Just wondering. I've been diagnosed three months ago and I'm trying to connect my physical issues with the possiblity of it being ME/CFS.
I've dealt with chronic nausea for a while now but it has gotten worse in the last two years. I got diagnosed in February of this year.
I'm also emetophobic, which is lovely.
So, I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 after a traumatic experience. It was never dealt with as my parents brushed it off as silly, since nobody "likes" to be sick anyway. I always had anxiety when I was sick and it was just horrible.
But as I grew up, I got it more under control. I realized I was often nauseous due to anxiety and my hormones. And my comforting mantra was "You won't get sick, because you never do. Body doesn't just get sick for no reason". And that's what helped. I for example, felt nauseous in situations, where I felt trapped and out of control. Like, taking an exam in a classroom, going shopping, attending a doctor's appointment. I always felt that sickly nausea and always started panicking with "I'm gonna be sick, I'm gonna be sick". And then I told myself that mantra and as soon as I entered the classroom, the appointment, lecture, etc. It all went away and I always treated myself a treat after for being brave.
Until January 2026.
I started having episodes of dry heaving and gagging, especially with my cycles (I have endometriosis, fibroids, a large ovarian cyst and PCOS). Which were extremely triggering to me. But I still forced myself into situations. But when I got sick sick in January, it's like my mind just... rewired. It was as traumatizing as I remembered. The taste, the smell, the sound, the pain, the uncomfortable nausea, the loss of control. But even worse, I wasn't sick because of a virus. It was either my cycle or anxiety. And now, that mantra no longer works. Every time I get anxiety (which is every day btw) or when my cycle (such as period or ovulation) nears, I'm in full blown panic. I get the throat sensation, the fullness of stomach, the nausea. And just panic that I'll be sick again.
I hardly leave my house because I get these sensations as I do, then I worry about being sick in public. I struggle to eat as I instantly think "full stomach = something to bring up". If I feel too full, instant panic. Sometimes I even worry I paralyzed my stomach with anxiety.
My therapist is on a maternity leave now so I'm by myself on this one. But I truly don't know if there's a way out once it's gotten this bad.
So, I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 after a traumatic experience. It was never dealt with as my parents brushed it off as silly, since nobody "likes" to be sick anyway. I always had anxiety when I was sick and it was just horrible.
But as I grew up, I got it more under control. I realized I was often nauseous due to anxiety and my hormones. And my comforting mantra was "You won't get sick, because you never do. Body doesn't just get sick for no reason". And that's what helped. I for example, felt nauseous in situations, where I felt trapped and out of control. Like, taking an exam in a classroom, going shopping, attending a doctor's appointment. I always felt that sickly nausea and always started panicking with "I'm gonna be sick, I'm gonna be sick". And then I told myself that mantra and as soon as I entered the classroom, the appointment, lecture, etc. It all went away and I always treated myself a treat after for being brave.
Until January 2026.
I started having episodes of dry heaving and gagging, especially with my cycles (I have endometriosis and PCOS). Which were extremely triggering to me. But I still forced myself into situations. But when I got sick sick in January, it's like my mind just... rewired. It was as traumatizing as I remembered. The taste, the smell, the sound, the pain, the uncomfortable nausea, the loss of control. But even worse, I wasn't sick because of a virus. It was either my cycle or anxiety. And now, that mantra no longer works. Every time I get anxiety (which is every day btw) or when my cycle (such as period or ovulation) nears, I'm in full blown panic. I get the throat sensation, the fullness of stomach, the nausea. And just panic that I'll be sick again.
I hardly leave my house because I get these sensations as I do, then I worry about being sick in public. I struggle to eat as I instantly think "full stomach = something to bring up". If I feel too full, instant panic. Sometimes I even worry I paralyzed my stomach with anxiety.
My therapist is on a maternity leave now so I'm by myself on this one. But I truly don't know if there's a way out once it's gotten this bad.
So, I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 after a traumatic experience. It was never dealt with as my parents brushed it off as silly, since nobody "likes" to be sick anyway. I always had anxiety when I was sick and it was just horrible.
But as I grew up, I got it more under control. I realized I was often nauseous due to anxiety and my hormones. And my comforting mantra was "You won't get sick, because you never do. Body doesn't just get sick for no reason". And that's what helped. I for example, felt nauseous in situations, where I felt trapped and out of control. Like, taking an exam in a classroom, going shopping, attending a doctor's appointment. I always felt that sickly nausea and always started panicking with "I'm gonna be sick, I'm gonna be sick". And then I told myself that mantra and as soon as I entered the classroom, the appointment, lecture, etc. It all went away and I always treated myself a treat after for being brave.
Until January 2026.
I started having episodes of dry heaving and gagging, especially with my cycles (I have endometriosis and PCOS). Which were extremely triggering to me. But I still forced myself into situations. But when I got sick sick in January, it's like my mind just... rewired. It was as traumatizing as I remembered. The taste, the smell, the sound, the pain, the uncomfortable nausea, the loss of control. But even worse, I wasn't sick because of a virus. It was either my cycle or anxiety. And now, that mantra no longer works. Every time I get anxiety (which is every day btw) or when my cycle (such as period or ovulation) nears, I'm in full blown panic. I get the throat sensation, the fullness of stomach, the nausea. And just panic that I'll be sick again.
I hardly leave my house because I get these sensations as I do, then I worry about being sick in public. I struggle to eat as I instantly think "full stomach = something to bring up". If I feel too full, instant panic. Sometimes I even worry I paralyzed my stomach with anxiety.
My therapist is on a maternity leave now so I'm by myself on this one. But I truly don't know if there's a way out once it's gotten this bad.
So, I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 after a traumatic experience. It was never dealt with as my parents brushed it off as silly, since nobody "likes" to be sick anyway. I always had anxiety when I was sick and it was just horrible.
But as I grew up, I got it more under control. I realized I was often nauseous due to anxiety and my hormones. And my comforting mantra was "You won't get sick, because you never do. Body doesn't just get sick for no reason". And that's what helped. I for example, felt nauseous in situations, where I felt trapped and out of control. Like, taking an exam in a classroom, going shopping, attending a doctor's appointment. I always felt that sickly nausea and always started panicking with "I'm gonna be sick, I'm gonna be sick". And then I told myself that mantra and as soon as I entered the classroom, the appointment, lecture, etc. It all went away and I always treated myself a treat after for being brave.
Until January 2026.
I started having episodes of dry heaving and gagging, especially with my cycles (I have endometriosis and PCOS). Which were extremely triggering to me. But I still forced myself into situations. But when I got sick sick in January, it's like my mind just... rewired. It was as traumatizing as I remembered. The taste, the smell, the sound, the pain, the uncomfortable nausea, the loss of control. But even worse, I wasn't sick because of a virus. It was either my cycle or anxiety. And now, that mantra no longer works. Every time I get anxiety (which is every day btw) or when my cycle (such as period or ovulation) nears, I'm in full blown panic. I get the throat sensation, the fullness of stomach, the nausea. And just panic that I'll be sick again.
I hardly leave my house because I get these sensations as I do, then I worry about being sick in public. I struggle to eat as I instantly think "full stomach = something to bring up". If I feel too full, instant panic. Sometimes I even worry I paralyzed my stomach with anxiety.
My therapist is on a maternity leave now so I'm by myself on this one. But I truly don't know if there's a way out once it's gotten this bad.
So, I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 after a traumatic experience. It was never dealt with as my parents brushed it off as silly, since nobody "likes" to be sick anyway. I always had anxiety when I was sick and it was just horrible.
But as I grew up, I got it more under control. I realized I was often nauseous due to anxiety and my hormones. And my comforting mantra was "You won't get sick, because you never do. Body doesn't just get sick for no reason". And that's what helped. I for example, felt nauseous in situations, where I felt trapped and out of control. Like, taking an exam in a classroom, going shopping, attending a doctor's appointment. I always felt that sickly nausea and always started panicking with "I'm gonna be sick, I'm gonna be sick". And then I told myself that mantra and as soon as I entered the classroom, the appointment, lecture, etc. It all went away and I always treated myself a treat after for being brave.
Until January 2026.
I started having episodes of dry heaving and gagging, especially with my cycles (I have endometriosis and PCOS). Which were extremely triggering to me. But I still forced myself into situations. But when I got sick sick in January, it's like my mind just... rewired. It was as traumatizing as I remembered. The taste, the smell, the sound, the pain, the uncomfortable nausea, the loss of control. But even worse, I wasn't sick because of a virus. It was either my cycle or anxiety. And now, that mantra no longer works. Every time I get anxiety (which is every day btw) or when my cycle (such as period or ovulation) nears, I'm in full blown panic. I get the throat sensation, the fullness of stomach, the nausea. And just panic that I'll be sick again.
I hardly leave my house because I get these sensations as I do, then I worry about being sick in public. I struggle to eat as I instantly think "full stomach = something to bring up". If I feel too full, instant panic. Sometimes I even worry I paralyzed my stomach with anxiety.
My therapist is on a maternity leave now so I'm by myself on this one. But I truly don't know if there's a way out once it's gotten this bad.
I'm having a job interview tomorrow and I'm so freaking nervous. I have been avoiding going out due to my chronic nausea (caused by ME, PCOS and endometriosis) and because the last time I went out to a stressful event (Christmas shopping, driver's license), the nausea got so bad that I started gagging. Which never happened before and it worsened my emetophobia. What if I gag in front of the person interviewing me? What if I get sick? What if I pass out? I'll combust from embarrassment and fear.
It's a great opportunity but I don't know if I'm ready to face it.
I'm having a job interview tomorrow and I'm so freaking nervous. I have been avoiding going out due to my chronic nausea and because the last time I went out to a stressful event (Christmas shopping, driver's license), the nausea got so bad that I started gagging. Which never happened before and it worsened my emetophobia. What if I gag in front of the person interviewing me? What if I get sick? What if I pass out? I'll combust from embarrassment and fear.
It's a great opportunity but I don't know if I'm ready to face it.
I'm having a job interview tomorrow and I'm so freaking nervous. I have been avoiding going out due to my chronic nausea and because the last time I went out to a stressful event (Christmas shopping, driver's license), the nausea got so bad that I started gagging. Which never happened before and it worsened my emetophobia. What if I gag in front of the person interviewing me? What if I get sick? What if I pass out? I'll combust from embarrassment and fear.
It's a great opportunity but I don't know if I'm ready to face it.
I'm having a job interview tomorrow and I'm so freaking nervous. I have been avoiding going out due to my chronic nausea and because the last time I went out to a stressful event (Christmas shopping, driver's license), the nausea got so bad that I started gagging. Which never happened before and it worsened my emetophobia. What if I gag in front of the person interviewing me? What if I get sick? What if I pass out? I'll combust from embarrassment and fear.
It's a great opportunity but I don't know if I'm ready to face it.
Hello.
I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 due to being nauseous all the time. Since I've learned about my existence, I have been nauseous. Did all the tests multiple times. Endoscopies, biopsies, H.Pylori, food intolerances, blood work, CT, MRI, ultrasound, cytology, etc. Everything ways came back all well and they said my anxiety is causing my nausea.
I was severely bullied in High school so because of being scared of school, my nausea got worse. And in my head, I always thought to myself "if I get sick in front of my bullies, they'll have more material to bully me with". So whenever I was nauseous, I ran. I skipped. To this day, I don't know how I've managed to graduate High school.
Fast forward fo me actually reaching Master's degree, my phobia was still present. But I've managed to train my brain with "Listen, being sick is the body's last resort. You've been nauseous but never got sick. You're good" and that always worked.
Until January of this year.
When I got sick. Not from noro. Not from food. I assume it was either anxiety or my other conditions - I have endometriosis, PCOS, uterine fibroids, hemorrhagic cyst and ME/CFS.
That's when my brain "rewired" in a bad way. Now, no mantra works. Because every time, it snaps back with "Well, you got sick so". Since then, I'm afraid of everything. I am afraid of eating, going out, my cycles, exercise, socializing. Everything.
I do any of that? I get instant nausea. My stomach feels like I'm having motion sickness. I yawn uncontrollably. I shake. I feel like someone's choking me. I sometimes even gag. So I avoid food often, so that when I get these gag attacks, I have nothing to "bring up". Whenever my stomach is full with food, my mind instantly goes "Well, now I have something to bring up". Every meal is a struggle, my mind spirals horribly.
And nothing works. Not antisickness pills, not tummy pills, not anxiety pills, not supplements, not motion sickness pills, not therapy. Nothing.
And truly, I feel like this is a dark hole I can't get myself out of. I don't know if I can come back up.
Hello.
I've suffered with emetophobia since I was 5 due to being nauseous all the time. Since I've learned about my existence, I have been nauseous. Did all the tests multiple times. Endoscopies, biopsies, H.Pylori, food intolerances, blood work, CT, MRI, ultrasound, cytology, etc. Everything ways came back all well and they said my anxiety is causing my nausea.
I was severely bullied in High school so because of being scared of school, my nausea got worse. And in my head, I always thought to myself "if I get sick in front of my bullies, they'll have more material to bully me with". So whenever I was nauseous, I ran. I skipped. To this day, I don't know how I've managed to graduate High school.
Fast forward fo me actually reaching Master's degree, my phobia was still present. But I've managed to train my brain with "Listen, being sick is the body's last resort. You've been nauseous but never got sick. You're good" and that always worked.
Until January of this year.
When I got sick. Not from noro. Not from food. I assume it was either anxiety or my other conditions - I have endometriosis, PCOS, uterine fibroids, hemorrhagic cyst and ME/CFS.
That's when my brain "rewired" in a bad way. Now, no mantra works. Because every time, it snaps back with "Well, you got sick so". Since then, I'm afraid of everything. I am afraid of eating, going out, my cycles, exercise, socializing. Everything.
I do any of that? I get instant nausea. My stomach feels like I'm having motion sickness. I yawn uncontrollably. I shake. I feel like someone's choking me. I sometimes even gag. So I avoid food often, so that when I get these gag attacks, I have nothing to "bring up". Whenever my stomach is full with food, my mind instantly goes "Well, now I have something to bring up". Every meal is a struggle, my mind spirals horribly.
And nothing works. Not antisickness pills, not tummy pills, not anxiety pills, not supplements, not motion sickness pills, not therapy. Nothing.
And truly, I feel like this is a dark hole I can't get myself out of. I don't know if I can come back up.