Agoraphobic too?

[crazy_me_84]

This has recently developed, like in the past 3 months or so... I'm scared to leave the house if I have a tiny indication of a 'funny' stomach, just in case 'it' happens... I carry anti-emetics with me wherever I go but I'm still scared that they're not strong enough to ward off v*ing. I'm terrified of being along distance away from home becauseI feel very unsafe if I know I won't be able to get home in time... if that makes sense... Its difficult because I also have IBS, so the 'funny' stomach symptoms are nearly always there and I can't tell the difference between 'real', 'anxiety' or just IBS nausea... they're all the same to me... so I avoid it at all costs. If it means being housebound... then so be it...


Oh, anybody have any tips on how to increase the amount of time you can hold your breath??? Odd question eh? Well, I hold my breatha lot when I'm out... to avoid 'catching' anything that could make me s*.... Any tips???


wonder why I call myself crazy_me huh? lol [img]smileys/smilies_18.gif[/img]


Thanks


xxx

[rubysoho120]

I was like that too when I first started being an emet. Never
went to the movies, crowded places, shopping, out to dinner,
even school. But I took it slow, slowly going to something like
that, and then when things were good, and I had fun I would
want to do it. I carry tums, tylonal, peppermint tea and ginger
tea with me everywhere, as well as my cell phone and lip gloss
and water. Without those things I feel so freaking scared. As for
holding our breath, dont do it for long. Its making it so you dont
get oxygen to your brain, and you need that to stay
healthy...but if someone coughs or sneezes, so for it, but
remember to cover your mouth, close your eyes, get fresh air
and cover your nose, that will help you more than just not
breathing. This phobia sucks, and I have IBS too. Usually lots of
fiber, eating regualry, exercise, and sleeping good seems to
keep my ibs in control.

[purpleteacher]

I get this way sometimes and it frightens me. Sometimes it gets so bad that I will not work - meaning I will schedule days "off" just so I can have my time away from the kids and not totally lose my mind.


I do have trouble being in public places and usually I find myself unable to eat before and during those experiences. I figure not having anything on my stomach will make me less likely to get sick in a public place, so I feel better going out with an empty (often growling) stomach.

[crystalmom]

Don't feel crazy...if you were, you wouldn't know and you wouldn't care!


I was agoraphobic due to emet for a period of about 6 months or so, with COMPLETE houseboundness (is that a word?) for around 3 months. The only things that got me to go, was my mom (hauling my ass outta the house), and knowing that I was missing alot (I was 18 at the time).


I still have short periods of this, but NOTHING like that again.


My tips, well, I started taking meds, learned relaxation techniques, and kept going. The more you leave, and every time you go out and don't v* you feel more confident.


Hope this helps. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]


Crystal

[s_snow]

Well, i am agoraphobic a little maybe, but I am always worried about V... so... it doesnt metter where am i...

[tcsarah]

I've been fighting agorophobia since I was twelve years old and had my first panic attack during school assembly. I started off trying to avoid assemblies, then the attacks started happening in other places so I started avoiding those...until eventually I was avoiding nearly every place outside my home. School life was made really difficult because of the phobia, but I managed to fight it, although very rarelywent out with friends after school or at weekends so missed out on a lot.


The agorophobia took a new turn as I headed towards my twenties - I no longer feared having panic attacks so much when out and about but became obsessed with the possibility of v*ing in public. I would get so anxious and panicky about having to go somewhere and what would happen if I were sick in front of anyone, that I actually made myself very sick with nerves. It was a vicious circle and a total nightmare. The whole of my twenties saw me battling with this thing and avoiding so much.


As I approached my thirties (I'm 35 now) the doctor put me on different anti-depressants, and basically I haven't looked back since. They gave me a new lease of life. I have done and enjoyed more in my thirties than the previous two decades put together! Sure,my biggest fearof v*ing in public is still there but I no longer obsess about it and can do things now I wouldn't have dreamed of at one time [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]