That's a really important question, and it's understandable why repeated vomiting could create a complicated relationship with food. A MyLupusTeam member shared that after months of diarrhea and stomach pain, they developed anxiety around eating — worrying that food would trigger symptoms every time they ate.
This kind of Show Full Answer
That's a really important question, and it's understandable why repeated vomiting could create a complicated relationship with food. A MyLupusTeam member shared that after months of diarrhea and stomach pain, they developed anxiety around eating — worrying that food would trigger symptoms every time they ate.
This kind of food anxiety is more common with lupus than many people realize. When eating repeatedly causes pain or vomiting, the brain can start associating food with discomfort, which may lead to avoidance behaviors. There are a few lupus-related reasons why vomiting and appetite issues can develop:
- Lupus inflammation affecting the digestive tract, including the stomach and intestines
- Medications like NSAIDs, steroids, or azathioprine causing nausea and stomach upset
- Gastroparesis, where the stomach empties too slowly, causing nausea and vomiting
- Depression or anxiety, which are common with lupus and can deeply affect appetite
It's really worth bringing this up with a doctor or rheumatologist. They can help identify the physical cause of the vomiting *and* refer to a mental health counselor if food anxiety has developed. Both pieces matter for overall wellbeing.
July 20
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