Emetophobia

PrettyPalomino · March 2016

Hi guys,

Thought I would reach out and find out if anyone else is as terrified of throwing up as I am. I just got whacked with a bout of nausea for the first time, and now I'm trembling like a leaf at my desk. FX'd no one wants an impromptu meeting...

I suffered from pretty severe anxiety as a kid, was on paxil from age 9 to 18, I got a good hold of it in my 20's and would say I'm mostly anxiety free, except for random panic attacks here and there which I think I've mastered.

My biggest fear as a kid/adult was throwing up, mostly throwing up in public. When I was 10-15 I would sneak anti-nausea pills, sleep on the bathroom floor, I missed a LOT of school, couldn't handle movie theatres, etc.

I am so elated to be KU, I've been wanting this so badly, but there has always been a nagging voice in my head asking myself if I can really handle it. I have heard/read horror stories about morning sickness and I am so so scared I'll suffer from it, especially since it's so common. My desk is the furthest point away from the bathroom, and I am so worried that if I do get sick, I won't make it all the way there...

I realize it's a little early and pre-emptive to be dooming myself, anyone else have this fear?

SchruteBucks · March 2016

Yep. I have the same exact fear. It was terrifying getting pregnant the first time for fear of vomiting (especially in public). The night I first experience nausea I actually hyperventilated so badly that I passed out on the bathroom floor. I actually did wind up throwing up for the first time in about 15 years later that same night. It was scary, but afterwards I actually felt euphoric for finally throwing up and surviving...if that makes any sense. I'm sure that sounds really weird to anyone who hasn't experienced emetophobia, but it was like accomplishing a huge goal. I still don't enjoy throwing up at all, and I get anxious every time I feel nauseas or hear that someone around me has a stomach bug, but it is definitely not as bad as it was before that first time. I still have an awful fear of throwing up in public, so I become pretty reclusive during the early months of pregnancy. Feel free to private message me if you need to talk or have any questions.

MrsBinPA · March 2016

I have it too. It's terrible. It is constantly nagging in the back of my mind. I also wonder how I will deal with a sick child when the time comes.

DiFazette · March 2016

@PrettyPalomino - I don't have this fear, but I did have a legit, pass out cold fear of having my blood drawn. It's not needles, it's not blood (I watch surgery shows for fun) but it's the thin, fragile skin and sensitivity of that area inside the elbow that made me freak the f out.

I I don't want to minimize your fears at all, because they're real and valid...But my first pregnancy really got me over the hump of freaking out about blood draws. Having the experience and knowing it was for my baby, rather than a routine physical blood draw forced me to find my inner strength. I knew it would be a regular occurence and I had to face it. After the first draw, I felt like a warrior woman for living through it. I then knew that I could handle it. I think pregnancy and motherhood gives us strength we didn't know we had, because we have to push through.

I know it's not the same, but I also felt like I couldn't do it and surprised myself. I'm not sure if my words will be any consolation, and anxiety really sucks, but know that even if it happens you will be okay. Probably worth mentioning to your OB you've had a history of anxiety and have the conversation so if it kicks into high gear during PG, it's been charted and they can help you quickly.

FiancB · March 2016

I used to have it. I've gotten better, but being nauseous still makes me very anxious. It helps me to know lots of tricks to prevent and ease it. Deep breathing helps both the nausea and anxiety. It helps me to carry around an emesis bag so I know I won't puke on the floor at least, hence easing the public aspect.

I think it stems from road trips through the redwoods as a kid. Someone would get sick, parents would be pissed, yeah.

SchruteBucks · March 2016

I also carry around an emesis bag in my purse. I've never once thrown up in public, but the fear is very real and I always need to know where the nearest exit or trashcan is. Having that in my purse just eases my mind and anxiety a little. I find that mints and gum help during the early weeks of pregnancy.

PrettyPalomino · March 2016

wow such a relief to see these responses, I thought I was alone! The emesis bag is a very good idea, I had to google it, I will definitely stock up if I do get sick.

@DiFazette that is totally relatable, thanks for sharing

@FiancB I also had somewhat traumatic childhood experiences too, we had a babysitter, she'd make us all the same meal even if someone didn't like it, I would throw up (sometimes at the table) and she would punish me and lock me in a room without even getting to rinse my mouth

let's hope we have more patience and empathy for our sick kids!!

@Mrsbinpa I think when it's your own kid, it becomes less gross. I already experienced a bit of that with my niece and the diaper changing. She's just so cute that the poop is less disgusting!

SchruteBucks · March 2016

My mom hated when we were sick and would punish us. She would also stand in the bathroom when I was sick, yelling at me. I'm sure that has something to do with my issues

And, yes, @MrsBinPA and @PrettyPalomino, at least for me, when my kids are sick I can totally handle it. I do still get really anxious when any of them throw up, for fear that I will come down with whatever bug they have and also throw up. But I can deal with their puking and can take care of them and comfort them. My husband, on the other hand, he's on his own if he's sick! I can't be near him if he's throwing up.

FiancB · March 2016

Oh good, I'm not the only one @SchruteBucks! I ordered some for my last pregnancy and now keep one in each car, each room, in my bag, in the pocket of my scrubs... yeah.

@PrettyPalomino this is the kind I have. I've only used one once and it worked very well, better than a toilet, really.

Also haha at our parents giving us complexes. Note to self: be nothing but nice and sympathetic if kids puke, even if it makes me want to die.

MrsBinPA · April 2016

I too have a distinct memory of being sick & throwing up and my Mom yelling at me that she "couldn't deal with this now".

asreinholm · April 2016

You are NOT alone! I've even been in therapy for it. It's the WORST!

missyrissy · April 2016

I have the needle phobia!!!!! Omg it was sooooo bad until about 6 years ago. I had a primary Doctor make me have blood drawn every time I saw her, and I think she did it ton"desensitize" me. Well, that helped a bit, and then having 10 surgeries since 2009 has made me actually pretty good with needles as long as I follow a "routine". I have to lay down, if they start digging, that's it, I have my feet flat on the bed or table with my knees up and pinch the bridge of my nose really hard. Of course the epidural doesn't allow you to "lay down", but it actually wasn't so bad. I'll admit though, it didn't work for me, so they gave me a spinal (what they use for c-sections) and I had my beautiful 8.9lb baby vaginally in July 2014!! It was amazing and I would hope they'll do it again! More than likely not though...

PrettyPalomino · April 2016

Morning Sickness Fear Update:

I am 7 weeks tomorrow, I THINK I've had a bit of nausea the last few days here and there which sends me into a panic and then I can't really tell if I'm nauseous or not because I'm hyperventilating and shaking (hard to say which is worse).

QUESTION: For those of you experiencing nausea/MS, did it hit hard and stayed about the same, or was it more of a slow onset that is getting progressively worse?

FiancB · April 2016

For me I've gotten little waves of nausea all along that have been progressively been getting longer, more frequent, and severe. I haven't actually thrown up though, although any sane person that isn't so mentally resistant to it probably would have. I'm 6 weeks 4 days. I felt pretty sick when I got to clinical yesterday when it normally calms down by then so I almost started to cry over the anxiety from it. Sigh. Ginger ale is my bff right now.

PrettyPalomino · April 2016

FiancB said:

Sigh. Ginger ale is my bff right now.

I think I'm just going to stock my desk with it pre-emptively

FiancB · April 2016

I drank more regular soda yesterday than I normally do in a year!

MrsBinPA · April 2016

FiancB said:

For me I've gotten little waves of nausea all along that have been progressively been getting longer, more frequent, and severe. I haven't actually thrown up though, although any sane person that isn't so mentally resistant to it probably would have. I'm 6 weeks 4 days. I felt pretty sick when I got to clinical yesterday when it normally calms down by then so I almost started to cry over the anxiety from it. Sigh. Ginger ale is my bff right now.

This is like the story of my life any time I feel really stomach sick for any reason.

beff12 · April 2016

I struggle with this too. My first pregnancy, I had pretty bad nausea but only actually got sick once and I think that was because of what I ate. I agree with what @FiancB said - I think because we are so afraid of it we keep it from happening. Which I can't think about too long or it freaks me out too

I saw something (I think on Pinterest?) that I use when anxiety kicks in. You breath in for 7 counts, hold it for 4, then exhale for 8. I do this at least three or four times and it really does help calm my nerves! Also focusing on counting keeps my brain occupied.

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