Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

An overview of cyclic vomiting syndrome, focusing on the adult-onset form.

This video is part of Strong Medicine's Underappreciated Diseases series. It is meant for educational purposes only, and is not intended to direct the diagnosis or management of any specific patient. I do not claim any notable expertise in this specific disease, and unfortunately, I am unable to provide individualized medical advice in response to comments posted here.

#cyclicvomitingsyndrome #CVS #functionalGI

[griiiim]

This sounds so awful. I'm emetophobic so this is one of my worst nightmares. Everyone suffering with this, you're all incredible and I hope you can find the best solution to help you with managing your condition. All the love to you!

[ABONLazy]

I really want to cry because I felt so alone having this problem

[brysonius]

This hurts so bad. It's pure torture at its worst when not managed. The pain and the fear all together are just so painful it's almost funny... Thank you so much for making this video..

[jasmineeastland]

Thank you so much for bringing this debilitating illness to light, so that more physicians become aware. My husband has been dealing with this for the past 8 years, so this hits home for me. Keep up the great work.

[Mayonnaise.]

I was diagnosed with cvs about a year ago, my doctor said that it could have been caused because of hormonal changes, stress or anxiety. It started at around the time that I got my first period, when I had just turned 10, however this was also around the time that I had a big test. If you also have cvs, I just want you to know you’re not alone and there are other people, like me, with it. <3

[kaptankancik]

Dr. Strong, you are by far THE best medical content provider on youtube. No doubt about it. I really appreciate what you’re doing.

[janeconnolly]

My throat had lump through the whole video. Thank you, thank you, for expressing to the world this awful disease. As mentioned above, the sharing made me feel less lonely and now more able to express myself to people.

[CinemaScandals]

I’m 14 and just diagnosed I vomit for 6-10 times per hour for and average of 20 straight hours and physically can’t do anything, I thought it was normal to throw up that much and never knew that the average person throws up from 0-10 times per year when I do 500, definetly not normal, takes me a week to recover, thanks for the video.

[RonKINGnyc]

I appreciate this video so much! It shed so much light on this disease. I'm having an episode and someone recommended this video. The nausea and vomiting is so severe I can't get out of bed or have the lights on. I go through 3 episodes of vomiting and after the third episode, it's like I never was sick. But during the episodes, it's unbearable. I've been dealing with this for the passed year. At first it felt like death now I'm used to it. I know when it's starting and how long it will last. To anyone suffering from CVS, my advice well what helps me is drinking plenty of water, I'm in no way a health professional but it helps ease the vomiting process for me. I hope that helps and I wish everyone the best in dealing with this. Peace!

[katewalsh]

I struggled for so many years being giving different diagnosis until finally I was diagnosed with cvs. It is a really rough illness especially when I’m such an active person and when I have these episodes I become so depressed. I’ve never met anyone who else suffers from this so it’s nice to see there’s videos online.

[Kokosarbear]

I'm 43...had my 1st episode at 18....took 4 years to get diagnosed....I get an episode at least once...usually more like 2 to 3 a year....I remember trying to describe to the e.r what was happening....and how only a shower would make me feel better ...until I would get out then immediately start puking fear I have when I know it's coming on is pure torture....Phenergan burns so bad when they put it in my let's be honest....promethazine Zofran....all I want is to I start goin crazy from lack of. I'm am so glad I'm not alone. But feel for all of us who suffer from

[lololala]

Just got diagnosed with CVS. Thank you for explaining it so clearly! You gave me some hope 💕

[nicholaspark]

I’ve had cvs since 2016 when I was 15, it’s been a long journey but I’m thankful to say that it does get easier with learning to manage episodes. I haven’t thrown up from one since 2017. Just know that it does get better with time and learning how to deal with these episodes.

[maverickbna]

I suffer from this condition. It is highly stressful! I first experienced this in 2004 during a vacation, and I have still to achieve symptom control 100% of the time. I often have to go to the emergency room for IV hydration and pain control. Occasionally I even get treated as a "drug seeker", because opioids are required to treat my pain, and most medications either don't work or I have adverse effects. When you're waiting for the doctor's schedule, and attacks still happen, I run out of ideas on what to do. Glad that there are at least a couple of people on my side!

[jmsbusiness]

Just had another episode. It really kicked my ass. I though I was going to die this time. I was really scared.

[sydneyelliott]

thank you so much for bringing light to this awful disease… i finally just got diagnosed with CVS and even though it’s been one of the hardest things i’ve ever had to deal with-it’s just that much easier to cope being able to have a diagnosis from my doctors. i’ve been dealing with this since i was 16 where it would last for a week or so and happen every couple months (2/3 months) cut to me now, turning 22 and getting sick every other week or so for about 4-7 days give or take. i can only sleep and puke away the pain… i can’t move, eat, or do anything and it’s paralyzing. it helps to go to the hospital and get on IV fluids and meds but i can’t even get the energy to get up and go there… hell, i can’t even sit up. a lot more doctors need to become aware of it because for so long i wasn’t given the proper help that i needed bc “i was a kid, kids get sick.” or “i’m making it up” or “i have an eating disorder” like first of all no, but second of all if that were the case then maybe look into it???!! idk CVS honestly just sucks so much…

[catfishbilly]

I’ve had this my whole life, only diagnosed 14 years ago… I’m glad to know I’m not alone

[milanh]

I have delt with this since I was 12 years old. I am 28 now and it is not a good life. I want to be healthy for my wife and children but it is the most miserable thing I have expierence. Everything in this video is spot on including the time frames.

[TheTrooperX]

10 years of going through CVS can really burn you out in so many ways. I worked for 7 years and the last 3 years have finally caught up to me where I just cant work anymore, Iv had hospitals accuse me of being a drug addict only to test me and find out I'm clean. I'v had doctors accuse me of being lazy and not wanting to try medicines they dish out by the handfuls only to put me back in the hospital. family members thinking I'm making my sickness up, if one thing this does is completely ware and break you down from constant pain and throwing up, severe anxiety going out in public in fear of having an attack in front of someone is completely embarrassing. I've put my life on hold entirely because of this and just recently have I been able to manage some of the pain with CoQ-10 and amitriptyline. attack still happen and weight loss is always happening. At 18 I was 155 healthy as a lark and I started puking everyday to the point where my pancreas was eating itself and I had to be hospitalized for a week. Now Im 28 and 105 pounds. Years have flown and the pain has barely subsided, I wish this on no one.

I now smoke a shit ton a weed and take my meds which helps keep me out of the hospital, I still have attacks and some damn near close attacks that bring me back, but a hot shower and fluids, also watching what you eat and how much you eat at once will also help save you from an attack, greasy foods are a huge trigger for me and processed foods.

[ahmaddokmak]

Thank you very much. My daughter (18 years) is suffering from the same. in addition, it comes with uncontrolled shivering. please comment on the shivering issue if possible.