Emetophobia (fear of vomiting) Support

[TaraPA]

That's great news kacaju!!

 

[LovesPineappleFloats]

I'm new here...been browsing through the threads and came upon this one. It's perfect for me since I have a huge fear of v* too. I get teased all the time by relatives and friends that I am paranoid for no reason. I was a very sick child, and I v* alot. I can't watch a movie where someone does it, or even be in the vicinity of someone doing it or I will be next. I am constantly afraid my kids will catch something and v*. It's horrible. It's nice to know I am not the only one who feels this way, most of the time I feel like I am alone in this. I am not sure if this is working, but I recently learned of a probiotic called Culturelle that is supposed to help with stomach issues, so I make my two kids and I take it religiously every day. So far (knock on wood) we have not gotten any stomach viruses, even when it was rampant in the school. I feel like I am jinxing myself saying this, but I think that the probiotic is working.
I guess even if it's all in my head, it seems to give me a little more peace of mind. I'm not "as paranoid" as usual while we are on it.

 

[SDSorority]

I'm new here...been browsing through the threads and came upon this one. It's perfect for me since I have a huge fear of v* too. I get teased all the time by relatives and friends that I am paranoid for no reason. I was a very sick child, and I v* alot. I can't watch a movie where someone does it, or even be in the vicinity of someone doing it or I will be next. I am constantly afraid my kids will catch something and v*. It's horrible. It's nice to know I am not the only one who feels this way, most of the time I feel like I am alone in this. I am not sure if this is working, but I recently learned of a probiotic called Culturelle that is supposed to help with stomach issues, so I make my two kids and I take it religiously every day. So far (knock on wood) we have not gotten any stomach viruses, even when it was rampant in the school. I feel like I am jinxing myself saying this, but I think that the probiotic is working.
I guess even if it's all in my head, it seems to give me a little more peace of mind. I'm not "as paranoid" as usual while we are on it.

How do you deal with it when your DH or kids do end up getting sick? When my DH was sick the last time I had to leave and go to my parents house... but I know that I can't always do that.

 

[SDSorority]

So I have started the exposure therapy at http://www.emetophobiaresource.org. So far so good. I am on the sentences/paragraphs part. I only freaked out on the very last paragraph, but the anxiety is coming down a bit. As hard as it is right now, I think it'll help in the long run.

 

[kacaju]

So I have started the exposure therapy at http://www.emetophobiaresource.org. So far so good. I am on the sentences/paragraphs part. I only freaked out on the very last paragraph, but the anxiety is coming down a bit. As hard as it is right now, I think it'll help in the long run.

My dd has used this site..it has helped

 

[SDSorority]

My dd has used this site..it has helped

I'm glad! I'm scared of moving past the words part!! AGH!

 

[LovesPineappleFloats]

How do you deal with it when your DH or kids do end up getting sick? When my DH was sick the last time I had to leave and go to my parents house... but I know that I can't always do that.

I freak...I wear a mask and gloves, I bleach everything in sight, and I will not breathe through my nose when clean it. The smell literally turns my stomach and I will then get ill. My husband says they will all die of poisoning from the strong bleach odor,but I feel like it helps. I have been very (knock on wood) lucky this year. I was actually the only one (go figure, since I am an avid hand-washer) who got the stomach bug, and it only lasted a short time. I got ill once and then it was done. I know I'm probably kidding myself, but I still think the Probiotic I give the kids and myself is working. Last year was BAD for us. They constantly had the stomach bug, once, twice...I was ready to run away. Thank goodness it has been better this year.

 

[TaraPA]

lukenick - OMG I'm laughing out loud over here - I just replied to your thread about what to do for innapropriate language....I suggest soap in the mouth - WAIT!!! WAIT!!! I didn't even see that you were the original poster - I guess I should add that every time I did use soap in the mouth for DS he made himself gag & throw up! So DON'T go that route!!! I will say though that it may have worked - he's 15 & knows better than to let me hear him curse. I tell him all the time that even though he's bigger than me, I can get his dad to assist with soap in the mouth LOL!!

 

[lukenick1]

lukenick - OMG I'm laughing out loud over here - I just replied to your thread about what to do for innapropriate language....I suggest soap in the mouth - WAIT!!! WAIT!!! I didn't even see that you were the original poster - I guess I should add that every time I did use soap in the mouth for DS he made himself gag & throw up! So DON'T go that route!!! I will say though that it may have worked - he's 15 & knows better than to let me hear him curse. I tell him all the time that even though he's bigger than me, I can get his dad to assist with soap in the mouth LOL!!

LOLOLOL
Ya know.....I did like that suggestion. However I am going to take it one step worse. I bought that nasty stuff you put on your fingernails to stop biting them. I plan to swipe some on his lip or tongue. There is a risk he will "v" but I will just run for the hills after I do it. He really needs to stop with his mouth!!!!!! I am desperate to get him to stop. I hope this does the trick Wish me luck!!!!

 

[lukenick1]

I'm new here...been browsing through the threads and came upon this one. It's perfect for me since I have a huge fear of v* too. I get teased all the time by relatives and friends that I am paranoid for no reason. I was a very sick child, and I v* alot. I can't watch a movie where someone does it, or even be in the vicinity of someone doing it or I will be next. I am constantly afraid my kids will catch something and v*. It's horrible. It's nice to know I am not the only one who feels this way, most of the time I feel like I am alone in this. I am not sure if this is working, but I recently learned of a probiotic called Culturelle that is supposed to help with stomach issues, so I make my two kids and I take it religiously every day. So far (knock on wood) we have not gotten any stomach viruses, even when it was rampant in the school. I feel like I am jinxing myself saying this, but I think that the probiotic is working.
I guess even if it's all in my head, it seems to give me a little more peace of mind. I'm not "as paranoid" as usual while we are on it.

First off let me say welcome to you......

Ok guys.....I am going to Mexico next week and staying at my first All Inclusive. Let's just say I am paranoid to eat the food there!!!!!! I have been reading trip reports religiously on tripadvisor and have come across enough complaints of food poisoning that I am probably going to starve myself while there . I plan to stay away from salads for the fear of e.coli. Probably will stay away from Milk and juices and especially cheeseburgs. Can anyone give any suggestions for foods they think would be most safe to eat? I plan on living on churros and tortilla chips! I also started taking Culturelle a couple weeks ago to build up my digestive immunity. Hope it works!!!!!

 

[TaraPA]

I am VERY leery of eating dairy, meat & local water anywhere, even in the US, but especially out of the country. DH travels to Mexico for work 3-4 times a year & he always comes home "not feeling right." (But he eats & drinks anything they put in front of him!) I'd stick to breads & pasta - and bottled drinks with no ice. But that's just me.

DS11 was sick this weekend. He only threw up once (and made it to the bathroom YAY!) but the stress of "will he do it again" had me a nervous wreck. I had to work both days & was texting him & DH every 30 min. asking how he was. Yes, they think I'm a nut case!

 

[SDSorority]

So DH just emailed me and said he wasn't feeling very well- he wasn't hungry at all.


....oh great, here we go.

I started an emetophobia exposure therapy online and I do think it's helping, but I need to do it consistently for it to work and I haven't done it lately.

Trying not to freak.... trying not to freak.

 

[Nixie]

I am back It has been awhile since I have frequented these boards, but I am happy to say we are heading to Disney again in Dec. It will be an adults only/5th anniversary trip. Had a great time last time and only had one aniexty inducing moment when a guy said to his son, "Oh, I don't think you will get sick on this ride like you did Space Mountain. It doesn't go that fast." while we were in line for Test Track. Needless to say, I got outta line. I completely avoided the Mission Space pavillion and plan on doing that again. A little freaked that we will be going during Noro season. We will be also flying down there. Freaking out about that as well. WOuld they let me listen to my Ipod or Iphone during take off?? I need something to distract me.

 

[SDSorority]

Well crap. DH got up last night and went downstairs. I woke up and went down to see if everything was ok and I saw the downstairs bathroom door open with the light on... and the toilet lid and seat up. DH was pacing around the room saying he was hot and cold and didn't feel well and couldn't sleep. I don't think he ever got sick, I think he just felt bad. I also think it may have been an anxiety attack....

So I went upstairs and proceeded to have my OWN anxiety attack... off and on all night. ASDFJKL. I didn't sleep a wink last night. Managed to eat an apple about an hour ago but I hate how my mind automatically makes me think that if someone else is sick (ANYONE- I could only pass them on the street or something and think this) that I'm going to be, too.

I think DH is staying home from work today- he didn't really say much when I left for work this morning. I hope he's ok- I emailed him but haven't heard back yet. I feel like a bad wife for not staying home with him and freaking out that he's not feeling well. Am I a bad wife?

 

[SDSorority]

So hubs is absolutely fine. He stayed home from work yesterday, but he was fine (like back to normal fine) by yesterday evening. I think he may have had a panic attack Thursday night. He never got sick, but he felt cold and hot and shaky and nauseous. But nothing happened. He was worn out yesterday, but no symptoms of anything flu or illness related. We're going to work together on stress over the next few weeks to hopefully help him learn (like I've had to) how to calm himself out of a panic attack. I think what scared him is that he had never had one before that wasn't triggered by an external event. I'm going to get him Rescue Remedy today to try to work that into regular routine.

 

[kacaju]

no you are not a bad wife!!

So I forgot to tell you guys what happened here back in Sept. My dd12 (the emetophob) is at her CCD class and I leave her to take her sister about a 1/2 hour away. My friend was picking up dd12 with her daughter and bringing dd back to her house for the afternoon. DH is at a football game..
So I am almost the dog show (where I was going with her sister) when i get a panicked call from dd12. Turns out her friend got sick...threw up in the car with my dd sitting next to her. My friend pulled the car to the side of the road and poor dd ran out of the car and hid behind a tree to call me and tell me to come pick her up!! I am a 1/2 hour away..I have to convince her to get back into the car with her friend (this time she is sitting up front) and she had to go home with her friend..thank goodness it was a nice day and I told her just stay outside until i can come for her. My friend was wonderful...she knows just how bad my dd's fear is and understood her reaction...but had to deal with my dd's fear and her dd's sickness!!

All is OK...until another friend throws up LOL...but she is doing well right now!!

 

[Coolcait1996]

Hello, my name is Caitlin and I'm 17 and a senior in high school. I really need your help! This is a bit long so bear with me!

I have been in Colorguard for two season, and this year was my third. (Colorguard is part of marching band and we spin flags and weapons at half time for football games) during a performance, I dry heaved half way through first movement, I tried to push through it but it got worse and worse. I went to the ambulance and we thought I had overheated (temp of 100.9 and our uniform was a windbreaker that night). Or I assumed I had a bug and it decided to act up. I had a competition the next day and it happened again sooner. Mind you the first time I ran off the field but this time I hide behind the wall barriers out of sight ) in reaction to my dry heaving I began shaking and crying because I've always been scared of throwing up, but the fear was rational. After the second time we began the think it was anxiety.
I had alot going on, I just moved out of my dads house because I was unhappy, my dad had pushed me away, I enrolled in two AP classes never taken an AP before, senior year and college to worry about. I've always had incredibly low self esteem and low self worth and always been extremely hard on myself and my father always pushed me and never seemed proud. Seemed like external anxiety was effecting my Colorguard
It began to effect my everyday life. Cut the progression, as of now I have missed two weeks of school. I can't leave the house not even to hang out with friends and do things I enjoy. It's a vicious cycle, my anxiety causes nausea and that causes me to panic about throwing up. I have always been scared of throwing up, I would feel uncomfortable in packed room or some place without an escape and I would always scheme plans to what id do if I needed to leave. Feeling like I'm gonna get sick and getting sick is the end of the world in my mind.
I have been taking pepto bismol and anti-nausea meds and natural remedies to stay calm but I hate going to bed which is when I have my worst attacks of trying not to throw up. I just don't see it getting better if its all in my head, feeling nausea and throwing up is always a possibility because its a human function, and I will always be scared of it.
Is there any escape!? Even through professionals and prescribed medication?

 

[TaraPA]

kacaju - OMG your poor DD!!!! That is AWFUL to have someone get sick that close to you!!!!

Just returned from a WDW girls trip & my biggest emet fear happened - DS12 got sick & threw up while I was away! He texted me in WDW to tell me & I was all freaking out. I kept texting hom to wash his hands, spray Lysol, put towels on his bed, take a bowl to bed with you, etc. etc. He didn't make a mess, thank God, or DH would never let me leave again!

coolcait it sounds like you're having a rough time. We all know about OCD & panic here on the thread so feel free to talk to us. It sounds like you might need to seek some medical help if it's preventing you from going to school & doing the things you normally do. Hugs to you!

 

[Coolcait1996]

Yeah, I'm seeing a psychiatrist this Friday. I certainly hope it helps, but I'm also super scared to go to the appointment itself. I've always been terrified of doctors, but I'm not even scared of that anymore!! I'm scared of how I'll feel, and if ill feel nauseous and worried if I'll be able to pull through or if something bad will end up happening.. Any tips to keep calm and not feel sick? I'm so nervous I'll feel uncontrollably ill . I haven't left my house in a while.. I end up getting super anxious and feel nauseous which makes me begin to panic and almost throw up and I have to stop talking to people sometimes...

 

[kacaju]

Yeah, I'm seeing a psychiatrist this Friday. I certainly hope it helps, but I'm also super scared to go to the appointment itself. I've always been terrified of doctors, but I'm not even scared of that anymore!! I'm scared of how I'll feel, and if ill feel nauseous and worried if I'll be able to pull through or if something bad will end up happening.. Any tips to keep calm and not feel sick? I'm so nervous I'll feel uncontrollably ill . I haven't left my house in a while.. I end up getting super anxious and feel nauseous which makes me begin to panic and almost throw up and I have to stop talking to people sometimes...

((HUGS, HUGS and more HUGS)) Please let us know how your appt goes..AND please remember, that sometimes it may take time to find the right Dr. to help you understand what you are going through. My dd19 has tricitilliamania (she pulls her hair out) and it took a while before we found the right theraptist for her. With her sister it was so much easier because we already had the right therapist. You WILL get through this, honestly you will. We are all here and understand what you are going through