Strange Recurring Stomach Flu, Unrelated to Food

I think you have to bite the bullet and go to a Dr. I know the stomach flu has been going around but what you have sounds too weird not to see someone.

I also think it might be migraine headaches. The pounding headache, followed by vomitting is what happens to me. I also get light sensitive, but not always. Go to a doctor--you don't want to end up like me last year. One of them was so bad that I couldn't stop dry heaving for an hour and my husband had to call an ambulance to go to the ER. Since vomiiting accomponies your headaches, if its migraines, ask them for a nasal spray medication. The pills will just get thrown up into the toilet. If you're breastfeeding, I've been advised to pump and dump for 24 hours after I take these meds. Stress definitely triggers them, as does a change in your regular caffeine (too much or too little. Mine also act up as the weather changes (like now). Please go to a doctor--there are good clinics out there. Have you signed up for public aid?

Hi K.,
It sounds like you are having a really rough time. It's hard to be sick and take care of a child, and I hope that you feel better soon. I would suggest that you go to Cook County Hospital - also known as Stroger Hospital. It's for people without health insurance, so you can get free health care there. I know this because my husband works there. He treats many people without health insurance. I have no idea of your situation, but in case this is an issue, he also treats people who are not citizens. You can get treated in the hospital or in one of their outpatient clinics. It's impossible to know what's causing your illness without a checkup - and you may just be stressed or tired - but then again you could have an illness that needs treating, so I hope that you get some care soon.

Natasha

Go to the doctor. If you contact Erie Family Health Care they can give you medical help on a sliding scale based on your income. They have three or four of them throughout Chicago. The doctors are good doctors there volunteering their time from other practices. I went there when I didn't have any insurance after my son was born. Good luck, but get seen, it could be something serious!

J.

Although I am NOT a doctor, it sounds like Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. I've had it for several years now.

Once diagnosed, I manage/prevent it by avoiding chocolate, peppermint, caffeine (especially coffee), and quitting smoking. All of the aforementioned weaken the tiny stomach muscle/flap that holds your food down. Once weakened, undigested food and digestive acids burn back up the esophagus. It is irritated, citrus, fried foods, etc and becomes unbearably painful with frequent vomitting.

To heal the esphagus, my doctor recommended elevating the head of the bed with a couple of bricks. This way, you can sleep on an incline without bending your body in half. Also, wear loose fitting clothing, as not to squeeze your waist when you sit down. High stress exacerbates the symptoms.

As I previously mentioned, I am not a doctor. So please seek out a physician for proper diagnosis.

K.,

I graduate from medical school in two months and for what it's worth, here's my two cents. While it may not be anything serious, your symptoms are somewhat worrisome. Headaches that are worse in the morning and are associated with vomiting and dizziness could indicate a serious neurologic issue. I strongly urge you to see a doctor to get this sorted out. Again, it may not be serious, but I would not take any chances.

Best Wishes,

C.

Hi,
Assuming you are not pregnant, how have your bowel movements been? If you are not having at least one productive movement a day, this could be your problem. Also, have you been under a great deal of stress? I am not a doctor, something like that happened to me once (and I was not pregnant). I had to go in for a colonic and everything got better within a weeks time. Stress can do crazy things to your body. Being a new mommie to a one year old is plenty of stress. It takes some adjusting to.
Good Luck!
L.

K.,

This sounds like Migraines to me. Do you get light or noise sensitive and is the pain all over your head or only on one side?

If the pain is located on one side only (right or left - doesn't matter) and if you are light or noise sensitive this might be migraines.

I have suffered from them for many years and they are pretty awful but there are many medications out there that can help. If you have not been checked out by an MD then you should. He or she could provide a medication such as Imitrex that could help you.

I know that when I get a migraine I have to crawl into bed in a dark and silent room and ride it out.

Hope this helps you.

Ironically enough, i am going through the same thing right now w/myself. I have been to the ER twice this week. I feel fine, go to bed and wake up in the middle of the night sick. They said it's going around and that it's a viral syndrome today. Your body is supposed to work it out however I am having a rough time. You might want to try to go to county hospital and have them check you out since you don't have insurance and/or a catholic hospital *you can negotiate the price down better from the visit*

Hope that helps - you just want to make sure its viral and NOT influenza which is what they tested for on me.

K.,
I had something like this + I had a strange feeling of a lump in my throat, and it turned out to be acid reflux. Which could be brought on by stress. If acid reflux is left untreated, it can turn into something serious as with many other illnesses. Anyway, this does warrant seeing a doctor. Maybe there is an inexpenive medical clinic that you can go to get this checked out? When you call the doctor, tell them you are not insured. Maybe they can give you a break. At any rate, you need to go to a doctor right away to make sure it is nothing serious, and if it is a medical condition, you need to address it. Believe me, it will cost even more money if you get sicker so please take good care of yourself for you and your baby and good luck.
Diana

This almost sounds like a migraine headache. The symptoms are very similar. There are many triggers that could cause a migraine including irregular sleeping patterns and stress. If you think this could be your problem I would suggest establishing a consistent sleep pattern and eliminating caffeine, chocolate, red wine, sodium nitrite and msg from your diet.

K.,

I kinda went through the same thing about two years ago before I had my child and the thing is I woke up the other night feeling sick to my stomach, tried to lay down again hoping it would go away and I ended up getting sick and then when I woke up in the morning I was fine again like nothing happened. But a few years ago I was going through something similar to what you are now and after many doctors visits and many test, they basically told me it was stress and was just the way my body reacted to it. The systems were getting really light headed, always feeling sick to my stomach. Thinking maybe I was just waiting to long to eat I would eat something, I would feel fine for about 30 minutes or so and then I would feel the same way again. After all my appointments and not getting any answers beside stress, I had to find ways to destress myself. Of course then I didn't have a child and it was much easier to do something for myself. Now I don't know what I would do or how, I am now a mother of a 7 week old boy. Try to find some way for you and hopefully it isn't something serious. I wish you luck.
K.

I would strongly recommend you get to a doctor. It could be a stomach flu, but it could be something more serious which would require an MRI or other tests. Do not let this go-- you need to take care of yourself for your little boy!

I am not a doctor but I think you should see one. It doesn't sound normal to me. You can go to Cook County Healthcare and be treated without medical insurance. Maybe its something in your house that is making you sick.

Hi! I would check it out. It could be stress; more specifically, it could be post-partum depression. It manifests in different ways. I had it 8 months after my baby was born. My symptoms were mini headaches every day for 3 months, every other hour, except for during the night. I thought I had a brain tumor. Try to relax, do some breathing exercises. But also get a doctor's advice.