Vomittion

I have had Crohns disease for about 4 years. The case is moderate. I have been vomitting for about 7 years. I am a 59 year old white male. I take 200 mg Metorpol/day, 10 mg Norvasc, 75 mg Purinthol,29 mg Lexapro, 2 mg Klonopin. I have been vomitting for about 7 years. It occurs either immediately when I get up in the A.M. with the drive heaves, after I make a bowel movement or sometimes after I eat breakfast. Sometimes I throw up some dinners, usually when I have gone out to eat. My primary care physician has tried all acid refulx meds..no results. My gastroeneterolgist has set up a Cat scan of my brian, where vommitting is controlled. When I go on vacation, I am usually fine..no vomitting. I just returned from Italy and threw up everyday. My concern is has this become a automatic response? Or is there something going on in my brian? I have also started to see a new therapist for psychological reasons. What is causing this? My Crohns was diagnosed by mistakenly taking out my appendicts. 2 years ago when I was in the hospital for my Crohns, they found out that my right kidney was functioning at 5% of its capacity and had a small cancerous growth. The kidney & cancer was removed and had not spread.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

An MRI of the brain probably would be a better test to evaluate any neurological cause of vomitting.  Certainly, there are potential neurological causes such as tumors that may induce vomiting.

To complete the GI workup, I would suggest an upper endoscopy.  Causes such as obstruction, pyloric stenosis, ulcers or inflammation of the stomach and esophagus can all cause vomiting.  

I would also suggest a gastric emptying scan to evaluate for gastroparesis, which can also contribute.  

If these tests are negative, you may want to consider a 24-hr pH study to evaluate for GERD and a concurrent esophageal motility study - both of which may cause vomiting.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.