different flavors?
Good luck!
posted by toastedcheese at 8:23 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
For me, standing or taking a short walk after eating helps everything move in the right direction. Hot/cold foods can slow things down, so room temperature may be best. Small portions are really helpful.
My understanding is that omeprazole can slow things down further, so might be worth asking your doctor whether Pepcid/famotidine is a viable alternative? If omeprazole is what works for you, disregard this. Know that if you do stop taking omeprazole, you may get some rebound reflux.
Do you know what's bothering you about the Gaviscon? Have you tried both the liquid and tablet versions, and the different flavors?
Good luck!
posted by toastedcheese at 8:23 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am NOT saying that this is in your head!!!!! I was a pregnant lady that felt terrible and it took me 2 months and a doctor switch just to be heard enough to get Prilosec. But do you think you have any anxious throat tightening going on? I’ve tried and successfully used a small hot water bottle ( after it cooled down) to help a lump in my throat I felt must be anxiety.
Also try gargling with sprite, then drinking some sprite. Or lucozade. And you can use higher doses of magnesium to help you be less constipated. This is a difficult time. I hated those days!
posted by pairofshades at 8:34 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also try gargling with sprite, then drinking some sprite. Or lucozade. And you can use higher doses of magnesium to help you be less constipated. This is a difficult time. I hated those days!
posted by pairofshades at 8:34 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Bummer that the Gaviscon's not sitting right with you. I can't remember the different formulations, but echo maybe trying a few to pin down if there's anything specific about one vs the other. I actually get the Canadian version (tablets) because it's got more sodium alginate than the US one.
Another thing I don't see on your list is simethicone (Gas-X). Can help with burping, since it just makes it easier for small gas bubbles anywhere in the GI tract to coalesce into bigger ones.
posted by deludingmyself at 9:22 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Another thing I don't see on your list is simethicone (Gas-X). Can help with burping, since it just makes it easier for small gas bubbles anywhere in the GI tract to coalesce into bigger ones.
posted by deludingmyself at 9:22 PM on December 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you so much, everyone, these are really helpful answers and much appreciated! I'm going to literally go through them systematically and try everything - from investigating whether it might be something more serious, to carbonated drinks (which I don't usually drink), peas and other ways to get Gaviscon into my system.
And thank you so much for the empathy, too – I never realised pregnancy might be this hard and am surrounded by people who've been pregnant who can't even remember the word 'hyperemesis' and look at me blankly when I ask if they had any digestive problems at that time. So I really do appreciate it!
posted by Ella_Bella at 2:32 AM on December 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
And thank you so much for the empathy, too – I never realised pregnancy might be this hard and am surrounded by people who've been pregnant who can't even remember the word 'hyperemesis' and look at me blankly when I ask if they had any digestive problems at that time. So I really do appreciate it!
posted by Ella_Bella at 2:32 AM on December 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you aren't already plan a sleeping arrangement that keeps your head elevated. I would vomit in my sleep unless I was almost sitting upright and set up wedges and pillows on either side of me and behind to keep me stable thru the last weeks.
Another thing I got in the habit of is small meals followed by walks. I did so much walking, rain or shine.
posted by readery at 7:52 AM on December 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Another thing I got in the habit of is small meals followed by walks. I did so much walking, rain or shine.
posted by readery at 7:52 AM on December 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
I’m so so sorry you’re having such a rough time - pregnancy can be absolute miserable. If you are looking for more support, sestaaak started a private pregnancy/parenting Facebook group for Mefites several years ago and it’s the best parenting space on the internet! If you send her a MeFi mail she can add you to the group.
posted by maleficent at 8:08 AM on December 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by maleficent at 8:08 AM on December 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
Best answer: i also had terrible heartburn throughout my pregnancy (not as bad as your case, but daily discomfort) and i still can't really take tums (i think the same as rennies?) because i ate them daily for 9 months. i cycled through tums, milk of magnesia, alka seltzer, and all of them were just slightly helpful. towards the end i realized that famotidine (Pepcid AC) was actually really helpful, and wasn't the worst as far as pregnancy risk-- earlier i had thought it was off the table. (maybe earlier i was less desperate!)
i'm also wondering if you can try to mentally disconnect the discomfort in your esophagus from eating. it sounds like it hurts all the time regardless of what you do. and you gotta eat. so maybe just thinking of it as a terrible side effect of pregnancy but not something you can fix by eating less or different things, if that makes sense. like try not to think of "food rotting in your esophagus" but just the sensation of pain, which at least is less gross!
i'm also kind of concerned about the spitting into a towel thing-- could you be getting dehydrated? that spit is coming from somewhere. and drinking water helps your digestion move along. ice chips? popsicles?
seconding that it went away the second i gave birth, as did the shooting pain in my hip when walking, and within 24 hours after vaginal birth to a 9lb baby i was walking around the hospital corridors feeling like a million bucks. like just so much better than being 9 months pregnant. so it will be over, eventually. and having a baby is really awesome.
posted by katieanne at 8:41 AM on December 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
i'm also wondering if you can try to mentally disconnect the discomfort in your esophagus from eating. it sounds like it hurts all the time regardless of what you do. and you gotta eat. so maybe just thinking of it as a terrible side effect of pregnancy but not something you can fix by eating less or different things, if that makes sense. like try not to think of "food rotting in your esophagus" but just the sensation of pain, which at least is less gross!
i'm also kind of concerned about the spitting into a towel thing-- could you be getting dehydrated? that spit is coming from somewhere. and drinking water helps your digestion move along. ice chips? popsicles?
seconding that it went away the second i gave birth, as did the shooting pain in my hip when walking, and within 24 hours after vaginal birth to a 9lb baby i was walking around the hospital corridors feeling like a million bucks. like just so much better than being 9 months pregnant. so it will be over, eventually. and having a baby is really awesome.
posted by katieanne at 8:41 AM on December 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
carbonated drinks (which I don't usually drink)
If ginger ale works, you might try ginger and see if it's the ginger and not the carbonation.
If ginger ale works, you might try ginger and see if it's the ginger and not the carbonation.
Ginger has been used throughout the world as a therapeutic agent for centuries. The herb is increasingly used in Western society also, with one of the most common indications being pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting (PNV).posted by aniola at 8:55 AM on December 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
[...]
The best available evidence suggests that ginger is a safe and effective treatment for PNV. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the maximum safe dosage of ginger, appropriate duration of treatment, consequences of over-dosage, and potential drug–herb interactions; all of which are important areas for future research.
Another pregnant lady thirty years ago who had terrible nausea and acid reflux, though not HG. Also another who ate mostly ice cream and ginger ale and tea. I don't know how the baby managed to grow, but she did. I gained only 14 pounds total, which bothered my OB, but the baby was full term and over 7 lbs. These days I would probably have tried mumimor's ice cream/yogurt/nut butter/fruit smoothie, which would have been light-years healthier, but somehow my pregnancy ended happily.
My second pregnancy had a touch of nausea, but absolutely nothing like the first, which ended up with a 28 lb. weight gain and another healthy child. So if you decide to have another child there's no guarantee of the same terrible pregnancy side-effects.
posted by citygirl at 9:21 AM on December 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
My second pregnancy had a touch of nausea, but absolutely nothing like the first, which ended up with a 28 lb. weight gain and another healthy child. So if you decide to have another child there's no guarantee of the same terrible pregnancy side-effects.
posted by citygirl at 9:21 AM on December 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
I was nauseated throughout pregnancy, acid reflux, constipation. Yes, eat ice cream, though all-ice-cream as a diet is a shitton of sugar. Try an acid-reflux diet. Mashed potatoes and gravy, often from KFC, were a mainstay for me, baked white or sweet potatoes with butter, salt, pepper. I ate an apple almost every day.
Ginger is worth trying, and sea bands, even just for some placebo effect. Ginger tea with sugar is the least-worst regurg taste. Sorry, but that was my experience.
posted by theora55 at 11:16 AM on December 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ginger is worth trying, and sea bands, even just for some placebo effect. Ginger tea with sugar is the least-worst regurg taste. Sorry, but that was my experience.
posted by theora55 at 11:16 AM on December 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you so much everyone, especially for the new answers! I remembered to take some Rennies when reading the answer about Tums, as the indigestion is big tonight. I already sleep with a bunch of pillows to remain relatively upright, and have just asked to join the pregnancy/parenting Facebook group!
@katieanne – my overnight stay in hospital a few weeks ago was actually brought on by dehydration from spitting, so you're right. Amazingly, today is the first day my hypersalivation has diminished - 18 weeks on the dot! Crossing my fingers.
Re. ice cream recommendations – would love to, but I'll have to stick to non-dairy ice cream as mucus in back of throat is a major problem (apparently it's stomach acid converted into mucus to protect the esophagus from all the vomiting! I don't want to encourage it in any way...)
Thanks again, everyone - so many good ideas here, which I'll be frantically following up :)
posted by Ella_Bella at 3:24 PM on December 10, 2022
@katieanne – my overnight stay in hospital a few weeks ago was actually brought on by dehydration from spitting, so you're right. Amazingly, today is the first day my hypersalivation has diminished - 18 weeks on the dot! Crossing my fingers.
Re. ice cream recommendations – would love to, but I'll have to stick to non-dairy ice cream as mucus in back of throat is a major problem (apparently it's stomach acid converted into mucus to protect the esophagus from all the vomiting! I don't want to encourage it in any way...)
Thanks again, everyone - so many good ideas here, which I'll be frantically following up :)
posted by Ella_Bella at 3:24 PM on December 10, 2022
Hi! IANYRD, and I love the thoughtful responses here, so I'll make a plug for my profession if you end up wanting or needing medical nutrition therapy (and helping folks manage their HE falls in this category!).
There are lots of dietitians/dieticians who'd love to help you and baby stay healthy and well fed during your pregnancy and can take allll of this info and tailor a plan for you that helps make sure you are getting enough fluid, calories, protein, and key vitamins/minerals.
I'm less familiar with the medication options in the UK for helping with nausea/acid reflux so I'll defer to others in the thread. If you suspect a hernia, I'd recommend getting it checked out so you get the right pregnancy-safe medications and treatment, or you can have it ruled out.
Is soya milk or tofu an option for you if cow's milk doesn't sit well? That'll hit a lot of what you'd be getting nutritionally from cow's milk that's important during pregnancy on a 1 to 1 basis. Anything calorically and nutritionally dense that you can tolerate, even in small bites, is a big deal! Nthing ginger; it's a folk remedy for a reason, and while my nausea never became full-on HE (whew), it was a lifesaver for those weeks.
If after you've tried some of these tips and you find that you're losing weight or not gaining weight at the rate you'd like, seek out a dietit(c)ian associated with any prenatal care you're getting; it may be a covered preventative service!
Wishing you well and a speedy resolution, HE is an absolute bear.
posted by OhHaieThere at 5:13 PM on December 11, 2022
There are lots of dietitians/dieticians who'd love to help you and baby stay healthy and well fed during your pregnancy and can take allll of this info and tailor a plan for you that helps make sure you are getting enough fluid, calories, protein, and key vitamins/minerals.
I'm less familiar with the medication options in the UK for helping with nausea/acid reflux so I'll defer to others in the thread. If you suspect a hernia, I'd recommend getting it checked out so you get the right pregnancy-safe medications and treatment, or you can have it ruled out.
Is soya milk or tofu an option for you if cow's milk doesn't sit well? That'll hit a lot of what you'd be getting nutritionally from cow's milk that's important during pregnancy on a 1 to 1 basis. Anything calorically and nutritionally dense that you can tolerate, even in small bites, is a big deal! Nthing ginger; it's a folk remedy for a reason, and while my nausea never became full-on HE (whew), it was a lifesaver for those weeks.
If after you've tried some of these tips and you find that you're losing weight or not gaining weight at the rate you'd like, seek out a dietit(c)ian associated with any prenatal care you're getting; it may be a covered preventative service!
Wishing you well and a speedy resolution, HE is an absolute bear.
posted by OhHaieThere at 5:13 PM on December 11, 2022
Inhaling steam helps the excess mucus for me. I have a handheld steam inhaler. It helps so much with the esophagus stuff you are mentioning!
Also, ondan is super constipating. If there is any other option to explore with your doctor for your nausea, do. It was a vicious cycle for me - nausea caused by constipation relieved by the anti-nausea medication and around and around forever. There are other medications, see if any would be appropriate for you.
Also, the mucus being thick is a sign of dehydration. Drinking pedialyte or Gatorade can help a lot more than just plain water.
posted by Bottlecap at 2:07 AM on December 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also, ondan is super constipating. If there is any other option to explore with your doctor for your nausea, do. It was a vicious cycle for me - nausea caused by constipation relieved by the anti-nausea medication and around and around forever. There are other medications, see if any would be appropriate for you.
Also, the mucus being thick is a sign of dehydration. Drinking pedialyte or Gatorade can help a lot more than just plain water.
posted by Bottlecap at 2:07 AM on December 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
I don't find that ice cream makes my mucus thicker, and it was really amazing when I was preggy, so maybe try it? Real fruit mango popsicles were great for me too, as were sips of cold Coke, tart green apples, and the perennial fave, saltine crackers.
OH! Prenatal vitamins made me wretchedly barfy as they dissolved in my stomach. I think it was the iron and maybe something else in them. Try switching the time of day you take them. And if that doesn't help, try switching brands. And if you're taking a DHA / Fish Oil caplet, for the love of christ, stop, lol, for me they were vile torture and fishy burps. The gummy prenatals are worlds better -First Response and Nature's Bounty are both ok tasting and were WAY better for me than swallowing the giant horse pills!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:18 PM on December 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
OH! Prenatal vitamins made me wretchedly barfy as they dissolved in my stomach. I think it was the iron and maybe something else in them. Try switching the time of day you take them. And if that doesn't help, try switching brands. And if you're taking a DHA / Fish Oil caplet, for the love of christ, stop, lol, for me they were vile torture and fishy burps. The gummy prenatals are worlds better -First Response and Nature's Bounty are both ok tasting and were WAY better for me than swallowing the giant horse pills!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:18 PM on December 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
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The positive thing is: all the symptoms disappeared the very instant the baby was born, and she was tiny, but healthy, and very rapidly reached the normal growth curve. I love telling her she is made of everything sweet.
Looking back at this, I'm wondering if you could make frozen smoothies, where you blend frozen fruit with a bit of some whole dairy product and oatmeal or seeds for fiber. Greek yogurt would be healthy, but maybe too acidic. If so, go for double cream or organic ice cream. (You don't want something with a lot of additives if it is your only sustenance for four-five months).
Any nut butter, including Nutella, blended with a good ice cream and frozen banana could be good, nutrition-wise, too.
Or get a cheap ice-cream churner and experiment with what you can freeze and eat. I make a vegan ice cream where I blend tinned pineapple with coconut milk, and then churn it. I think I could have eaten that when pregnant.
I think making your own smoothies or ice-creams would be better than eating those little nutrition dense ice-creams you get at the hospital, for your indigestion, because you can add in fiber-rich fruit and veg.
I could drink warm milk with a touch of honey, too. Obviously no tea or coffee. With a banana for fiber.
If I had known what I know now, I would have tried to eat peas, because they are very nutritious, fibrous, sweet and one can eat them straight from the freezer or warm with butter. But I have no idea if that works.
All food supplements made my condition worse. I couldn't take vitamins or mineral supplements. Meat made my condition worse. Bread was very bad. Anything with a strong smell was bad, so for instance hummus was off. Fried foods were off. This worried the doctors and midwife, but as stated above, the baby turned out fine. I think gelato, made from scratch, can be very healthy.
Moderate exercise made me feel better. I went to a pregnancy group with a specialist trainer, where we did some yoga-type stuff and talked a lot. We also drank "universal" herbal tea. I don't know if that exists anymore.
posted by mumimor at 5:51 PM on December 9, 2022 [6 favorites]