My Story

Hi, My name is Linda. I am a 37 yr old single mom of three wonderful boys ages 16, 15, and 10. I am not sure exactly where to begin, I am new to this whole blog thing. I just figured I would share my experience and hope that someone out there knows what I am talking about. Anyway, I guess when I look back and take into account all the times the doctors thought I had gastritis was really this cyclic vomiting syndrome. Part of the problem I was having was, I was seeing to many different doctors. So with some in depth research I found a fantastic doctor. This past September I had a full work up and the my doctor could not find anything wrong with me, they never could find anything wrong with me. They always said it would pass or here try this medicine. It was never really very severe up until this past December. I had extreme nausea and vomiting. I went to work on a Monday, like I normally do, and as the day went on I felt exhausted. I was beyond tired and couldn't wait to get home. I literally slept from the moment i got home to the moment I had to get up for work the next day. Needless to say it was not very easy to take care of my kids while feeling the way I did. Not only was I tired but I was nauseous. Medication wasn't helping, there was no end in sight. I went to work Tuesday, but by the time I got home I had deteriorated so much that I prayed I could just make it home. That night things took a turn for the worse. I starting vomiting uncontrollably so much so that it just would not stop. I finally went to the emergency room the next morning. I was admitted later on that day for dehydration. Before I was released from the hospital I had a full work up again and again the doctors could not find anything wrong and came to the conclusion that I had this disorder. Once I learned about this, I did a little research and realized that I fit the profile.  I called my sister who lives in Arkansas to tell her about it and she told me she had been diagnosed with the same thing a few years ago. I wonder could there be a genetic link? It's been a month since I was diagnosed and have lost over 20lbs. Not the way to lose weight...I have good days and bad days. These days it's mostly bad, I walk around with Zofran to control the nausea. I've still yet to regain all my strength back, but everyday is a different day. If it wasn't for my persistence I don't know if I would have been correctly diagnosed at all. I will say this. I still haven't gotten all my energy back yet. I am starting to work around this illness. I carry plastic bags on me just in case I get sick while I am out. On my good days, I get up and take advantage of my time and when I need my rest and feel sick, I rest. I have wonderful mother who has stood by my side through all this and loving me unconditionally. Let's not forget the three most important men in my life, my boys. They are the ones who give me the strength to keep going.

I just want to explain a little about Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome is for the people who don't know to much about it.
There is the phase where there are no symptoms.
Then there is the phase here nausea and vomiting begin. It can last anywhere from minutes to days, most people usually are not able to tolerate food, liquids, medications and other things by mouth. Most people are usually pale, tired, and just exhausted from all the vomiting has taken on his/her body. Some people end up in the emergency room, even hospitalized due to the lack of fluids. Medications usually need to be given intravenously to control the vomiting.
Recovery phase is when nausea and vomiting usually stop, a person may slowly starts to get there appetite back, and energy slowly returns within a few weeks.

Since there is no specific test for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and no known origin, it is usually very hard to diagnose. Once all diagnostic testing for all other intestinal disorders have been done and excluded can a doctor come to a conclusion of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.

I have read and come across many different links. Below are just a few that I have found to be helpful;
http://www.cvsaonline.org/
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs
ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome

I was in the dark about all of this in the beginning and I am just hoping that my story and the information I have provided has helped. I look forward to your feedback and storied and gaining more knowledge myself. I will be updating daily. I hope to hear from you soon :)