Hope!

[Bmorebirds]

About a week ago, my sister, mom, dad, and brother all got a stomach bug. Normally, I would try to get the heck out of the house and avoid all contact with them, but this time, I just went about my buisiness as usual. Two days ago, I caught this nasty stomach bug and I was sick for the first time in four years. I vomited 3 times and almost immediately felt better. The nausea that had plagued me throughout the day was gone, and I finally got some rest.

I have been an emetophobe since I was about 6 years old after having a violent stomach flu that really freaked me out. I used to be afraid to vomit, but now it's just really annoying because it slows me down and I can't do what I normally do, like hangout with friends, exercise, and most importantly, EAT AND DRINK!!! After the third time I was sick, the only reason I didn't want to be sick again was because I wanted to get better so I could drink some freakin' water!!! I was so thirsty I even dreamed about drinking sodas, fruit juices, water, anything!!! What I'm saying is that now, instead of fearing getting sick and letting the FEAR get in the way of my life that I'm starting to really enjoy without emetophobia, I fear getting sick because I will be confined to a bed for a few days and THAT gets in the way of my life.

In conclusion, I no longer fear vomiting at all, I just want to live a normal, mostly healthy life and enjoy it!!! Vomiting isn't really a fear anymore to me, it's just a nuissance!!! Like pouring a bowl of cereal and then realizing you have no milk, or forgetting to DVR your favorite show (AKA Breaking Bad)! I hope all of you feel better and don't let some stupid fear control you, you control it!!!

[Bmorebirds]

PS-I'm starving and can't wait to eat when I'm better! Emet won't take me down!

[jab788]

Oh my gosh, I'm so happy for you! You are exactly where I want to be. Thank you for sharing your story. We need more posts like this that show us that vomiting isn't the end of the world and we don't have to be so afraid of it. We don't have to go to such great lengths to avoid it, because it isn't that bad. It's just annoying, uncomfortable and gross. But it passes, and it makes you feel so much better. This is the kind of thinking we all need if we are going to recover.

Congratulations on your emet-free life I am very jealous!

[Bmorebirds]

@jab788 Don't be jealous, you'll get there! I still feel a bit nauseated but I have been eating. The only reason I don't want to get sick again is because I'm ready to get back on my feet and do all the things I love!

What I find has helped the most for me though has been medication. It helps me combat the emet without having to deal with the panic attacks that come with confrontation of the phobia. If you have a doctor for your phobia you should talk to them to see if it may help! Also, when I do get sick I try to focus on how not-that-bad throwing up really is. Yes, it is annoying, disgusting, and I sure as heck could do without it, but it passes and you get better soon! Also, I've always found if you can see it in a comical way, such as in a movie like Lean on Me it helps because you can laugh at it. It didn't work for me at first, but then with the medicine, I was able to be more exposed to vomiting without panicking. You're gonna be there any day!!!

[julybabe]

I can totally relate to your story, I am currently overcoming emet, and making great progress. Like you I no longer fear v*, it is just the thought of having a sv* and feeling ill that I don't want, and I would feel completely the same if I were ill for any other reason, like having a bad dose of flu. after all no one enjoys being unwell, and yes its a pain if it stops you getting on with something you enjoy. but its no more than an inconvenience. Since starting medication last September my life has totally turned around after having emet and generalised anxiety since the age of 7 years, I thought I would never get to this point. Anxiety no longer rules my life and like you said don't let fear/anxiety control you, you need to take control of the anxiety instead.