Joe,

i am not an expert by any means, but I was wondering whether her vomiting seems to be due more to feeling sick, or whether she feels fine and vomits for no reason. The reason I ask is that I was diagnosed with achalasia and vomited for five months. The doctors at first assumed that I was bulimic because they had no explanation for my vomiting (when I ate) until I was diagnosed. I did not want to throw up, but couldn't seem to help but throw up everything I ate (which did not get into my stomach only my upper digestive system). I also had a sore throat from acid reflux that precluded the vomiting.

Anyway, not sure if this helps, but if her vomiting is not from feeling sick and occurs when she eats for seemingly no reason, it may be achalasia.

Hope she gets better soon.

Hi,

thanks for your response. She does throw up for no reason, not because she gets sick. A sore throat for some reason precludes her vomiting like you describe in your case. This seems to be the trigger for her constant bout of vomiting.

I would like to ask, what exactly is achalasia? How does it come about and is it curable? Any help would be great.

Thanks again,
regards

joe

Joe,

here is some information on achalasia from medline plus. Http://www.Nlm.Nih.Gov/medlineplus/ency/ar ticle/000267.Htm

achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). The esophagus is less able to move food toward the stomach, and the valve from the esophagus to the stomach does not relax as much as it needs to during swallowing. This relaxation is needed to allow food to enter the stomach.

Another part of the disorder is lack of nervous stimulation to the esophagus. Causes include damage to the nerves to the esophagus, parasitic infection, cancers, and hereditary factors. Achalasia is a rare disorder, may occur at any age, but is most common in middle-aged or older adults.

Symptoms
* difficulty swallowing liquids and solids
* regurgitation of food
* chest pain which may increase after eating or may radiate to the back, neck, and arms
* unintentional weight loss
* heartburn
* cough

signs and tests
an upper gi x-ray test or barium esophagogram may show absence of peristalsis, a dilated proximal esophagus, and a narrowing at the bottom of the esophagus. The diagnosis is confirmed with esophageal manometry. Physical examination may show signs of anemia.

Treatment
therapy usually involves dilation of the lower sphincter or injection with botulinum toxin to paralyze it and prevent spasms. Medications such as long-acting nitrates or calcium channel blockers can also be used to lower the pressure at the lower esophagus sphincter.

Surgery to decrease the pressure in the lower sphincter (called an esophagomyotomy) may be indicated if other interventions fail.

Hope this helps to inform and just let me know if you want more personal information from my experience. As I said, I don't know if this is what is going on with your gf, but her symptoms sounded much like mine.

Barb

Barb,

thanks for your help, thats great information.

There is also something else which I recently discovered called cvs (cyclic vomiting syndrome), have you heard of it or were you ever told about it? I thought it may be that but dont know much about it, do you know much about it and if it may be this as well perhaps?

Thanks again, much appreciated.
Regards

joe

Joe,

unfortunately I don't konw anything about that disorder at all. I hope she finds a diagnosis soon, I know how hard this can be.

Keep me updated!
Barb