My 16 year old daughter has been struggling with nausea, vomiting, sweating, passing out spells for a few years now, (medically diagnosed as caused by anxiety) her episodes happen at least a few times per week, can not stomach much for food, very sensitive stomach
My son just turned 8 about 6 months ago I took him to the hospital fever, vomiting, sever cough, couldn't catch his breath, they sent him home sai he had the flu. Since we have been back and forth to the er with what we have been told is everything from asthma attacks to allergies with symptoms starting with cough, headache, vomiting, then extreme fatigue (sleeps for a few hours after each episode).
Both kids have the vomiting, headache sweats and extreme fatigue after years for my daughter and months for my youngest. This has effected us so much that neither one of my children have been able to go to school for more than a day without being sent home "sick"!I have nothing for family history other than I (their mother) have a autoimmune disorder that is treated with immune suppressants.
Can anyone help me put these dots together?
I'm sorry to hear about your children's health concerns. It must be very challenging for you and them to navigate these symptoms. There are a few potential angles you might consider when seeking answers:
1. Seeking Second Opinions: If you haven't already, consider getting second (or third) opinions from different types of specialists. Both pediatricians and pediatric specialists (such as gastroenterologists, immunologists, or neurologists) might offer different perspectives on their conditions.
2. Genetic Counseling or Testing: Given that both your children are experiencing symptoms and you have an autoimmune condition, genetic testing or counseling might provide some insights. It's possible that there's a genetic predisposition or condition affecting them.
3. Exploring Environmental Factors: Look into any common environmental exposures or factors that could be affecting both of them. This could include mold in the home, allergens, or any chemicals or substances they might be exposed to.
4. Functional Medicine or Holistic Approaches: Some parents find answers through functional medicine doctors, who might take a more holistic and integrative approach to health, focusing on the body as an interconnected system.
5. Tracking and Monitoring: Consider keeping a detailed diary of their symptoms, including when they occur, potential triggers, what they ate, activities they were doing, and any other relevant details. Over time, this might help identify patterns or triggers that aren't immediately obvious.
6. Specialized Testing: There are various specialized tests that might help identify underlying issues. For example, tests for mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which can cause a wide range of symptoms and has been increasingly recognized in recent years.
7. Mental Health and Therapy: Given that your daughter's symptoms have been attributed to anxiety, it might be helpful for her to see a therapist if she isn't already. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be especially effective for anxiety.
8. Support Groups and Online Communities: There are many online groups and forums where parents discuss their children's unexplained medical symptoms. While these are not a substitute for medical advice, sometimes they can offer new perspectives or avenues to explore.
9. Consider POTS: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating, and fainting, especially upon standing up. It's often underdiagnosed but is a condition you might want to explore further, particularly for your daughter.
10. Immune System Considerations: Since you're on immune suppressants for an autoimmune condition, it might be worth exploring whether there's a link between their symptoms and immune function, either an overactive or underactive immune response.
It can be frustrating when the cause of symptoms isn't clear, but persistence and seeking out a variety of opinions and perspectives can sometimes help.