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First weekend away with new girlfriend (just voicing concern)

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Posted 5/20/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Okay so this weekend is the Grand Outlandish.  For those who have no clue what I'm talking about it is a SCA (Society for Creative Anacrinisim) event.  The SCA is a medieval re-enactment organization that spans the globe.  Well here in New Mexico (the Outlands as our region is called) we have our huge yearly event this weekend.  Long and the short, it is camping.  Granted SCA camping is stuff intensive.  My tent alone is a 314 square foot yurt hehehehe (and a 10x10 storage tent)  But it is an unimproved camp site, meaning no showers or running water, but it does have port-a-potties.

My new girlfriend is comming for the first few days to spend some time with me and see what all I'm into.

Now I'm not flaring (badly) I'm deffinatly on the road to remission and going the right direction too!

My biggest concern is my mornings where I go to the toilet at least 3 times (oddly enough if I can sleep past 8 am my bathroom trips are cut down to 1 or 2 if any) and gas. 

Gas is my larger concern more for the embarassment factor, not so much for me but for her.  I can hardly imagine what could go through her mind laying next to me and yeah... enough said right? 

I experimented with gas-x last night and while I woke up with just a tiny bit of gas I didn't really experiance any gas before I fell asleep.  What happend during my sleep I couldn't tell you. 

I have no desire to dose up on imodium or anything like that because I usually pay for it the next day, but I'm concerned about frequent trips to the bathroom or wose just waking her up with my flatulence.

I've not heard any real words of caution against gas-x but does anyone else use  it frequently?  And by frequently I mean daily?  The box says not to use more than 4 pills a day or something to that effect and I have no intention of doing that or using that many pills.  Mainly just taking one an hour or so before bed.

Thoughts and advice is much appriciated.   

Posted 5/20/2008 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
your trip sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

I tried taking gas pills and they just don't work for me.

What has worked for me is cutting out refined carbs and sugars, such as; bread, pasta, chips, sorbet, etc.. I still had corn and fruits and stuff (natures carbs and sugars before processing). I had to do this while on pred b/c my sugars got too high but, since then I have not had much gas at all (I have always been pretty gassy).

My theory is that I must have been gassy b/c my body was breaking down all these refined carbs and sugars and gas was the side effect.

Also, at night pretend you forgot something outside.............then go fart your bum off!

btw, I am sure she is pretty nervous as well. Just tell her you will probably have to fart but that you will keep it to a minium and no dutch ovens! That way she wont be surprised.
Posted 5/20/2008 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Ohh no I couldn't dutch oven her (we call it hot boxing in my neck of the woods err desert). I'll have to tell her about it before hand. She knows that I have UC, I'm not sure how much she understands, but I plan on marrying this girl so yeah she better learn things sooner wrather than later hehe
Posted 5/20/2008 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't worry too much.  Every male I know farts and they're not the ones with UC.  It's a guy thing.  Other than that, I thought Beth had good advice.  Have fun!

Posted 5/20/2008 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'd follow Beth75's advice...stay away from sugar (and milk) at all costs and cut back or eliminate breads...cut back on starches.

NBT
Posted 5/20/2008 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone on the sugar and lactose. When I eat sugary things, like candy, my stomach goes crazy and I get REALLY gassy. It's like all the sugar explodes in my intestines and fills them with air. Unfortunately... I have quite the sweet tooth, so I deal with it more often than I'd like!

Also, I found that Immodium Advanced, with anti-diarrheal and anti-gas, really seemed to help. I've never tried Gas-x so I can't comment on that. Also, I hate Rolaids and TUMs, they do nothing for me and I just don't like the chalky taste they have.
Posted 5/21/2008 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I think that you can safely take Gas-x for a few days straight as long as you don't take more than the max per day. I haven't used it in a while, but I used to use it and it helped.

Maybe you can bring some air freshener for your tent. :)

I used to have a boyfriend in college -- without UC-- and he and his friends had some word they said every time they farted. It was instead of saying "excuse me," I guess. I actually found it kind of endearing.

I'd suggest being up front and then you don't have to worry about it. "I might be a bit stinky but I hope you'll love me anyway" could be a nice opening line to that conversation.
Posted 5/21/2008 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
your trip sounds awesome! Hope you have a blast! I go on paintball camping trips and face some of the same concerns (except my husband is used to me by now). Like Beth suggested, I try to avoid aggravating foods for a few days before the event, especially dairy. I usually take a bunch of pepto as needed, but I'm going to try the immodium next time (pepto is very effective, but has some unpleasant after-effects, unfortunately).

I do the "oh, i need something from over there" trick too.

It sounds like your girl is understanding and empathetic, like Beth said, telling her in advance is a good idea. A little humor and understanding will help you survive anything
Posted 5/26/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)

Well an update...

Living in New Mexico there are two constants, 1. Nobody knows that we're actually a state, 2. If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes it will change. 

We got to the site for the event and started to get set up.  The weather was nice if not a little cloudy, but there was an expectation of a little rain.  about 20 minutes into things, it started to hail!  Okay this is May, in New Mexico, we were expecting temps between 80 and 90 degrees not in the 40's with hail! 

Anyhow, the trip was great, my fears slightly unfounded.  I popped a gas-x pill and a quick tab (one of those things that melts in your mouth) and had little no issues. 

The real plus and quite unexpected is that I've had a couple solid BM's that were blood free.  I wonder what the difference was?  Maybe stress?  We shall see.  No matter what, it was nice to have "normal" BMs again.

Thank you all for you input and happy thoughts.  The trip was a blast and my Lady (it was her first event) enjoyed herself as well. 

Posted 5/26/2008 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you had a good trip!!
Posted 5/27/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
great news - glad to hear you had fun despite the freaky weather
Posted 5/27/2008 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
question - what is a dutch oven?

Posted 5/27/2008 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
hehe okay... umm...

Imagine having gas, and then pulling the covers over your heads trapping your significant other and the smell in the same place.

A very mean thing to do... but some find it funny, typically the person doing it, not receiving it.
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