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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your child or you have signs and symptoms of cyclic vomiting, you're likely to start by seeing your child's pediatrician or your primary care doctor. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a digestive disorders specialist called a gastroenterologist. If you or your child is in the middle of a severe vomiting episode, your doctor may recommend immediate medical care.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready and what to expect from the doctor.
What you can do
- Keep a record of any symptoms you've noticed, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Make your description as specific and detailed as possible. For example, the doctor will want to know how often you or your child experiences an episode of severe vomiting and any typical triggers, such as food or activity, you may have noticed.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent changes — both positive and negative — in your or your child's life. Also include your dietary habits.
- Make a list of your or your child's key medical information, including other medical problems for which you or your child is being treated. Also write down the names of any medications, vitamins, supplements, or other natural remedies you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to take in all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your child's doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions may help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.
For cyclic vomiting syndrome, some basic questions to ask the doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of these symptoms?
- Are there any other possible causes for these symptoms or this condition?
- Do you think my condition is temporary or long lasting?
- Are any tests needed?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- Will I need to take medications long term? What are the possible side effects of those medications?
- Are there lifestyle changes I can make to help prevent future episodes?
- Do I need to follow any dietary restrictions?
- Does cyclic vomiting syndrome increase the risk of other medical problems?
- Are my children or other close relatives at increased risk of this condition?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
- How often do you experience an episode of severe vomiting?
- How many times do you typically vomit during an episode?
- How long do your episodes typically last?
- Are your symptoms accompanied by abdominal pain?
- Have you noticed any warning signs that an episode is coming, such as losing your appetite or feeling unusually tired?
- Have you noticed any common triggers for an episode of severe vomiting, such as intense emotions, illness or menstruation?
- Have you been trying to lose weight? How?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other medical problems, including mental health conditions?
- What treatments, including over-the-counter medications and home remedies, are you taking for other conditions? Have you been taking laxatives?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms or shorten the duration of an episode?
- Do you have any history of severe headaches?
- Does anyone in your family have a history of this condition or of migraines?
What you can do in the meantime
Your doctor will likely want to see you immediately if you're currently having an episode of severe vomiting. If the vomiting has passed, however, your recovery will be aided by getting lots of rest, increasing your intake of fluids and following an easy-to-digest diet. It's also a good idea to avoid caffeinated beverages or foods containing caffeine.
- Dulude E, et al. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 26, 2010.
- Li BU, et al. North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition consensus statement on the diagnosis and management of cyclic vomiting syndrome. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2008;47:379.
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs/CyclicVomitingSyndrome.pdf. Accessed Sept. 26, 2010.
- Pareek NP. Cyclic vomiting syndrome: What a gastroenterologist needs to know. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;102:2832.
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