Son can taste sick

[EmetMommy]

Hi, DS has come home from school today looking a bit sad. Asked him what was wrong and he said he’s felt sick in school today and ’can taste sick’.
I should mention that I have a pretty severe fear of vomit, so I’m in a bit of a flap at the mo, readying myself(as best I can) for impending doom.
Any ideas what could cause him to feel like this, aside from a dreaded tummy bug that’s likely to wipe out the entire fucking family?!

www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=817&language=English

One possibility.

Thanks coolnames. He doesn’t have the best teeth! He’s not really mentioned this taste before though...

I feel your pain OP.

There's no way of knowing whether it's a tummy bug looming or not - that's part of what makes this phobia so hard to handle - but there are plenty of other things it could be...

Acid indigestion
Leftover taste of something he's eaten
Cold / throat virus (always makes things taste and smell odd)

It's certainly not a typical way for a sickness bug to start or we'd have heard of it before!

Is he hungry? I would probably offer something light for tea (toast) and see how he goes. How old is he?

He’s 6. He wasn’t hungry earlier and was adamant he didn’t want any dinner. But He’s just asked for chocolate and/or crisps. Dinner is almost ready so will see what he’s like then. He’s currently watching YouTube on the iPad.
This phobia is a real pain in my ass! It’s significantly more manageable since I started taking ADs a couple of years ago(for something completely unrelated, but it helped the phobia. Bonus!) but I still struggle internally this time of year with all the bugs that are flying about

He ate tea fine. Perked up lots. Had pudding too and pinched a couple of pieces of my chocolate. Soon as I mentioned bed, he got upset saying he felt sick...

He’s now hugging a bin, crying and panicking. Not been sick yet... oh god I’m hating this

How's he doing?

Such a horrible phobia. Whatever happens you can and will get thru it. Keep going

Thanks bramble. He’s fine until we ask him to put his iPad down and try to sleep. Then he’s back hugging the bin!
He said someone was sick in school today. Don’t know if that’s panicked him? He went through a phase of being scared to death if sick, last year. Wondering if that’s come back?

*of sick

My boy had that too, 3 weeks ago. I'm not home, as I gave birth yesterday to my baby girl, but maybe give him a warm-ish drink if he's still awake and gently stroke his back if he's hugging a bin. I dislike sick as well, but it's a part of parenthood, so I have to deal with it. It'll be better if he keeps the bin near him, and if you can, give him a plastic bag for in bed. Maybe put on some quiet YouTube to keep him satisfied but make sure he gets sleep. If he's still like this through the night or tomorrow, I STRONGLY ADVISE you keep him home. Don't give him anything with lots of flavours and keep it plain. Where does it hurt? Is he bloated? Does he have problems passing wind or going to the bathroom?

I’m so with you here OP. I have emetiphobia too and at this time of year I’m a nervous wreck.

I hope DS is ok. It could well be that someone vomiting at school has panicked him (he may be starting with the phobia too) which will be making him feel sick because he’s so anxious.

Otherwise, some kids at my child’s school have had a weird bug that made them really nauseous and have tummy ache but no D or V so could be that.

Hi, another emetophobe here so I deeply feel your pain and terror. Sounds like your ds is also starting to pick up on the phobia himself. If he's anxious that will cause him nausea. Has he pooped today? Sometimes constipation in little ones can cause nausea. If he ate dinner and dessert I don't think it will be a stomach bug because one of the first symptoms of these is usually lose of appetite around last meal time before the nausea/cramps/vomit/diarreah kicks off (as you can tell I've done a lot of research) that being said, he could potentially make himself sick from panic. I really hope he's okay now and you are able to stay calm, deep breathes. My ds threw up this week from a bad chesty cough, he got himself all worked up because I think he thought he was choking on the cough, he's only 4, I was up half the night shaking.

Dd has had bad reflux since a baby, even now at 6 her breath always smells of sick as she is still sick a few times a day. Maybe it could reflux .

thanks so much or all the replies. I really appreciate it.
He’s asleep now with a bin(lined and ready!) next to his bed with towels down. I hate the carpet scrubbing so hoping towels minimise all that, should the worst happen!
I was great before, stroking his back telling him it was all ok, holding the bin for him. Until very recently, I’d have been shaking like a shitting dog in the next room, so this is huge for me!

You are doing brilliantly and should be so proud of yourself. I know how hard it is to go anywhere near a child who looks like they might be sick so that’s amazing!

How did the night go? I hope he was ok x

Thanks. Long night. He finally agreed to go to sleep at 11! Slept through fine. But DS3 was awake with earache! DS2 woke up at 5 asking to play on the iPad and is now eating breakfast!

Glad it turned out OK OP... at least you know that next time he behaves like this it doesn't necessarily mean tummy bug!

Yes, indeed! He’s absolutely fine! Do feel sorry for him as it’s likely anxiety related