Chronic vomiting in a child

[MosMom]

Before I even ask this...we've already gone to the doctor!

Today, my son (4) woke up vomiting again. He wakes up vomiting at least once every two months. Sometimes more than once in a month. Sometimes it lasts all day, sometimes he throws up a few times in the morning and then he is fine.

This has been going on for a few years now. We've taken him to the doc numerous times and they've said that some kids are just "pukers". They just have sensitive stomachs.

It has gotten to the point where I know it is coming. Yesterday he fell asleep in the afternoon and slept through dinner. He wouldn't eat after he finally woke up. My husband and I looked at each other and knew what was next. There is a definite pattern when it starts up.

So today I took him in and made it very clear that I'm worried and this can't be normal. She took info and we went across the street to the hospital where they did blood tests and x-rays. I also mentioned that he is always thirsty and urinates frequently. Even though he is fully potty trained, he soaks pull-ups at night. I didn't think vomiting was a sign of diabetes but now I see it is. Of course, it doesn't happen constantly so I don't know. I guess we'll find out tomorrow when we get lab results back but it is driving me batty waiting.

Any other parents run across something like this and what was the outcome?

 

[Rachie0507]

My DD6 was the same way as a preschooler. She was definitely a "puker", still is to some extent. I think any "burpy" type feeling would send her over the edge--I can't even tell you how many times it happened at the dinner table!! We joke that it isn't really a vacation until Annie pukes somewhere She also peed a lot, drank a lot, and soaked through pull-ups at night. I had her tested for urinary tract infections and talked to the doctor about diabetes. He wasn't too concerned though. She is now completely normal (other than occassionally throwing up).

I hope the tests come back quickly and clear. Good luck

 

[jenr812]

Does he get any other symptoms with his vomiting? Do you and/or your DH get migraines or is there is a history of migraine in your family? Have you ever heard of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?

My 8 yo DS started a cycle of violent vomiting at around 18 months of age. Every 6 weeks or so, he would run a high temp (104) and would be unable to keep even fluids down. He would be lethargic and very sleepy prior to and shortly after vomiting. Then he would be fine for a few hours and then the fever/vomiting/lethargy would return. This would last for 1-3 days, every 6 weeks. Our ped had no idea what was wrong, and like you, we were told that some kids simply vomit more than others.

I was unsatisfied with that and finally found out about CVS by researching online. It is a stomach migraine and with a history of migraine in the family, it definitely increases the incidence of it. It is often a precursor to regular migraine (which my son has unfortunately progressed to in the past two years.)

If any of this sounds like your son, do a google search and you will find lots of info on it. It has really come out in the open more in the past few years. You can also try cvsaonline.org for info and support. They can refer you to "CVS friendly" doctors in your area. Here is the link to their FAQ page http://www.cvsaonline.org/CVSAFAQs.htm and here is the info. Not all children get fever like my son does.

I hope that isn't what your son has, but if it is, it helps to at least have an answer or a step in the direction of finding treatment. *hugs* to you and your son.

PS I just noticed about what you said about his urination habits. My 8 yo son still wets the bed sometimes, drinks a lot and urinates frequently throughout the day. His neurologist diagnosed him with hypotonic reflexes, which affects bladder tone as well as other things.

 

[KristiKelly]

My cousins son started vomitting over the summer. Occassionally, but then by Nov. ( I think) it became really bad, 14 or so times a day. He is 9, went from 96 lbs to 84 (he's not fat, butt a stocky kid). Anyway, he spent about 8 days in a Children's Hosp. They tested him for something, I don't remember but it's basically a paralyzed stomach, fortunately he didn't have that. He couldn't even keep down an ice cube or 1 cheez it. Not to be gross, but when he threw up, it didn't smell like vomit - you know that gross smell that makes you gag. It just looked and smelled like food.

After that hosp. found nothing, the mom took him to a different Dr. The very 1st thing they asked her was if the other hosp. had done a brain scan to look for tumors or other reasons the BRAIN would be sending signals or not sending signals to the digestive system, they had not. Anyway, that all showed up negative.

He has gradually stopped throwing up constantly but still does a couple of times a week with no explanation. He feels completely fine before and after.

I know this was no help for you but maybe it can help a little.

 

[TimeforMe]

Have you ever heard of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?

I was going to mention the same thing! Thanks jenr--I was having a hard time recalling the name of it. I used to work for a doctor whose dd has it. It was so frustrating for him to watch his poor baby get sick like that and yet there really was nothing he could do. I haven't talked with him for awhile, but last time I did she was still getting them but less frequently.

Like jen said, I would do some research on CVS.

 

[jacksonsmom]

OK, this may sound strange to some but my son went through the same thing when he was younger (between 2-4) he would wake up to vomit at least 2x a month sometimes more. He also would sometimes get sick during the day. He had no other problems (no fever, diarrhea, etc)
I kept taking him in and they ran test after test. His "old" doctor kept shrugging her shoulders and didn't know what it was. I sometimes thought she thought I was making things up.

Anyway, we finally switched doctors and I explained everything to him. He started questioning us about asthma and his coughing.
Well, come to find out he has asthma and reflux disease. We have been treating his asthma and reflux for 3 years now and he rarely will get sick (vomit) now. Only when he has a stomach virus/flu.

So I would have the doctor rule out asthma and reflux also, if they haven't already.

Good Luck! I remember all too well how frustrating that is.

 

[LaraK]

My son has something called eosinophilic esophegitis...the symptoms were uncontrolled projectile vomitting about four times a day. At first it was diagnosed as GERD, but unlike GERD it didn't go away with medicine. The only way it can be diagnosed is with an endoscopy and biopsy. Basically, it's an auto-immune disorder that is associated with food allergy (DS also has asthma and possible cyclical fever syndrome). We were able to issolate the foods that were causing his problems and he's been mostly vomit free for about six months. The syndrome is more common in boys and is really new...you'd have to go to a pediatric GI doc to even talk about it. You may want to go to one anyway for your piece of mind.

 

[MosMom]

Wow! Thank you so much. That description fits him perfectly. I guess we'll see what happens with his bloodwork and if that comes back negative, I will bring this up.

We do have a history of migraines in my family. My dad and grandpa both suffer from migraines. My dads are horrible.

 

[bookgirl]

Have they checked him for reflux or for an over acid system. I have these and sometimes if I eat to many acid bearing foods the next day I get sick and nausous and just feel like I want to lie in bed all day. I developed gall stones due to my stomache seizing and backing up my bile ducts which only increased the reflux and nausea. It sounds gross but it happens. We have now traced it back to my childhood when I had the same problems but nobody knew about reflux then.

 

[kbkids]

My daughter puked ALL THE TIME when she was little - I'm talking at least once a week. We threw away two mattresses because they were beyond cleaning. We joked that she could puke on command - but I really believe she could have if we tried. Anytime she got upset, she threw up. If she didn't like what she was eating, she threw up. If she got hurt (skinned knee, etc.), she threw up. Anytime she was nervous or upset, we just got ready for it. Her doctor said same thing - "she just has a weak stomach." It started at about 12 months, and she FINALLY outgrew it at about the age of 5. She's 9 now, and it's not really a problem anymore - unless she bites into something that she doesn't like. She's got to spit it out quickly or here it comes! They ran tests back when and never found a thing.

 

[MAKmom]

Start keeping a food diary when he gets sick for the 24 hours before.

We went around with this for years. We now think it is Diary protein. Small amounts of milk will give her cramps & constipation...which is rabbit size turds in kids. You want them making long snakes. If she had a big dairy day it was flu like symptoms & vomit.

She can do cooked/boiled milk products. I just found out that ice cream is made from batter that is cooked.

 

[kellydizfan]

My DD now age 9 was diagnosed with Acid Reflux. All she did as a baby was throw up - we could not let her cry as the minute she got aggitated she would get sick. Then as she got older, anything that bothered her stomach she would throw up. We give her Zantac if needed. She has been on a regiment of Zantac for 10 weeks at a time. Anytime she would get the bug, it was 10 times worse with her.

Good Luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

There so many things it could be. A food diary is a must at this point. Make sure you are diligent and mark eating and vomiting times.
Maybe you will see a pattern somewhere? It is worth doing it just to see. Perhaps over 1 month at least.

Asthma and relux are 2 possible things as others had suggested.
You just have to keep at it until you find it.

 

[lil mermaid]

My cousin, who is 13, has Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. She has had it since she was 3 years old or so, but it wasn't diagnosed until she was at least 7. She had been to many doctors, but didn't get any answers. Finally, my aunt (her Mom) found out about CVS on the internet, and went to one of the doctors in her area on one of the CVS websites.

What you are describing sounds EXACTLY like what she has. Most of the women in our family also have migraines as well - there is definitely a connection.

I would definitely check out the site that Jenr812 posted. Good luck, and I hope you can get to the root of the problem.

 

[hlbtimes2]

OK, this may sound strange to some but my son went through the same thing when he was younger (between 2-4) he would wake up to vomit at least 2x a month sometimes more. He also would sometimes get sick during the day. He had no other problems (no fever, diarrhea, etc)
I kept taking him in and they ran test after test. His "old" doctor kept shrugging her shoulders and didn't know what it was. I sometimes thought she thought I was making things up.

Anyway, we finally switched doctors and I explained everything to him. He started questioning us about asthma and his coughing.
Well, come to find out he has asthma and reflux disease. We have been treating his asthma and reflux for 3 years now and he rarely will get sick (vomit) now. Only when he has a stomach virus/flu.

So I would have the doctor rule out asthma and reflux also, if they haven't already.

Good Luck! I remember all too well how frustrating that is.

That is just what I was going to say as well. She has been on singulair for almost year, and the vomiting has stopped.

 

[minkydog]

Have you ever heard of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?

This was my first thought, too. I wonder...

 

[jenr812]

Just wondering how your little boy is doing? (and you!)

 

[Kimberle]

A co-workers boy started vomiting a lot. He had every test in the book and was in the hospital for a week. It was a "stomach migrane". Once he started with med's, he was ok. He was 10.

 

[Nancyg56]

It's funny that you would post this today. My DGD is 5 and has been treated for reflux for over 4 years just had another endoscopy today. She does not vomit but has the feeling a lot lately. Anyway her gastroenterologist took pictures to show my DD the bumps that have formed in her esophagus, stomach and intestines. She has food allergies and the symptoms are mimicking the reflux. The Dr is going to check them and suggest a treatment.

Her first pediatrician said all her symptoms were normal but my DD fired her and took her to another DR. who sent her directly to the specialist. Sometimes a second opinion is good. I hope that you find the answer for your child.

 

[Southern4sure]

Sounds like your son maybe too old for this condition but my oldest son was diagnosed with it. Pyloric Stenosis is projectile vomiting at all times of the day or night and you can tell when it is about to happen (or at least I could). It wouldn't hurt to ask your dr. to test for it even though he is older. It is diagnosed by an ultrasound or an upper GI. Good Luck and I hope your little one starts to feel better soon.