Emetophobia - terrified of this sickness bug

[nellyraggbagg]

This sounds so stupid, but I'm completely terrified of the children (not to mention DH and me) catching this Norovirus that's doing the rounds. I've been emetophobic for as long as I can remember, and it has become even worse since having children. Every time they open their mouths, I'm terrified they're going to say they feel sick. When I go to bed at night, my last waking thought is: "Oh my God, what if they're sick in the night?" My DH is working away a lot at the moment, which makes matters even worse (he is good at dealing with sick, thank goodness!!) I have dealt with both children being sick (I have found that manic cleaning helps very slightly to take my mind off the blind panic), but am rigid with fear following newspaper reports of this current bug. How will I pick DS up from school if DD and/or I get it? My Mum is miles away, unfortunately. And what if DH gets it? I don't know how I'd cope if he were sick. Please, please help, someone - even if just by saying that I'm not the only person who feels like this!

BB: we love you! xxx

ds had rota virus at 15 months whilst in spain! but no one else got it even dd1! if it is a form of rota virus, adults can get it but it is usually the runs, and once they have had it they should be immune to it (so the nhs says!), most children have had rotavirus by the age of 2 and the rest by the age of 5, some get it worse than others, some show little symptoms.

my only advise is lots of handwashing and be extra careful until 3 clear days have passed once the poo is back to normal, it can take 10 days!!!

hope your okay sending lots of positive vibes xmt3x

Thanks so much for all of your kind words of support - to answer the questions, yes, I already use latex gloves for any changing, and am constantly hand-washing / wiping door handles with anti-bac etc. Actually bought some face masks on Friday but haven't used them yet.

So far so good - DS still got the runs, but I haven't caught it yet, and DH, nanny and mum all better. Think DH's friend just caught it from him as well now..
Am feeling slightly better about it all, but know that it's still possible I will get it. Then again, DS was sick on me, on my study floor etc. - I (G-d knows how! -I am so prooud of myself) cleaned it up, but didn't catch anything then.

HAve also hardly eaten anything for last few days (except to keep my strength up so my imune system is ok), just in case I do catch anything. Also got motilium from pharmacy in case.

BB - looks like I am a prime candidate for your wisdom! (by the way, are you a rl counsellor? Where are you based?)

can i ask what motilium is?

sorry to sound silly

not silly - ages ago I asked the pharamcist for what I might be able to take to stop being sick/feeling nauseous - motilium does that. Not sure if it would help the bug that much, but might reduce nausea and stop sickness. It makes me feel safer to have it in reserve! Actually, it's exactly the same thing (in adult form) that we gave DS for his reflux when he was younger (motilium is just the trade name - ranitidine is the active ingredient).
Still feeling good myself..

Naturopath - glad you are still ok!!

I keep having actual nightmares about v (either I am v-ing, or the DCs are), which I think just goes to show that the return to school really has set off a major panic...

Of course, every time I have a v dream, I am convinced that it's because I feel sick in my sleep!!

I wonder what it's like to be 'normal'?

hey all

how is everyone? i do try to be really positive about this phobia and try to freak out mildly but we are off on holiday to lanzarote tuesday lunchtime, and whilst i am looking forward to it i am so worried after what happened with ds last time on hols, with the rotavirus, i am scared it will happen again to dd2 or any of us aaaaahhhhhhhaaaaahhhh really worried!!!

my parents are coming with us and the rational side of me is calming me down a bit, i have packed my antibac wipes, gel, rescue remedy spray and tablets, so please dont let anyone get ill

mt3

BB - the Spanish tourist story has almost convinced me to go to the GP!!!

xx

BB do we need to get a GP referral for CBT? I'm sick of worrying about this every single night.

A boy was sent home from DD's nursery today with a sick bug. A great pile of 'V' on the street on our way home (outside a school) I feel like the walls are closing in

AD - me too. Horrible, isn't it?

Hi everyone!

not been on here for a while so just been trying to catch up with events. Hope everyone is ok now.

I had a scary mo last week. was at a wedding and we stayed over in the hotel because it was a way from home. Next morning we were sat eating our breakfast when one of the guests just got up and threw up all over the dining area floor.(not nice when you are tucking into an english breakfast!) My DH turned straight to tm and said 'You ok?' to which i replied 'no' and we made our very quick exit(the long way round!)...

The thing was that stayed with me all day and didn't feel 'right' all that day. Couldn't get it out my mind.

Hey bb - glad to see you are still around...you give me strength! Don't ever disappear...we love you! xx

Hi to you Notalone...How is the course going? I have texted you but you are as good at texting as you are replying on mumsnet!! xx

Hope everyone else is ok..love to all xxxx

Wiggle - aaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!!! What a horrible experience. That's just one of the many things I dread...

Is it just me, or does anyone else tremble slightly when the number of posts goes up on this thread? I look at it every day, and it's been saying 989 posts for ages - which always comes as a relief, as it means nobody has anything to report!!

My DD is starting school after half term, so I'm convinced that she's going to come down with every v bug under the sun.

How must it feel, not to worry about this kind of thing? Don't suppose I'll ever find out ...

I have had DD2 sick saturday morning.
DS2 sick Sunday and DD1 sick Sunday night.
I am worrying all the time that i will be next . I haven't eaten much for the past few days.

Tortoise - well, it sounds as if you are doing a fantastic job of not being in a panic. I would be a shivering wreck in your position...

I have everything crossed that you don't get it.

Thanks Dot. I was panicing more last night when DD1 was sick. Was nearly in tears worrying about her being sick again or me getting sick. Luckily she was only sick that one time and i caught it in a bucket!
I think i am better than i used to be but as a lone parent i have to be able to cope. I have been keeping my distance where possible and using a lot of dettol hand stuff.

Aaargh! I am so fed up with this bloody phobia. I am in a constant state of low anxiety at the moment - and we're all fine. Heard a mum talking about her son being sick this morning in the playground and that's set me off again. I am thinking of going to the doctor's to see what he will say about hypnotherapy as I wonder if he can recommend anyone. I've looked on the net and there are a few 'hypno-analysts' who claim to be able to cure the phobia but I don't want to throw my money down the drain with a quack.

Anyone any advice...?

How are things, Tortoise?

I hope your DCs are feeling better, and that you haven't succumbed. I am full of admiration for you. Being a lone parent must be hard enough, but being a lone parent with this phobia must be an absolute nightmare.

Minko - I have also looked at these hypno-analysts but, like you, am anxious about spending money on something that doesn't work. I'm trying to pluck up the courage to go to ask the GP to put me on a CBT list, but can't quite manage it yet...

Dot I am fine at the moment. DC are fine too and will be back at school tomorrow.
Still worrying about me getting ill and not eating much at all.

Luckily i don't think i am bad enough to need help but i hate the panicing feeling and anxiety i feell everytime i over hear someone saying their child has been sick or if one of my DC say someone was sick at school.

I don't feel I'm as 'bad' as some on this thread but I just fed up with it. Have booked a doctor's appointment today, though it isn't till next week. I hate talking to the doctor about this, I feel like such a nut. Last year he gave me some anti-emetics which took a weight off my mind but I just want to be rid of it now...

Hi everyone..how's things?

Tortoise - you have done great with your kids. It must be so difficult being a lone parent with this phobia, I, like Dot, am full of admiration for you. Good on you! I definitely couldn't deal with it on my own,no way.

Dot - Hi chick, how's you? I too get more anxious when the messages start on here again..it's been so quiet on here for a while now which in a way is comforting but now we are entering noro season again and i just can't bear all the anxiety i know i've got to come.

Hi bb - how are you hun? Stay in touch, you are now officially my full-time mentor again for the winter! x

Hi Notalone - how are you my spesh friend? Hope you are all ok. Haven't heard form you in a while, know you will be busy with your new course etc. Text me when you have a mo hun. xx

BB - you deserve it!!! xxx