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Original poster

Help - emetophobic and feeling sick

24 replies

Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:18

I started to feel a bit queasy this afternoon. Carried on with the day and didn't feel too bad but now I feel worse. A bit fluey, tired and feeling sick Sad

Am so so anxious that I'll be sick. I have actually vomited since the age of 10 (I am 46 now) so I know it's unlikely.

I've taken a (prescribed) anti-emetic. What else can I do? We have a party to go to tomorrow evening which 11 year old dd is also invited to. I'm worrying that she'll catch whatever I've got and she won't be able to go.

I hate this horrible phobia Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:19

I'm trying to work out if the anxiety is making me feel worse, it probably is.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 06/10/2018 20:25

I usually find anti sickness medications are pretty effective so I'd say the anxiety is making it worse. Could you have an early night?

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:28

Actually I do feel a bit better since taking it but not sure if it’s psychological.

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Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:30

Scared to go to sleep though...

OP posts:
eelbecomingforyou · 06/10/2018 20:34

Well, if you have a bug, being sick is the best thing for you. You’ll feel better after. Put towels by your bed and take a bowl to bed.

I’m an emetophobe too but not so worried about me being sick; I worry about other people. Esp the kids.

Big hugs.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:38

Noooo I don’t want to be sick Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:47

If it is a bug, it’ll come out the other end right?

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 06/10/2018 20:51

You won't feel sick if you go to sleep. Only thing that helped me when I had pregnancy sickness with DS.
Sip water slowly then lie down and deep breaths til you go to sleep. You'll be fine Smile

ScarlettDarling · 06/10/2018 20:54

It'll be the anxiety making you feel queasy. I'm feeling stressy and anxious at the minute and my tummy is all over the place. Go to bed. You've taken your anti emetic, you won't be sick. You'll be fine.

Littlebird88 · 06/10/2018 20:55

hi fellow emetophone here.
I think from what you say it's unlikely you will vomit
I've had a few vomiting bugs in the past 2 years and I can honestly say if it does happen it won t be as bad as you imagine.
I hate emmetophobia. I'd give every penny and possession I have and ever Will have to get rid of it if I could.
hope all is ok.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 20:56

But the queasiness started first before I started feeling anxious. It must be due to something. I’m driving myself mad trying to work out what’s causing it.

I realise I sound loopy Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 21:00

Thanks littlebird I’ve had all sorts of treatment for the phobia, nothing has worked. Truth is, I’m not sure I want to get rid of the phobia, I just don’t want to throw up ever.

I’ve made it 35 years without being sick, I worry if I ever throw up it will open a can of worms and it will happen more often.

OP posts:
DrPeppersPhD · 06/10/2018 21:15

Anxiety will make it worse though. If I feel ill I like to watch youtube videos and lie slightly upright, then focus on the video as much as I can. Either I fall asleep or I stop focusing on being sick and suddenly realise I feel better. I personally recommend film and game theory and the science, lots of maths which helps me sleep.

myohmywhatarainyday · 06/10/2018 21:37

It could be anything. Something you’ve eaten, a bug, overtired, stress, anxiety.
I have a very important occasion to go to tomorrow and I’m anxious and nervous about it and have had a dodgy belly all day and been feeling sick since 5pm.
It gets worse if I think about having to miss the occasion because of sickness and think I’m letting people down. I’m just going to get an early night as I know 99% of the time I feel better in the morning.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2018 21:41

Thank you all. I’m watching a bit of telly with dh and trying to keep my mind off it.

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socksortights · 06/10/2018 22:19

I have the same phobia and I always chew gum, that seems to help me.

Currently pregnant and feeling so sick Sad

Polkadot1502 · 07/10/2018 08:09

I also have this phobia it's awful!! How are you feeling today op? Better I hope xx

Silvercatowner · 07/10/2018 08:12

Another sufferer. It is truly awful, isn't it. Hope you are feeling better now, OP.

Crunchymum · 07/10/2018 08:21

How are you today OP?

I'm also an emetophobe but like a PP my main area of contention is other people (mainly the kids or DP) being sick.

Day to day I'm not too afflicted but the second someone at home isn't themselves / someone we have been around mentions feeling sick / I hear about a bug doing the rounds, then I go into panic mode. If someone is actually ill I find it very traumatic.

It's a horrible way to live.

Hope you get to go to your party later.

TheCunkOfPhilomena · 07/10/2018 08:27

Hey dancergirl, I think we've spoken on here before. I also have severe emetophobia (since the age of three, now 40).

How are you today?

Fwiw, I haven't vomited since I was 6 and when I got Norovirus in 2012 I still didn't vomit - it all came out the other end. I took my prescribed anti-emetics and just sipped ice water for 3 days and then 7up.

It's the most frightening thing and I completely understand the not wanting to go to sleep - I usually stay up listening to the radio and playing silly games on my laptop if I feel really bad.

Anyway, I hope you're feeling brighter today Flowers

Original poster
Dancergirl · 07/10/2018 09:52

Thank you all.

I didn't sleep too well, kept waking up. Feel a bit better today but no appetite at all.

sock so sorry to hear you are suffering.

crunchy and cunk thank you so much for your support. I feel such an idiot at times, dh cuddled me last night and couldn't work out why I was so tense, he sort of knows about the phobia but has no idea of its severity and I don't think he would understand.

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thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 07/10/2018 22:16

I clicked on this as I am in exactly the same boat. I am so terrified of being sick and it's getting worse. You have my sympathy. I am lying in bed too scared to sleep and on my phone to try and distract me.

socksortights · 07/10/2018 23:00

It's really hard for people to understand what it is like to have this phobia. It's like being terrified of your own body to a degree.

My DP knows, and does his best to understand. He has a bad fear of spiders so I try to get him to compare it to that.

I am still suffering with pregnancy nausea.. I keep reassuring myself that I was not sick with DD.

Bugs are the worst though as it is the unknown. This phobia is without a doubt caused by a fear of not being in control.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 08/10/2018 12:58

Hi, hope everyone is feeling better today.

I still felt a bit funny yesterday and felt exhausted from the fear and anxiety from the previous day.

We all went to the party and had a great time but I still didn't feel like eating as normal. Much better today though.

that hope you are also feeling better today.

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