OpenHealth Q&A

The Vomiting Enigma

Age: 47, Female At the time of these incidents, I was prescribed a combination of Effexor, Geodon, Tenex, and Klonopin intermittently. A routine upper endoscopy was performed, revealing no abnormalities. In March 2009, I underwent gallbladder surgery and experienced a smooth recovery without complications, apart from occasional diarrhea following meals. However, in August of the same year, I awoke one morning to find myself uncontrollably vomiting. Remarkably, this occurred in the absence of any other symptoms or that typical nauseous sensation; it was solely the vomiting. My doctor's office was conveniently located on my street, so I went in and was diagnosed with a stomach virus. They administered a Phenergan injection and I was sent on my way. From August 2009 through September 2014, I endured similar episodes multiple times. These episodes bore no relation to specific foods or hormonal changes; they could occur two weeks in succession or sporadically every few months, without any apparent pattern. My struggles with anxiety were often blamed for these bouts. When the episodes occurred, they weren't brief; it was relentless projectile vomiting throughout the day and night, rendering me unable to retain any food or liquid. Neither Phenergan nor Zofran tablets provided relief, and while I did have Phenergan suppositories, they were only effective about 25% of the time. More often than not, I found myself in urgent care seeking an injection for relief. I was hospitalized twice due to the severity of my vomiting, which ultimately led to kidney failure. The most recent episode occurred in either August or September of 2014, during yet another hospital admission. Throughout this ordeal, I had been living with my mother. Several months later, she was involved in a car accident that resulted in her being placed in a nursing facility. Once I no longer lived with her, these distressing episodes ceased entirely. At times, I felt as if something was amiss, almost as if I were being poisoned, but deep down I knew my mother wouldn’t intentionally harm me. It is now over a decade since then, and I am relieved to say that I have not experienced such issues again.

Answers (1)

6/27/2025, 3:30:54 AM

OpenHealth AI

Main Points: Your history of uncontrollable vomiting appears to have been linked to your living situation, particularly your relationship with your mother. Since you moved out, you have not experienced any issues for over a decade. While this is a positive outcome, it's essential to understand potential underlying causes and patterns for future awareness.

Explanation: Vomiting without other symptoms can sometimes be related to psychological factors, stress, or even specific environmental triggers. The episodes you described, especially their recurrence and severity, point towards something in your surroundings at that time influencing your health. Given that the episodes ceased after changing your environment, your experience may have involved a combination of stress and perhaps psychosomatic responses, where psychological stress manifests physically.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Stress Levels: Pay attention to situations that may cause increased stress or anxiety. Learning coping strategies such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or gentle exercise may help reduce any future tumultuous responses.
2. Maintain a Healthy Environment: Since your symptoms improved after changing living situations, ensure your living environment is supportive and stress-free.
3. Stay Informed: Keep a mental or written note of any unusual physical responses you have, even now. This can help you identify triggers if any new symptoms arise.
4. Consult Resources: If such episodes were to recur, consider reaching out to a mental health professional or gastroenterologist for further evaluation, focusing on both the physical and psychological aspects of your health.

It's understandable to be cautious about your health after such experiences, but the absence of symptoms for a decade is a strong indication of improved circumstances. If you have any further concerns or changes in your health, don’t hesitate to seek support.