Please Help - Stomach Problems Posted: 07-11-05 00:09am
Hi,
my girlfriend has a problem where once she
gets a sore throat her reaction is
typically followed by a constant bout of
vomiting (she seems to vomit constanly
every 1/2 hr - 1hr) that seems endless and
it can take her up to a full week to
recover. She has undergone numerous tests
to see what causes her sore throats
(sometimes they are from a cold or flu,
and at other times there are unknown
causes)however they have found nothing.
What I am concerned about more is not her
sore throats but this reaction she gets
from them of constant vomiting which
sometimes can only be stopped by an
injection or a pill which her doctor has
prescribed her. It can get really bad and
she has been in hospital at one stage.
They have done an endoscopy (i think thats
how you say it) where they put a tube and
camera down her throat to see if she has
any infections or ulcers in her stomach or
throat but again have found nothing and it
seeems her doctor and specialist cant pin
point the problem and have even admitted
they dont know what causes the problem or
why she reacts like this. Some people say
its her diet and that she cant eat this
and that but she does not eat junk all the
time and usually eats good home cooked
meals. Can some one please help, any
suggestions or ideas or further stepds to
take? I am really concerned for her well
being.
Joe
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blellev
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 13
Posted: 07-18-05 12:46pm
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.
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joe_83
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 5
Stomach Problems Posted: 07-18-05 19:17pm
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.
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
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joe_83
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 5
Posted: 07-19-05 01:17am
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
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blellev
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 13
Posted: 07-19-05 15:06pm
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.
