A Scots mum's rare condition leaves her vomiting up to 15 times an hour and unable to stop.
Jo Blaney has suffered from Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome for the last seven years and her illness has seen her take over 100 trips to the hospital, reports Edinburgh Live.
The 34-year-old mother of four, who lives in Edinburgh, was first diagnosed while pregnant with her youngest child - daughter Jessica - and says her episodes of sickness can last up to four days.
She claimed some medics don't even fully understand her condition and are forced to Google it for more information.
Jo said: "I find it difficult to cope when I have an episode. There's no relief from it. I honestly can't explain how sick it makes you.
"During an episode you can be sick ten to 15 times each hour, and these can last three to four days. There can be nothing in your stomach but you are still going.
"There was one stage where I only weighed 43kg. It's really serious, and the abdominal pain can be as bad as the contractions in labour."
She added: "You can end up with really serious complications. You get dehydrated quickly and end up needing fluids.
"I have been admitted to hospital at least 100 times in the last few years, and it's frustrating because you're always having to explain to doctors each time what is happening, and a lot of the time they are Googling to find out more about it."
Jo, who lives with kids Daniel ,15, Ryann ,12, Kyle, nine and Jessica, says the condition tends to affect younger children and babies most, although you can develop it at any stage in life.
Despite going seven weeks without an episode, the last year has been particularly bad for Jo. Her episodes normally start between 11pm and 5am and leave her running for her sick bowl.
She added: "Different people have different triggers. For some people it can be certain types of food. For me it's mainly stress, and this last year with the lockdown has been really difficult.
"Other things can also trigger it though. If I have McDonald's chips, for example, I can have an episode. Or if it's too hot outside.
"It's really difficult to do simple everyday things like go for a coffee with my friends, or go out to the pub. I don't drink as that can cause an episode, so I haven't had any alcohol in years.
"I had tickets to go see the Spice Girls a few years ago, and I was really excited about that, but on the morning we were due to go I had an episode starting. It massively impacts your life."
According to the NHS CVS is most common in children, usually starting between the ages of three and seven.
They add: "Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is a rare disorder that usually starts in childhood. It causes repeated episodes of being sick (vomiting) and feeling sick (nausea).
"The cause of CVS is not fully understood. The vomiting episodes are not caused by an infection or another illness."
To raise awareness of the condition, Jo is taking part in a sponsored cycle from Edinburgh to Glasgow and will also be raising cash for CVSAUK. You can contribute to her fundraising efforts here.
