Close Call

[roxi27]

It was horrible. I went X-mas shopping with my boyfriend
tonight. We were in the store, all the way in the back, and I
started feeling sick. I really thought it was going to
happen. I ran out of the store. I was so scared.
There were people everywhere!! I ran into the parking lot,
leaving my poor boyfriend in the middle of the store with tons of
presents. I couldn't breath. I got in the car, and noticed
people getting in their cars and filling the parking lot. I worry
about getting sick in front of people, and I couldn't find a bag or
anything in the car. I actually took off my fleece and put it in
my lap, so I wouldn't have to do it outside in front of all those
people! I ended up being ok. About 5 min later, My
boyfriend came out with all our presents. I took the back roads
home, to avoid traffic and having to stop at a lot of traffic
lights. Am I nuts??? Does anyone else ever have these
problems? Please be honest if you don't...I need to know.
Carrie



[img]smileys/smilies_25.gif[/img]

[charzysbebe]

I experienced that last the winter before last. I was standing in line at Target saying to myself "do I feel sick?, what if I get sick?" Then my mind started racing, my heart was pounding, I was sweaty, lightheaded and felt sick. I told my hubby I was going out to the car and I left him in line. I sat out in the cold car trying to catch my breath, and after 5 minutes...all was fine.


I assumed it was a panic attack, and it sounds like you had one too. Now days, I try not to think of panicking in line. I try and look at things around me and really focus on them, as if I may want to buy it or something. It helps!! [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Charlotte

[Babydoll]

those situations are so scarey. when you have no where to run or hide huh. Ive learned to ask myself, whats the worst that can happen. I mean sure, I will throw up in front of these people and they will all point and laugh. Thats the worst possible thing! horrible, yes. but something not getting SO worked up over.


If you try to get the rational part of your brain working during these moments it can be a lifesaver. Hard, i know, but worth trying.


the same thing happened to me yesterday. I had to write an exam when my IBS acted up. there I was on the toilet feelin yucky, and knowing I had to write an exam in 10 minutes made it worse.I was feeling kind of barfy, but still went and wrote my exam. as I sat down I felt a big wave role over me ( NOT a good one) and I thought this was it, I was going to hurl on my exam paper.thank god I got my mind off of it. I just made myself look at the questions and think about them instead. 95% of me wanted to fly out that door into the washroom to get away, But I stayed. I feel like i accomplished something. you know, we think we have control over the V*ing, but really its controlling us. It controls our thoughts, where we go, what we do. how ironic.

[mystikal star]

I have felt sick in stores before but I actually never attempt to run out--and I don't know why I don't. I remember when I little--probably 7 or 8 years old. It was about a week after my incident that triggered emetophobia. I was at Kmart trying on winter jackets. I tried on a really white fuzzy one and started feeling horribly sick. Instead of saying that I needed to use the restroom I just stood there waiting to throw up all over this nice coat that I hadn't bought yet. I kept saying to my mom that I liked the coat and wanted to buy it and of course on this day it was the day when she decided to zip it up, button it up and tie the hood on. I wanted to be out of that damn coat!! Somehow though, I managed to feel better.


I wish I was one of those people who could run out of the store whenever feeling sick but I can't. Even when I was in school I almost v-ed twice in the classroom because I just sat there.I think I avoid leaving because if I do it'll confirm that it's going to happen. I need to start running for the door whenever I feel sick because one day I might not be lucky and I'll end up sick inside a store--and that would freaking kill me.

[sparky2004]

I have had that, and it is aweful. One time I asked my boyfriend to keep pulling over on the highway. I have ran out of stores, grabbed trash bags, and cried. Fight of flight. And I ran like a chicken. Don't ever be embarrassed or ashamed that you choose to leave the area. If you didn't have emet and felt sick, you would leave too just in case. I used to carry plastic bags around with me for safety and comfort. It is apart of the condition. Do what you need to do at that given moment in time. Go to where you feel comfortable and secure. And remember to breath deep and slow. Your body is pumping with adrenaline and ready to jump. Deep breathing will help to restore a normal heart rate and clam you down. It takes practice, but can be very helpful. You can do it anywhere without anyone noticing too.

[Jenneh]

no, what uv described is smthing i've done a LOT of times.


i was once vbuying a budgie from a store, got in there, felt so sick, i ran straight out again. it was a shame because i actually was so excited about this budgie, but i had to wait another week because i was too freaked to go back into the store!!


so yeah. however embarrasseed u feel, for us, its kinda normal!


Jen xxxx

[dancingbarefoot]

I've bolted from stores so many times I probably couldn't even give a specific example. Although I do remember once when I was in the middle of a hair cut and started feeling really sick. I managed to sit through the actual hair cut, but never got my hair dried or styled. I sat outside in the car for a while and freaked out, then when I felt calmer I went right home. So in my opinion your behavior was completely normal.But that's just me. You aren't crazy. You are scared and that is why we are all here. Take care and don't beat yourself up about it.


Anna

[r311dude]

I've never physically ran out of a store, but I have taken brisk walks out of stores in a hurry. I can't stand big crowds during x-mas. Especially when I'm stuck in a long line, cause than my brain just starts to play around than next thing I know; PANIC ATTACK =(

[thewalkindude]

Ah yes, I only use one thing to justify running and that is the principal of health above all.

[mystikal star]

So when these sudden waves of nausea occur--is it true nausea or not? I'm often confused about that.

[roxi27]

Thank-you all so much for your support. It's amazing to me that
so many of you have had the same problems. It's scarey, but I'll
push myself like I do everyday...maybe I'll even go into that store
again in the future. Carrie[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[clairethebear]

Mystikal Star: re the nausea, I used to wonder that too until someone told me, and in fact I think it was somone on here, that whenever you think you feel nauseous imagine yourself eating something and if you think you could eat something then it is not true nausea. It would only be true nausea if you couldn't stomach a thing. That has actually helped me a lot.

[Galadriel]

Yeah I too have felt rather ill in stores! Ugh its awful, once I was feeling sick and I was with company in a store and ugh its so hard cause you wanna just run out of there, and like in your case you did. I agree don't be ashamed, because it was just the fear talking, and that happens to us all. I even felt pretty ill (for some stupid reason) when I was buying one of the LotR soundtracks (I LOVE them!) but I wanted that soundtrack dang it so I stayed in there, lol!