Freaked out emetaphobic needs reassuring...help!

[misspollysdolly]

Bugger, bugger, bugger DS2 has just puked his boots up all over his bed...Totally and utterly unexpectedly - fine all day, ate some tea, bedtime fine. Whilst I was putting DS1 in the top bunk some 20 minutes later he (in his sleep) starts puking, threw up twice and is now clean, back to bed and has kept a few sips of water in.

I am phobic about vomiting (i.e. have had therapy directly in relation to it - a serious phobia). DH was out (AAARRRGH!). I coped. Should be patting myself on the back and getting on with the evening, but now is the point where I start to panic and feel uber-anxious.

Help! I was right there as he was puking. Surely I am therefore in the firing line to get whatever bug has caused him to be sick tonight...?! Surely there is no amount of handwashing/avoiding/praying that can prevent the inevitable...?! Could it be that this is NOT a bug?? Could it be that it was a one-off puke and no more?? Will everything be OK? How can I tell or is it just a waiting game? This is the point where I get scared to eat or drink, and where I can't relax for several days, waiting for me or the other children to start feeling sick. I really really hate how this phobia affects me. MPD

hi misspolly, a fellow emetaphobe here to hold your hand (scrubbed, detolled and glove, of course )

so well done on getting through that, sounds like you did brilliantly. sods law sbout dh, mine have only ever had tummy 'issues' when dh has been away (he does travel a lot)

i reckon the fact that he has since kept water down is a good sign, in terms of it not being a bug. but i totally feel your pain, your thoughts are exactly my thoghts at these challenging times. the thing that is helping me the most at the moment (these hellish winter months) is that should the worst happen it will pass. it will soon be over. a bad day or two and then it will be finished. and we will be ok. not sure i am making much sense but i know what i mean and i do find it a comforting thought...

but i do sympathise, this phobia is so consumingly hellish. fingers crossed it was just a one off and you can put it down to just 'one of those things'

I'm emetophobic too so I totally sympathise.

When my daughters have had bugs they have usually complained of tummy aches for a few hours before they're actually sick.

They've also been known to be sick very sudenly, like your son, and then be completely fine afterwards, so please try not to worry too much.

Also, my kids have had bugs which neither me or my husband have ever caught so its by no means certain that you'd catch it even if it was a bug.

Hope he's ok through the night

Fellow emetophobe here to hold your hand.

Massive pat on the back for dealing with that situation, it must have been terribly panic-inducing for you so well done for holding it together.

I don't think you will necessarily get sick. I once shared a tent with two friends at a festival, when we got home they both came down at exactly the same time with a stomach bug but somehow I managed to avoid it, despite practically sleeping on top of them for 3 days and none of us properly washing or having any kind of decent hygiene.

Children randomly puke all the time, so try not to let it play on your mind too much ((even though I know it will!). I sympathise completely and understand how horirble it is.

Let us know how you get on.