Treatment Success?

This Blog entry is beginning with some treatment success findings. I will add more as I find them!

Abstract (Summary)
"The usage and effectiveness of > 20 treatment options were reported by 765 women for 1193 pregnancies. The women who used intravenous (IV) hydration, serotonin inhibitors, and parenteral nutrition (PN) reported the highest rates of effectiveness, with 84%, 83%, and 79% reporting that these respective treatments may have contributed to decreased nausea/vomiting. The use of conventional treatments increased from 20 to 30% to > 60% between 1985 and 1989 and 2000 and 2004; serotonin inhibitor use increased to 55% after its introduction in the1990s," wrote T.M. Goodwin and colleagues, University of California.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Study findings from University of California provide new insights into hyperemesis gravidarum. (2008, May). OBGYN & Reproduction Week,87.
Retrieved March 15, 2009, from ProQuest Health and Medical Complete database. (Document ID: 1471370301).

TPN Study Results (Greece)/ PICC Study Results (U.S.)

I found a short blurb about the use of TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) for HG:
http://www.newsrx.com/library/topics/Hyperemesis-Gravidarum.html

"Traditionally, total parenteral nutrition has been used when patients with
hyperemesis gravidarum fail to respond to conservative measures, including
dietary manipulation and antiemetics. Total parenteral nutrition has been shown
to be an effective method of nutritional support during pregnancy but it
is expensive and has potentially serious complications. Peripheral parenteral nutrition reduces the risk of complications, but caloric intake is limited. A small number of investigators have suggested using enteral nutrition as an alternative to total parenteral nutrition," wrote D.K. Christodoulou and colleagues, University of Ioannina.

I did have TPN for about a week before I developed blood clots in the area of the PICC Line used for the TPN. It is very specific nutrition, vitamins are added to each new bag. It was very expensive at a price tag of $1500 per bag (That did not include other costs : home delivery and home nurse, and all the other drugs that are required to keep the line clean: heparin and saline syringes etc.) After I developed blood clots the PICC Line had to be removed which was a complication in itself because now I was back to square one AND I had life threatening blood clots! Which is where this little blurb from another study comes in:

"More than one half of patients who received a PICC experienced a serious
or potentially life-threatening complication directly related to the treatment. Because there were no differences in neonatal outcomes, the authors conclude that PICCs should be avoided in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum..."

Amy Crawford-Faucher. (2008). Effectiveness of Treatment Options for Hyperemesis Gravidarum. American Family Physician, 78(9), 1089-1090. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from
Research Library Core database. (Document ID: 1584143891).

The study showed that the complications associated with PICC Line use to be: Thrombosis (blood clots), Pulmonary Embolus (blood clot in lungs or a clot that traveled to the lungs), Localized Cellulitis (inflammation of subcutaneous tissue), and Sepsis (pathogens or toxins in the bloodstream or tissues).

What to do after vomiting:

From a hospital handout...

Coping with Vomiting

• REST. Get some fresh air, take a walk.
• Avoid places with strong odors
• Sip on tart juices: lemonade or cranberry juice diluted with water
• Drink fluids other than water. Drinking plain water may cause more vomiting.
• Eat candies or fruit with tart flavors: hard candies, mints, lemon drops. These help cut saliva and cover unpleasant tastes in your mouth.
• Salty flavors help settle the stomach.
• Try small amounts of sweet or cold foods: popsicles, jello, jelly beans, pudding, fruit, custard, yogurt, or ice cream.
• Do not take any over the counter medications to stop vomiting unless prescribed by your doctor!
• Stop prenatal or iron pills for a few days if they cause stomach upset or vomiting.

Foods to Replace Lost Nutrients:

I recently found a paper given to me by a nutritionist while I was hospitalized with HG, here are some foods you can eat to replace nutrients lost to severe vomiting...

Fluids: (Take 2 to 3 ounces)

• Juices
• Teas
• Lemonade
• Popsicles
• Sports Drinks
• Noodle Soups

Salt:

• Pretzels
• Noodle Soups
• Pickles
• Crackers
• Chicken Broth
• Tortilla Chips
• Potato Chips

Potassium:

• Avocado
• Potato
• Sweet potato
• Winter squash
• Kiwi
• Watermelon
• Banana
• Potato chips
• Vegetable juice
• Apricots
• Honeydew melon
• Cantaloupe

Magnesium:

• Broccoli
• Almonds
• Soy milk
• Wheat germ
• Peanut butter
• Sunflower seeds
• Whole wheat bread
• Bran muffin
• Spinach

Chinese Medicine???? Hmmmm....

Having graduated last year with my Master Herbalist Certification I am very curious about this study:

http://www.nvp-volumes.org/p1_21.htm

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine suppositories for hyperemesis gravidarum by using an index for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

"Chinese herbal medicines, which are considered effective and safe for
morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum in East Asia, present some
disadvantages when ingested orally, e.g., induction of nausea because of their
characteristic odour. Because of the above reason, we formulated and used
suppositories of Chinese herbal medicine extracts. The chief symptoms of
hyperemesis gravidarum are subjective, making it difficult to compare the
symptoms and evaluate efficacy of treatment. In the present clinical trial,
therefore, we categorised symptoms by severity and evaluated therapeutic
efficacy according to a questionnaire-based survey using the Index for Nausea
and Vomiting of Pregnancy.

It is difficult to evaluate hyperemesis gravidarum objectively, because of the fact that it mainly consists of subjective symptoms. Furthermore, the number of classes of the complaints considered to be symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum is as numerous as 20. Based on the above background, the Emesis Index (EI) has been created, modified and used. The EI originally created chiefly consisted of three symptoms of high incidence and intense severity, i.e., nausea, vomiting, and appetite. The INVP, modified to include the symptoms of salivation and dryness of mouth and acetone in the urine, was used in the present clinical trial. The INVP is thought to be more useful than the EI for evaluating hyperemesis gravidarum.

Fluid therapy was combined in treating many cases. Suppositories alone were used in the majority of outpatients and in the inpatients who detested the odour of the fluid. These patients showed no particular problems, and the improving process of symptoms did not differ from the patients in whom fluid therapy was combined. In the patients in whom fluid therapy was used alone and in combination with suppositories, symptoms improved earlier at the time of combined therapy than at the time of fluid therapy alone.

Herbal remedies are recommended commonly for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Chinese herbal medicine suppositories appear to be a reasonable therapeutic alternative for hyperemesis gravidarum. A randomised trial is needed to confirm the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine suppositories for hyperemesis gravidarum."

More HG Videos...

Hi everyone :P
I have added some new links to HG Articles... and have found some videos on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pilkinton39

A New Zealand woman tells of her experiences with HG

More info on the current study at USC

Come on ladies... I did it! I know you have some spit to share...