Tummy Troubles

My life has never been normal. To be fair, no one's really is. Some of us struggle with family issues, some of us have depression, my story is one that includes health issues. Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions about my stomach problems so I'm writing this so I don't have to repeat myself twelve more times. ;)

I have what's called Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (don't worry for you squeamish people, I'm not going to go into super morbid detail or anything). CVS is episodes of intense vomiting and abdominal pain for several hours or days followed by a period of time where there are no symptoms. This is also considered a brain-gut disorder because your mind/emotions factor in a lot. I've probably had this disorder since I was around 6 months old. 

Sometimes these cycles are caused by a trigger, and sometimes they just happen. For me there is usually always a trigger. My triggers, usually, are being too emotional (mostly too excited or happy), motion sickness, stress, not eating for certain amounts of time, or sickness like the stomach flu. For me there are different types of episodes. I have times when I am just in super intense pain (what I call mini cycles) and then there are the times when I am actually throwing up (full cycles). 

During a mini cycle I typically feel the pain when my body is trying to calm down (like after excitement or stress). My body has a hard time coping with suddenly calming down which makes the nerves in my stomach freak out and start hurting. This might happen when I am trying to go to bed, or I might wake up in the middle of the night from the pain, or I might just wake up in the morning in pain. Sometimes when I calm down too quickly (like getting excited and going to a movie and calming down during the movie) I start to shake. If I am shaking, don't be alarmed haha it's just my normal and know that it probably won't go away for a while, like until I go to sleep or relax a lot more. 

My full cycles usually start in the middle of the night. I wake up with horrible pain and then a few minutes later, well, let's just say I spend the rest of the night in the bathroom. My throwing up, like I said earlier, happens in cycles which tend to follow the same pattern almost every time. Once I stop actually throwing up I'm left with severe stomach pain, like I can't stand up straight because it hurts too bad. That lasts for about another day or so, gradually hurting less. And then I go for a period of time without symptoms. You never know how long until you have another flair up. 

I haven't had a full cycle in several years, thanks to modern medicine. This medicine takes away the worst of it, making it possible for me to graduate, go to Europe, start college, and more with out getting a full cycle. 

Other than having CVS, my stomach still hates me. It has decided that it does not, at all, like me to eat. I can't eat foods with tomatoes, spices, wheat, or dairy without being in bad pain. But, eating too much sugar also makes it hurt, and so does eating too much, but if I don't eat then I get sick too. 

So please don't be offended if I don't accept the food you offer me, or if I pick out certain things from the meal. I'm simply trying to enjoy your food without being in too much pain. And if I have to cancel plans because I don't feel good, I really am sorry, but it's the best thing for my body. And if you ever have any questions, ask! I find this stuff fascinating so I'm always reading more up on it and would love to tell you what I know.

If you read this far, props to you. I appreciate you reading this. And if you really enjoyed yourself that much, here's a link to even more information.
http:///cvsaonline.org/what-is-cvs/