Newbie wants her life back

[Timpani]

Hello all!

New to the site, stumbled across it whilst googling *can you actually stop yourself being sick*, sad I know.
I already suffer with hypochondria, and adding this to it, everything is just a nightmare.

Basically, this phobia is ruining my life and killing my confidence.

I'm terrified of people around me getting ill, norovirus etc, I feel ill if I so much as read that someone i know has it/thinks they have it.

I ask my 5yr old Daughter each day if anyone's been off school, convinced that they'll have been off with a bug that *I* will get next.

I rarely go out and if I do - there will be a panic attack.

I haven't eaten meat in almost a year through fear of it not being cooked right and leading to food poisoning.

I won't have a take away - ever.

I suffer from IBS, and any twinge/bloat of course means that i'm going to be sick, resulting in a panic attack.

I'm currently scared of life, thanks to my fear of being sick and I need to change it FAST before all of this rubs off on my Daughter, that would be the most horrendous thing.

I need/want help and I'll do anything to get over this.

Hope to get to know you all & help in any way that I can.

[Timpani]

Also can I just say, that I have a terrible support system at home.
My parents are fed up with my asking if everything i have/touch/eat 'will be ok'....and frantically checking food dates etc...

If I'm honest, I don't blame them sometimes, it must drive them mad, but i can't help how i feel and I just need some real help and support.

x

[SaSa]

Welcome, love!

We all feel your pain. I have found this board to be a great support and very reassuring, I hope you find it the same way.

I know it is so, so hard to get people to understand your phobia, even your own family.

If you ever need to chat, I'm just a PM away ^_^

All my love,

Sarah
xxxx

[Rebecca85]

If I were you I would start by reading through the success stories. There are some hints and tips of how people have dealt with this, maybe you will find something you think will help. It's good that you have a purpose for getting better- your daughter- as I think changing your behaviour is much easier when you have a specific reason in mind (like quitting smoking for example).

[cinque]

Welcome to the site

Have you spoken to your GP about this? Emetophobia is a genuine health concern and they might be able to get you some CBT/counselling/etc or suggest medication which can sometimes be a big help.

A lot of emets have IBS and it's a horrible combination

It's definitely possible to avoid passing on the phobia to your daughter!! Most emets have non-emet children I don't have children so I don't have any useful tips on that but a lot of people on here do! xxx

[JustLacey]

Hello all!

New to the site, stumbled across it whilst googling *can you actually stop yourself being sick*, sad I know.
I already suffer with hypochondria, and adding this to it, everything is just a nightmare.

Basically, this phobia is ruining my life and killing my confidence.

I'm terrified of people around me getting ill, norovirus etc, I feel ill if I so much as read that someone i know has it/thinks they have it.

I ask my 5yr old Daughter each day if anyone's been off school, convinced that they'll have been off with a bug that *I* will get next.

I rarely go out and if I do - there will be a panic attack.

I haven't eaten meat in almost a year through fear of it not being cooked right and leading to food poisoning.

I won't have a take away - ever.

I suffer from IBS, and any twinge/bloat of course means that i'm going to be sick, resulting in a panic attack.

I'm currently scared of life, thanks to my fear of being sick and I need to change it FAST before all of this rubs off on my Daughter, that would be the most horrendous thing.

I need/want help and I'll do anything to get over this.

Hope to get to know you all & help in any way that I can.

Welcome to the forum.
I also have very very mild IBS, and am always bloated and just...Uuuuurgh.
Also, I don't do take-aways either...Are you sure your not a clone of me?
Just recently, I have recovered from my Hyperchondria. (Don't know if I spelt it right) My life is ruined by this phobia...If you need to vent about something, I'm here to talk.
Much Love, Lacey xxxxx

[Rebecca85]

Just wanted to ask, have you two officially been diagnosed with IBS? Because if not you should go to the doctor to make sure!

[Avath]

Oh man, the IBS with the emeto is awful. I was in very bad shape few years ago because of my IBS - I was not taking any nutrients in and everything just ran right through me with awful cramps. Every night I would spend in the bathroom just praying to make it through the night without 'it' happening and for the cramps to go away. I almost died from it (my iron levels were really, really low. My body wasn't passing around any oxygen so all my body could do was keep my organs running - I was literally asleep 23 hours a day for a month). It took a YEARS before my stomach recovered somewhat from that. I got so afraid of eating because I was so afraid of the pain and the possibility of throwing up that I became skeletal in a very short amount of time (before that I was an athlete). Every morsel of food that went into my stomach caused me unbelievable amount of pain. It was a low point. I often broke apart in my mums arms and told her I just wanted to die because all there was was pain and fear. I still have to fight the fear of eating, but I've mostly recovered.

I try to use the IBS to my advantage though. If I went through THAT, one day or night of a stomach bug really is nothing. It would probably be less uncomfortable than one night of when my IBS was at its worse.

Maybe you could try something similar? Think about all the stomach issues you deal with and realize that YOU CAN DO IT! That in some ways you've conquered your stomach.

[Raid]

I have IBS too It stinks.

People say i should be a teacher because im good with kids, but they don't know my reasoning is that little kids throw up. by asking your daughter and being worried you're going to get something, might condition her mind to believe that v is bad too, which you really don't want. make sure she knows its okay You don't wanna have her be emetophobic too! good luck!

[Rebecca85]

Avath- that doesn't sound like just IBS to me. Did you get checked out by a doctor?

[JustLacey]

@Rebecca, Yes, I have been diagnosed with mild IBS xxxx

[Avath]

Avath- that doesn't sound like just IBS to me. Did you get checked out by a doctor?

Yes, I was diagnosed with hardcore IBS that coupled with the low iron levels made me extremely sick and quite literally dying. I worked out TOO much at the time - 8-9 times a week - and I didn't eat the right food to keep up with what my body needed. And as my IBS made it difficult for my body to take up all the nutrition in the first place.... well. Just disaster!

Moral of the story: eat your vitamins! And if you're a woman eat iron supplements!

[Timpani]

Just wanted to ask, have you two officially been diagnosed with IBS? Because if not you should go to the doctor to make sure!

Hi Rebecca
Yep, I was diagnosed around 18 months ago, only a mild case it would seem
I had tests for colitis, crohns and coeliacs too.
6 months on gluten free stuff, yuk - never again thanks haha!

& thanks guys, you've made me feel much better, never thought signing up to a forum would be so nerve wracking

You're all great!

[Rebecca85]

Just checking because for years I assumed I had IBS coupled with lactose intolerance, turns out I have Crohn's and have probably had it for years! And I know others who thought they had IBS and it wasn't. So now I ask everybody who says they have IBS if they've been properly checked (sorry if it's annoying, I have your best interests at heart!).