CVS

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I had a total hysterectomy in August 2016 and was back at work 3 weeks later with no problems or complications. About two weeks after returning to work, I suddenly became violently ill with severe nausea and nearly constant vomiting. It went on like that for two days and was so bad that I went to the ER and had to get IV fluids. They chalked it up to a virus and sent me on my way with anti-nausea meds. I was completely fine for two weeks then the same symptoms came back. I was nauseated and vomiting about every ten minutes for 2 full days then I would need 3 days to recover and regain my strength. And so it went. I would be perfectly fine for two weeks, able to eat and drink like normal, go to work, and do anything in my usual routine with no problems. Into the beginning of the third week, the symptoms would return and I would be sick for a week, then fine for two weeks, sick for a week, fine for two weeks. My doctor had no idea what was wrong with me and we questioned EVERYTHING I ate, drank, took, and did, but found no common denominator for a cause. I saw a gastroenterologist and a neurologist besides my primary care doctor (whom I've seen for about 15 years), plus many ER doctors and none of them had any idea about my condition. I had CTs, MRIs, a stomach scope, Gastric Empyting Study, and an even an EEG. Every test came back 100% normal - no answers.

I had been trying to find answers or help on the internet with no luck, but then got to thinking about how my symptoms appeared in cycles that were like clockwork. I Googled vomiting in cycles and the Cyclic Vomiting Association's website immediately popped up. I very quickly realized that everything that had been happening to me fit CVS. I got an appointment with my doctor and told her all about CVS and she had never heard of it. I found Facebook CVS groups and a wealth of support and information. It was there that I saw people talking about Amitriptyline and so I brought that idea to my doctor as well. I had my first episode in September 2016, started taking Amitriptyline 50mg daily before bed on January 5th, 2017. By February, my episodes were still like clockwork but not near as severe and by March, even less. I had my last episode on March 23rd, 2017. During that time I missed a huge amount of work and I am so grateful to my employer for not firing me. They helped me with FMLA paperwork and never thought of terminating me. They truly wanted me to find answers and recover. My husband and I are still playing catch up with bills because I missed so much work that I used all of my sick and vacation time and had to take most of that time as unpaid leave. I also lost about 60 pounds during the whole ordeal, but I've gained that all back now (unfortunately).

I've read stories of people who suffer for years and years with CVS so I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have found out about Amitriptyline and to have had such a good response to it. I'm down to 10mg a day and will wean off completely before this year is over.