I’m new and need help!!

[jennicat28]

I'm new to this site and I'm so glad I found it, cause I really
need help. For countless years now, I've had a fear of v*.
It's to the point where I have great difficulty eating/drinking out in
public or even at friends/family's houses. The way my mind thinks
is, if I eat something, then there's a chance my stomach will "reject"
it for whatever reason. Don't get me wrong, I also realize that
if I "don't" eat anything, my stomach will most likely still get very
upset. It's terrible!



I am 28 yrs old, 5' 2" and weigh 110 lbs, but could stand to
gain a few more lbs. I've been seeing a counselor for about two
yrs now and he has brought me a long way from where I used to be.
However, I still feel like I have a long way to go yet before I'm
better.



I watch everyone around me eating their food at lunchtime
everyday and wonder how they do it? If I so much as take ONE bite
of my food, I get terribly nauseous and have to stop. I've
managed to train myself to eat a little of this and a little of
that (little snacks) all throughout the day. This way, it
seems less likely that I will get sick, only having a little bit of
food in my tummy. I know this is unhealthy for me.

I am so tired of being a prisoner of my fear. I want to let it go so bad but don't know how....



It's wrecking my entire life slowly... I am supposed to
take a business trip out to Chicago in April, and I'm petrified (not of
the trip itself) but of the reality that I am going to have to go out
to breakfast and dinner everyday with co-workers and clients. I
mean, talk about freaking out! I don't even want to think about
it.

&nbs p;



Does anyone have any advice??



&nbs p;
Thank you,

&nbs p;
Jenni</span>

[jenny.preston]

Hi Jenni,


My advice would be to eat things that you feel comfortable with. Light things such as Toast at breakfast...maybe oatmeal? At lunch eat a salad with garlic toast and for dinner, eat anything that makes you feel safe. You don't want to be stressed your entire trip and if eating in public freaks you out then I suggest eating ebfore you leave for breakfast that way you can say "you are not a breakfast person" and just get tea or juice of coffee or something and for dinner, also eat before you go and then order just a salad that way you won't be too hungry. Just remeber though that less food in your tummy will make you feel worse AND throwing up on an empty stomach REALLY sucks.


I hope all goes well for you!


Jenny

[jennicat28]

Hi Jenny!



Well, that name will be easy to remember. Thank
you for your advice.. I'll give it a try! I'm sure I'll make it
through, I just have to keep a positive attitude and like you said, eat
small things before leaving for the meals. I guess I should be
happy at least I'm not afraid to leave my house or anything that
drastic. I've heard of people having that problem. I
couldn't imagine...



BTW, is that a pic of your cat? I have two cats (boys). They're my life, love em to death..



Thanks again for your reply....



&nbs p;&nbs p;&nbs p;&nbs p;&nbs p;
Jenni

[mitch04133]

Like Jenny said, eat foods that yyou are comfortable with. I went through a time when all I ate was bread and crackers and dry foods, I never went out to eat and I felt sick all the time. Since then I gaind 20lbs I don't eat out, but I slowly started eating a variety of foods until I was com[letely comfortable with eating again. I basically had to teach myself to enjoy eating. Now I eat meat all the time, I sitll will not eat chicken or fish, and I won't eat out, but I eat better than I used to.


Just eat what you feel comfortable eating and slowly introduce new foods, get comfortable with that food, then introduce something else new. It is a slow process and it took me about 6months to gain the weight, but I feel better than ever. Good luck, and welcome to the site!!


Michele

[jennicat28]

Do either of you guys use fiber products to "regulate" yourselves? What are good ones to use?

I go to the gym one to two times a week to get my share of
exercise in, but obviously I'm not eating the greatest of
diets...

[crimgoddess]

&lt;&lt;&lt;This way, it seems less likely that I will get sick, only having a little bit of food in my tummy.&gt;&gt;&gt;


I hate to break it to you, but even if you have NO food in your stomach, it is still entirely possible to vomit. If fact, it has been my experience that having little to no food in there makes the process a bit more difficult, because it's harder to bring it up.


Like the others said- stick to food you are comfortable with. Try to go to or suggest restaurants that you would be comfortable in, and are likely to be able to find something on the menu that you could at least nibble on. I hope your hotel offers a continental breakfast- I generally live on those when I travel, because they offer fruits, muffins, and small boxes of cereal- pretty safe, portable, and easy to sneak back to your room Also, when in doubt hit a grocery store- put some trail mix, granola bar, an apple, etc. in your purse. That way if you are in a restaurant and the thought of eating there is absolutely unbearable- you can sneak off an partake in your stash.


*amber*

[crystalmom]

Agreed. Eat thing you are comfortable with. For me it's toast, bananas, that sort of thing. Keep yourself as positive about the trip until it arrives,all the postive affirmations should help when the time actually comes!


Welcome, btw! I'm 28 too, b-day in May. The big 2-9![img]smileys/smilies_03.gif[/img]


Crystal

[jenny.preston]

Hi Jenni,


Yes, that is Nony, he's my baby....awww....isn't he sweet? I don't use any fibre products, I'm pretty regular but there are a lot of people on this site who do...keep asking, someone will telly ou a good one!


Good Luck!


Jenny

[sage]

Jenni,


Between now and April, you could have several sessions with a competent therapist and this could really help you for your trip. Also, your doctor or psychiatrist could prescribe anti-anxiety medication, anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication to make you more calm, and even mild tranquilizers for the trip itself. Also, although everyone is being very supportive here they are all recommending sort of living a lie to your co-workers. The truth is not as scary as it seems. If you explain to them that you have an anxiety disorder that manifests itself in the fear of sickness, which makes it difficult to eat in public, etc....what's the worst thing that can happen? They don't understand. Okay. So...maybe take a chance that they WILL understand, if you explain it rationally to them, and then you'd be reaching out to other human beings for help and support, rather than hiding and freaking out.


Anyway, a few other options to consider. Do what works best for you.


There is lots of info on the Treatments section about how to explain this disorder to others, how to find professional help, etc.


Good luck!

[crystalmom]

I bit on the fibre thing....my son has chronic constipation and has taken rx drugs and everything. This has been going on since birth. It is too hard on him and me (and my mom) to be giving him enemas every two weeks (poor thing [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img])...so I decided to try getting some sort of fibre thing into him. This kid is very observant. You can't put one past him, so putting something like Metamusil into a glass of milk WILL NOT fly. I found some stuff called Benefibre, and it dissolves completely and has no taste. He doesn't even know it's there. It seems to be helping. He doesn't 'go' everyday but he can go with out a huge cry fest and without pain, or enemas,


Just thought I would let you know!


Crystal