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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone awake? Need a hug!

37 replies

Hardythere · 03/07/2025 01:45

I’m lay in bed next to my 3 year old, waiting for him to be sick.
we spent almost 5 hours in A&E today, surrounded by sick kids, my DC rolling around the floor, playing with the toys that were there(I thought that died when Covid struck?!). I’m a quivering mess. I used alcohol gel on his hands a few times but that doesn’t do anything to norovirus.
incase you hadn’t already guessed, I have emetaphobia.
We were in A&E for something minor(in the grand scheme of things) and were eventually sent home with the issue unresolved, to go back to a specialist dept in the morning.
im so tired. Exhausted. I desperately need to sleep but I can’t/dint want to, incase he’s sick and I’m not ready for it
i know it’s not a given that he will be, but the chances have increased since being exposed to the germ soup!
I should take a diazepam, but they make me sleepy…

OP posts:
Steelworks · 03/07/2025 02:16

I’m sorry you feel like this.

Were any of the kids you were with actually vomiting? If not, it’s unlikely your bed will be sick. Novo virus is a horrible bug, and if they had it, they woukd be too poorly to feel like playing. Chances are they had non-infectious illness like your dc.

Notashamed13 · 03/07/2025 02:13

And remember, it's not guaranteed!

Original poster
Hardythere · 03/07/2025 02:10

Notashamed13 · 03/07/2025 02:05

Fellow emetophobe here, no advice but here's a virtual hug, it's such a debilitating phobia. If it's any help I always find that the anticipation is worse than the actual event, just make sure you are prepared (towels, bowl etc), good luck OP, you got this! Xx

Yup. Towel on the bed ready. Yes, the anticipation is horrendous. Absolute torture. Thanks for the solidarity x

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 03/07/2025 02:06

Hugs!! Hugs!! Hugs!!

Notashamed13 · 03/07/2025 02:05

Fellow emetophobe here, no advice but here's a virtual hug, it's such a debilitating phobia. If it's any help I always find that the anticipation is worse than the actual event, just make sure you are prepared (towels, bowl etc), good luck OP, you got this! Xx

Original poster
Hardythere · 03/07/2025 02:02

crumblingschools · 03/07/2025 02:01

Surely you would be in a much better place for your DC if you get some sleep. Then if they are ill you will at least have had some rest beforehand.

I completely agree with you. But I’m like a coiled spring!

OP posts:
crumblingschools · 03/07/2025 02:01

Surely you would be in a much better place for your DC if you get some sleep. Then if they are ill you will at least have had some rest beforehand.

Original poster
Hardythere · 03/07/2025 01:59

sleepandcoffee · 03/07/2025 01:56

I would think it’s unlikely for him to be sick tonight if he was ill , it would normally take longer for something like noro to show up , not sure if thats helpful for you really but you can absolutely get bed and get some sleep

I wish I shared your optimism. Noro can appear within 4 hours of exposure.

OP posts:
sleepandcoffee · 03/07/2025 01:56

I would think it’s unlikely for him to be sick tonight if he was ill , it would normally take longer for something like noro to show up , not sure if thats helpful for you really but you can absolutely get bed and get some sleep

Original poster
Hardythere · 03/07/2025 01:54

I hate being like this. I recently started CBT but simply didn’t get chance to do the ‘homework’ around kids etc. plus, it was horrible. I do realise it’s not an easy fix. But my bottle went and I stopped last week.

OP posts:
iamnotalemon · 03/07/2025 01:52

Oh I’m sorry you’re struggling x

Noshadelamp · 03/07/2025 01:52

Hugs op!

Keep breathing, I like box breathing when stressed and also EFT tapping, really simple to do yourself and helps calm the nervous system. Lots of YouTube videos if you're interested or after a distraction.

If it helps, I was in a&e on Sunday for 9 hours, needed to come back to the emergency clinic Monday and Tuesday, and although I wasn't rolling around on the floor I was surrounded by people with sickness and I've been ok. I was worried for myself but I don't have your condition so I appreciate your situation is a lot worse 💐

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