Asking for a prescription for antiemetics?

[sxr]

I'm new here, but I've been lurking for ages and have never really found an answer to this question: how should one go about asking for an antiemetic? When my former therapist insisted I see a psychologist, I asked him about it, but he just kept trying to push antidepressants on me. I haven't seen my primary care physician in ages because I've been too busy with school to get in (he's always packed), but the semester is just about over, so I won't be able to try the health center on campus (again, always packed, never any time for me) and it's embarrassing how often I go to urgent care (it just happens to fit my schedule when I need it), so I'm going to attempt to ask my doctor about them. I don't think he knows anything about my phobia, but he does know that ever since I had my gallbladder removed, I've had my share of digestive disorders. How should I go about asking him? Just be up-front and pray he understands better than anyone else has? Claim my actual symptoms are worse than they are and subject myself to multiple exams and tests that I don't want? I'm lost.

[sxr]

Ugh, psychiatrist, sorry. Also, any favorites? I've heard a lot of excellent things about ondansetron.

[k10]

Explain the phobia and be honest about it, tell him you want to try anti-emetics if he thinks that would be a good option for you. If he doesn't react professionally then he isn't a good doctor and you shouldn't go back to him. Just remember, doctors have seen way weirder things than emetophobia!

[daffodil]

I doubt a doctor will give you antiemetics because you are emetophobic. But since you do have some legitimate digestive issues due to your gallbladder, it wouldn't hurt to ask them what treatment they think might be appropriate based on your symptoms.

[Kinetic]

I agree with your therapist. Don't get the antiemetics, get the antidepressants. They will calm the obsessive thoughts and help you solve the root problem. Antiemetics will only feed your fear, I am totally against them unless someone has a legitimate illness, or is undergoing chemotherapy. I used to rely on them for a little while, I am so glad that I do not carry them anymore. I only keep one bottle of OTC Emetrol in my bathroom and I have only ever used it once.

[hairyfairy]

I think one good way to get a prescription for anti-emetics, if you can`t buy them over the counter, would be to tell the doctor that you suffer from bouts of nausea, that might work.

[Tonster]

My naive Doctor (I say naive because she hadnt heard of emit before) was quite happy to give me anti-nausea stuff when I started crying about my emit in front of her! Maybe that would work for you? Lol, it sounds slightly funny/embarrassing now I have actually written my answer.

[KaydeeJayde]

I agree with your therapist. Don't get the antiemetics, get the antidepressants. They will calm the obsessive thoughts and help you solve the root problem. Antiemetics will only feed your fear, I am totally against them unless someone has a legitimate illness, or is undergoing chemotherapy. I used to rely on them for a little while, I am so glad that I do not carry them anymore. I only keep one bottle of OTC Emetrol in my bathroom and I have only ever used it once.

This. Please try the antidepressants before you try antiemetics. Treat the root of the problem

[crd08]

I get antiemetics for my tummy troubles, but be careful if you do get them. It's easy to start to rely on them as a crutch. And when I am just having a freak out and I give in and take one, I dont feel any better. It doesn't treat emet freak out nausea, haha So if you do get them just be sure you are using them for the real nausea caused by your digestive troubles.

[KimberlyP]

I told my doctor that I have emetophobia and each week before my period starts, I feel sooooo sick (the truth) but what I didn't tell him is that the nausea I feel isn't THAT terrible. He prescribed me a years worth of zofran after that. I prefer male doctors because I, personally, feel they are more compassionate when it comes to female problems (not saying women don't make fantastic doctors, just my personal opinion).

I wanted the antiemetics not as a crutch or a panic 'reducer' but more as a safety net. I completely agree with the other ladies on here that antiemetics are not treatment and covering your fear will not help. I'm in therapy and I promised my doctor that I wouldn't use the zofran as my go to medication every time I hear a gurgle. I'm saving them for if or when I get a stomach virus or in the very unlikely situation my period does make me feel extremely sick.

Also, I feel that if your doctor doesn't understand, or attempt to understand, your phobia, it's time to find a new doctor.

[Asil]

I would advise you to go down the anti deprssent route the anxiety is causing the nausea and honestly addressing that will stop you feeling nauseous. I started to get dependent on the anti emetic metoclopramide and began having the worst panic attacks i have ever experienced in my life. They were lasting for 6 hours at a time I was shaking, pacing around the house, couldnt sit down etc. i did some research around metoclopramide and saw alot of info on anxiety and that they cause it. I threw them away and didnt have any anti emetics if i felt nauseous. I never v*d in all the times i felt ill because it was clearly anxiety. When i chucked the tablets they left me with the worst anxiety disorder i couldnt leave the house my emet just got out of control. I decided to go to the doctor for advice and he put me on citalopram for the anxiety and ten weeks later i am starting to get better. I have not been to work for ten weeks ive not been on a bus or train and until 3 weeks ago could just about manage to walk up the street. I blame the metoclopramide as i felt i couldnt go out if i hadnt had one or eat if i hadnt had one. I do have a new anti emetic for migraine sickness just purely because that sickness is an inconvenience if i am meeting clients for work and in long meeting, but ive only taken them when i know its migraine nausea and not for when its clearly anxiety nausea. Also anti emetics dont always work i was feeling ill a few years ago after a meal with friends and i took an anti emetic but because i had a bug/food poisoning my stomach wasnt digesting and the tablet didnt get into my system, i was ill on the train and a further 3 times. The nausea we suffer is thru anxiety and it wont cause you to be ill. My bouts of nausea have decreased dramatically since i have treated the anxiety

[julybabe]

I'm new here, but I've been lurking for ages and have never really found an answer to this question: how should one go about asking for an antiemetic? When my former therapist insisted I see a psychologist, I asked him about it, but he just kept trying to push antidepressants on me. I haven't seen my primary care physician in ages because I've been too busy with school to get in (he's always packed), but the semester is just about over, so I won't be able to try the health center on campus (again, always packed, never any time for me) and it's embarrassing how often I go to urgent care (it just happens to fit my schedule when I need it), so I'm going to attempt to ask my doctor about them. I don't think he knows anything about my phobia, but he does know that ever since I had my gallbladder removed, I've had my share of digestive disorders. How should I go about asking him? Just be up-front and pray he understands better than anyone else has? Claim my actual symptoms are worse than they are and subject myself to multiple exams and tests that I don't want? I'm lost.

I totally agree with the other memers who advised trying antidepressants initially, the root cause is anxiety and if you can tackle that you will hopefully find that the anxiety is under control and v* becomes much less of an issue. I also agree that anti emetics are not the answer as they are only treating the symptom and not the cause, to put it another way anxiety is the problem not v*I can also speak from personal experience since taking antidepressants last September v* no longer dominates my life and my anxiety about it has signifcantly decreased and this is after having the fear for around 30 years

[Swells817]

I am taking lexapro and Klonopin for my anxiety and the lexapro makes me feel nauseous so my doctor gave me zofran ODT to take every time I take a lexapro. She didn't switch me to a different medicine besides lexapro because they all make me nauseous. And that could just be because i know it's a side effect so my brain and anxiety make me think I'm feeling nauseous. If your doctor isn't sympathetic, then you defiantly need to find a new doctor. I agree with some people that you defiantly need to be on anxiety medicine like lexapro. Pair it with Klonopin or Xanax but remember to only take the Klonopin or Xanax when you feel anxious. Because if you take it all the time you will get defendant on it and if a doctor decides to take it away, you won't be able to cope without it. Don't just look at immediate fixes, look at long term. Good luck!

[Asylvia]

Ativan - its an antiemetic and an anti anxiety pill. I only take it as needed but it's a two for one

[Asylvia]

Careful with klonopin they had me on that for a year and It messed up my memory while on it it was also a pain in the butt to come off of. Really bad withdrawl symptoms!