morning vomiting in teen boy

[KatC94]

I am writing on behalf of my son.  He is almost 17 and has had issues with morning nausea and vomiting for several years.  It comes and goes and lasts 3-5 days.  It will wake him up in the morning for several days and he will either vomit (most often only once) or feel nauseous for an hour or so and then is perfectly fine the rest of the day.  When it ends he is fine for several weeks before it starts again.  He is otherwise very healthy and active although quite thin, even on the edge of being underweight.  He normally has a good appetite except during these episodes when he seems to get full very quickly.

I am hoping for some insight on what could be causing this or how to help with it.  I strongly believe it is NOT linked to stress (I have been doing a lot of online research and this has come up often) as he is a very confident person and not at all a worrier.

thanks so much for any help.
Kat

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community.  How often does this occur?  Has he had any testing done?  There are many things this could be but he probably needs to get some testing done to determine the cause.  Good luck.

[MomWithFeedback]

Here is what we found with my 11 yr son: Probably Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) that I have been able to control with either toast or a protein Clif Bar at bedtime. Like other kids described here, my son is big (5'7'' at 11/boys size 16 pants). In elementary school he would have periods of morning vomiting that were not contagious. Spring/Summer 2017 bad spell, sometimes 3x/week. But always periodic--not recurrent--and stereotypical. This meant c. 4am vomiting for c. 1 hr, and then fine by 6 or 7 am. He's also had encopresis since infancy. Diagnosis went as follows: pediatrician suspected GERD. Naturopath blood test flagged all dairy. We took him off GERD-triggering foods and dairy, and other symptoms like phlegm and nasal congestion cleared up, but morning vomiting continued. Pediatric GI ordered dye contrast MRI to rule out brain tumors or other pituitary situation (morning vomiting tied to brain tumors; large size tied to pituitary). MRI was normal, so diagnosis probable CVS. By the time we saw ped GI, I'd found this forum and also one for toddlers that suggested ketotic hypoglycemia (basically vomiting on empty stomach) and had seen recommendation for bedtime snack. So my son could have CVS or ketotic or both--I don't know. Bedtime snack every night for 3 months now and no early am vomiting. Son's height currently stable--but he was going through big growth spurt during time of the heavy vomiting. Hope this helps.
  

[MomWithFeedback]

I should add: I learned that CVS can be more mild than the violent vomiting/ER trips described online. And my son's periodic episodes ran 2-3 early mornings/week, every week, which roughly fits the CVS pattern.

[MomWithFeedback]

And I should add that sometimes his early am vomiting was accompanied by diarrhea. And sometimes he would vomit food from dinner the night before, but often just a couple tablespoons of what looked like mucous or bile. This is common with this situation, from what I've read online.

[tboyd]

See a GI Specialist.

Suggest a CT of his head if this hasn't already happened and  Upper GI Scope.  

Other suggestions:  Constipation - although all of the specialists I have spoken with don't believe that constipation causes vomiting, many people claim that this happens.

I have also been told that food allergies can cause this to happen.  Keep a record of what he eats and see if there are any food items that he happens to consistently eat the night before the vomiting.

I would be interested in what you find out.  My 5 year old has had this problem since he was 3 and we still don't know why it happens...

[KatC94]

Thanks for the replies!  it happens about every 3 or 4 months.  There are times in between when he feels slightly nauseous in the mornings but nothing like when it really hits for the 3-5 days.  He has always had a sensitive stomach, even a strong smell can make him sick to his stomach and unfortunately taking any pills (from advil to antibiotics) makes him feel like throwing up.

He has so far not had any testing done.  We live in an area with a severe doctor shortage.  It took us 3 years after moving here to find a doctor who would take us on and sadly neither of us feels comfortable or confident with him.  He doesnt believe in yearly check ups for kids and tends to hand out antibiotics too freely in my opinion.  I have had ongoing health issues that after doing several blood tests he literally through his hands in the air and said "I dont know what else to do for you."  I have been reluctant to take my son to him with this when I know he is always rushed and doesnt seem to care.  I assume he would have to refer us to a specialist if we needed to see one?

Anyone else going through something similar with their child and gotten any answers?

[tessiexo]

my 16 year old has almost exactly the same symptoms. We is woken at 5am with the urge to throw up and then goes back to sleep after vomiting 5 or 6 times. We have had a CT scan done, which was fine.. we have had ultrasound on his stomach, which showed his spleen enlarged but a month later that was back to normal.. we've had blood tests done and all looked fine.. nobody can give me any answers either, which is why im doing my own research now. He is 6 foot tall and lost so much weight. The only thing I know he's doing which is not good for him are "poppers" or "head rocks" which are smoking a pinch of pot and a pinch of tobacco together in a bong. Im trying to get him to stop that but other than doing that he is healthy and normal just like your son.

[tessiexo]

my 16 year old has almost exactly the same symptoms. We is woken at 5am with the urge to throw up and then goes back to sleep after vomiting 5 or 6 times. We have had a CT scan done, which was fine.. we have had ultrasound on his stomach, which showed his spleen enlarged but a month later that was back to normal.. we've had blood tests done and all looked fine.. nobody can give me any answers either, which is why im doing my own research now. He is 6 foot tall and lost so much weight. The only thing I know he's doing which is not good for him are "poppers" or "head rocks" which are smoking a pinch of pot and a pinch of tobacco together in a bong. Im trying to get him to stop that but other than doing that he is healthy and normal just like your son.

[Damien12345]

The poppers are making him lose weight. It has to do with how nicotine binds to alpha3beta4 receptors. Everytime the receptor is binded to he will feel less hungry and for hours after on average eat 30-50% less.

[patient915]

It seems like he probably needs to get some testing done.  It could be cyclic vomiting syndrome but this usually occurs in younger children.  I would recommend taking him to another area (maybe a nearby university hospital) to get testing done and possibility a diagnosis.

[KatC94]

during my research cyclic vomiting came up quite a bit and sounds very much like what he has.  I guess I need to do research now on where I can take him to get checked as we are 2 hours from the nearest big city.

[Livewellandenjoy]

Did you ever find out what was going on with your son? Hope all is good but would appreciate your response as my 17 year old son has similar problem

[djbmom]

I also have a 17yr old that has delt with this since he was about 14.  He is not underwight.  Very physcially fit.  plays sports, etc.  Two things seem to feed the problem. The first is getting enough hours of sleep (at least 8).  The second is late nite foods. Especially anything sweet or milk.  The key is a late night snack (anything after 8pm) needs to be something with protein and low sugar.  Second low blood pressure when you first wake up will add to the problem.  Sit on the side of the bed for 5 minutes and drink at least 6 oz. of water or gatorade.  (FYI - Body builders often have this issue).  Time, a little more body mass and less hormones SHOULD help.  If this does not help (give it a week), have him checked for blood sugar issues.

[hockeygirl114]

Did you ever get a diagnosis on your sons problem? My son is 16 yrs old and two weeks ago started waking up nauseous every morning. He then throws up straight bile or sometimes even just dry heaves. Once he throws up he starts feeling better and does not throw up the rest of the day. However, he has not been able to eat a full meal. He has resorted to eating in lunch throughout the day. He says he feel full really fast and has to stop eating. He is very athletic and physically fit but technically in the lower end of the overweight category. I would appreciate any advice you can offer! Right now they have done bloodwork and an ultrasound but have found nothing. I was going to ask his doctor to refer him to a GI dr.

[Mitchsmom98]

My son had issues like this...he had a huge blockage of poo. The Doc did an xray to prove it to me- as the kid does go to the toilet regularly.  We started Miralax- 2 x normal dosage...after a few weeks- the blocked had moved out of there- and he was MUCH better, but we have to keep the miralax up so it doesn't start again.  We have eased off the miralax the past year- and it has started again!  So we are back to miralax.  We do it in hot tea, in the am and before bed.  GOOD LUCK.  This was horrible for us when he was throwing up all the time  

[Gaby3355]

Hi, I am on this website inquiring the same thing about my 14 year old son. It started a year ago. It comes and goes. Sometimes throwing up 4 to 5 times per day, then weeks go without any nausea . We have had him tested for a parasite, Mano, Celiac disease. All negative so far. We have an endoscopy next week. He lost 11lbs, his collarbone is protruding. He's way too thin.  He plays sports, is a very good athlete. I noticed this issue in 8th grade. He missed many days of school due to waking up nauseous then throwing up. I have him on nausea pills now, to stabilize him. They work, but the idea is to get him off the pills. He has a good appetite when he eats. He is not ADHD, or anxious or any other issues I have seen written in all the replies I read. I feel for you, because I have cancelled many business trips to keep him home and take him to the doctors. I am surrounded by doctors in my family, my neighbor, AND nobody can tell me what is wrong with my son......... If you find anything please post it.

[BrainWorks533]

My fifteen year old son is suffering from this as well. This is what I have found out so far. He has MTHFR, a genetic condition, that reduces the amount of stomach acid and digestive enzymes as well as interrupts detoxification. It prevents a person from using folic acid, which causes nausea. It can also contribute to low blood pressure. When he joined water polo last spring and went through a big growth spurt, the morning vomiting started He ended up on Home hospital for two months. The symptoms went away over summer and started again when he was back in the pool for water polo in the fall.

We have done all the tests for celiacs, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut, chron's, nothing. CT scans, MRI, ultrasounds, fecal samples, blood tests. NOTHING.
He is taking probiotics, n-acetyl glucosamine, l-glutatmine, digestive enzyme, and betaine HCL plus l-methyl folate, B-6, and methyl b-12 for the MTHFR.

symptoms re-emerged this week with a vengeance.

I think what we have here is a perfect storm: Increased needs for methylation due to physical activity and growth; poor detoxification; low blood pressure; and digestive issues. put them in a teenage body and mix thoroughly and you get...this.

I think he has some chlorine poisoning from the pool b/c he can't filter out the chlorine because of the MTHFR. chlorine causes vomiting and nausea. He has low blood pressure also and has always had some digestive issues.

Ive started him on activated charcoal and epsom salts and ordered the 23and me genetic testing to see what else is in the  mix.

There is an underlying cause and I'm determined to find it. I'll post as I get more info.......

[jdskodny]

Hello Brainworks,
It's been over 5 years since your post.  Have you come across any other solutions for your son that you can share with me?
Thanks, Joe

[terryw1]

My 16 y.o. son has this now also.   My 22 y.o. had this over last few years.  I and my two brothers had this also when we were late teens.
I am pretty sure it is related to the testosterone levels and stomach sensitivity to it creating excessive stomach acid.
I will give my son 5 days of proton pump blocker Omeprazole and see how he gets on.

[Kat2668]

Hi, my name is Kat also and have similar doctor issues where I live.  My 16 year old has started this vomiting biz too.  He is very thin and has grown heaps (he is 6 ft 2) and he has always had stomach acid problems since birth.  He is on omeprazole permanently.  I have had him at the doctors and am waiting blood test results.  We are in difficulties because he has to catch a bus to school and it is either 1/2 to one hour trip depending on the campus and he is not up to travelling in the morning because of the nausea and vomiting.  Don't know what to do.  Love some help. Hope you all get help too.

[terryw1]

The Omeprazole seems to be working as he did not have this vomiting since he has started taking it.  

[terryw1]

I would look to increase the dodage of Omeprazole or other medication to decrease the stomach acid.  Take him to see a specialist gastroenterologist.
Also give to him some energy/cereal bars to eat on the bus.  Vomiting saps his energy and he needs some replacement after vomiting sessions.

[adnil52]

  My son has just started into this he had minor flu symptoms slight fever and vomiting to start out and it has been every A.M. there after. That was December 26th with flue symptoms and it lasted 24 hours then he went into the vomiting in the evening every now and then and now it is every A.M. i also don't think it is stress even though every one is thinking it is. So far we have done upper GI and Ultra Sound. He is scheduled for a endoscopy this Friday. I am at my whits end and he is sooo down. If you find anything out please post it i will be checking often.

[Tmak99]

My 15 year old is in the same situation. And the worst part every has mentioned whether it is psychological. So annoying. We have done all abdominal al tests and now scheduled for an MRI for head. I see your post was 6 years ago. How is he now?

[specialmom]

So, we also had this situation and we determined it was actually low blood sugar.  Any chance that is the case with your son?

[Clodzilla]

My son, who is 13, has been throwing up every day for 5 months, with the exception of few days. He's thrown up all but one day in 2014. He's had tests for: gall bladder, upper gi, endoscopy, MRI, ultrasound, giardia, thyroid, (he's gained weight), stomach emptying test, a poo cleanout, a variety of blood tests and urine tests, all of which have come back normal. Food does not seem to trigger it. He throws up just about every morning without fail, no matter if I wake him up to take anti-nausea medicine or if I let him sleep. Some days he'll throw up five or six times, others fewer. He will frequently throw up an hour or so after bed. (I got him a wedge to see if that helps--it doesn't). He's been on all kinds of medicines that have done nothing or little, as far as I can tell.

He's a big kid. Five foot eleven and built like a tank. I expect him to hit six five if not bigger. I'm at a loss of what I might be able to do or what the possible cause is. The pediatric gastroenterologist has reached the end of his his knowledge as well. I'm wondering if this is hormones related to puberty. I'm wondering if a naturopath or medical marijuana can help. He's not been to school in 5 months (he has home tutors and luckily learns well this way).

If anybody has suggestions, I'd be so grateful. Oh, Cyclic vomiting Syndrome is ruled out as he never stops and it doesn't fit. Eating is not a trigger and we haven't found any allergies. He's seeing a counselor, but she thinks there's a physical cause.

[Ldour]

You described my 14 year old down to all details with the exception of gender. Please tell me you found something.  

[Ldour]

You described my 14 year old down to all details with the exception of gender. Please tell me you found something.  

[Nesaj]

My son is 14 and has started this every single morning, it will be 6or7times before he starts feeling better. He has bad sinuses but we do not think it is that because he has never gotten this sick with it. He plays travel baseball and we had morning games last weekend and he would be on field and when came in he would go behind dugout and vomit. He says it's ruining his life. We have went to doctors several times and ran every test and scheduled for upper GI. But,from everything I have read none of these tests can help. It seems like its in teenagers mostly, WHAT CAN I DO to help him.

[Nesaj]

My son is 14 and has started this every single morning, it will be 6or7times before he starts feeling better. He has bad sinuses but we do not think it is that because he has never gotten this sick with it. He plays travel baseball and we had morning games last weekend and he would be on field and when came in he would go behind dugout and vomit. He says it's ruining his life. We have went to doctors several times and ran every test and scheduled for upper GI. But,from everything I have read none of these tests can help. It seems like its in teenagers mostly, WHAT CAN I DO to help him.

[Mommaofmany]

I have two daughters who have this same problem. They will almost always vomit if they try to eat breakfast before 11 AM.  Some days are better and some worse with nausea being consistent every morning.  I am adding kombucha (a fermented tea filled with natural probiotics) and raw apple cider vinegar to their diet to see if it will help.  I know that my husbands reflux was cured by ADDING acid, rather than lessening it, so maybe it will help with them.

[Tuckamoor]

Just wondering if you ever found out what was causing your sons Chronic vomiting. It sounds exactly like my sons situation. My son is also 13 and very tall for his age. On aug 1 of this year he woke up with a slight fever and threw up. We all thought he just had a big. But then it didn't stop. He has vomited everyday since. He has been tested for everything. His bloodwork is fine. He sleeps alot and is very lethargic. We are so worried. Thanks! Lois

[prgerl]

I am both relieved and distraught seeing all of these comments. My 14 yr. old who is 5'11" and above average weight is also experiencing daily morning vomiting with occasionally vomiting after lunch or dinner. He has had a low grade fever. It all started about 3 weeks ago with a severe sore throat, headache and cold symptoms/seasonal allergies. I took him to the dr. thinking he had strep but he does not. Figured he had bug, but after 3 weeks, ultrasound, blood work, we went to the GI. She prescribed nighttime meds for reflux and said she would order a CT scan of his head if that doesn't work. He had one good day and I thought we were past it but no such luck. Any advice, insight is welcome.

[Leejee]

Omg, so glad I am not alone!  My 14 year old son is also throwing up every morning, even when there is nothing in his stomach he still brings up bile.  Even on good days when he does not vomit he usually has either a stomachache, diarrhea or sometimes even just gagging!  He has been having stomach issues since about 12 years old & the doctors just seem to brush it off as him, not eating properly or not getting enough exercise...do not know how that makes sense anyways!  Changed his diet, added vitamins, joined a gym...nothing changed!  He is also a big boy 6 feet tall and has grown very quickly.  Going to the doctor in a couple of days (again!) going to push harder for some answers!

[2newlife]

Any luck?

[Textunes]

I am a 17 year old boy, about average height, (5'9) and i have been experiencing the same problem. 3 blood tests, 2 urine tests and an ultrasound all came back okay but I am still experiencing extreme nausea and dry heaves in the morning. It has been going on for about 3 months now, if anyone has found out any way to help please let me know.