[29F] With chronic nausea, vomiting, migraines, and full-body pain

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described—persistent nausea and vomiting for nearly a year, severe abdominal pain above your belly button after vomiting, migraines with pain now around your eyes, and sharp pains in your arms and legs—here are some possible explanations:

1. Gastrointestinal Issues (e.g., Gastroparesis, Gastritis, or Peptic Ulcer Disease):

   • Persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain could be due to delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis), inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), or a peptic ulcer. These conditions can cause sharp cramping pain, especially after vomiting, and may worsen over time without treatment.
   • Testing: Your doctor may recommend imaging (like an abdominal ultrasound or endoscopy) or tests to check for H. pylori bacteria, which can cause ulcers.

2. Chronic Migraine with Ocular Symptoms:

   • Your long-standing migraines, now involving pain around your eyes, could indicate a chronic migraine condition or a subtype like ocular or cluster headaches. Migraines can also cause nausea and vomiting, which may be contributing to your symptoms.
   • Testing: A neurologist may suggest imaging (like an MRI) to rule out other causes of your new eye pain.

3. Fibromyalgia or a Pain Syndrome:

   • The sharp pains in your arms and legs, combined with widespread body pain, could be related to a condition like fibromyalgia. This condition causes chronic pain and tenderness throughout the body and can overlap with migraines and gastrointestinal symptoms.
   • Testing: Diagnosis is often clinical, based on your symptoms and ruling out other conditions.

4. Electrolyte Imbalance or Dehydration:

   • Frequent vomiting and dehydration can lead to imbalances in your body’s electrolytes, which may cause muscle pain, cramping, and even neurological symptoms.
   • Testing: Blood tests can check for dehydration and electrolyte levels.

What you can do

For Nausea, Vomiting, and Abdominal Pain:

• See a doctor as soon as possible. Persistent nausea and vomiting for nearly a year, combined with severe abdominal pain, require medical evaluation. Your doctor may recommend imaging, blood tests, or an endoscopy to identify the cause.
• Stay hydrated: Sip small amounts of water or an electrolyte solution (like Pedialyte) throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Avoid large gulps, as they may worsen nausea.
• Eat small, bland meals: Stick to foods like crackers, rice, bananas, or applesauce. Avoid spicy, fatty, or acidic foods that can irritate your stomach.
• Track your symptoms: Use MDandMe to journal your nausea, vomiting episodes, and abdominal pain. Note any patterns, such as times of day or foods that worsen symptoms.

For Migraines and Eye Pain:

• Consult a neurologist: Your migraines with new eye pain may need further evaluation. A neurologist can assess whether this is a chronic migraine or another condition, like cluster headaches.
• Manage triggers: If you know your migraine triggers (e.g., stress, lack of sleep, certain foods), try to avoid them. Keep a headache diary to identify patterns.
• Try over-the-counter pain relief: Medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may help reduce migraine pain, but avoid overuse, as it can lead to rebound headaches.

For Full-Body and Limb Pain:

• Stay active within your limits: Gentle stretching or low-impact exercises like walking or yoga can help reduce muscle pain. Avoid overexertion, which may worsen symptoms.
• Apply heat or cold packs: Use a heating pad or warm bath to relax sore muscles, or try cold packs for sharp, localized pain.
• Consider seeing a rheumatologist: If your body pain persists, a specialist can evaluate for conditions like fibromyalgia or other pain syndromes.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
• Severe dehydration symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, or inability to keep fluids down.
• Worsening migraines with vision changes, confusion, or weakness.
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain that does not improve.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs.

Your symptoms are complex and may involve multiple underlying conditions. It’s important to work with a healthcare provider to get a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, tracking your symptoms with MDandMe can help you and your doctor identify patterns and monitor progress. Let me know if you’d like help preparing for your next doctor’s visit!