topic My mother is experiencing extreme nausea in Supporting family and friends

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

jennyr — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 10:16:04 GMT

My mother has had depression and anxiety for the past year. With this she is experiencing extreme nausea. I would like to know of others who have also had nausea with their depression and anxiety and what steps they did to overcome this. At present my mother sits in her chair at home and has no light at the end of the tunnel. She is on depressant medication but it does not seem to help with this. I , her daughter, don't know what I can do to help or direct her in a direction that will provide some quality to her life and help her through this.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

Elly — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 21:41:56 GMT

Hi, Jenny,

I've recently been going through something similar. Having the anxiety is bad enough, but when you add nausea on top, it makes it basically impossible to do anything. My issue is that I also react badly to most medications, which makes it so frustrating.

The most effective thing I've found so far is peppermints and fresh air. It seems really simple and obvious, and I'm sure it's one of those things that everyone hears, but just getting a couple of hours of sunlight and a nice breeze outside always settles my stomach. Also just finding something to distract you. I took up a little hobby of painting crockery. It seems dumb to my friends, but just having that little bit of your world to focus on makes you forget about how you're physically feeling.

Hope this can be some help, but you most definitely have my support and understanding. Family can be so critical in this situation, and your mother is very lucky to have your support.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

Chris_B — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 23:03:13 GMT

Hi jennyr,

I think it might be a good idea for your mum to go back to the GP and revisit the treatment she's on. Not sure whether the nausea is caused by the meds or by the anxiety itself, but regardless, it doesn't sound like her quality of life is great at the moment and it can be better.

You can go along with her as well, with her support, to make sure the GP gets to hear everything that's been going on.

My ex-partner would often accompany me to medical appointments so the doc could get a full picture of what had been going on.

best
CB

______________________________________

Online Community Manager

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

jennyr — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 23:19:35 GMT

Thankyou for your response. It is comforting to know that nausea is actually a part of anxiety. The doctors have told us that the nausea is a part of the anxiety but to hear if from another person confirms this for us. We, my farther and I, have not experienced anxiety and sometimes it becomes hard to understand it all. Do you take any medication for the anxiety/nausea? Mum has tried lots but nothing seems to work. She was placed on an anxiety medication but it didn't agree with her so the GP took her off this. She is currently on three others for the depression but it doesn't seem to help with the nausea or anxiety. It is great to hear that you are understanding and adapting with the nausea, something my mum has yet to do. Take Care.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

jennyr — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 23:27:05 GMT

Thankyou for responding. My mother is working with the GP about the issue but I feel that he is trying to sort other issues out which is great but isn't really addressing the anxiety issue. He feels at the moment mum needs to have a break from the psychiatrist, he is trying to see if the nausea is present because of the medication that she is on. My mother had a stroke three years ago and has never been well since. She has just had a pacemaker inserted but that didn't help with the nausea. She is anxious because of this and needs time to adjust to this and believe that her heart is actually ok now.

I have thought of going to the GP and feel that this could be the next step.

Thankyou

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

Vick — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 03:48:20 GMT

Hi Elly & Jenny, I have been grappling with PTSD for some time now and following an event at work I have suffered a relapse in which my anxiety has become the most predominant symptomatic feature. Out of desperation I submitted to a short course of ultra-brief pulse ECT 18 months ago. Since then I have not been able to tolerate any medications as they all seem to induce severe nausea. These include general antibiotics, meds for hypertension and of course, all of the antidepressants except for a soluble form of an antidepressant. However, the massive weight gain with this medication has added a huge risk to my untreated hypertension and I have been forced to cease it. I have consulted 2 physicians, both of whom are still scratching their heads but are inclined toward a diagnosis of anxiety. Has anyone else experienced debilitating nausea that appears to be triggered by medication? Please, can anyone suggest anything that may help? Vick

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

strangebrew — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 03:06:39 GMT

I have experienced severe nausea and vomiting with my anxiety for years. it is one of the most difficult symptoms to get rid of I have found. my doctor had prescribed anti nausea medication which is generally used for cancer patients. but I only take it occasionally as it makes me drowsy. some antihistamines help too but again with the drowsiness I need caffiene or something to get through the day. sometimes a glass of milk or a green tea can help. and I keep dried mango or pineapple at my desk which can relieve the nausea and acid reflux a bit.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

Vick — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 21:53:28 GMT

I really appreciate your suggestions because I am struggling at the moment. My doctor has just started me on a short course of benzodiazepines in an attempt to halt the cycle and give me a break from persistent nausea. However, as I know that these meds cannot be an ongoing remedy, your experiences of other natural products giving you relief gives me hope. Thank you. Vick

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

jennyr — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 09:08:09 GMT

I'm sorry that you are also going through this. It is extremely hard to watch a loved one go through not only trying to control the anxiety but also have the constant nausea and feeling as though it will not come to an end. My mother had a stroke back in 2012 which they believe might also be a factor in the nausea but the anxiety is driving the nausea harder. She has been told by doctors to use relaxing techniques to help with the anxiety. My mum drinks a lot of lemonade or ginger beer but at the moment she is very depressed and the nausea is very bad at the moment resulting in anxiety attacks on a daily basis. I will pass on the information that strangebrew and yourself have provided me. Exercise, walking, is also a benefit but my mum does need to be pushed a bit to do it but once she has started I think she can feel the benefits, recommended by doctors.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

optimistic — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 13:06:33 GMT

Hi Jenny

What a lovely daughter you are - trying to find ways to mitigate your mum's problems! Good on you.

Here are some suggestions.

1) Lemon and ginger - natural cure for nausea

2) Try another psychiatrist to re-evaluate the number of medications and their dosages and perhaps trial alternatives

3) Get a referral from GP for a psychologist who can offer CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) to help deal with the anxiety and depression

4) What does she like or enjoy? Some fun acitivities to get your mum out of the chair and the house - weekend getaway, walk in the park, drive to the beach, bushwalking, out to the CBD or Darling Harbour, movies, eat out , visiting friends or family, art, craft or whatever she enjoys - some distraction

5) Try getting her to learn yoga , meditation, mindfulness or Tai chi.

Take care. God bless.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

jennyr — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 02:07:17 GMT

The problem we have with mum is we try and include her in outings or grandkids activities, thinking of her interests and suggesting to get back into craft or even just coming over to my place for afternoon tea to see the grandkids. But her response always is that she doesn't feel well. We do find that when she is distracted she does start interacting more. Mum holds herself back from her negative thoughts and unwilling to leave the house unless she has too. All the doctors that she has seen believe that if she starts to move around and starts going out and moving more the nausea will start to improve but mum doesn't seem to accept this and that the nausea is a lot more going on inside her. Mum has had numerous tests over and over again with nothing abnormal showing. Mum is on an anti-depressant medication but this isn't providing her with any relief at present. Mum is expecting a quick fix and not pushing herself to improve. Sorry if it sounds insensitive but I find it hard to understand why she isn't trying to fight this more.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

JFC101 — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 09:22:35 GMT

G'day Jennyr

Nausea is a wonderful symptom of anxiety.

If when I wake I start thinking about my life, my problems, the things I'm going to do, I start the day with bouts of dry retching and/or vomiting. Nausea is simply a given.

When I do things out of my 'comfort zone', my amygdala/emotion goes gangbusters and nausea/dry retching/vomiting are de rigueur. Going to a new job was three hours of nausea, dry retching and vomiting before I left for the job. Not entirely confidence building when I'm dry retching on the way to the car.

Joining a gym involved dry retching before attending for the first time and vomiting the moment I walked out of the doors. Vomiting the moment I got home from visiting the psychologist after tackling a panic attack to attend. Having a panic attack at friend's renewals of the vows and vomiting on the road outside their house when I bolted. Vomiting the night before I'd organised to do certain things the next day.

It's a classic fear response. The amygdala is seeing all things outside your comfort zone as a threat and causes nausea and expelling.

Do you know the thing that helps most, and empowers me as it gives me a sense of control - meditation. Focusing on my breath has immediate results in reducing the nausea and rising anxiety. Cannot recommend a medication course over medication enough. I'm far from new age, and I know how controlling your breathing affects the physiology associated with fear-anxiety. Meditation can be for 30 sec, 1 minute, etc and it does affect the physiological reaction associated with fear-anxiety.

Best of luck.

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

kowari — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:58:56 GMT

Hi jennyr,

I am a 50 year old guy who has a lot of experience with anxiety and nausea. I will briefly give me story and my treatment.: I went on a long trip to Europe in 2005 and during that time developed intermittent nausea. I also had some panic attacks in which I freaked out in crowded trains, and had heart arrhythmia. I did not join the dots, but instead flew home half way through the trip, leaving my poor partner to continue alone. Back in Melbourne, I got tested for everything - all normal. Till finally a friend suggested anxiety 6 months later. I then went to see a psychiatrist. Anxiety was diagnosed and I since learned all about it. Did meditation, exercise etc. Most symptoms faded - expect the nausea. It was worst in morning, bearable in arvo and night. Finally, I tried a mild class of anti-depressant in July 2006 - it seems silly to me that I am forbidden for mentioning this on this forum. (I mean, medications are a key part of the discussion). By late 2006 (several weeks later) the nausea faded away. It stayed away for several years and I stayed on that medication during that time. It only popped up when I traveled overseas - which I love doing but it takes me from my comfort zone - but if I take a benzodiazapine daily, it utterly blocks the nausea, and I'm fine, then I stop the drug when I return home. However, now, in 2014, I have had recurring bouts of nausea despite the daily anti-depressant (not the benzo). Also, my nausea is accompanied by loss of appetite. I have found that the following helps block or relieve the nausea: (1) taking a medication that treats constipation and gets gut moving for a week or so, (2) at work, focusing on what I am doing, eg., giving a talk or attending one, and it fades. (3) meditation or swimming helps me.

Kowari

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

jennyr — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:48:53 GMT

Thankyou for responding to me. Your symptoms sound just like my mothers. I applaud you for finding ways to help you deal with the situation. Unfortunately my mother is letting the nausea control her and as the doctors at the hospital told her (when she was diagnosed with anxiety/depression) the more you think about the nausea the more you feed it and then it increases. So finding ways to keep your mind from focusing totally on the nausea you need to find things that you enjoy doing and exercise is one of the most important things to do. At present she is trying out a new anti-depressant medication so that can take a few weeks before signs of improvement are shown plus she isn't sleeping well at night.

Thankyou again and good luck to you.

Jennyr

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

Nervous_Girl — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 08:08:38 GMT

Hi Jennyr,

It really does sound like your mum isnt getting any relief from her anxiety. I would definately agree with having her medications reviewed and you may want to make sure you are there at the appointment to push the fact they are not assisting enough with her anxiety.

The problem with anxiety is that it can make medical issues seem like they are impossible to overcome. When anxiety is really bad it can make us fearful of leaving the house or even moving. The nausea will likely come under control once the anxiety is treated appropriately, or at least it did with me.

My biggest piece of advice for you is to not expect her to be too involved with family outings. Spending time one on one just talking about how she is feeling and offering her a different perspective will help her greatly. Applaud every little step forward she takes, nomatter how small it is because confidence is a huge factor in this.

I wish you all the very best

My mother is experiencing extreme nausea

Chloekat84 — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 01:41:28 GMT

I found that when i had bad neasea that i would eat a cracker like if i was pregnant. But if it persists you ned to o to your doctor who can give u anti neusea medication that can help a lot. I was on that when i was in and out of hospital. Hope this info helps. Take care x