The teenager who vomits 30 times A DAY: Rare condition leaves 19-year-old weighing just six stone
The teenager who vomits 30 times A DAY: Rare condition leaves 19-year-old weighing just six stone and could kill her in the next six months
- Caitlin White has gastroparesis, which is defined as delayed stomach emptying
- Ms White, who weighs just 84lbs, has to go to hospital for treatment every day
- She requires daily infusions that can take up to 12 hours to administer
- Infusions cause infections, with Ms White battling sepsis seven times this year
- Has been offered a ‘last resort’ treatment that can cause deadly blood clots
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A teenager suffers from a rare gut condition that causes her to vomit up to 30 times a day.
Nineteen-year-old Caitlin White, from Perth, Scotland, has severe gastroparesis, which causes a delay in her stomach emptying.
Ms White, who weighs just 84lbs (six stone), describes her life as being ‘dominated’ by hospital visits, where she receives daily infusions that can take up to 12 hours.
The infusions also frequently cause Ms White, who has a suppressed immune system, to develop infections, with her battling life-threatening sepsis seven times this year alone.
The teen, who is malnourished and at risk of organ failure, has been offered total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as a ‘last resort’, which delivers nutrients directly to the liver, bypassing the digestive system.
Although this would theoretically ease her vomiting, Ms White has been warned the ‘catch 22’ treatment can also cause deadly infections, as well as blood clots.
Yet, if her vomiting continues, Ms White fears she will lose all her teeth and could even be dead in as little as six months time.
Caitlin White, 19, suffers from a gut condition that causes her to vomit up to 30 times a day. Weighing just 84lbs, Ms White is severely malnourished and at risk of organ failure
Ms White has severe gastroparesis, which is a delay in the stomach emptying. She says her life is ‘dominated’ by hospital visits, where she receives daily infusions that take up to 12 hours
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Left unable to socialise
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Kaye Adams Programme, Ms White explained how she first became ill when she was 14 and weighed 154lbs (11 stone).
Her condition quickly deteriorated, with doctors sometimes having to try 18 times to find a vein to infuse her treatment through.
As well as affecting her health, Ms White claims she has lost touch with many friends due to her near-constant vomiting leaving her barely able to socialise.
She said: ‘I wouldn’t go out for a meal or coffee with my friends anymore because I would be very embarrassed.’
Despite her condition, Ms White remains optimistic that her health will one day improve and hopes she will then be able to travel or pursue a career in medicine.
The infusions can cause infections, with Ms White, who has a suppressed immune system, battling sepsis seven times this year alone. Doctors are considering an alternative treatment that delivers nutrients to her liver, however, this can lead to both infections and blood clots
Ms White first became ill at 14, with her since losing 70lbs. She has abandoned her dream of being a lawyer or a teacher and has also fallen out of contact with many friends
WHAT IS GASTROPARESIS?
Gastroparesis affects the normal movements of muscles in the stomach, preventing it from emptying properly.
It affects more than 1.5 million people in the US to some extent. Up to four per cent of people suffer in the UK.
Due to the condition affecting digestion, it can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as problems with people’s blood-sugar levels and receiving adequate nutrition.
Other symptoms may include:
- Feeling full after a few bites of food
- Acid reflux
- Abdominal bloating and pain
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
Gastroparesis can occur as a complication of diabetes, or after surgery or an infection.
It is believed to be caused due to damage to a nerve that controls stomach muscles.
Certain medications, such as antidepressants or pain relievers, can slow gastric emptying and cause similar symptoms.
Complications can include severe dehydration from vomiting, malnutrition, a reduced quality of life and undigested food hardening in the stomach, which can be life threatening.
There is no cure. Treatment focuses on dietary changes, such as eating smaller meals more frequently and chewing thoroughly.
Medications can help to ease nausea and vomiting.
Surgery to fit a feeding tube may be required if patients are unable to tolerate any food or liquids.
Source: Mayo Clinic
At risk of infections, malnutrition and organ failure
Ms White recently met with a consultant in Glasgow who advised TPN as a potential treatment.
Although the treatment may ease her vomiting, doctors worry about how Ms White’s gut health may be affected if nutrients are delivered directly to her liver.
Speaking of TPN, an unnamed medic said: ‘It’s not something that is realistically achievable for many years without some risk of complication.’
Ms White added: ‘If they decide to give me feed [into my gut] I’m at high risk of “re-feeding syndrome”, infections and blood clots.
‘But if they don’t do it, I am also at risk of infection. I’m malnourished as it is, and there’s [the risk of] organ failure as well.’
Re-feeding syndrome can occur if starved or severely malnourished patients receive artificial food. This can cause life-threatening shifts in a patient’s fluid and electrolyte levels.
Dr Neil Jamieson, a gastroenterologist at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, claims gastroparesis is a very difficult condition to treat, largely due to patients often being young and losing their independence.
The condition tends to affect diabetics when the nerves in their stomachs become damaged.
Triggering the nervous system to work as it should can be very difficult, Dr Jamieson added.
Ms White (believed to be pictured with her mother) fears she will lose her teeth if the daily vomiting continues. She has also be warned she may not be alive in six months time
The proposed new treatment is a ‘catch 22’ in that it also comes with severe complications
Despite her disorder, Ms White is optimistic her health will improve and she can one day travel
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