Im not sure this is emet....by definition...whats your thoughts?

[slallen2009]

If what ever is making a person V** is not contagious......i have NO issue being around....well I mean I dont look at the person being sick as a spectators sport....I just mean .....ok example....my husband had vertigo.....make him very ill......I helped him....while he was ill......took care of him etc. NO anxiety....nothing. BUT....8 months later...he got a stomach virus.....I moved out of the bedroom into the spare bedroom and stayed there for 10 days.....literally not eating nothing...thinking somehow that would ward the illness off.....I drank only water......I had to go to the doctor I was so weak.....I had to slowly start eating again...I lost 21 pounds in 10 days...it was awful......he was sick......and better in 24 hours.....and I lay in bed like a nutcase for 10 days.....I feel so stupid! So having said all of that and clealry getting away from my point.....could it be perhaps Im just crazy.....and not have emet?

[turbokinetic]

You're not crazy.

There are lots of us here who are affected by only certain 'types' of situations that involve puking. It's still emetophobia because you don't mention being afraid of the flu or fold viruses or any other sicknesses - just things that make you puke uncontrollably. You're emetophobic, but smart enough to know what can and can not hurt you.

Lol yeah, that's no good way to lose weight! By the way - not eating LOWERS your immunity and will cause you to catch things that you might otherwise not catch.

Sincerely,
David

[slallen2009]

"By the way - not eating LOWERS your immunity and will cause you to catch things that you might otherwise not catch." YAY!!! an excuse to eat....haha....thanks for the information.....although I hate food.....(only because of this issue).....you would never know it to look at me.... 80)
BTW.....I LOVE the quote..."Crazy people dont know their crazy"......someone famous said that.. perhaps Bob Wiley.....LOL (What about Bob)

[turbokinetic]

It's a common thing to see people get stuck in a vicious cycle of not eating, leading to poor outlook AND uncomfortable stomach feelings. That then leads to further food avoidance. Totally sad. Totally.

I always suggest protein suppliments to those who are afraid to eat. Once you get just a touch of nutrition in you, the light comes on in the mind and it becomes easier to pull out of the cycle.

The bottled protein drinks are sealed and totally safe. You may feel your whole house is contaminated because of a sick family member - but that bottle is heat-sealed! Go in a closet (viruses are afraid of closets) open the bottle and down it! Then in about half an hour the whole situation feels better.

I love food. I love trying different things, love spice and heat, love to feel full. After being emetophobic for years, I apprecate food more now than before I was emetophobic. And I appreciate how it feels when my body has to work to digest it.

"Crazy people don't know they're crazy..." That is SO TRUE. I know a few real doozies of crazy people - and they are completely oblivious to their plight!

Sincerely,
David

[slallen2009]

I love food as well.....one of my favorite shows is Anthony Bourdain.....I envy him....he will eat ANYTHING.....I used to be that way......I am of french/ cajun decent.....we love food.....we love spice....I just hate where this stupid "disease" has taken me....I am SO ready to beat this and get back to life!!! Oh and one quick note on digestion....it has helped and hurt me having a medical background (emets should NEVER take microbiolgy-ha) I am well aware of the digestion track and VERY knowledgable about my OWN......It is smooth muscle....we have no control over digestion....like a facial muscle for example we can choose to move it.....(Having said we have no control over our digestion...I mean if I eat 3 cans of corn I am somewhat controlling my digestion.....HAHAHA if you know what I mean....BUT overall....we dont!!

[turbokinetic]

(emets should NEVER take microbiolgy-ha)

LOL! I was heavy into biology! I took AP biology classes and loved it. It did indeed mess up my outlook on certain foods. I won't eat anything with bones in it, and don't like any meat but fish and chicken. Most meats, or anything with visible bones just take me right back to dissection day at biology lab!!!

I decided to become a mechanic / elecronics person because I get way too attached to living things to be a vet or a doctor. I learned enough to take very good care of my own body.

well aware of the digestion track and VERY knowledgable about my OWN

Yes, me too! My phobia started BEFORE I learned much about how my body works. Ironically the more I learned about how it works, the better I got. At first all I would read was descriptions of what can go wrong. So any time I felt anything inside - it HAD TO SIGNAL inpending doom. Then I started to read more textbook explanations of how it it works RIGHT. Then all the things I felt inside fell into place with the explanations I had read. It really put my mind at ease. This is what is SUPPOSED to happen, and I can feel it happen that way. I'm good! The feelings I have fit perfectly with "normal function" better than they would fit the description of a "developing problem."

There's a lot of chemical and electrical signals that control digestion. It is not completely disconnected from the concious mind. How else would fear or sadness make someone nauseous? How would seeing or thinking about food make your stomach growl? It is true you can't directly control the smooth muscles that make up the digestive tract; but you can influence the nervous system that controls them. Some of us have more control than others but it is something that can be developed.

If I ever feel nauseous, or my heart is racing for no reason; it only takes a few minutes of controlled breathing and concious releasing of tension - and it is calm again.

Mmm - 3 cans of corn - now I'm thinking about lunch.

Neat you mention French / Cajun! I work in south Louisiana and do dearly love good Cajun food! I'm partial to Cajun seafood dishes. Anything with Tabasco sauce, Tony's seasoning, and plenty of hot chile spice is in serious peril when I'm around! I've made several new friends since coming here and they are such good people and so different.

Take care!
David

[slallen2009]

"There's a lot of chemical and electrical signals that control digestion. It is not completely disconnected from the concious mind. How else would fear or sadness make someone nauseous? How would seeing or thinking about food make your stomach growl? It is true you can't directly control the smooth muscles that make up the digestive tract; but you can influence the nervous system that controls them. Some of us have more control than others but it is something that can be developed."

I TOTALLY agree.......when I am upset I can not eat....when I am happy.....look out food....its on. Emotions def. effect my digestion....I was approaching it from a mechanical stand point but I agree. My mother has Irritable Bowel Syndrome.....and that is driven by emotion....well somewhat.
I currently live in Tennessee, Im from Texas.....but we are french.....(ish).....(use to) LOVE food.....LOVE spice....oh and I LOVE seafood...but am too afraid to eat it anymore 80( and speaking of lunch....mmmmm Im having some nachos.....LOL!!! Take care, Stacey

[psalm139]

You are not crazy at all!! I never knew what emetophobia was. I never had any issues with "v" before. It wasn't until 2005 when my younger son got real sick that it started. I had what I know as panic attacks, I thought when I first had one it was a heartattack. I spent so much in and out of hospitals thinking I was loosing my mind!! I got diagnosed by a counselor in 2008. Right now I am handling it so much better. The only time I really panic now is when someone in my own house gets sick!! Hang in there!! You are not alone we are all here with you!! I will be praying for you as you learn how to cope with this condition

[slallen2009]

Thank you very much Psalm 139 for your information, support and prayer.

[olschesky]

i'm the same way........i'm not "scared" of people who are v because of drinking or surgery or anything......except that darn sv. i don't enjoy being around those people....but i can tolerate it. sv sends my mind over the edge for a while.......but i'm getting better with it.

i agree.....the more information i learn the easier my life becomes

[slallen2009]

Thank you for your reply........Yes I am currently going through a bit of a freak out.......I found out today two of my co-workers have a sv.....and I worked with BOTH of them Friday afternoon 80(