Nauseous... Only when I'm out somewhere? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Felony27 · 01-17-2009, 04:26 PM

I'll try to make this as short as possible. I'm 22, generally healthy, 95lbs and 5'1 (a little underweight).

Anyhow, Due to financial problems, I lost my home (which was VERY dear to me) and now live in an apartment. However, my last day getting my things from there, I was nauseous the whole time. I figured it was just stress and shrugged it off. But EVER since then, anytime I go out of my apartment anywhere, I feel nauseous, sometimes to the brink of getting sick, but I don't. I'm emetophobic (fear of vomiting) which makes this whole situation much much worse. Doesn't matter where I'm at usually...Grocery store is the worst, walmart, other peoples houses, interviews, looking for jobs. The only time it's not that bad is when I'm at my best friends place or in my own car. I've seen two doctors about this and both are baffled, though they suggested anxiety, or some other disorder I can't remember at this time. I currently have depression and OCD, and I'm taking Celexa (40mg)...But this problem started way before the pills and the pills haven't made it any worse or any better. This has been going on for about 7 months and I'm literally sick of feeling sick. Anyone out there have any ideas as to what this could be? I feel like a prisoner in my own home.

abeautifulash · 01-17-2009, 09:54 PM

This might be a stab in the dark, but I would suggest getting tested for low gallbladder function (biliary dyskinesia) and sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I've been struggling with these problems for years now, and I feel nauseous pretty much all the time, but it's so much worse and almost ALWAYS acts up terribly whenever I go out... especially when I'm standing in line at the grocery store, or at the dinner table with a bunch of people, or under any kind of "pressure" situation like that... I start thinking, what if I need to throw up, what would happen, what would people think, could I get to the bathroom in time... and all those thoughts just make it worse! The anxiety isn't the main issue, or the root of the cause, as my gallbladder/sod are what's causing the nausea, but stress and anxiety can (obviously) stress digestive muscles and make you feel even more queasy. Sometimes I even have heat flashes and break a sweat and my heart starts pounding an my throat even feels like it's contracting. This never happens when I'm at home... only when I'm out. My gallbladder/SOD doesn't like the added stress and, I guess, the extreme pressure NOT to be sick in front of everyone. (I too have a major fear of vomiting so I'm right there with you). Anyway, I would definitely recommend getting your gallbladder tested for function (CCK Ultrasound is best, safer than a HIDA scan I think), and your SOD too. Hope you feel better and get everything figured out!

Felony27 · 01-17-2009, 11:03 PM

Finally! Someone who understands perfectly what I'm going through. Thank you for your information! I will definitely get that checked out...Seems like a possible cause!

Edit: Aw I can't PM you...Well, hopefully we can find a way to chat about this more...It's not often I find someone like myself.

gigi11 · 07-08-2009, 05:33 AM

I feel the same way - I had my gallbladder out and have nausea, bloating and it becomes worse when in public. I currently being tested right now.