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Do you recall experiencing abdominal pain during your childhood?
I believe my diagnosed IBS originates from me being an EXTREME emetophobiac, I have suffered many many experiences in grade school with vomiting classmates (on my bookbag, in my lunchbox, on me, in my pool, on the door thus trapping me in with it, and 5-10 additional occasions) So, I have developed a horrible phobia of that... sickness...
I could deal with it up until my own personal traumatic experience with sickness when I was 18, where I suffered symptoms of the stomach flu for several months. Basically I would wake up every day at like 5 am, have the runs, and dry heave for several hours. I was so petrified of vomiting and having something actually come up, so during those months I never ate anything. I lost over 50 pounds from that, and needless to say, it completely messed my body up.
I slowly regained my physical health but now my mental health is at its worst. My emetophobia has now evolved into a fear of the sensations that occur in my body when making a BM. Any time I have a slight stomach ache or I feel like I have to use the bathroom, I think "I AM GOING TO BE SICK!!!" and I suffer an extreme panic attack. Also, I became very constipated, and that usually causes a huge BM to build up and cause me to bleed and the searing pain that follows creates even more panic.
My panic attacks consist of light-headedness, nausea, a feeling of bloating and dull pain in my upper stomach, and a developed coughing tick. I usually "treat" my attacks by putting a cold facecloth on my stomach/abdomen, and grabbing a bottle of water and container of anti-spasm pills. I sometimes sit on the toilet for over an hour waiting for the feeling to subside.
I am now almost 21 and I am not happy with this life... I have wasted far too much time panicking. I do not know how much of this is mental and how much of this is physical anymore. I have heard others refer to IBS and Anxiety to be a vicious cycle. I would like to try therapy or some other treatment to help me with my terrifying phobia, which I believe is creating my IBS-infested hell.
By: BlackRoseLisa
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Comments
Yes!
12/15/2009 - 09:43Emetophobia! Ha! Didn't even know it had a name!
I used to have this too. I seemed to have grown out of it somewhat...I think I'm just more confident now. Plus after 13 years without throwing up I got some minor kebab poisoning. And you know what? Throwing up isn't pleasant but I had it far worse in my mind that it really is.
I still wouldn't want to do it in public though, in a situation where I'm not in control. Which is what it comes down to really. Fear of loss of control. Which is IBS related too, yes?
I did hypnotherapy. It did work for the anxiety, but that could just be the result of lying still and deep breathing and not THINKING!!!
I also tried SSRI's. Best decision of my life! Happy to be dependant! Have been well for 5 years!!! But it's definately not for everybody. Big decision. Don't rush into it. Not for teenagers.
Empathy!
09/13/2009 - 20:36I feel like I could have written your story, as mine is nearly identical!
I too am a 20yo emetophobe, and get trapped in the vicious circle of my anxiety over being sick causing nausea, which then triggers my IBS, though I am prone to IBS-D not constipation.
I really do empathise when you say you feel like you're wasting your time by worrying! I often think how my life would be far happier if it wasn't spent constantly analysing what my stomach is doing, and how I feel.
I've tried CBT therapy and have been offered anti depressants, which I refused because of the side effect of nausea and possible vomiting. I think CBT did help somewhat, and I could apply rational techniques in theory, but when anxiety struck rationality often went out of the window!
feel free to private message me if you want to chat.
Helena
sympathy
08/26/2009 - 11:38i really sympathise for you, your ordeal sounds awful !
i have to admit that most of my stomach problems are caused by my worrying and anxiousness, it seems to bring on a horrible urge.
for my anxiety my docs offered me anti depressent which i refused as i i dont beleive that my issues are that bad as yet to go to antidepressants.
but i have heard from many people that use them for ibs caused by anxiety that they really do help and make a big difference, have you ever thought of trying this ?
when i was younger about 10 to the age of 14 i had the same phobia, i was so terrified of being sick after a bug that id get myself into a state every night before i went to sleep because i was terrified of being ill again , but i seemed to grow out of this. it was awful while it was going on though and i really feel for you that you have to go through this all the time :(
have you ever thought of trying hypnotherapy ?
treatments
08/26/2009 - 13:28Thanks for the reply, I am interested to hear about others with similar problems as me...
I was on an antidepressant (Prozac) at the age of 15, and it was a terrible fit because it ironically gave me suicidal thoughts and caused me to actually become a depressed person, which I wouldn't have considered myself before. I don't know if other antidepressants would do that to me too, but I'd be very scared to try....
Right now I take Lorazepam to stop an anxiety attack, and either Pamine or Hyoscyamine to stop psysical feelings of sickness. They help sometimes, but I don't want to rely on pills, I'd rather not get to that point at all, and just stop the attacks altogether... Which is why I'd love to try hypnotherapy. My only concern would be if it is very expensive. Are those hypnotherapy CDs people listen to in their own homes effective?
treatments
08/27/2009 - 04:57thats one reason why id didnt want to try antidepressants as yet as im only 21 and i dont want to become reliant on them!!
are you in the US ? as im in the uK and i went to see a hypnotherapist which was about £40 per and i started at having them every 2 weeks then every 4 weeks then 6 then you can eventually stop. she also taught me self hypnosis which is really helpful to relax and calm yourself.
i have never tried a self hypnosis cd but you never know the could help.
i would definatley recommend giving the hypnotherapist a try as it helped me with just being a bit more positive and relaxed really so it might help you.
This is insane - I thought
10/07/2009 - 15:50This is insane - I thought for so long that my fear of nausea and vomiting was unrelatable to other people with IBS! I have this phobia because of a bad experience I had. I have terrible panic attacks and vomited continously, ever since I have been petrified of being sick. I obsessively find out everything I can to avoid food poisoning, even sometimes to the extent of not eating. My IBS completely runs my life to a point where I at times feel its not worth it. I also live in the UK, London