Kind of an emergency...

[older.rmiller]

I don't know what to think of this, but I think it's an emergency.

Sorry to bother y'all yet again :c but I think this might actually be a problem. At least it's achange though, not another paranoid rant even though the noro outbreak is at large here.
~Keep in mind the symptoms I list are all in addition to the ones previously listed, not traded for those, they accumulate~

So for the past 8 months or so, I've developed anxiety/mild depression. I have a severe phobia of vomiting. It's so bad that a couple months ago, my sister threw up (once, then was fine afterwards, no one else got it) but it was enough to make me not eat for 5 days straight (even though the incubation for these things is generally 24-48 hours, I still couldn't) and drink less than 16 oz of water a day.

These past few weeks, I've lost my ability to concentrate and everything just feels fuzzy. It also kind of feels like I'm constantly on the brink of a super bad migraine, and sometimes I cross the line temporarily. I also have trouble remembering things (literally, there was something I wanted to put on this list, but it's just gone) when I used to have a fantastic memory.

This last week, I'll be walking down the stairs or something, and everything will start spinning, and I can't even walk properly anymore. My movements are all jerky and my hands are trembly (I've made so many mistakes just typing these and am constantly having to fix them).

Yesterday, I looked in the mirror while getting ready for bed and noticed my lips were stained a bright red. Ilickedthem but they didn't taste like blood, but it obviously was. I had left my lips alone the whole night and there wasn't any pain or cuts or anything, just the blood on both lips.

And finally, today:I was sitting here, feeling sick like I mentioned, and I got a severe pain in my right abdomen. I was considering if it was appendicitis, and was almost certain, but it went away shortly. I just have this waterlogged sort of nausea. But until like 5 minutes ago, I couldn't get up. I literally fell onto the ground and couldn't even make myself sit up. That was scary.I don't know what to do, my mom is already stressed out from other things, I can't worry her more, but I can barely type this. Help me please... I don't want to die..

I'm 5'3.5" female and severely underweight at 83 pounds. Don't tell me that's bad, I freaking realize it already. Nothing I can immediately change.

[gumdropper1]

Older, you need to worry less and live more. We've all been there. It's pretty hard most of the time to vomit from bad food or to catch something that causes vomiting. You've experienced it right in your own life. Your sister threw up and you didn't catch anything. Other people have thrown up and you've been fine. Now you're in the middle of a noro epidemic -- something that scares every one of us -- but you're holding your own. Not everyone at your school is going to catch noro. Of those who do, not all of them will puke. When this is over, everyone in your class will have stories to tell. But you will be one of the survivors. Your only story will be of your fear. You will not tell of hugging the toilet at 3 AM.

Instead of worrying constantly, celebrate your strength. Celebrate your resilience. Celebrate every day you've gone without vomiting. That's what I do in my signature.

If you ever feel ill, remember that panic will never keep you from vomiting, only make it more likely. So keep calm and digest on!

Doug

[older.rmiller]

But that's not the point. I don't think I have noro right now. I'm scared because I don't know what's wrong with me but I'm assuming it's weight related, I just want to know.

[jkl81]

The point is, you now know you really want to keep on living. I don't want to insult your intelligence by telling you what to do or anything, but I am a fan of baby steps. Take one step tomorrow to take your life back. If you can't take those steps on your own please get help. We're here to support you. As far as your current symptoms, this phantom illness stuff is fairly common on the forum. You should only be worried if you're getting new or unexplained symptoms that have not been checked out by a doctor. The only one that you said that actually worries me some (and only because I don't know what it is-- I'm no doctor) is the bloody gums. If that persists you need to see a doctor. You will get better. So many of us have been in a bad place like this, and gotten much (if not entirely) better.

[arrlz]

I think the dizziness and other symptoms may come from being underweight and not eating properly. I had my tonsils out almost 4 weeks ago and due to bleeding I'm still on a pretty soft diet, which has caused me to lose about 20 lbs but I was already skinny to begin with. Now with barely eating and being underweight I've been feeling sicker than I ever felt before... Fevers, dizziness, stomach aches, etc.

[arrlz]

You could try drinking some of those protein shakes like Ensure everyday. They help gain weight and it's just a liquid don't bother the stomach so no fear of V* from it.

[thecheesecake17]

Older, you need to worry less and live more. We've all been there. It's pretty hard most of the time to vomit from bad food or to catch something that causes vomiting. You've experienced it right in your own life. Your sister threw up and you didn't catch anything. Other people have thrown up and you've been fine. Now you're in the middle of a noro epidemic -- something that scares every one of us -- but you're holding your own. Not everyone at your school is going to catch noro. Of those who do, not all of them will puke. When this is over, everyone in your class will have stories to tell. But you will be one of the survivors. Your only story will be of your fear. You will not tell of hugging the toilet at 3 AM.

Instead of worrying constantly, celebrate your strength. Celebrate your resilience. Celebrate every day you've gone without vomiting. That's what I do in my signature.

If you ever feel ill, remember that panic will never keep you from vomiting, only make it more likely. So keep calm and digest on!

Doug

This is amazing!!!!! I loved it!!! That's what I try and do everyday I feel super which is most of the time these days cos I've been tryna just tell myself the majority of all this stuff is in my head.

ANYYYWAYYYY older miller, you're doing a me and getting wayyy too stressy...usually stemmed from one thing, guess what, I didn't eat properly for MONTHS after my bf had noro in may...and it only sent me to hospital cos I got dizzy and needed nutrition, so ppplllease don't go like I have done...just keep eating and enjoying your food, sooooo many people would want to have the pleasure of eating the wood we get in the west.

If your sooo concerned about catching the outbreak I'd do what I did two days ago, storm into a cheap store, buy some antibacterial gel and cleanse your hands ever hour before snacks and meals. That way, its highly unlikely youl catch anything.

The fainting and pain is due to your weight, I'm not being mean but it took me about a month of people telling me 'EAT. CANT YOU SEE THIS IS WHY YOURE IN AND OUT THE DOCTORS WITH ANAYMOUS SYMPTOMS?!'
Well I listened and am nearly at my normal weight again.
Also, at 16, your health is most likely at its peak. I have to be careful cos I'm a chocoholic and adore junk food but you're so young, please learn to live !! Youl regret not making the most of your age when your 22 like me haha

[blueridge212]

First of all, you need to tell your mom and go to a doctor. Even if it stresses her out, her job is to take care of you, and I know she will be happy to do it and make sure you get the correct treatment. It honestly sounds like malnutrition. You have absolutely got to eat more, and I know you know that, but knowing it isn't going to change anything - you have to DO it. Even if you lock yourself in your room and don't live your life, if you are eating, you are taking the first step. And I don't care if it's pizza or some crap like that, if you like it, if you'll eat it, and if it gets you up over 83 pounds, EAT IT.

[Syrup]

Older, you need to worry less and live more. We've all been there. It's pretty hard most of the time to vomit from bad food or to catch something that causes vomiting. You've experienced it right in your own life. Your sister threw up and you didn't catch anything. Other people have thrown up and you've been fine. Now you're in the middle of a noro epidemic -- something that scares every one of us -- but you're holding your own. Not everyone at your school is going to catch noro. Of those who do, not all of them will puke. When this is over, everyone in your class will have stories to tell.

Beautifully said.

Beyond that, you're a minor. Your parents need to seek medical help for you. Hopefully you're being honest with them. Nobody here can or should offer medical advice to someone who's underage other than to be honest with your mom or dad about fainting and see what they think would be best.

Get well! You're young and need to enjoy life! Do what you need to get there!

[andee]

Hi, I understand completely and have been underweight my entire life, some of those times worse than others and I had to be hospitalized twice. All because of this &^$$*& phobia!! Your symptoms are most definitely because of your weight being so low. I've been there. I'm 5 ft 1 in and around 95 lbs right now, not too bad at the moment but still low. I can't go long periods without eating...I get light headed, shaky, weak, etc.

Not eating isn't going to help anything, and it may even cause your immune system to get low, which you don't want. If you can get to a doc to start, that would be ideal. If not, then start to plan out your meals, and try increasing your calories. Eat what is comfortable for you right now. Like Arrlz said, I've done the Ensure Plus drinks and they do help with weight and are easy to drink in a pinch.

You need to get yourself nourished before you tackle the "mental" issues like worry, obsessive thoughts, etc. Take care and keep us posted!!!

[ChiGal]

Honey you are severely underweight and it's dangerous. You need to be honest with your parents and get some help ASAP or you can just go to a hospital if you are feeling bad. Trust me. You need medical intervention right now to get your weight up, nothing else, period. The psychological issues can wait until then. Please either talk to your family or go alone, okay? Please.

[JordynPolynasian]

Not sure if this was said... (I skimmed through the rest of the replies), but besides lack of nutrients, I would also say dehydration could be the cause. I've been dehydrated a couple of times in my life and your symptoms seem very similar to mine when I was dehydrated. Try to drink a lot more water if possible. And I did see that someone posted about drinking Ensure drinks and that is a really good suggestion if you have times where you don't really feel like eating solid foods. Take care of yourself honey. We are here for you <3

[ChiGal]

Older, you need to worry less and live more. We've all been there. It's pretty hard most of the time to vomit from bad food or to catch something that causes vomiting. You've experienced it right in your own life. Your sister threw up and you didn't catch anything. Other people have thrown up and you've been fine. Now you're in the middle of a noro epidemic -- something that scares every one of us -- but you're holding your own. Not everyone at your school is going to catch noro. Of those who do, not all of them will puke. When this is over, everyone in your class will have stories to tell. But you will be one of the survivors. Your only story will be of your fear. You will not tell of hugging the toilet at 3 AM.

Instead of worrying constantly, celebrate your strength. Celebrate your resilience. Celebrate every day you've gone without vomiting. That's what I do in my signature.

If you ever feel ill, remember that panic will never keep you from vomiting, only make it more likely. So keep calm and digest on!

Doug

She wasn't talking about being sick with vomiting or noro....she is talking about being underweight and scared and unwell! Did you even read this Doug/gumdropper1?? Your advice leads me to believe that you did not.

Keep calm and digest on?? Really??? Good lord.

older.miller I hope you get some help. You are so young (and no, life is not at its' peak at 16 as someone else said, sorry it isn't) - there is so much more to see. Trust me. Message me if you need.

[blueridge212]

She wasn't talking about being sick with vomiting or noro....she is talking about being underweight and scared and unwell! Did you even read this Doug/gumdropper1?? Your advice leads me to believe that you did not.

Keep calm and digest on?? Really??? Good lord.

older.miller I hope you get some help. You are so young (and no, life is not at its' peak at 16 as someone else said, sorry it isn't) - there is so much more to see. Trust me. Message me if you need.

I believe he was referencing the fact that she's likely underweight because she's afraid to eat because of her anxiety. He's addressing her anxiety (which is obviously at least partly related to vomiting/noro, since she's on this board), and trying to reassure her. He certainly meant well. Little bit harsh in your criticism there

[crd08]

You will start feeling better once your weight is where it should be. I had those same symptoms when I was about your weight and height years ago. I was actually passing out a lot and ended up in the hospital hooked up to all kinds of IVs giving me what I was lacking. Then my doctor helped me get back to where I needed to be and I've been able to stay there ever since. That's not to scare you, but it's reality. You can turn this around. Stay hydrated, try getting some ensure shakes for now and get to a doctor asap. We can only give you the support and advice, but a doctor can give you a real plan and you can start feeling better. Take care of yourself, please