Hand hold please. Sick while travelling

[cantthinkofusermame]

Hello

Is anyone awake and could hold my hand please? I'm on a solo trip in Europe and I must have eaten something bad yesterday. I've woken up to nausea and I'm almost vomiting but too scared to actually do it (I'm whatever the term is for fear of vomiting) I'm on my own and scared. Pharmacy not open yet and I don't have any medication

This is only my second time travelling alone, it was supposed to be fun.

Hello @cantthinkofusermame sorry to hear you're not feeling well! Can you sip water?
I had a vomiting bug a couple of weeks ago it was over real quick, horrible for a few hours but then gone.
I know being sick is totally vile and the phobia of it is a very, very real thing. But the thing is once you have been sick you normally feel masses better. Because being sick is how your body gets rid of whatever it is that's bothering you.
Can you try sipping some water now?

Deep breaths.
Can you sit near a window for fresh air.
Sips of water.

I've made some green tea but can't face sipping it. I'm trying to stop myself throwing up. I'm scared
I've booked a seat to go home later but hope I actually make it.

I've opened a window for some air.

Can you put your finger in the green tea and just rub your lips with it? Honestly would be good if you can sip it but I hear how scared you are.
Is that the fear of vomiting or is there other fear too? Fear that you might be really ill?
The overwhelming liklihood is that you've got a bug or mild food poisoning and you'll be through it and out the other side in 48 hours or even less.

@heldinadream fear of actually being sick. I've always had this fear. Omg why couldn't this happen at home instead of here. I'm scared I won't make it home. .. I've got to get home by train

I need to calm down 🥺

So can you remember when you've actually been sick in the past what an enormous relief it is to feel better afterwards? Honestly I don't think there's any better physical relief than the relief of having just been sick and not feeling so nauseous any more for a while.
Personally I think the feeling of nausea is worse than the actual being sick.
Aw I wish I could help you feel better, I really do.

I've only been very been sick once in my life that I can remember.
I've moved to the bathroom. Tried to throw up but nothing really happened. Now I'm sipping tea. Shivering.
Thanks for talking to me @heldinadream

Medication won't help. Try to calm down, position yourself in front of the loo/bucket and allow yourself to be sick. You will almost certainly feel better immediately. The word is emetophobia.

When you feel a bit better get some electrolytes and add to water and sip tiny amounts very regularly.

That's so interesting that you can only remember being sick once! I've been sick loads and loads, I had vomit inducing migraines for a few years and I seem to be quite susceptible to stomach bugs. I feel like a pro at it.
It's really horrible I do agree, but the relief on the other side is truly almost blissful.
Have you managed to sip any water or green tea yet?

Okay that's a good first step. It might come in waves so station yourself there
Avoid the green tea and just sip water or if you can flat coke is great for nausea.

@cantthinkofusermame this is good advice.
The practicalities. This is exactly how to handle it.

It's really weird, maybe I've just been lucky I'm not sure. I think my drink was spiked before when I was last sick. (I've not had any alcohol this time)

How are you feeling now cantthinkofusermame?

Try to take this situation a couple of hours at a time. Don’t think about travelling yet.

(I understand though how awful it is to feel ill away from home.)

I hope you have been able to get a bit of sleep and feel a bit better now.

If not, do you have travel insurance? If so and you are unable to travel, I would contact a doctor through your hotel or hostel, and get them to prescribe some anti-nausea medication and a note saying that you are unable to travel currently, which you can pass on to your insurers at a later date.

Good luck! Hopefully this will be a very short illness. And if not, there is some great health care available in the EU depending on where you are.

This is a low moment but overall, it will be an experience that you will look back on and feel stronger for surviving!

I've sipped a bit of green tea and rubbed it on my lips. Just trying to control my breathing

Thanks @Highbreadcount679

I didn't get insurance this time - I just have my EHIC card.

Well it still might be worth getting a doctor’s note if you can’t travel which you can then copy to your employer and for potential ticket reimbursement etc. Hopefully it won’t be necessary though and you’ll feel much better soon!

How are you doing @cantthinkofusermame?

When you get home you can ask your GP for anti emetics. I have emetophobia and have them prescribed for these situations

@heldinadream I'm feeling a bit better. I got back to sleep with the window open and I've stopped feeling sick. I do feel hot and feverish though. At least I don't feel sick for now. Thank you for responding

good idea about the anti emetics .. I think I just figured I'm immune to sickness as I haven't thrown up in 20 years. 😣 but I'll keep some with me in future. Just sipping water now and hope it doesn't start up again.

Really glad you are feeling a bit better. Hope you have an uneventful journey home op.

Im glad you managed some sleep, hopefully that's the worst past (though don't be surprised if you have some diarrhoea 😬)

Just to mention that If you're still feeling feverish as well as sick this might be the start of covid unfortunately. Hopefully not, and you can go on to enjoy your last couple of days.

Glad you're feeling a bit better.
@candycane222 could be right it could be covid, hadn't thought of that. Take it easy.