Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome has changed my future in ways I never could've imagined. The future I saw when I graduated high school was swiftly shifted into years of questions, and few answers. It has not only caused irreparable physical damage to my GI tract, but has consistently worn me down mentally as well. I have had to change my diet drastically, changing from my favorite foods to a sad, expensive "substitutes" just to lose those foods as well. I struggled for years during college, eventually having to leave school due to illnesses. The feeling of not being able to do "simple" tasks that my friends could, truly impacted me in ways I wouldn't of expected.
I choose to advocate because I got lucky. I was unbelievably lucky that my GI doctor immediately knew that my symptoms and cycles were CVS. I was started on a medication as soon as I could, I got overnight relief. I have read countless stories of people suffering from CVS for years without proper recognition, or diagnosis. Since I first got diagnosed I am still looking for answers and treatments that will fully stop my flares all together.