Hello,
I too am a survivor of HG. I've had two pregnancies with HG. I decided to terminate my first pregnancy due to lack of support and out of fear that I was slowly dying (even though everyone around told me it was normal to be sick during pregnancy).
During my second pregnancy, my HG was even worse. I lost a significant amount of weight and vomited up to 18 times a day. Unfortunately, my husband (who was serving active duty in the Army at the time) was deployed for a month. I had no support. In a weakend condition (not even being able to hold down water), I managed to drive myself to the hospital where I was given IV fluids. My doctors tried several medications and I finally felt releif with Zofran.
I had to fight throughout my pregnacy to keep myself and my son alive. Unfortunately, with the military, you rarely see the same Dr. at each visit. Many Dr.'s were reluctant to prescribe medication to me. Usually they would give me a prescription for 7 days... but the pharmacy demanded that prescriptions be submitted 2 weeks before pick-up ... since this medication is a "special order". I was at the hospital every day of the week at one point, just trying to get prescriptions and to try to get them filled. This became more than a part-time job as I was usually there for the whole day.
At one point, my medical file was handed to a Colonel. She talked to me like this illness was all in my head and had the nerve to ask me how I planned to deal with my "ballance issue" once my baby arrives and am no longer pregnant. I informed her that since my illness was caused by my pregnancy, I would no longer have this problem once I gave birth. At this point, she no longer spoke to me, but instead tried to reason with my husband that I should not be given medication while pregnant. She told me that my file would be reviewed and that I would likely be denied prescriptions for Zofran.
I attempted to make an appointment with another Dr. who I had seen prior; a Dr. who understood HG. I was told that I could not get an app. with him and that he would not be able to prescribe Zofran to me since the Colonel outranked him and the Colonel would have the final say.
As a last resort, I picked up an application from the patient representative at the hospital. I marched up to the OB clinic and informed the reception nurse that I was fed up with the treatmeant I had received and that if I did not have my medication by the next day, that I was going to file a formal complaint. I was angry. I was fed up. I waved the complaint form in the air as I said this so that she knew I was serious. I was so fed up that it felt like this was my last stand. ... The next day I was prescribed a bottle of 3 months worth of Zofran (with another 3 month refill) ...from a Dr. who told me that I did not need it. At this point, I was 7 months pregnant so I didn't even need 6 months worth of meds.
I was very fortunate in that my HG was able to be managed through Zofran. I only vomitted about twice a day while I was on Zofran ... although I still felt sick all of the time. I was ill right up to the delivery of my son but while on Zofran I was able to function enough to shower, keep down water, and keep down some food. I even managed to gain 14 lbs throughout my pregnancy.
We now have an amazing 17 month old son.
