A couple of years ago, my middle child started vomiting periodically. When it first began, we assumed a stomach bug and kept him home from school, out of public, etc. He would walk into our room (usually in the early morning hours), complain of nausea, and about 75% of the time, he would actually throw up. He was often back to normal and asking to eat within ten minutes of vomiting, and my husband and I were becoming more perplexed as it continued with increasing frequency.
Our son is a picky eater, and for several years, we chalked it up to his diet, filled with sugar and carbs, despite our efforts to expose him to various foods. We became extra vigilant about what and when he ate, assuming it was likely a reflux issue. This didn’t seem to make much difference, and as the episodes became more frequent, they began to interfere with school (I was constantly trying to decide whether he was actually sick), and I became more and more frustrated.
After talking to countless friends and family who helped me brainstorm and research, I decided to get serious about answers. I took him to the pediatrician to have his insulin levels checked, wondering if it may be related to Type 1 Diabetes. I inquired about reflux, allergies, etc, and after receiving no guidance or answers, I requested (firmly) a GI referral. We were originally placed on a six-month waiting list, but were fortunate to get off the cancellation list just a few weeks later. I immediately loved our GI, who came highly recommended by a friend. She was thorough, took my concerns seriously, and seemed very committed to getting to the bottom of this mysterious condition. She recommended an endoscopy, and when everything came back “normal” on the scope, she called a couple of weeks later to go over the diagnosis.
My son received a diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome. I had a thousand questions and asked how common this was (fairly rare — she diagnoses 2-3 kids annually). She shared that kids are often diagnosed around my son’s age after parents have noticed repeated patterns in vomiting (frequency, time of day, etc) over a number of years. The best part: she could prescribe a medication! My son is now on a daily prescription medication and an over-the-counter supplement, and I’m happy to report that we have seen great results! It has been a huge relief to all of us, most importantly my sweet buddy, who had become way too accustomed to vomiting. The poor guy was throwing up on Christmas morning, as excitement can be a trigger for CVS kids, bless their hearts!
I didn’t realize how much mental space this was consuming until we received a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Before we even knew if the treatment would be effective for him, I felt at peace, finally feeling heard and validated by a medical professional who was invested in improving our situation. We have had our fair share of bizarre ailments among my three kids (none serious, thank goodness), but the times that I have been dismissed have been deeply upsetting, and I can’t overstate the relief I felt when we had answers. As moms, we are all using every tool in our arsenal to advocate for our kids, and having someone come alongside us and listen can make all the difference. For us, it was a relatively simple fix that has dramatically improved our situation. There were many times over the last several years when I felt crazy or just thought that I had a kid who threw up a lot. Thanks to many encouraging friends, I continued to pursue it until we had answers, and I’m so grateful. Here’s to trusting our guts, outsourcing the encouragement when we need it, and continuing to fight for our kids!
