Chronic vomiting/son

My 21month old son vomits at least 3 times a day. Some days he will go all day without vomiting and other days he doesn't seem to stop. We have had him tested for physical causes: metabolic disorders, various diseases, and organic problems, but we have learned nothing. Our doc is checking with a gastroenterologist but doesn't think he will find anything either. What is making him do this. He is underweight and has very dry, course skin. He is not developmentally delayed, and seems to very well (when he is not vomiting). We are unsure of what to do... Please give us any advice on what, or where, to go next. Thanks

[HVM M.D. - EV]

Dear Ms. Hicks,
      Thank you for your question about your son.  
      Since your son is having recurrent vomiting - I would encourage you to see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist.  Could there be an anatomical explanation which could be evaluated by radiographic studies?  Or could this represent reguritation of stomach contents - what is referred to gastroesophageal reflux ? Or might your son be very sensitive to certain foods in his diet - dairy, gluten come to mind.  Again, a gastroenterologist could help sort some of this out - and, perhaps - depending upon his/her findings - even recommend treatment.
     You mentioned that your son is underweight. Certainly his vomiting might be costing him some growth - but not necessarily. More importantly - is he gaining appropriately and maintaining a normal growth curve?
     With reference to his dry, course skin - is this a separate issue or related to his vomiting?  Again, perhaps a specialist or at least someone fresh could help reevaluate.
     Sometimes - the answers are slow coming. But I would persist in asking.
     Finally - you mentioned that your son has had several tests done. I assume that means that his urine has been tested - that his body chemistries (electrolytes) have been evaluated - when well and when ill.  Also - that his stools have been tested for any routine bacterial or parasitic infection. The likelihood that the latter is the source of his vomiting is low - but worth testing.
    In the end - I would pursue seeing a specialist.
                                Good luck - Dr.EV

[Donni McMasters]

My son is 4 and was just recently diagnosed with Reflux.  He vomited the same way at times.  I posted a question very similar to your one time and a lady told me about a disorder called stomach migrains.  You can look it up on the internet.  I found lots of sites that told about this disorder.  I'm just glad that it was the reflux and not the migrains.  He takes tagamet 2 times a day and the vomiting has stoped.  He did see a gastroenterologist and they did the upper GI and thats when it was confirmed.  Good luck to you and sorry your son has this.  I know from experiance the worry!

[Dina]

My son had constant vomiting too, however he was born that way and lasted until 10 mths old til he had surgery called a "nissenfundiplication" done. Now, he keeps food down and is doing very well. However, the past few years, he has been having other problems. They said he would never vomit again because of the surgery, (they took top of his stomach and wrapped it around his esophagus and sewed it shut). Well, low and behold, his is vomiting again, but it is due to a condition called Cyclic vomiting syndrome.  Get a nuclear scan done on him with them having him swallow barium and seeing if it is refluxing.  That will tell. Took them 10 mts, after him going from 19 lbs to 12, to figure it out.  you may e=mail me if you have any questions, please feel free anytime. I know how you feel.