Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome: The Misunderstood GI Disorder, Medical Trauma & Fight for Better Care

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is more than just “vomiting.” It is a debilitating GI disorder that can cause intense, recurring episodes of violent vomiting, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, dehydration, malnutrition, and a devastating impact on daily life. Yet many patients and families face years of searching for answers, misdiagnosis, stigma, and the painful experience of not being believed.

In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Blynda, President of the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association, to discuss the reality of living with CVS and the challenges families face when navigating the healthcare system. Blynda shares her son’s journey with cyclic vomiting syndrome and abdominal migraines, including the struggles of getting a proper diagnosis, finding knowledgeable providers, and advocating for compassionate medical care.

Together, they talk about the connection between CVS and migraines, the trauma many GI patients experience in emergency rooms, the harm caused when patients are dismissed or accused of exaggerating symptoms, and why advocacy and awareness are critical for rare and misunderstood conditions.