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Emetophobia and IBS!

Posted , 8 users are following.

bbybunny
bbybunny

I've recently been diagnoised with IBS so I'm looking for some advice from people with more experience than I have, to tell me some tips and tricks they use to manage thier IBS symptoms and stress/anxiety. 

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I'm 19 and a student doing a foundation course. After having symptoms of IBS and not knowing what it was for about 6 months I went to the doctor and got a diagnosis. However, on top of IBS the doctor thinks I have emetophobia which is the fear of vomiting.

I'm currently living with family while doing my foundation degree, next year I start my BA degree at a different university and I'll be moving into halls. Having both IBS and emetophobia means I'm pretty terrified of having to cook my own meals because if I eat something that triggers a flare up in my IBS, I'll feel nauseous, which in turn makes me anxious about being sick and then the anxiety triggers my IBS symptoms. 

I think as someone who is very new to this, I just need some advice from people who live with it, because I'll be honest, it's starting to get me down. Any help/advice is much appreciated!

Bunny

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0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 bbybunny

    Posted

    If you will be cooking your own meals that is good because you will have more control over the food you are going to eat so I wouldn't have anything to fear in that.  This is a positive thing.

    Have any food triggers shown up in the six months you have had IBS?  If you know what foods upset you, then avoid them.  If you don't know, try the Low Fodmap Diet with the help of a dietician or try a food diary.  It is possible however, that food will not upset you.  It depends whether you have food related IBS or stress related IBS.  I have stress related IBS and I have very little trouble with food.

    I try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible  but sometimes they can catch me out and I get a flare up.  I take Buscopan and sometimes Nurofen on top immediately and this stops the pain becoming bad.  If you have been prescribed an anti spasmodic, take it if you are going into a situation you know wiil be stressful to prevent pain and other symptoms starting.

    Do you have IBS with constipation or diarrhoea or a mixture of both?  If you have constipation, try oranges, grapes, or prune juice if fruit poses no problem or try a short term laxative.  If you have diarrhoea, keep to soluable fibre and avoid the insoluble type. Keep Imodium handy.

    • bbybunny
      bbybunny pippa58442

      Posted

      Thank you!

      I'm not sure exactly what food triggers I have (apart from white bread which I've already cut from my diet), but I've started a food diary today so hopefully I will know soon.

      I don't think I can avoid stressful situations given that I'm starting uni! But I will definitely ask for my doctors advice about anti spasmodics as I think that could be really useful as pain is often a big problem for me.

      I'm not sure yet, but I think I have a mixture of both, leaning a little more towards diarrhoea but again, it's early days so I don't really know, I haven't been tracking my symptoms or anything.

      Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

      Bunny

      X

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 bbybunny

      Posted

      I had constipation first and then a mixture of both and then back to constipation.  Another trick you could try is to record your lectures on your phone in case you get a flare up and can't concentrate on your class because of pain.  Then you can play the lecture back in your free time when you are better.

      If there are health support services at university, you could consult them about your IBS and speak to your tutors and lecturers to get the best help possible.

  • leeniepie
    leeniepie bbybunny

    Posted

    The advice pippa has given is great. I will add that you may want to try counselling for your anxiety and emetophobia.

    You could also buy some travel sickness pill for the nausea if it hits.

    • bbybunny
      bbybunny leeniepie

      Posted

      Thanks!

      My doctor is going to refer me to a counsellor who works specifically with phobias - I had no idea it was even a phobia until she said! Unfortunately, I'm going to have to wait until summer. I'm away from home (and my GP) right now because I'm staying with relatives while I complete a college course, so I'm sort of dealing with it on my own for the time being. That said, I will definitely pick up some travel sickness tabs! Thanks for the idea

  • borderriever
    borderriever bbybunny

    Posted

    BBYBunny

    Your vomiting sound like a neurosis. while your IBS could be stress or you are not eating the right food, to put your mind at rest I suffer IBS that is caused by all the drugs I take. I could pass wind in the Olympics and get a gold medal for it. I also wonder when I am bad if I could set it to music ???

    Try changing your diet, Carbs and Potatoes make stools firm vegetables and fruit are also worth increasing up to seven portions a day. White meat and fish work well, one portion an oily fisk like herring, salmon or makeral helps. White fish do not have oil although portions of Cod Haddock are good for your diet.

    FRUIT is better than sugars, Bran in the morning is also a good choice also Wholemeal Bread is a good thing to try

    BOB

    • rhonda19552
      rhonda19552 pippa58442

      Posted

      And thats great that you do that.  I can relate to the setting records for passing wind... its unbelievable.
    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 rhonda19552

      Posted

      Since stress caused my IBS, I'm trying not to take things too seriously and have more of a laugh.  I seem to pass most gas after my evening meal. 

    • borderriever
      borderriever pippa58442

      Posted

      When really bad I give a dirty look towards the dog, I sometimes get away with it if in company although I get a telling off later from Dog and Wife Lol

      BOB

    • Alecia33
      Alecia33 bbybunny

      Posted

      I just want to say have fun at uni! I'm 19 as well, and just started on my journey with ibs too. I'm a year into my bs. It can be stressful, BUT it can also be a TON of fun and stress relieving stuff too.

      On the ibs front, I completely recommend evermore for recording lectures, and if you want to type lectures I recommend it as well. You can record and type in the same thing. You can also make notebooks for semesters, and notebooks within those for your classes. If you don't want to type notes, it's a good one to record with!

      The fodmap diet has helped me tramendously, though I haven't filled it exactly. I know that sugars bother me more than anything else, so that is really my focus.

      You'll learn your body! I'm sending positive thoughts your way

  • rhonda19552
    rhonda19552 bbybunny

    Posted

    Hi

    How normal are your stools?

    Do you have periods when there okay?

    Anxiety of course affects the gut.

    I know it's hard but trying to relax can help if you can do it

    Cheers

    • bbybunny
      bbybunny rhonda19552

      Posted

      Hey,

      Hard to say, I have days where everything is fine, my stools are normal and easy peasy

      But it feels like most of the time I'm all over the place! I alternate between constipation and dirrhoea frequently, leaning more towards the latter. I definitely think anxiety plays a part because I tend to be worse before I go out for a meal or drinks or any to kind of social thing/gathering

      Thank you,

      Bunny

      X

    • robert75717
      robert75717 bbybunny

      Posted

      I write this after having a random induced panic attack at 12:30 at night which has definitely upset my inner Mr Hyde/IBS!
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