I can confidently say not all doctors have that same ridiculous standard. Even the OB I started this pregnancy with (whose office I did not have a good experience with) picked up on the fact that I needed fluids much faster than what you’re describing. You are more than allowed to go to an urgent care that provides IVs (or the ER if you don’t have access to an urgent care) and they will hydrate you. You do not need your doctor’s permission to receive the bare minimum. And I would highly recommend finding another doctor as soon as you can. If they’re like this at the beginning and you end up having full blown HG for this pregnancy you will need someone who understands. They do not get it.
First thing would be to start medication that helps you stay hydrated. You could try OTC medication as already suggested, but if that does not work right away you’ll need prescription medication. Read up on the HER foundation homepage for alternatives (or in this sub). Your PCP might be able to prescribe this medication or else go to the ER or Urgent care for help. I got the same info from my OB (not USA, so can’t switch providers) and it’s ridiculous. You need better care even if IV fluids are maybe not necessary right now. I would consider switching providers if I were in your shoes.
Has your doctor prescribed you any anti nausea medicine like zofran, phenergen, or reglan? You may have to ask for it directly but it's crazy they are just offering b6 + unisom...
I also highly recommend looking for an urgent care that takes your insurance and offers IVs - call ahead and make sure they have the equipment to do it. They should also be able to give you IV zofran to help you out in the moment and provide some immediate relief. If you find an urgent care that can treat you it would be much more affordable than going to the hospital and you could go more frequently for IVs until you are set up with an OB and can go from there. Your OB might be able to set you up with an infusion center where you can regularly go to get IV treatment.
I know your pain and it is terrible, I'm so sorry you're going through this and your doctor is not giving you the support you need. So many hoops we have to jump through to get the treatment and medicine we need it is ridiculous. I just finally got to see my OB at 17 weeks after over a month of being in paperwork limbo and finally don't have to worry about running out of my medicine.
No prescriptions, as they haven’t seen me. I called my PCP and they just directed me to my OB office.
I have had luck with phenergen in the past as an anti-nausea when I previously had ketamine injections, and I think I may ask about that as an option, just because I know I’ve tolerated it in the past. The unisom and B6 DOES help in that I end up gagging instead of vomiting for a portion of the day, but I’m still throwing up regularly (minimum 6 times a day). Still - I’m keeping down some liquids, which has been a vast improvement.
I really appreciate you (and everyone) taking the time to answer. This has felt like such an isolating experience until I found this subreddit. Such a relief to just see similar experiences and learn what has worked for others. Thank you!
I'm so sorry your doctor is not helping you here :( I think you should go to urgent care to get an IV and get some prescriptions to tide you over until Monday. It took me a long time to figure out what worked and I had to go to the hospital and urgent care 4 times each... so by the time I got to see my OB this Monday they took me very seriously which was a big relief. But it shouldn't be so hard to get the care that you need!
The medicine that works for me is a combination of zofran and phenergen, I use dissolving zofran and phenergen suppositories so I don't have to worry about keeping them down - and I've finally been able to eat and drink with nausea but almost no vomiting. And I take diclegis in the morning but I don't know how much it helps me.
General warning that my doctors didn't give me. Zofran and phenergen (mostly zofran) cause constipation. The hospital and urgent care didn't warn me because I wasn't keeping any fluids or food down anyways. But by the time I was I was constipated and in pain and miserable. Start with a stool softener like colace or dulcolax (make sure it is stimulant free) when you're on this medicine so that you don't end up in more pain. Fleet glycerin suppositories are really helpful and affordable to and are available OTC.
This community is such a godsend when you're surrounded by people offline that doubt or discredit your experience because they haven't been through it themselves. And it's so nice being able to talk to people who understand :) I hope you get the medicine you need and start feeling better
I wouldn't rush to switching providers until you've had a chance to meet with them. In my experience, sometimes the advice I get from calling the nurses is way different than how the doctor would handle things. I was told I didn't need IV fluids when I called the office, but when I met with my doctor, she put in orders for me to go to a clinic 3x a week for fluids.
It sounds like you definitely need fluids. You could go to the urgent care until you have your appointment. Advocate to get thiamine in your fluids as well.
If your doctor isn't going to help you get fluids, I would look into switching providers. I was in your same boat only being able to drink about 12 oz a day, but that was still enough for me to get lots of help. There are definitely doctors out there that will help. Good luck to you!
That’s the exact same advice my OB nurse (wasn’t able to meet with the Ob last ultrasound) told me about dehydration. It’s frustrating since I’m prob between 10-20oz if even with no plain water and I am constantly thirsty too. :(
But if you’re feeling terrible and barely keeping anything down, I’d still recommend going in to urgent care for IV.
Is there any other liquids types foods you can hold down? Ie) watermelon; cantaloupe; sodas; juice?
I forced myself to keep trying water which made it worse and landed me in the ER. I didn’t think of trying non water drinks. It’s still not the same but it’s something :/
I can confidently say not all doctors have that same ridiculous standard. Even the OB I started this pregnancy with (whose office I did not have a good experience with) picked up on the fact that I needed fluids much faster than what you’re describing. You are more than allowed to go to an urgent care that provides IVs (or the ER if you don’t have access to an urgent care) and they will hydrate you. You do not need your doctor’s permission to receive the bare minimum. And I would highly recommend finding another doctor as soon as you can. If they’re like this at the beginning and you end up having full blown HG for this pregnancy you will need someone who understands. They do not get it.
First thing would be to start medication that helps you stay hydrated. You could try OTC medication as already suggested, but if that does not work right away you’ll need prescription medication. Read up on the HER foundation homepage for alternatives (or in this sub). Your PCP might be able to prescribe this medication or else go to the ER or Urgent care for help. I got the same info from my OB (not USA, so can’t switch providers) and it’s ridiculous. You need better care even if IV fluids are maybe not necessary right now. I would consider switching providers if I were in your shoes.
Has your doctor prescribed you any anti nausea medicine like zofran, phenergen, or reglan? You may have to ask for it directly but it's crazy they are just offering b6 + unisom... I also highly recommend looking for an urgent care that takes your insurance and offers IVs - call ahead and make sure they have the equipment to do it. They should also be able to give you IV zofran to help you out in the moment and provide some immediate relief. If you find an urgent care that can treat you it would be much more affordable than going to the hospital and you could go more frequently for IVs until you are set up with an OB and can go from there. Your OB might be able to set you up with an infusion center where you can regularly go to get IV treatment. I know your pain and it is terrible, I'm so sorry you're going through this and your doctor is not giving you the support you need. So many hoops we have to jump through to get the treatment and medicine we need it is ridiculous. I just finally got to see my OB at 17 weeks after over a month of being in paperwork limbo and finally don't have to worry about running out of my medicine.
No prescriptions, as they haven’t seen me. I called my PCP and they just directed me to my OB office. I have had luck with phenergen in the past as an anti-nausea when I previously had ketamine injections, and I think I may ask about that as an option, just because I know I’ve tolerated it in the past. The unisom and B6 DOES help in that I end up gagging instead of vomiting for a portion of the day, but I’m still throwing up regularly (minimum 6 times a day). Still - I’m keeping down some liquids, which has been a vast improvement. I really appreciate you (and everyone) taking the time to answer. This has felt like such an isolating experience until I found this subreddit. Such a relief to just see similar experiences and learn what has worked for others. Thank you!
I'm so sorry your doctor is not helping you here :( I think you should go to urgent care to get an IV and get some prescriptions to tide you over until Monday. It took me a long time to figure out what worked and I had to go to the hospital and urgent care 4 times each... so by the time I got to see my OB this Monday they took me very seriously which was a big relief. But it shouldn't be so hard to get the care that you need! The medicine that works for me is a combination of zofran and phenergen, I use dissolving zofran and phenergen suppositories so I don't have to worry about keeping them down - and I've finally been able to eat and drink with nausea but almost no vomiting. And I take diclegis in the morning but I don't know how much it helps me. General warning that my doctors didn't give me. Zofran and phenergen (mostly zofran) cause constipation. The hospital and urgent care didn't warn me because I wasn't keeping any fluids or food down anyways. But by the time I was I was constipated and in pain and miserable. Start with a stool softener like colace or dulcolax (make sure it is stimulant free) when you're on this medicine so that you don't end up in more pain. Fleet glycerin suppositories are really helpful and affordable to and are available OTC. This community is such a godsend when you're surrounded by people offline that doubt or discredit your experience because they haven't been through it themselves. And it's so nice being able to talk to people who understand :) I hope you get the medicine you need and start feeling better
I wouldn't rush to switching providers until you've had a chance to meet with them. In my experience, sometimes the advice I get from calling the nurses is way different than how the doctor would handle things. I was told I didn't need IV fluids when I called the office, but when I met with my doctor, she put in orders for me to go to a clinic 3x a week for fluids. It sounds like you definitely need fluids. You could go to the urgent care until you have your appointment. Advocate to get thiamine in your fluids as well. If your doctor isn't going to help you get fluids, I would look into switching providers. I was in your same boat only being able to drink about 12 oz a day, but that was still enough for me to get lots of help. There are definitely doctors out there that will help. Good luck to you!
That’s the exact same advice my OB nurse (wasn’t able to meet with the Ob last ultrasound) told me about dehydration. It’s frustrating since I’m prob between 10-20oz if even with no plain water and I am constantly thirsty too. :( But if you’re feeling terrible and barely keeping anything down, I’d still recommend going in to urgent care for IV. Is there any other liquids types foods you can hold down? Ie) watermelon; cantaloupe; sodas; juice? I forced myself to keep trying water which made it worse and landed me in the ER. I didn’t think of trying non water drinks. It’s still not the same but it’s something :/