Emetophobic and stressed

Hoglet70 · 2023-12-24T22:30:50+00:00

I love Christmas, I mean I bloody love it but I am also emetophobic and sat here in a stress that because I am having an IBS flare up and my stomach hurts, that I am going to go down with a dire stomach bug and ruin Christmas. Every year I do this. I cannot let myself enjoy Christmas just in case I am ill! I am sat here reading about all the Norovirus ruining Xmas for everyone and it's making me worse. So AIBU - do you never have stomach bugs at Christmas or AINBU, this is something that will get me in the end and I might as well kill myself now (light hearted obviously).

IAmAnIdiot123 · 24/12/2023 22:39

I think it's irrational but that's what a phobia is so I hear you, it sucks. I am terrified of heights, but when I force myself to look out of a closed window in a hotel, I tell myself it's ridiculous and irrational to worry about falling as the bloody window is closed. Telling myself I'm being silly sort of helps a bit so maybe try that?

I do hope you have a lovely Christmas though! 🎄

Rosesandstars · 24/12/2023 22:41

I can relate OP. I don't have IBS but have very severe Emetophobia and always worry about a stomach bug ruining Christmas!

Crishell · 24/12/2023 22:43

I hear you.
We're on a 10 hour flight boxing day as well so I'm feeling very, very anxious this year.

I haven't actually had a stomach bug for a couple of years now so the chances of it happening in the next couple of days are slim, but I still can't help thinking 'but it could be today!'

iLovee · 24/12/2023 22:47

Aww man I'm sorry thats horrible ♥️ the chances of it happening are incredibly unlikely but I completely understand that won't put your mind at risk.

Just a thought for next year - could you look at getting prescribed an anti-emetic medication like cyclizine "just in case"? It might help to put your mind at ease xxx

Original poster

Hoglet70 · 24/12/2023 22:47

Crishell · 24/12/2023 22:43

I hear you.
We're on a 10 hour flight boxing day as well so I'm feeling very, very anxious this year.

I haven't actually had a stomach bug for a couple of years now so the chances of it happening in the next couple of days are slim, but I still can't help thinking 'but it could be today!'

Argh! That would stress me out too. you know realistically it won't happen but by saying that out loud it's then inviting it to happen.

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Original poster

Hoglet70 · 24/12/2023 22:51

iLovee · 24/12/2023 22:47

Aww man I'm sorry thats horrible ♥️ the chances of it happening are incredibly unlikely but I completely understand that won't put your mind at risk.

Just a thought for next year - could you look at getting prescribed an anti-emetic medication like cyclizine "just in case"? It might help to put your mind at ease xxx

I have anti-emetics on prescription thankfully.

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iLovee · 24/12/2023 23:02

Hoglet70 · 24/12/2023 22:51

I have anti-emetics on prescription thankfully.

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Oh yay! I hope that puts your mind at rest a tiny bit?🤞 They really work wonders! Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤️

Louise295 · 24/12/2023 23:02

I am the same.
I have spent many sleepless nights thinking tonight is going to be the night the kids get sick. And then they don't!
I don't mind being sick myself but I am terrified of others being sick around me (part of my OCD)
Try and distract yourself. Read a book. Listen to some music. Make a hot drink. Tomorrow you'll be too busy to worry.
I also have IBS so hoping it eases soon. Do you have buscopan? Xx

Original poster

Hoglet70 · 24/12/2023 23:04

Louise295 · 24/12/2023 23:02

I am the same.
I have spent many sleepless nights thinking tonight is going to be the night the kids get sick. And then they don't!
I don't mind being sick myself but I am terrified of others being sick around me (part of my OCD)
Try and distract yourself. Read a book. Listen to some music. Make a hot drink. Tomorrow you'll be too busy to worry.
I also have IBS so hoping it eases soon. Do you have buscopan? Xx

I do, I have it on prescription. Am currently swigging Silicol Gel out of the bottle!

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Onthebuckle · 26/12/2023 18:01

Evening guys, can I just ask what you can get on prescription to have as a standby? When I got salmonella a while back the doctor told me to buy some buccal tablets , I think they were anti emetics relating to migraines and I carry those as they help me feel a bit more in control but if there is anything else I am all ears. Hate this time of year I feel like the world is closing in on me at times as others talk about bugs so light heartedly as a throw away comment and every time I hear it it sticks and makes my fear bigger and bigger and I just want to hibernate. Sending massive hugs to other sufferers this is a horrendous phobia to have.

Original poster

Hoglet70 · 26/12/2023 19:00

If you ask for Stemetil they are very good. I did have some suppository anti-emetics at one time (paranoid I wouldn't be able to keep the tablets down) but I don't think they let you have those anymore.

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iLovee · 26/12/2023 21:40

Onthebuckle · 26/12/2023 18:01

Evening guys, can I just ask what you can get on prescription to have as a standby? When I got salmonella a while back the doctor told me to buy some buccal tablets , I think they were anti emetics relating to migraines and I carry those as they help me feel a bit more in control but if there is anything else I am all ears. Hate this time of year I feel like the world is closing in on me at times as others talk about bugs so light heartedly as a throw away comment and every time I hear it it sticks and makes my fear bigger and bigger and I just want to hibernate. Sending massive hugs to other sufferers this is a horrendous phobia to have.

Stemetil buccal are fab! Cyclizine is ok, Ondastron is good too 😊 some people love metaproclamine but I didn't get on with it. I'm sure there are others but these are what I was prescribed with HG xxx

Jumpingthruhoops · 27/12/2023 03:23

iLovee · 26/12/2023 21:40

Stemetil buccal are fab! Cyclizine is ok, Ondastron is good too 😊 some people love metaproclamine but I didn't get on with it. I'm sure there are others but these are what I was prescribed with HG xxx

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Have severe emetophobia, so I hear you.

I always relied on metoclopramide... until I was put on lorazepam for panic disorder... and inadvertently discovered how good an anti-emetic it was. I believe it's often prescribed for cancer patients experiencing intense nausea from chemo.

Fortunately, I haven't needed it in a long time... but it would totally be my 'go to' if ever I had a flair up.

cafesandbookshops · 27/12/2023 06:14

Stomach bugs usually last a short time but I’m wishing you a very healthy and happy Christmas and new year x

Please forgive my ignorance but i was under the impression that when you have a tummy bug the best thing you can do is allow things to pass naturally as taking meds can mask the symptoms and actually prolong things when you want whatever is making you poorly to leave your body asap. Energy drinks to replace electrolytes and natural things like mint and ginger flavored things can help with this.

Jumpingthruhoops · 27/12/2023 11:59

cafesandbookshops · 27/12/2023 06:14

Stomach bugs usually last a short time but I’m wishing you a very healthy and happy Christmas and new year x

Please forgive my ignorance but i was under the impression that when you have a tummy bug the best thing you can do is allow things to pass naturally as taking meds can mask the symptoms and actually prolong things when you want whatever is making you poorly to leave your body asap. Energy drinks to replace electrolytes and natural things like mint and ginger flavored things can help with this.

You won't stop an active stomach bug. However, emetophobics will likely suffer from 'nervous nausea' - anti-emetics take this away.

Original poster

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:01

@Jumpingthruhoops If I didn't believe you could stop an active stomach bug with anti-emetics I would probably be off to hang myself....... My Doctor tells me the mind can do wonders.

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Bookridden · 27/12/2023 20:10

But is this a benzo that doctors will refuse to prescribe?

flowerchild2000 · 27/12/2023 20:16

Norovirus is something that can be easily prevented by hand washing. If I were you I would redirect my focus to washing hands and being careful what I eat, especially if it's been prepared by others. Like I wouldn't eat a raw salad for example. As long as it doesn't cause more anxiety I find that focusing on what I can do helps my anxiety instead of focusing on things I can't control, or general what-ifs. You could also prepare your own food, regardless of what anyone thinks about it. You don't want to get sick or be stressed and there's nothing wrong with that.

Original poster

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:20

@flowerchild2000 I absolutely agree with this and I exert a massive amount of control over my own life. Unfortunately I can't control everyone else but I do have an understanding DH and DS who never object to being sent to wash their hands - again.

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flowerchild2000 · 27/12/2023 20:24

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:20

@flowerchild2000 I absolutely agree with this and I exert a massive amount of control over my own life. Unfortunately I can't control everyone else but I do have an understanding DH and DS who never object to being sent to wash their hands - again.

Oh that's good, I have a big thing about hand washing! I'm constantly on my kids about it, and I couldn't be with a man that didn't wash properly, or protested it. I think most people don't wash their hands usually and it makes my skin crawl!

Jumpingthruhoops · 27/12/2023 20:25

flowerchild2000 · 27/12/2023 20:16

Norovirus is something that can be easily prevented by hand washing. If I were you I would redirect my focus to washing hands and being careful what I eat, especially if it's been prepared by others. Like I wouldn't eat a raw salad for example. As long as it doesn't cause more anxiety I find that focusing on what I can do helps my anxiety instead of focusing on things I can't control, or general what-ifs. You could also prepare your own food, regardless of what anyone thinks about it. You don't want to get sick or be stressed and there's nothing wrong with that.

Exactly this! My husband had a bad bug once - I upped my own handwashing and disinfecting high touch points, kept him out of the kitchen for the best part of the week, and I managed to swerve it 🙏

fourelementary · 27/12/2023 20:28

My hands are sore, dry and raw currently due to also suffering from emetophobia and, like @Onthebuckle mentioned- other people glibly saying “shame wee free got the sickness bug for Xmas but we are all having a merry one anyway” or even all the posts here have totally triggered me too and I’ve been so stressed this past week.
im really hoping that 2024 is the year I get a grip on it… I spend so much of my life stressing about them- yet how many times have we actually had bugs? Hardly ever… I try to think of the positive things- 48 hours off work, time to watch whole box sets in bed, kids old enough to not puke all over the bed and make it to the toilet, weight loss, over in 48 hours, unlikely to ever be severe enough to do any real medical harm… etc.

But… it still stresses me beyond words sometimes. And is the reason I haven’t booked a foreign holiday in years.

Original poster

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:31

@fourelementary No foreign holidays here either. The thought of being trapped on a plane where someone might vomit terrifies me.

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JoannaStayton · 27/12/2023 20:37

I have struggled the same phobia. Its very hard and it really can ruin your life in a day tonday basis. People have no idea.

The absolute best thing you can do is stop reading the news. Its almost all just doom scrolling for advertising anyway.

And another thing I recommend is checking out the Thrive Emetophobia programme (google it) its brilliant. You dont need to keep suffering with this, it can be so much better. Please do check it out.

Big love x

stomachamaleon · 27/12/2023 21:01

I can only echo what @JoannaStayton has said.
I am in shock that this is an existence some of you have.
My mother was phobic about being sick and used to proudly tell us she hadn't been 'ill' since 1971. She used to wack the music up if we were I'll and we would have to self sooth.
Not much fun as a crohns sufferer.
How do you navigate I'll health?