Panicking - 4 hr car journey tonight!

[RockLovesMincePies]

Ok, so I'm not going to be driving, so that's a bit of pressure off, but I'm still bricking it.

If you have seen any of my previous posts about my constant pregnancy nausea and emetophobia, you'll have an idea of why I'm panicking.

My parents are being really good giving me a lift up to their house, so that I can then get dd and her presents to her Dad's as she is with him from the 22nd to 29th of Dec.

I'm just so scared about freaking out when we're travelling. The reason being that feeling sick makes me anxious and panicky, then the anxiety makes me feel more sick because of the adrenalin so it's a bloody vicious circle.

I really need to chill out, but I can't seem to do it. I have been wrapping the rest of dd's presents this morning, but instead of taking my mind off things it's just made me feel achey (from sitting on the floor so long) and exhausted. I'm really cross with myself for being so bloody pathetic!

oh poor you. for what it's worth I found I felt less sick when in the car than i did just being at home.

Put some plastic bags or a bowl in the car and some wipes etc now and then just forget about it.

I dont know what to say except sending unmumsnetty hugs, as I too suffer from this crippling anxiety.

There was a time when I really struggled in other peoples cars, and so I always drove anyhere as then I didnt feel sick. Now I am loads better, but still wouldnt be that great on a journey that far.

Hope it all goes ok for you.

Thanks ladies. I usually would do the driving myself, but after having massive anxiety problems last time I visited my parents and getting stuck there for a few extra days, I have decided that driving that far is too much for me at the moment.

My emetophobia was well under control before this pregnancy, I had the Norovirus in May and still managed to drive this same journey just a week later with no problems at all.

I know that all the hormones are making everything seem alot worse, even doing the school run is a struggle at the moment (although that ends to day as the school breaks up this afternoon). I know that if can calm down I will be ok, but it's not easy.

I remember your thread from the other day when I also wasn't feeling good. All I can say is that my mum has suffered from panic attacks for years but she is fine in the car as it is her environment. If you think about what keeps you calm, you'll probably realise that you can replicate those things in the car ie. being able to sit down, being with people who can keep you distracted, having your food and drink if you need to. If the worse comes to the worse, what will happen? You will pull over the car and calm down and then carry on.

I would advise sitting in the front of the car (less travel sick) and explaining to your parents how you feel and ask them to talk to you. You will find that if they can distract you for the first part of the journey then you won't feel so bad and will relax a bit which won't get you into the circle that you are worrying about. Also think how great you will feel when you get there and have done it!

Thanks Bub, that's good advice. My aprents are fairly understanding luckily, Mum is also emetophobic and Dad has recently started suffering from panic attacks due to having a mild heart attack back in June. They are very supportive.

I suppose I am more worried because dd (who's 5) will be in the car and I really don't want to frighten or upset her by having a big panic. We're also going to be on the motorway for the whole journey to avoid snowy back roads, so we can't really just pull over immediately.

I really am just going to have to just pull myself together.