Monday, January 28, 2008

Mei Mei's Cyclical Vomiting

She is my niece and she is 3 years old. She had Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) (www.cvsa.org.uk/www.cvsaonline.org) since Aug 2006. She started vomiting in Aug 2006 for 3 times (2 weeks gap). She continued to vomit in Feb 2007 for every 2 weeks continuously until today.

In the beginning, she only vomits and had to be admitted for IV to avoid dehydration. No other noticeable symptom other than exhaustion and dehydration. But, more symptoms noticed recently. It started with character change, where she would become fussy. Our guess is her abdomen pain, but she never tells us. Few hours, up to 1/2 day later, she starts throw out everything in her stomach. When no food left in her stomach, she vomits dark red color substance and greenish substance, which could be dead blood and bile. In addition, she also vomits lots of phlegm. She is exhausted, crying and screaming. These lasted 3-4 days. Soon after the vomit is over, her urine has the oil like substance for the first 3-4 days.

Then she became an ordinary 3 years girl - playing, singing and fighting with her elder brother. That will be for 2 weeks until her next episode continues.

Her parent had been to various hospitals, in Miri, Sibu, Kuching and Kuala Lumpur for diagnosis and treatment. All tests failed to identify possible cause or problem. In the last visit, the doctors concluded her having CVS in their diagnosis report. They also resorted to Chinese medicine, which also did not improve the situation. In desperate, they resorted to Chinese and Malay shamans. All sort of things they did but still no sign of improvement.

I emailed paediatric expert in Singapore and CVS experts in UK and USA for advice.

The last vomit episodes started on 7th Jan. On 11th Jan, she consulted a homeopathy doctor. It was based on Michael's experience on www.cvsa.org.uk. She was not given phosphorous as in Michael's case, instead she was given homeopathy stomach ulcer tablets plus some diet change - no cow milk product, soft rice instead of porridge, not so much fruits, more rest and family consulting advise. It has been more than 2 weeks since, and she has not shown (hopefully forever) any sign of vomit.

I suspect she may has cow milk allergy - looking at the changes that led to her improvement. It is yet to be established. Nevertheless, I would give the credit to homeopathy for her improvement.

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Saturday, January 05, 2008

bath

Shy on camera. Getting ready for the great bath of the day.


Into the water.


Candid camera.

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photo - 9th month

Just 9th month ... so slow.
She was holding a loaf of bread at the bakery shop..

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Wednesday, January 02, 2008

2008

Happy New Year 2008!

Petrophysics (PP) - this is what my new job is. Typing this from my new desk. It is on level 3. Got window to view outside, unlike previous location which was in the middle of the building, level 1. The window facing west. At this hour, it is glaring.

Moved things - ftp files and personal stuff. Have not done any real PP work yet.