Emetophobia support

[midnightblue12]

Hi all,
I'm after some support as I'm feeling really stressed and anxious.
Single mum to two and we seem to be knees deep in a horrible illness phase.
In the last 3 months we've had flu, sickness bugs, colds, empiricism, croup, water infection, Covid and now apparently another sickness bug. I'm really struggling particularly with the latter as I suffer terribly with emerophobia.
My youngest was randomly sick on Friday. Perfectly fine after.
I have a really upset tummy last night and this morning - not sick so not sure if it's the same.
My eldest has been very quiet tonight, off his food, feeling shivery and was asleep at 6:45. This has never happened before.
I'm stressing liek crazy that he'll be waking up being sick during the night. I can't cope with the worry, I won't sleep a wink!!
Anyone able to help me get to the morning??

Before anyone says it I have had counciling and cbt therapy for this. I'm having another assessment for potentially more cbt this week.

Oh Midnightblue I’ve felt (sometimes still feel) this way and I know how horrible it is- The weird thing is I am better when they actually are sick, it’s the anticipation and worry ‘if’ it’s going to happen and if they say they feel unwell that sends me into full panic mode!. The only thing I can say is try to remember that it will pass and it won’t last forever. And every time they are sick it’s actually a step closer to getting rid of what’s bothering them and a step closer to feeling better. I don’t know what age your dc are but when they’re young they’re more likely to get every bug going and in turn pass it on to you. My oldest is 16 and he hasn’t been sick since he was 9.
I don’t know your set up but is it possible to maybe sleep in the living room with your unwell dc? At least you’ll be in the same room and it’s easier to keep an eye on them. I’m really sorry I wish I could say something more helpful, I know how horrible this feeling is ☹️

Sorry to hear this op, as a fellow emetephobe you have my sympathy.

If it were me I'd want to be ready in advance to minimise the stress if it does happen. Not sure how old they are but if they aren't old enough to get to the toilet could you leave a bowl in their room and some towels just in case?

I'd also have some Vicks nearby to put under my nostrils and some headphones ready to avoid the sound of it.

Hopefully somebody more rational will come along to help more though.

Thanks so much for the replies!
I was just putting my youngest to bed and I heard the dreaded noise.
Sick everywhere. All over the bed and the walls. Thankfully he seems ok but I just don't know what to donor where to out myself :(
Also stressing as well now that I'm the only one who hasn't been sick yet 😰😰😰😰
I've just thrown his pillows out but everything else is in the washing machine!
I have no spare duvets and my towels are wet as we had baths tonight! Ahhhh what do I even do 😢😢😢😢

I feel like such a rubbish support system for him.

First of all try not to stress about being sick - plenty of times my kids were sick and never passed it on - I also work in a school where sickness bugs are rife and I never get them - I think we’re more immune as adults.
You certainly are not a rubbish support system - you are a lovely caring mum doing the very best for her dc. Do you have any spare blankets or throws you could use till the morning. Remember this will pass, the worst bit is over. You are amazing x

@Hopeitsallok awww thank you so much, I really do appreciate it!

I managed to get him into he shower as he was covered. I'm just going to have to let him sleep on the sofa throws on his bed and some duvet covers until I can get some more tomorrow! I stupidly shoved everything in the washing machine on 60 but obviously it's all stained so in the bin they go!
I'm worried about him going back to bed and it all happening again :(

Hi midnightblue, how is your ds today? How was the rest of your night?

Awww thank you so much for asking after him!
He is perfectly fine now! He was a bit off this morning but come tea time he was back eating his normal food and being silly like normal! I had to force an early night out of him tonight and he's happier then ever about no school for two days 🙈
I however am a bag of horrible nerves. I'm SO worried about being so k. I had a sickness bug in feb and it was absolutely horrendous and did nothing positive for my phobia!
I'm really hoping that my upset tummy yesterday morning was Amy helping of ot but I cannot turn off the worry switch :(
I know I'll be like this for about a week now. I hate it, I hate how this phobia consumes me!!

Another fellow emetophobe here, more for myself than others. (I've worked in A&E long enough that other people's sick - unless or course it could be contagious - doesn't do the same things anymore).

I know the fear of being the last man standing in a sickness situation. However, honestly and truly, I imagine your upset tummy was your lot. It doesn't sound like your littles have been very very sick multiple times and often if it's just the once for them and their fragile tummies, then we end up with just being a bit rough but holding everything down.

I've got everything crossed you all manage to get some rest and nothing comes for you. I really don't think it will!

You've got this mama.