| Purpose: This study explored (a) CVS-related health experiences, (b) impact on relationships, employment, education, and leisure time as well as (c) responses to CVS-related treatments.;Background: Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a chronic gastrointestinal tract disorder affecting 3% to 14% of patients experiencing unexplained nausea and vomiting who were referred to health centers in the United States. Patients experience frequent cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain placing them at risk for life-threatening health complications. These incapacitating episodes impact social, emotional, and physical health, however minimal research has focused on descriptions of illness perception, life impact, and response to treatment.;Methods: Purposive sampling was used in this phenomenological study to recruit 16 adults, 21 years or older with a diagnosis of CVS for more than one year. Data were collected electronically via Survey MonkeyRTM. Type-written data was analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison techniques. Demographic data, also collected electronically, was described using Excel.;Results: All 16 participants were Caucasian. Eleven were female and five were male. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 59 years at the time of the study. Six participants were classified as having pediatric-onset CVS and 10 were classified as having adult-onset CVS. Seven global themes emerged from the data: (a) perceived causes of cyclic vomiting syndrome, (b) triggers for CVS episodes, (c) onset of illness and symptoms of CVS, (d) understanding the chronic course of CVS, (e) impact on day-to-day life, (f) lack of health care provider knowledge, and (g) responses to CVS-related treatments. Participants discussed limited understanding of illness etiology. However, they revealed understanding CVS as a chronic and cyclic illness. Emphasis was placed on triggers for CVS, life impact, lack of health care provider knowledge leading to diagnostic delay, avoidance of care, and inappropriate treatment. Prophylactic, abortive, and self-management was discussed. Discussions of emotional impact highlight the need for multidisciplinary care to insure that physical as well as mental health issues are considered and addressed. Findings present the need for increased CVS awareness and education to improve health care, access, and quality of care. |
