wow i never thought this existed

[msgrint92]

i've always thought i was the only one with this wierd phobia. my family definitly thinks i'm strange, because everytime they say the word '' flu'' i get really freaked out and start interrogating them about all of their symptoms. Also, as i looked at the symptoms, I recognized one of them - chewing gum obsessively. It's just kind of my trademark- I always have gum in my pocket or am chewing on it. I am obssessed with having fresh breath, but i never thought that and my phobia could be connected!
last summer on a family vacation, i spent the whole week convinced i was going to throw up, and barely ate anything, spending the whole time on the couch. it was horrible. every time i have an ''attack'' ( which is the only appropriate word i can think of to describe what happens) i think back on it once it's over and feel so stupid and childish. because no matter how i feel at the time, i know deep down i'm not going to. ya know. but it feel so real, ya know??

feel free to respond with your experience with this wretched thing.

[grgygrl]

Welcome to the site!! Ive had this phobia for about 20 years and Im at the height of it now. I dread everyday and I am a mom of 4 so my kids only get ill about 1x per year. The people here are very helpful and you will find very similar experiences throughout. Glad you are here [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

[allypally.]

Hiya Msgrint,

Welcome to the site. Its so funny you mention the chewing gum thing, cos thats the forst thing that struck me when I came accross this site!! It made me laugh even, cos I never for a second thought there would be anyone else that does that too!! Ive always got at least 2 packs of gum on me n case I lose one, or run out!! lol.

I know what youre saying abot the 'attacks'. They are very real, even when that part of you KNOWS your not actaully gonna v*, but you cant calm down.

It really is an awful thing to suffer from, but were all here to help in any way we can.

Big (((hugs)))

Ally xxx

[cashcarstar]

Welcome to the site. I have the attacks as well. They are really bad sometimes so i really sympathise with you on that one.

[jaimej03]

haha I just posted sth about chewing gum on the "pepto" forum.

It's also like an addiction to me, I need gum!!! I have a package with me, another in my school bag, another in my room, in the car, everywhereeeee.

I understand as well your "attacks". Sometimes when I feel bad,I make my mind that I'm going to v*, and I hate myself and my mind for thinking that, 'cause eventhough everything is OK, my own mind and my fear take control over me and it's just AWFUL!

[harttride]

Hiya , and welcome! From reading this post, im surprised alot more of you chew gum obsessively. I know what you mean about always having to have gum with you at ALL times. Even when going to school, its not allowed to chew gum in class, but id always have a piece in my mouth even if id get in trouble.(luckily im home schooled now lol.) I understand how terrible it is to have those attacks. Especially in public. Ppl. think ur freaking out over nothing, and the thoughts start rushing through your mind and they dont stop. All my mama says when i tell her im "having the thoughts", she says ,"well then dont think about it". But its hard right? well, I hope we can help you out with anything and welcome again!! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[jaimej03]

Thanx again...

Yes, people think it's easy just to stop thinking about that. And it looks like that the phobia is always chasing u. For example, almost more than a half of the movies that I see when I go to the cinema, they have to show someone or a situation with¨v*!!!!!!! I mean, can't they do a movie without that???'cause there's always a drunk person, or a pregnant girl, or a sick man or sth. I can't enjoy going to the f*ing movies

[twilightrose]

Wow, good to know I'm not the only one who ALWAYS has gum on me. My parents think I'm weird for buying so much gum, but if you feel s*, chewing on something helps take your mind off it.

[lyntess]

I think I must be one of the only emets that HATES chewing gum. It makes my stomach sour after only about five minutes, and that n* feeling is exactly what I try to avoid so religiously! Most mint makes me a bit n*-- it reminds me of toothpaste, which reminds me of brushing my teeth after v*ing.

It might also be because if I ever offered her gum, my mother used to chew it briefly, then loudly declare that the gum had started making her n*, and dramatically spit it out with all sorts of relieved sound effects. [img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img] Lame.

[twilightrose]

I get faint if I don't eat (it's probably got something to do with the family history of diabetes) so gum helps ward off hunger, too. Like if I don't get a chance to eat before 2 and 1/2 hours on the ice and haven't eaten since noon. By the time I get home it's between 7:30 and 8 pm, so gum helps me from feeling too faint.

[lyntess]

That doesn't make a lot of sense, unless you're chewing like sixty pieces of sugared gum. A big piece of bubblegum contains only about 25 calories... WAY less than you'd need to actually stave off faintness and hunger. Plus, chewing something like that stimulates the digestive process rather than deadening it. You'll actually digest whatever's in your stomach faster, by chewing gum... so I really don't see how that is going to A) keep your blood sugar up high enough for 8 hours up and active, or B) keep you from feeling hungry.

Doesn't make sense, biologically. PSYCHOLOGICALLY, maybe. But not biologically.

[lyntess]

**amendment**

Okay, so I got curious, and researched a bit online. Apparently, after quite a while of chewing gum, your digestive system does indeed get sluggish-- bored and tired, basically. And once you DO eat something, it'll sit in your system MUCH longer and create a lot of discomfort (gas, bloating, n*). YUMMY.

But it still doesn't boost your blood sugar, Miss Family-History-of-Diabetes. :-P

[twilightrose]

I'm really not sure how it works. I'm not allowed to chew gum on ice, but you know, in the car during the half hour drive home I do. While I don't actually have diabetes, my mom and I both experience the whole shakiness thing if we go too long without eating.

I think it's different for everyone, because my dad gets hungry if he chews gum. -shrugs- I'm only sharing my opinion.

[kellygirl]

Welcome to the site. We all share your fear and most have the "attacks" you speak of.

I USED to chew gum religiously but now I find that after a while it causes me to get a headache (of all things) so I pretty much "gave it up".

When I get panicy I usually lie down and listen to a song call "Black Rock" by O.A.R. It ALWAYS calms me down because it takes me back to my younger years when I was less fearful!!!

Hope you find the forum useful. Let us know if you need anything.

[juliab3]

welcome to the site for emets! we all know how you feel!!! no one seems to understand! my mom says thsi site feeds my fear. my dad dosent believe it exists. my sis and friends all have sympathy, but no understanding. you guys are the only ones who know what im goin through and were here for eachother.