Toddler has been vomiting all evening. And I have emetophobia. Please help

[JKDcot]

Sorry I know I sound cold and selfish. But my toddler has been vomiting all evening. I assume norovirus not something he’s eaten.

My husband has helped to deal with it and I have done all I can to be supportive and loving. But I have emetophobia and I am feeling extremely anxious. Any advice?

@JKDcot hopefully he can get a good nights sleep. I would make sure he takes it easy tomorrow and just eat small plain meals for 24-48 hours just to make sure he doesn’t upset his stomach. Not to worry you but it’s most likely his stomach is empty now so just take it slow with his eating.

My little one only had it for a day.

I’m hoping you can sleep tonight!

Who the hell has voted YABU 😞

emetaphobe here - I really feel for you, you must be going out of your mind worried about your little one and worried about yourself. This phobia really is awful.

You know what to do - bleach, keep hands away from mouth, lots of hand washing.

I find sipping on some ginger tea really helpful.

The thing I tell myself when I am in a emet-panic - it will be ok, and if it’s not ok, it’s not the end ❤️

PS I went to see a emetophobia specialist a couple of years ago who was fab. I can pass on his details in a DM if you’d like it. Xxx

@EbonyWood thank you yes that would be great if you do have a referral name. I just feel like such an idiot for panicking about it. It’s embarrassing and debilitating and I want to be stronger.

Here’s hoping he sleeps it off tonight. He’s stayed asleep for the last 45 mins sl that’s good

Would you mind sending them to me too pls? X

He’s being sick again… I didn’t think he’d have any food left in him to be sick.

could he just vomit all night?? He’s never had this before so I don’t know what to expect

It’s a horrible condition OP, and no you can’t just ‘get over’ a phobia.
What treatment are you seeking for your emetophobia? You know that a huge part of being a mother is being able to care for your child when ill so you must be seeking help for this.

I'm not vomit phobic (bees and wasps instead), but my kids both got an awful d&v earlier this year that left me and dp just feeling a little nauseous. First time it's happened that we've escaped, but there's hope! It's like a ticking clock though, worrying for the next few days - good luck.

Sorry to add, with your update - he could vomit all night. We had a bug last year that landed both kids in hospital with anti-sickness meds, our oldest (4yo) was sick for 3 days. If your other half can manage, take over the washing and home admin in the meantime to keep things ticking over, and your mind distracted.

It'll likely just be fluid now, not food if he's not eaten. That's the point at which I start to panic less because it's just less awful to deal with than the latter. He will fall asleep eventually and hopefully the combination of being exhausted from being sick and lack of food will mean he will sleep through it.

Just wanted to send another handhold. I'm an emetephobe and I can feel the panic in the pit of my stomach just thinking about your situation. You'll get through this, it's just one night. Your son is too busy to notice your fear so he won't pick up on it im sure. You've got this.

I could of written this myself. Our household recently had this, also emetophobia here. Think you've had some great advice above, although it's probably feeding into the fear I actually have gloves and find keeping onto of the washing and cleaning just helps to curb the anxiety with the sickness. Whatever is going to ease your anxiety atm then do it within reason, It will go as quick as it came honestly, I think you're doing a brilliant job. Let dh take over what he can and just take every moment as it comes x

Thank you all for being so so kind.

I hope he won’t be sick again tonight and understand and agree it’s not food in his tummy any more. But hearing him retching and spitting up bile js nasty.

my husband is on duty now and I’ve moved to another room as I can’t deal with it. I sound like a selfish mean mother I know and I do need to find a way to deal with it better.

I’ll take on all the sheets and clothes washing and food preparation.

Anyone know what the chance of me catching it is?? I’ve been with him and kissing him. / sharing food all day

Kissing and sharing food is fine.

what IS contagious is getting any of his sick or poo particles in your mouth. Which you won’t do because you are being super fastidious with hand washing and keeping things clean!

xx

I see this as an opportunity to become exposed to a phobia

Apparently not contagious until someone is actively ill, so just make sure your hands are clean and use gloves to handle any washing and 🤞

YY - exposure therapy. Sit with him and gradually your brain will become desensitised when it sees there is no threat. Avoidance is the worst thing you can do for phobias.

I'm emetaphobic also, and toddler has had four sick bugs. One that lasted a week. I'm neurotic about taking a spoonful of apple cider vinegar in water 3x a day at the first exposure, and I really think it works. I haven't caught one of them yet (touch wood). My partner laughed, caught the first sick bug, now takes the apple cider vinegar also and was fine for the next three.

It's horrible, I'm so anxious whenever around someone who is sick. Huge sympathies

The problem is, this is more like OCD than a phobia. The ‘threat’ is catching the germs. Exposure therapy can help to minimise the discomfort of watching someone be sick, but it won’t solve the OCD element.

Hand sanitiser doesn't kill noro. Hand washing is best.

I’m so sorry OP, how did the night go? I’m not exactly emetophobic but definitely get more anxious about this stuff since having children, as we get at least one vomiting bug every year and it’s all just so grim. I’ve found having a plastic jug as a vessel to catch it in helpful, and have gotten quite good at seeing when it’s coming (after the first one if it was a surprise) and catching it. I find it all feels less traumatic when it’s not everywhere, and less likely to spread. Also try and keep rooms ventilated. Most times we’ve had it, it’s over within 4-6hrs but my youngest had one awful bug where she was vomiting for 24hrs.

I think the main thing for now is not to beat yourself up for being anxious. It is how you feel and your child knows you care.

Thank you all for your kind words. I think it must have been something he ate as he finally slept it off and then woke up back to normal. Neither my husband or I got sick either.

ive kept him out of nursery to ensure he’s not contagious but I think it’s all clear.

it did make me think through how I’m going to have to get better at managing this phobia though. It really is debilitating. I’d have loved another child but am scared of pregnancy morning sickness. Pathetic I know.

anyway thank you again for your kind advice

Certain hand sanitisers certainly do.. but obviously hand washing is the most important

Could you please send me the details too please. OP sending massive hugs, I’ve been phobic since about aged 7 and I’m nearly 40 now so I know how debilitating and downright terrifying it is being an emetophobe. I’ve tried CBT and hypnosis but nothing has helped so far just remember the sun will always rise and this will pass.

Leave it to your husband for now but phobias are not to be just accepted. Get psychological as it isn't fair on your child and it may encourage their fears to get out of hand. Honestly, put your big girl pants on and get some therapy.

I don’t think there is such a thing as Norovirus killing hand gels-

Normal alcohol gels don’t work on Norovirus
Soap and water DOES work

I’m recovering from what I assume is Norovirus- hard vomiting for 24 hrs and am an emetophobe too- It’s grim.

Soap and water physically wash the viral particles down the sink when we use soap and water.

If there is a new Norovirus killing hand gel do let me know
But so far don’t know of any.