remember me!

[jazz]

Hey everyone!
Well it's been a while..thought i would log on for the first time in months to let you know how i've been coping and to check how you are all managing with emetophobia.
Lovely to see some familiar names on these forums, will be nice to catch up with many of you.
First of all, i would like to announce that i am no longer emetophobic.
Those of you who remember me from many months ago, will recall that i had been absolutely petrified at the prospect of being sick from the age of 5 (I am now 14.)
In September, the very thought of sitting through my exams, eating something unfamiliar, going out after meal times or simply going to school got me panicking, restless and nauseated, thus leading to months of worrying. *phantom* nausea and constant stomach scares.
Hell, i was even scared to go into town due to the fear that i would become nauseated in a shop etc
Since then, i have had other problems to contend with. lol- oh yep, for the first time in my life..i had more pressing problems other than emetophobia, which had always been something that had disrupted my daily routine. fair to say that emet completely dominated my way of life for periods of time (something you can all relate to)
It was when i became completely occupied with other things that i started to *enjoy* food, stop obsessing over what i was eating, and start going out on a limb..*without* carrying peppermint oil, lavender water, domperidone tablets, rennies.. etc etc.
for the first time i was completely rid of emetophobia, and dealing with other issues such as fallout within friends gave me something else to focus on.
my issues with other people took priority. Normally, my problem would be strictly focussed on my stomach feelings, but definately not this time.
Since september i have actually vomitted myself. And even more surprising to me, was the fact that it wasn't a big deal whatsoever.
I was *glad* that i was sick, because i felt considerably better..and during the time, that was the only way i could relieve myself in order to make myself feel better.
Sorry this post is long winded! If there is anything you would like to ask, feel free.
My main objective in posting this is to inform you of this;
I have gone from being petrified of the prospect of being sick, to completely carefree. I am no longer phobic in the least..therefore there is hope for every single one of you who are still suffering.
Em x

[Jenneh]

that's really great to hear [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]


i do remember you and your exam worries!!


i have to ask though, what mde you sick since september? a bug? or did you like start to losen up on restricting urself of things that *could* lead u to getting sick? e.g. alcohol?


anyway a huge great big pat on the back. do you think the fact that u focused on other things was the ONLY reason for u losing the emetophobia? because if it is, that is great.... maybe when i get a job it will be the same.. who knows!!


Jen xxxxxxxx

[mitch04133]

It is so great to hear from you Jazz, I am very happy that you are doing much better. You should be very proud of yourself. I had thought about you, and wondered how you were doing....at it turns out you've been doing great, good for you!! I remember all the problems you were having with your friends, how is that going?? I hope everything worked itself out. I have been doing much better emet wise, I finally broke up with my boyfriend, and moved out, I am now dating the most wonderful man in the world. It's hard to believe that I stayed in such a bad relationship for so long...what was I thinking?? Anyways, since I have been with my new man, I have gained much needed weight. I am very proud to say that as of yesterday, I am offically 100lbs. I gained 8lbs in 6 weeks. I have been eating good, and trying my hardest to ignore my "nausea". Emet has not been my biggest concern, although it still lingers. Seeing what you wrote gives me hope that one day I will be as carefree as you. You accomplised so much and it's very inspiring. Take care and don't be a stranger.


Michele

[sunshine16]

Jazz!! *hugz*



Long time no talk hun!! Wow it has been a while, huh? But by your post,
it sure sounds like in that while theres been a life time of change,
and I cannot express how happy and proud I am of you. You've
accomplished so much, and I am thrilled to hear it. You give me hope
that one day, in the near future, I can do what you've done, and kick
emet in the ass, real hard, because darn, it deserves it.

Luv,

*laura</font>

[Hale]

Hi Jazz!

It is lovely to hear from you. I am really pleased to hear how well you are doing. I LOVE posts like this so thanks for sharing.

[jazz]

*hugs everyone* heey!
omg, so good to hear from you! How are you all?
I'm really proud of you Mitch for walking away and helping yourself so much..it takes guts (i know)
Hale and Sunshine, trust me..you will bothbe making a similar post to this one day soon!
This applies to Jenneh and Mitch especially..So far this year i have had some really bad experiences with people..oh yes lol, and i think that this *definately* took priority over emet..which is probably one of the sole reasons that i am brushing my fingers against the prospect of a full recovery
firstly, i met a new group of people who were lovely and genuine from the start..they in turn were super sympathetic to my phobia, and were really understanding..
...then came alonga romantic interest &lt;3, and a huge fallout with someone who was a close friend, but ended up not being as nice as i'd thought..
without going into details, the friend is no longer a friend, the the now ex-boyfriend does not have any contact with me, which completely took priority at the time.
For a couple of months, iconcentrated on my feelings other than those of excessanxiety and those which were phobia related..and i forgot about my eating woes, and concentrated on how i could stop hurting after being dumped! &lt;/3(pathetic i know)
However, it worked for me.During the months i was away, Ibecame more confident and outgoing.. going out with new people gave me something to look forward to..
As for my very own personal experience of being sick, yes it was alcohol related.. lol- not one of the best ways to confront a fear..but hell, i threw up, a lot!
*graphic*
it started after a gathering at my house.. basically there's always one who takes it overboard, and in this case, it was me!
i remember at the time, being so so glad to relieve all this nasty alcohol from my system, that i was willing myself to be sick, and boy did i feel better..
at the time i think i was chatting down my phone and singing a song.. and dyou know something? it wasn't traumatic in the least :-)
Even more ironic..i am now overweight lol.. yes, my only issues with food are the issues of what infact is sticking to my hips.. i have put on three quarters ofa stone since september.. (and so too can you)
xxEmxx

[Jenneh]

.... *stunned* i am stil lso happy for you.


xxxx

[jazz]

you know something.. it didn't even take much doing.
and such foods without the pangs of phantom nausea, so so different!once you completely switch off from thinking about your phobia, your body adjusts to a healthier way of thinking..and you start to look around the concept of "what if someone is sick today?" or "will this chicken disagree with me" infact..such thoughts don't even enter my head anymore, it's surreal.
something i want everyone to do.. even if it is super hard, you will thank me for this.
Next week, make sure that you don't have a single day free. This means, you won't have a single day to sit home and worry yourselves constantly. Go shopping, have a long drive, meet with someone you haven't spoen to properly in a while..anything that's sociable and will preoccupy you :-)
Eat something that you would usually approach with caution..recently iv been nibbling at chocolate and icecream yada yada.
it's an acheivement if you so much as sample one of your perhaps..less emet friendly foods.
try! for mee! lol

Edited by: jazz