Agorphobia, hospital...advice please!

[Daisy_chains]

Hello everyone.

I'm pretty new here so i will begin by explianing my situation!

Ive pretty much had anxiety and panic for most of my life (im nearly 17). My main anxieties are argrophobia and emetophobia.

The anxiety has always been tought but manageable - until last October when i noticed my stomach was bloated and painful. I went to my GP who reffered me to the hospital for tests, and was later diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage IV (http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Childrenscancers/Typesofchildrenscancers/Neuroblastoma)

I had a hard time adapting to the long hospital stays and the side effects of treatment. At first i was contemplating wether or not to start the treatments because of the odbious side effects - vommitting. But the nurses were really good and i was given Stemetil for sickness and vommitting and didnt experience much nausea at all, so i gained confidence and trust. It took me a while to get used to travelling each week to and from the hospital too because of the agrophobia, but i eventually got used to the journey and route (evidence that fears and phobias lessen as you do them more and more!)

Things were going really good until my routine MIBG scan came back and i was told that i had evidence of disease progression on the right side of my hip and the bottom of my spine. I have been reffered to a specialist hospital 235 miles from my home, and the appointment which im dreading (more because of the agrophobia) is this monday.

I am more terrified of the 200+ mile journey than the acctual appointment - as stupid as it sounds. I have not travveled more than 50 miles in over 4 years. My simple question is....is my anxiety and panic gets so bad, can it actually mame me vomit?? this is my biggest fear and am looking for some reasurance!

If anyone can help uid be most greatful! thankyou!

Daisy xxx:shades:

[blackie]

Hiya hun
Really sorry to hear your going through such a bad time. You have done really well being able to go to the hospital and get the treatment. That iwas a really brave thing for anyone to do let alone having your fears on top of it. But you did it. Thats really great.
Can you take someone you really trust on the journey? Also take lots of things to destract yourself. Like little games, music, audio books, ect. This is great to beat bordom and keep you destracted.
You may feel nauseous on the ride due to worring but it is unliky you will acctually be sick. Alot of people dont even get that but try not to worry about it.
I hope it goes really well hun. Big hug from me
Blackie

[Piglet]

Daisy hun you can soooo do this!!!!!

The journey is only like lots of your other little journeys made up into one longer journey. You are such a sensible and wise person to realise that it does indeed get easier with each journey and this is just the same. Think what you felt the first time you had to go to hospital in the first place and then how you began to manage it a little easier each time.

You have our very best wishes hun and all our good vibes and remember we will always be here to give you encouragement along the way and recognize your achievements.

Love Piglet :flowers:

[belle]

Hi Daisy..

So sorry you are fighting this illness on top of agoraphobia and emetophobia. What you have to concentrate on is that you've come through cemo without throwing up, so i doubt very much your panic would actually make you phyiscally sick. You *might* feel ill, but you will know that its only anixety tricking you into feel poorly.

Apart from controlled breathing and trying to not focus on what your body is feeling, i don't know what else to suggest. I know its easier said than done (i myself am severely agoraphobic and have suffered with emetophobia since i was 5, i am almost 32 now!!!). I wish you all the best.... :)

x