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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how to prevent vomiting

40 replies

Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 01:54

I have just woken up from feeling nauseous and have bad diarrhea. I am an emetophobe and am freaking out that vomiting will be next. Any tried and tested remedies to stop it happening?

I am currently considering eating a whole piece of ginger, a lemon, cider vinegar or some flat coke I have in the cleaning cupboard that I usually use to clean the toilets.

I'd try anything but scared to make it worse. My heart is racing, I thought I was doing better with my phobia but now it feels so close I am not dealing with it very well!

OP posts:
piecesofham · 06/08/2022 01:57

Cold, be cold and shivering and it'll take your mind off of the worry. Nothing can stop if it it must come but being c

piecesofham · 06/08/2022 01:58
  • cold overrides nausea in my experience
Kerrrmieee · 06/08/2022 01:58

Fresh air and mind over matter - however if it's a bug, it's going to come out.

Motilium is a great anti sickness pill, used to be able to get a chemists but now gp only 🙄

Any antacids?

But some things you can't stop, so work on separating mind from body, that and fresh air.

Get well soon!

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 01:59

And in your experience if vomiting accompanies diarrhea, how soon after will it come? If it hasn't happened in couple of hours, am I safe? Hoping if I keep going to the loo, I'll flush whatever it is out of my system and not vomit? Clutching at straws here...

I have only vomited twice in the last 25 years, and it was usually before or straight after the first diarrhea episode so fingers crossed...

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Thatboymum · 06/08/2022 02:07

I’m never sick sick but last week caught a bad bug , the scoots started and after about 5 toilet visits in 2 hours I was violently sick 3 times in a row and that was it apart from 3 days of shitting myself . I found alka seltzer worked and immodium

Tasmanium · 06/08/2022 02:08

@Emetoremedy sometimes a hot bath works apparently.

if there’s no avoiding it, I would recommend might help is drinking plenty of water, not to be graphic but the thinner the vomit the easier it is to deal with- emotionally. Earbuds with talking (podcast or anything interesting) can be a useful way of drowning out the sound and distracting you, closing your eyes, flush quickly and often. Mouthwash- the enamel protect kind- immediately after is good. If you put a little toothpaste especially on the inside of your teeth this helps protect the mouth and reduce the unpleasantness. You will get through this! Try and think of it as a positive- the more exposed you are to a phobic trigger the better the chance of desensitisation. (Easier said than done I know)
If/when you get through it, give yourself a big pat the back.

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 02:08

That's a good shout actually, I am going to sit in the garden. I hate vomiting but the nausea and anticipation of vomiting is probably the worst bit.

DD had a sickness bug 10 days ago but has been symptom free for 7 days, so I'm confused what this could be.

Both kids have been unsettled with runny noses though, so maybe it's covid. Urgh I don't know but I hate it.

I am feeling pretty faint.

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3amAndImStillAwake · 06/08/2022 02:09

I'm an emetophobe so I understand how you're feeling!

I don't necessarily have any advice to actually prevent vomiting, but whenever I'm feeling nauseated I watch short comedy clips on YouTube (stand up, clips from panel shows etc). Nothing that requires concentration, but it's enough to slightly take my mind off the nausea at least, and often it passes. I do the same if I'm ever having a panic attack. Obviously it won't prevent vomiting but something funny always reduces my anxiety a little bit.

Other than that, open a window to get some fresh air, and sip cold water.

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 02:15

@Kerrrmieee I used to love my Motilium, saved me many times. I was so sad when I ran out after it changed to prescription only.

@Thatboymum oh no, sounds so much like me right now. Sounds like I'm not out of the danger zone just yet then :(

@Tasmanium thank you so much for these tips. Fingers crossed I don't end up needing them but at least I am prepared.

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Thatboymum · 06/08/2022 02:30

Also I don’t know if this happens to others but when I’m going to be sick i notice my mouth gets quite saliva filled as tho it’s pre warning me so watch for that and then mentally prepare put ear phones in eyes closed flush quickly brush teeth drink water and go and try fall asleep, I would rather poo myself countless times than be sick any day

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 02:36

@Thatboymum me too! I'd rather a week of shitting myself than a day of vomiting.

Can I ask when you said you were sick 3 times, was it all in one episode? Or with some feeling better inbetween? I.e. was it over in 5 mins or 1 hour? Really dreading 3 vomiting episodes!

I thought I was feeling better but sadly I'm getting worse so don't think I'll dodge it. I also have weird tingling all around my face and neck. Urgh.

Had a sleepless night last night because of the kids and had been looking forward to some rest. Looks like it won't be happening.

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GibbonsGoatsGibbons · 06/08/2022 02:37

Something as cold as possible on the back of your neck

user375242 · 06/08/2022 03:01

Just to give you some company, I am an emetophobe and currently camping on my own with kids. The teenager was sick earlier and we are sharing a tent. I waited up for 3 hours anxiously because I decided I'd rather not be woken up to deal with more half asleep, and finally fell asleep half an hour ago and was just woken to my 5 year old waking up announcing he was going to be sick, I managed to get him outside, and now he is back asleep... I am sharing a sleeping bag with him and we were face to face before. Now I think I'm going to stay up all night because I'm too scared he will be sick on me or the tent or my third child will be sick too. My biggest fear was it was a sick bug, I'd just about convinced myself it was a one off.

The news about the cold is slightly comforting because it is extremely cold tonight. Good news is the first one hasn't been sick again and it's been 4 hours now. Every time one of them moves I get palpitations. This is my worst nightmare.

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 03:15

@user375242 I am so sorry, that would be my worst nightmare too. When DD was sick 10 days ago, DH laid down in bed face to face with her to comfort her. I could never, ever do that. I was shaking in fear just watching him.

I hope your 5 year old will be OK, at least at that age they are good at feeling it coming so hopefully it can be contained.

It could just be something they have eaten and they'll bounce back now it's out? If it was a bug I would have thought that one would catch it first then pass it on, rather than both starting at the same time.

Definitely great news the eldest hasn't been sick again after 4 hours, that would be unusual for a bug.

I must say the cold is really working. I'm in the garden shivering and am yet to vomit. When I go inside to get water or go the loo the nausea starts again, but overall I think it's easing off, fingers crossed.

How many day into your holidays are you?

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Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 03:22

Also if you can't sleep (which I totally get!) and have earphones, how about listening to some breathing meditation? At least it will reduce the stress of the anxiety on your body and give it a bit of a rest. I googled "meditation to prevent vomiting" and been watching YouTube videos. It's not going to cure my bug but gives me something to do and helps me relax while I ride it out.

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Dita73 · 06/08/2022 03:50

Fellow emetophobe here. I know exactly how you feel. When my kids were younger I was constantly terrified! Always taking travel sickness pills and not eating when I knew bugs were about. This might sound daft but I always found Love Heart sweets to be good for nausea. No idea why but it seemed to help. I hope you’re ok. I totally understand the gut churning panic you’re feeling right now. I was lucky to have relatives in the same village as me so when my kids were sick I could leave them with family and get out of the house. It’s just the worst phobia ever as it’s completely unavoidable. Hopefully you’re managing to sleep

Inclinedtochatter · 06/08/2022 03:59

When I had chemotherapy I was constantly nauseous and found sipping full sugar lemonade or sprite helped. One of the nurses suggested it and it worked. I also used to have peppermint tea which soothed my stomach as well.

Nat6999 · 06/08/2022 04:28

I can talk myself out of being sick, as long as I don't see the sick bucket I won't be sick. I'm emetaphobic & if I'm sick I'm a real baby, I cry & everything.

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 04:49

Thank you, I've just had a 30 minute sleep but got woken by dizziness and nausea again. It's not as all consuming anymore and it's been an hour since I've had to use the loo so hopefully I am feeling better and might escape vomit free (famous last words!)

I might have a peppermint tea as I think dehydration can make you feel sick too so it will be good to have something.

My baby has been waking at 4.30am all week needing to feed so I am dreading her waking up any minute, I think having a hot baby on me might send me over the edge :(

Thank god I'd gone to bed early so I had a couple of hours sleep before this started that I can survive on!

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Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 04:57

I read before that emetophobes can stop themselves from being sick and I think it is true to some extent. Based on how I felt, I should really have vomited by now. And if I had, I would probably be feeling a lot better already, so it just prolongs the agony... never mind!

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tillylula · 06/08/2022 05:36

I totally get how you're feeling. I too have severe emet,

tillylula · 06/08/2022 05:40

tillylula · 06/08/2022 05:36

I totally get how you're feeling. I too have severe emet,

Sorry didn't finish what I was typing...

I too have severe emet and have a baby and toddler. I thought things were getting easier but i took them to a bouncy castle thing the other day with lots of other kids and I've been counting down the days til we are out of the woods. I even get nervous taking them to the park.

I hope youre feeling better soon. This phobia is all consuming and theres no way out. I tried CBT/exposure therapy and It was all phone based because of the pandemic. I lied through the whole thing because I couldn't cope. 🤣

garlictwist · 06/08/2022 05:51

Oh God OP. I am the same as you. Vomiting is my worst nightmare. If I feel like you I lie on the floor in front of the patio doors wide open so I get as much cold air as possible and then scroll mindless shit on my phone to take my mind off the possibility. Good luck.

Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 05:55

@tillylula I had CBT for general anxiety a few months ago and it had really helped in that I was able to take them out to public places again without worrying too much that they'd catch something.

Then DD got sick and I dealt with it really well too. But me being sick is next level.

I've actually just been sick after hours of fighting it and thinking I was getting better :( I really hope that will be it now.

At least the nausea is gone for the time being.

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Original poster
Emetoremedy · 06/08/2022 05:57

What's the likelihood I have passed this on to my baby before having symptoms? I tried some of her food for temperature earlier :(

I'm so upset as family was supposed to come and stay next week and I had looked forward to it so much. If anyone else gets ill it won't happen :(

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