frequent vomiting, any ideas?

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Okay fellow school nurses, I have an awesome 5th grade kid who has been out of school for going on 2 weeks (9 days so far) for vomiting. He's a high anxiety type of kid, but hasn't had anxiety related absences or nurse visits since 3rd grade. He hung out in my office a few days ago while mom had a meeting with his teachers about sending his work home, in the hour he was with me, he vomited 6 times.

Mom is feeling like her concerns aren't being heard by his pediatrician-no tests have been ordered, no anti-nausea medication. When he became very dizzy over the weekend, she took him to the ER and they did labs and dx with dehydration r/t psychosomatic emesis. I sent him home today because he was vomiting and urged mom to seek an opinion from GI. Even if it is anxiety related, a kid can't just keep vomiting for days on end without negative health effects, right? Feeling a bit helpless with this one, any ideas?

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I had a student who had this problem, though not to the same extent. He was eventually able to come to school with far less vomiting. I think we kept Zofran in the office too. But it sounds like your student is much more severe.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

May be premature, but it could be "abdominal migraines". These kids can vomit 20 times daily. It is often seen as psychosomatic. Prescribing Imitrex is a way to rule it out. Anxiety is a common symptom.

What is CVS? | CVSA

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May be premature, but it could be "abdominal migraines". These kids can vomit 20 times daily. It is often seen as psychosomatic. Prescribing Imitrex is a way to rule it out. Anxiety is a common symptom.

What is CVS? | CVSA

I mentioned cyclical vomiting syndrome to mom, I only knew about it because my best friend in middle school had it. I'm really hoping she bypasses the pediatrician and gets him seen by someone more willing to investigate.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

My son's best friend, a former student, has it, as well as her brother. Sad. Hopeful they will grow out of it.

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I Had a student that did this often, mom finally took child to a specialist and diagnosed her with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. We had a supply of Zofran for her in my office - the only problem with the zofran was that it made her sleepy - the kid would fall asleep for 1-3 hours after taking it.

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Specializes in School nursing.

I also had a student with frequent vomiting one year - poor thing threw up three times a school day on average (and was so embarrassed and exhausted). I also ended up with Zofran in my office. Luckily, the student did grow out of it.

OP, I think you're doing what you can. Do you have permission to talk with the student's pediatrician? If so, maybe you should call and let them know what you are seeing. A confirmation from another health care professional may help this student get the referral they need.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
May be premature, but it could be "abdominal migraines". These kids can vomit 20 times daily. It is often seen as psychosomatic. Prescribing Imitrex is a way to rule it out. Anxiety is a common symptom.

What is CVS? | CVSA

Thank You... always learn something new reading the school nurses forum.

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I'm so sorry for that poor kid. I think encouraging mom to seek a specialist is a good idea if she is able to bypass the pedi completely. Also, if he does have anxiety, too (which I would if I was vomiting that much) maybe talking to mom about seeing a therapist, too. Go after any issues from both sides.

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Specializes in CVICU, SchoolRN, MICU, PCU/IMU, ED.
May be premature, but it could be "abdominal migraines". These kids can vomit 20 times daily. It is often seen as psychosomatic. Prescribing Imitrex is a way to rule it out. Anxiety is a common symptom.

What is CVS? | CVSA

Just learned something new. Hopefully they can figure out what's wrong with the student soon, I'd hate to see him get hospitalized with electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.

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Thank you everyone! He's been out all week again. I'm really hoping to hear from mom today after his dr. appt.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Praying they find him relief.

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