Please help - panic over Xmas Day

[puss]

Hi all, I am emetophobic and as you can imagine panic at any sign of illness or bug, even more so now I live alone. I tend to worry that patterns will repeat themselves. Last year on Xmas Day my brother invited me and my Mum to their house for the first time ever on Xmas Day which was a real treat and I ended up having the runs and was phobicabout eating my dinner incase it made me V, which it didn't but as you know any illness can promote the fear of V occuring too. I was hoping the bug would be a one off but I ended up being ill for about two days afterwards with the runs and the fear of Ving even though I didn't, stuck alone in my flat for two or three days rigid with fear. Then in January this year I caught the flu and was stuck in on my own for about a week with that, again terrified of Ving even though I didn't.


Now, more often than not when I get the runs, its just the runs and clears up the next day and doesn't come to anything. Same as when I get a cold it usually ends up being a cold and nothing more, but because I had the flu in January and a tummy bug that lasted at Xmas I can't get this out of my mind.


So this year, we've been invited again to my brothers for Xmas Day. I've been hoping I don't get unwell again, maybe the anxiety of it has made me feel unwell but lo and behold I got a period last night which isn't usually a problem, but the cramps kept me awake all night (I am 45 and heading towards the menapause so my periods are getting more painful and make me feel more off colour than they used to do). Anyway this morning, my bowels start to be loose, not exactly the runs as such but loose bowels and going to the toilet quite a bit. Then I get a sore throat and my body aches (the aching can be with my period though). Panic stations again - will I be ill and phobic about my dinner tomorrow? How I wish it were just a normal time of year when it wouldn't matter so much. What will be brother and his family think if I am off my food again when at their house on Xmas Day for the second year running?


I haven't eaten a thing all day and now I am getting hunger pangs. I still have a sore throat, feel a bit achy but not enough to make me want to lie down and do nothing else, it is manageable but I fear it will get worse. Also when I go to the toilet, my bowels are a bit runny, but its not like the runs as it doesn't run from me if you know what I mean.


I have just rang my friend who suggests I have some toast, have a bath and an early night and I will be fine tomorrow. I am just sat here in my flat alone with no one here to console me and the fear is taking over. Any advice would be appreciated. I just need convincing that I am not going to V, this is not a full blown stomach bug or the flu, it is just one of those things that will go away in the morning.

[cloughie]

You talk alot about patterns, yet the pattern i see in your post is that "you didn't" you didn't get sick and so you won't this year either. Anxiety causes most of your symptoms. It's easy for me to say relax because i know it's hard for you. The thing is being alone makes anxiety worse, things won't seem so bad in the light of day and when you are with people. So if you end up on the loo remember it is nothing more than nerves. I used to be so like you but i'm more confident now.


Remember you are not alone there will be someone around here for you. We dont' close down for christmas


Sending best wishes for you to enjoy tomorrow.

[puss]

Hi, thanks for replying. I do feel better today after a good nights sleep, though I broke out ina sweat halfway through the night and had to open my bedroom window and did start to panic again but I soon dropped back off to sleep.


Still got traces of the cold this morning but my tummy feels better and I have eaten some cornflakes so hopefully should be able to eat my dinner OK. I think yesterday could have been the panic about things being OK today.