Anyone please awake just for a handhold and some distraction

[JKDcot]

I have emetophobia and think I have a stomach bug. My husband was sick on Tuesday night and I thought I had done everything in my power to avoid it.

Im staying the night at my mums and I’m in her spare room. I have a fever and feel nauseous. I don’t want to wake her up as it’s not fair or necessary. I know that.

But I just can’t stop pacing around and crying. I don’t know how long I will feel like this. There’s a chance I have a different bug and just a fever (I also have a sore throat which I don’t think is common with stomach bug). But either way. This is kind of my worst nightmare and very triggering for me.

any one got any advice? I’m sipping water, I’m trying to keep cool, I am sitting upright as lying down is bad. What else can I do??

Watch a movie on your phone or listen to an audio book and try to distract yourself. Try to stop fixating on it is what I would do

Have you taken anti nausea/vomiting meds?

You probably don't have the bug!! Just relax. You might have a different virus which can make you feel a bit rough with it. You would have been sick sooner if it was the same one. You're ok xxx

Can you start a new mini series on
your phone? Or download a new game? I just keep my mind active when I am having a melt down, then let the feeling pass over you.

Thank you so much for your kind advice. I have taken a cyclizine which I have always on hand in case of nausea.

Do you think if it was stomach flu I would have been sick already? Does a fever start first or come later?

@mumtoboys12 do you think I would have been sick already / earlier? If it was the same bug?

I started to feel feverish about 4pm and now woken up at 1am super warm. But maybe it’s a regular flu and not sickness flu.

does that start with vomiting then become fever?

Hello OP, I don't have any experience of this but am up with my newborn DD. Have you got any mints/sweets? Might help. Have you got Netflix?

I really think that if you were going to be sick, you would have been by now. It a long time now. Try to distract yourself with a film/book/activity.

I also used to fear being sick enormously (I’m not say it’s the same level as you experience - I don’t know - but it was pretty bad for me and caused me all kinds of problems). Anyway, I once had a terrible bout of sickness and the thing that really helped whilst in its grip was a doctor (I was already in hospital) saying that being sick is like childbirth - your body knows what to do, you just have to let it get on with it and nothing bad will happen. That really helped me so if you are ever sick in the future, perhaps it will you.

Thank you so much for your kind words and advice. Good idea about the mints I might try that and get a mint tea also that’s refreshing.

I do realise it is just a natural bodily function. I understand that it is necessary. I know it wouldn’t kill me I just wish I could find a way to not fixate on what if it happens. It rules my life and I need to sort it out.

I think cause it’s the middle of the night you just feel more anxious and alone. You can’t get anyone to talk to and distract you ?!

Every time you start thinking ‘am I going to be sick,’ ‘what if scenario x’ etc try and bring yourself back to whatever it is you are doing by noticing colour, touch, smells, details around you. Don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself panicking each time just practice bringing your thoughts back to other things. This should gradually help with the panic/anxiety.

If you so actually get sick try to remember that it won’t last more than 24h. I find small bits of watermelon and small sips of iron bru help me a bit but everyone has a different nausea cure.

Great advice @Ghosttofu99

I feel lucky I am tucked up in bed and I just told work I was sick so know I can be here till I feel better. Will just practise slow breathing and try and focus on what’s real not what’s imagined.

god why are human brains so annoying

Sorry, I hope I didn’t sound flippant. I know what an awful thing fear is. I just found the ‘lean into it’ thing surprisingly helpful when I was basically having a panic attack about being sick. It made me feel weirdly powerful because I knew my body would take care of me.

Anyway, OP, seen any good TV recently? I highly recommend Hijack with Idris Elba on Apple TV - it’s fab. Or Lioness on Paramount if you can deal with violence and swearing! I always download a Real Housewives series when I’m stressed - the clothes and drama distract me!

@Brunoandthebigfoot thank you and yes definitely your advice and approach is useful. I mean, ultimately my body would take over and that’s what I have to trust in. It’s the mind that is the pain in the arse.

good tv advice. My mum gave me a new book last night so I might start that too. Distrsction definitely needed. Thank you

could it be covid? I’m just over it & sore throat was main symptom ❤️

Much sympathy to you. I used to have emetophobia and it’s horrific. Have you taken some paracetamol? Should bring the fever down a bit. I find that playing games on my phone (eg FreeCell) is suitably distracting. I hope you feel better soon!

Hi OP. Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I do think if it was a bug you would have been sick already. Last time I had one (first time in about 20 years!) I was ill just a couple of hours after starting to feel nauseous. My DH is emetophobic so I can appreciate how distressed you must feel.

I'm awake because my DD had me up in the middle of the night last night and I took a long nap with her at lunchtime today. Also I have incredibly restless arms and legs and just can't seem to drop off. I've given up for now but I am panicking about what time she's going to wake up (it's been 5am for the last week and 12.30am last night). I think I will send DH on the nursery run tomorrow!

I hope you manage to get some sleep soon

It's a phobia it's not your fault

I hope you start to feel better soon

I automatically retch whenever anyone vomits near me so I sort of get where you're coming from

If I need to distract myself or get off to sleep then I listen to BBC sounds. I have loads of things downloaded and often re listen to the same shows because they're comforting and I tend to fall asleep a few mins after they've started

In the past when I needed distraction at night I played scrabble on line with strangers. I no longer have the link but it wasn’t hard for me to find. You can pick your level - beginners intermediate or advanced. When I’d go on there I’d usually find someone to play very quickly as it’s a 24 hour world now (you don’t talk to them or anything - you are an anonymous number) and the one I used cost nothing to join in.

So sorry, sounds like the new bug doing the rounds
I have it, it is horrible
Drink lots of fluids and keep yourself amused
Yesterday I made it from bed to sofa, it was mostly horrific
You will get through this ! I am a week in and better but not 100% - spent today doing different things than I would usually so started a jigsaw I got for Christmas and It is going well, so far
Be kind to yourself is all you can do right now and I advise to do it
drink water like it is going out of fashion and try apple juice when you can
I was face down for 3 days before I made progress
You got this!

it sucks but you will get through X

Handhold OP. Like PP I often listen to BBC Sounds. I usually choose an episode of In Our Time and then just lie listening too it. I often drift off before it ends. Agree to take some painkillers to reduce the fever and help you sleep.

emetophobe here too…was sick for the first time in 30 years last month.. also cant sleep cus i feel off ..ive took an avomine..travel sickness from chemist.they're sedating so I normally fall asleep and waken fine..its the anxiety making it worse..hope you fall asleep soon and alls good

OP, I recently had NORO and the sickness came first swiftly followed by the fever! We all also got sick within 24hrs of each other and so I’d think you are ok if it’s been a day. I’ve had c diff and so always spiral if anyone has an upset stomach around me and so I fully understand!! Distract yourself!! Get off this thread as ruminating will keep your mind focused on it! I have a show recommendation: I’m rewatching vampire diaries and it’s great! Sweet magnolias on Netflix is also really good. Distract yourself and get off google!! It’s rarely right! If you do have the sickness bug then make sure you have a drink like liquid iv available but I think you’re in the clear!!

Als OP I think this sounds like Covid!! My BIl was sick with it but nobody else was, I got a fever and sore throat! Please check with your mum she’s ok to have you staying incase it is Covid and if she’s elderly or vulnerable I’d go home and just ask husband to bleach the bathroom.

Oh dear OP. I am exactly the same as you. Fear of vomit rules my life. I actually call the hours between 1 and 2 am the withching hours as that's the time I always seem to wake up panicking about it. I hope you're ok.

A friend has emetophobia, I know how tough and scary she finds it. When I need more distraction from my anxiety or life I play one of the TV shows/movies I'm really familiar with in the background while I read or mindlessly scroll, look at clothes. I find it soothing watching a show I don't need to pay full attention too, no surprises, no emotional work watching, just soothing familiarity. And breath, into a paper bag if it gets to fast. I wish I had more, but distraction, breathing and grounding can help get you through.