Feel sick all the time, won't go away

[Cat80]

I feel sick all the time and the more I think about it the worse it gets. I know it's all part of my anxiety but I have a phobia about being sick and can't stop thinking about what if I'm sick etc and it's actually making me feel sick thinking like this. I don't know how to break the cycle, I try to keep myself busy but it doesn't help. I'm just so scared that one day my anxiety is going to make me sick. I'm on anti nausea medication, metoclopramide which really helps but of couse doesn't stop the sick thoughts. I'm emetophobic (fear of vomiting) and just can't control it at the moment. I'm scared to eat, go out in case I'm sick etc. It's my 29th birthday on the 19th and I'm supposed to be going out but I just can't face a meal as I cannot control my anxiety. I'm currently coming off Fluoxetine after it did nothing after a month for my anxiety (other than make it worse and stop me sleeping). Anyone else feel like this or am I just crazy lol, thanks for listening.

[dange]

hi cat,

i've got ocd which makes me want to put my fingers down my throat, which of course made me emetophobic also. its prob not what you want to hear, but when i was finally sick (from too much drink i must add!) the fear went. i still hate it but its not scary to me anymore. I definitely recommend going on other meds which will help intrusive thoughts though it will take about a month to work. You can also try asking for short term anti anxiety drugs, such as diazepam which would help the anxiety until the other meds kick in. i would also recommend asking your gp to refer you to a specialist so that you can learn CBT.

Just remember your not crazy, you've just got a slight problem!
love dange x

[WoosMummy]

Hi Cat80, I know exactly how you feel. I have the same problem as you, a big phobia of being sick, as a result of this I feel anxious about being sick and that just makes me feel sick even more, it's so horrible! I also know how what you mean about not wanting to go out for dinner, I had my first panic attack in a restaurant and ever since then if I'm eating out I start to imagine what it'd be like to go through that again which makes me feel anxious and sick, etc... It's like I bring it all on myself, sounds ridiulous now I've written it down! Lol.

Anyway...Sorry I dont have any advice for you but just wanted to let you know you're not the only one and you're definitely not crazy!! I think we just need to retrain our brains! Lol. xx

[Cat80]

Thanks for the replies dange and woosmummy.

I just wish I could find a tablet that works for me, to stop me constantly feeling anxious and sick. I've tried Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Propanalol and Mirtazapine and none have helped. I'm coming off Fluoxetine because after doing some research see it isn't great for helping anxiety, all I know is I was feeling worse when on it. I was expecting that but just not fo it to last 4 weeks.

I've looked into hypnotherapy for emetophobia, have found an emetophobia specialist but it costs £60 a session and you need 6 - 12 sessions and I just cannot afford it. There's got be something that can help other than hypnotherapy.

I'm on a waiting list for CBT but it's a 5 months waiting list so won't get an appointment till August which feels a life time away. I've got a Take That concert to go to in Manchester but am so anxious at the moment am scared I won't be able to go in June. I' have to be out of the house for about 8 hours and am so scared. Just wish I could get this silly fear out of head. It all started 2 years ago when I sick after eating a steak pudding. Since then the fear of being sick and anxiety has gone through the roof. I can't even speak about being sick out loud to anyone without my throat closing up and feeling like I'm going to be sick any moment, it's awful and stupid. I mean I'm almost 29 and am acting like a kid, it's crazy

Sorry you are going through the same sort of thing woosmummy, it's awful how it can rule someones life isn't it?

[tizwiz]

I feel sick all the time and the more I think about it the worse it gets. I know it's all part of my anxiety but I have a phobia about being sick and can't stop thinking about what if I'm sick etc and it's actually making me feel sick thinking like this. I don't know how to break the cycle, I try to keep myself busy but it doesn't help. I'm just so scared that one day my anxiety is going to make me sick. I'm on anti nausea medication, metoclopramide which really helps but of couse doesn't stop the sick thoughts. I'm emetophobic (fear of vomiting) and just can't control it at the moment. I'm scared to eat, go out in case I'm sick etc. It's my 29th birthday on the 19th and I'm supposed to be going out but I just can't face a meal as I cannot control my anxiety. I'm currently coming off Fluoxetine after it did nothing after a month for my anxiety (other than make it worse and stop me sleeping). Anyone else feel like this or am I just crazy lol, thanks for listening.

Hi
You are by no means crazy. I had the same problems as you for years and years in fact it started when I was at school (im43 now)I was so terrified I stopped eating all together and became, as the doctors thought anorexic! I couldn't tell anyone as I knew it would sound stupid and they just wouldn't understand.
I hid food for about two years and consolled myself by eating tons of indigestion remedies. I made myself very ill and when I did pluck up the courage to tell my psychologist he said he needed to make me sick to cure me of my fear (exposure therapy) - well I ran from there never to return again.
It did ease off a little as the years went by especially after I had a stomach bug and two children (loads of feeling nauseous).
But it never really went away. I couldn't even be around other people who were sick, I used to run away shaking and terrified.
Then a couple of years ago I met my new partner who unfortunately is an alcoholic he has had 2 detox's since I have been with him but he is now very ill with liver problems. This make him sick everyday and the first few times I was a wreck. But he is being sick between 5 and 15 times a day and has been for some time and now I don't bat an eyelid. In fact its as normal to me as a sneeze. Its really odd how fate has stepped in and cured me as I would never ever have volunteered for what they call exposure therapy - but it really does work. Mind you I know he is not contagious so its still early days for me yet.
Time is a great healer, but in reality I don't think im over my being sick yet.But I know now that exposure to a problem really does work!
Be brave and strong and tell ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen, test yourself slowly in situations and be in control. Please don't make yourself as ill as I was its not pretty.
I really do wish you luck with this problem as I know exactly how you are feeling.
Luv Tizx