A recent article highlighted the struggles of a man in South Yorkshire who has lost multiple jobs due to his diagnosis of cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS). 

Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a rare disorder that is characterized by episodes of severe vomiting. These episodes seem to have no apparent cause and can last for hours or even days. Even though CVS was once thought to only affect children, now it is known that the condition occurs in all age groups.

Symptoms:

The characteristic symptom of CVS, according to Mayo Clinic, includes severe vomiting that occurs several times per hour and lasts less than one week, or three or more separate episodes of vomiting with no apparent cause in the past year. Additional common symptoms of CVS include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light

The time between these vomiting episodes are generally symptom-free, but continued vomiting can cause severe dehydration that could be life-threatening.

Causes:

The exact cause of CVS is still largely unknown, but the following triggers have been identified:

• Colds, allergies, or sinus problems
• Emotional stress, anxiety or panic attacks, or excitement
• Certain foods, such as chocolate or cheese
• Overeating or eating right before bed
• Hot weather
• Physical exhaustion
• Menstruation

In addition to these, there may be a link between migraines and cyclic vomiting syndrome because many children with the disease have a family history of migraines. Chronic use of marijuana has also been associated with the condition.

Treatments:

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cyclic vomiting syndrome, so treatment for the condition is symptomatic and supportive. These treatment options include:

• Anti-nausea drugs
• Sedatives or antidepressants
• Medications that suppress stomach acid

For people with more frequent or lengthy episodes of vomiting, medications that are commonly used for migraines can be beneficial. In addition to these clinical treatments, lifestyle changes are important for patients. If a particular trigger has been identified, the patient must avoid this trigger. It is also important to drink enough water to prevent dehydration and eat a normal diet. 

Ryan Lewis’ Story

22-year-old Ryan Lewis was diagnosed with the rare chronic illness called cyclical vomiting syndrome. In September of 2021, after returning from a vacation, he started feeling ill on a regular basis. Lewis’ symptoms were so severe to the point he could not keep any food in his stomach, had intense pain, and was even forced to leave his job due to the abdominal pain and nausea.

He spent months vomiting regularly and was even admitted to the hospital seven times in only six months. Lewis underwent numerous tests and hospital visits before finally being diagnosed with CVS.

Impacts on his Career

One impact Lewis was not expecting from his diagnosis was the way it affected his career. In only half a year, he lost a total of three jobs due to his constant vomiting making it hard to keep a job. Furthermore, he had issues with getting Universal Credit due to struggles getting a sick note from his general physician. Thankfully, Lewis is now a tutor, which provides him with a more flexible schedule.

Looking Towards the Future

Ryan Lewis has been very vocal about his experiences with struggling to get diagnosed. He was admitted to multiple hospitals, each of which had their own issues. Lewis shared that he was sent to the wrong ward once, hospitals did not have enough beds available, there were inconsistent levels of care and attention, and often times doctors did not reserve enough time to see him and understand his issues.

As someone who is consistently going to the hospital, Lewis wants better care for himself and others diagnosed with CVS. Currently, he is trying to find the best form of pain management that will work for him and finding medications that will help ease his symptoms. As a result, Lewis has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds so that he can get more suitable care from a private practitioner. Private practitioners are expensive, especially for someone who has lost multiple jobs over a few months. He hopes to reduce the number of times he has to go to the hospital and have a better home pain management plan.

Lewis has been shocked by the outpouring of support he has received, as his GoFundMe received nearly double the amount he asked for. His campaign has received recognition from other CVS patients who understand the struggles he is going through, many of whom are going through similar issues.

If you would like to donate or view the fundraiser, check it out here.