It is the most exhausting experience in the universe. When the vomiting finally stops several days later, I can start thinking about life again, but it takes several more days to get the energy back to even walk around much.

I don't keep food down. Period. I lost so much weight it was unreal, and I wasn't overweight to begin with. I think I was down to 120 at my lightest and 140 was my teen average. My parents thought I was gaunt and drawn looking. The only way I stay reasonable hydrated is from chugging gatorade and throwing it back up. It doesn't stay down except for a few seconds, but I feel like that keeps me alive. And I go to the hospital for fluids if I vomit non stop for an hour. One hour is what I give myself at home. Longer than that and I have to go to the ER.

I will probably have it my whole life. There is no known cure. Some people seem to grow out of it and others don't. The fact that I acquired it as an adult rather than a child seems to indicated that it won't be going anywhere anytime soon. But the good news is that the meds are working for now. It has been 1 year and 3 months since my last episode. If I can space them all out that far I am a happy camper. Anything but a week of every month. I am counting my blessings right now b/c it could be much worse.