Mumsnet Talk

Ds1 goes to a school set on several different sites. Today one of the sites has been closed for deep cleaning due to norovirus wiping out hundreds of children this week. There are loads of siblings in ds1's building/class and 8 of his classmates were off today.

I am a single parent (really outing myself here!) and terrified of what feels completely inevitable right now. I was awake all night last night, waiting. Shall be doing the same again tonight.

You know, I feel like I have improved a lot with my emetophobia recently. I am no longer worried about the odd v. It's the awful, debilitating violence of noro that terrifies the life out of me.

The waiting is utter torture

Have you been to the GP about this?
Are you the poster that posted about this 2 or 3 weeks ago when your children got a bug?

No, that wasn't me. There are quite a few emetophobes on MN.

Have recently started some treatment but unfortunately am
still feeling extremely panicked.

Do you want to talk about the treatment, if that helps.
Not sure if I am the right poster for you to talk to.
Perhaps you need the emetophobes to come along and help.

Oh zonedout you poor thing. I can only imagine how nervous you are. Hold on tight. You will get through this.

tries to resist asking where in the country you are

Major hand holding and gel distribution here if you need it. bbxx

Thanks amillionyears, i think I probably do

Thank you BB. Nice to see your comforting presence again. Am happy to tell you if you really want to know. I know I always want every bit of detail, in some botched attempt at gang some sort of control, I suppose. Hope you are getting on ok. Really appreciate the hand hold. Really struggling with this one.

Gaining. Not gang.

Aww Zonedout, I know how you feel.

I am an emetophobe too. DS2's friend has had Norovirus this week. I am absolutely panicking that we are all going to come down with it. DS told me "X was sick 21 times on Tuesday!" I haven't calmed down yet!

I've been in your shoes, I am better after therapy. Not cured, but better. I do still have moments of utter panic when I know there is an outbreak but they are just moments now rather than all-consuming thoughts that keep me up all night.

Have googled... anywhere near PH?

The thing is zoned, is that you cannot control this. You have as good a chance as any of avoiding it probably better as some people's personal hygiene is crap. I don't mean to sound harsh but if you take out that 'what if' panic then you will also remove a lot of the anxiety.

If you are unlucky then you WILL cope. Have you any friends who could help you? I am fortunate to have 2 friend's who gave said of my kids got this sort of thing I could call them, day or night. To be honest I would be far too to wake then at 3am but during the day I would.

Keep posting. Try to keep drinking and eating a bit if you can - low blood sugar is awful for panic and anxiety for me. Maintain hygiene levels and encourage dcs to do the same (common sense in this case not phobia obsessive). And resist temptation to keep them out of school for a week!!!

bbxx

21 times???

Oh goodness, please make it all go away.

The only time I am truly relaxed is during the summer holidays when the boys are at home with me. Norovirus season is pure hell. Don't think there has ever been an outbreak so close to home before which takes the fear to a whole new level.

STOP - that is one child reporting something that will have been sensationalising to impress other kids. Most people have a nasty bug for a couple of days and that is it.

The father quoted in the article I read said his dd was sick 5 times in one night and then washed out for 36 hrs or so.

That sort of post is not helpful - though I'm sure poster didn't mean to upset you. It just builds the fear and doesn't change the reality of life in the zonedout house AT ALL.

x posts... Yes BB, that's us.

You talk wise words. Actually during the day my fear is Vwry manageable and can even see the funny side of it It's at night that I start to drive myself crazy. But you are right that I will cope (because I have to!) and also I have to remind myself that, should the worst happen, it will pass. Poor ds1 is really worried about catching it. He has just missed a whole week of school for a different bug otherwise i may well have kept him off today. Having said that I figured that he could equally go straight back and pick it up on Monday anyway. Goodness I bore even myself with this

Thank you hel. that is very encouraging. I am definitely a million times better than i used to be but still reat struggling at times like this.

Oh goodness, sorry for all the typos. On my iPhone, typing fast & not checking

I sleep really badly these days and will check in if I can. bbxx

I am right in thinking that bleach kills Noro? So if one of you does get it, wash the toilet, flush handle, sink, taps, anything they touch with a bleach solution. Wash towels at 90 60, and everyone have their own. Soap and water is better than anti bac gel I think, but I wash my hands then gel them after.

I usually send my DC to school with the gel because there is never any soap in the toilets, so perhaps you could get some for their bags Zoned?

Sorry Zoned I didn't mean to upset you at all! . Many apologies if I did.

Tutti - I wasn't having a go but I know from bitter experience that thinking about things like your dc's friend can really fuel the panic but in reality does nothing to change the outcome or situation you are in yourself. CBT techniques talking!!!

This phobia is horrible and catastrophising thoughts at this time of year can dominate lives. I still gave good days and bad days, usually dictated by my general levels of anxiety rather than the reality of sick bugs in the vicinity!

Have! Bloody phone!

I am an emetophobe too BB. I hate this time of year. As soon as someone mentions the words "sickness bug" I go into panic mode. I wish I could get rid of this flipping phobia. I had CBT years ago, it didn't really work TBH. I keep thinking about going back to the GP, but think they would think I am mad!

Right you can do this get prepared makes me feel better. Bowl and towel so easier to clean up and deal with

zonedout, now I have wandered into this thread.
If you are reasonably ok about it by day, but not by night, I personally ignore all my thoughts awhen it is nearly bedtime, until after breakfast the next day. Because they are quite frankly rubbish, and that includes my dreams.
Might that work for you eventually?

You should go. I'm considering it too... about to embark on life as a single parent and it is the one and only thing that scares me about being on my own with dcs!

My DS got this in 2010 and was hospitalized on a drip. I've never got over the fear.
Im currently having cbt for health anxiety (of my dc's) and am on a v v v high dose of venlafaxine. I thoroughly recommend both of these in conjunction with each other.
It has taken almost a year to get the medication right. I feel finally like my old self... almost.
You guys CAN overcome this.