HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

The Bathroom at Work.

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/23/2009 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
I know this is childish but I am so uncomfortable using the bathroom at work. Does anyone else feel this way? Today I had the worst stomach pains and discomfort and I seriously tried to hold it all day to avoid smelling up the bathroom at work. Of course, it wasn't possible for me to hold it that long. It is a small bathroom, like a home bathroom, and it is only shared by two people. It's no question who smelled it up, it is either me or the other person. I know everyone does it but not 3x in a single day. Sorry to vent, just frustrated with using the toilet at work and even more frustrated with myself for allowing it to bother me.
Posted 12/23/2009 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
I never used to use public restrooms to go #2 till getting UC! But after a while, I really didn't care anymore, I was just so happy to be able to use an actual toilet rather than a plastic bag or something. But that is tough to have to share a bathroom with one other person, maybe you could hide some febreze or lysol or something in there, and use that to help with the smell.
Posted 12/23/2009 11:08 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, just get you some good air sanitizer and keep it in your purse.
Posted 12/23/2009 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Seriously I feel the same way. I have been trying to run up to the second floor ladies room instead of using the one in the main lobby but it is getting harder and harder for me to make it up there. I actually saw these drops in a Solutions catalog that you drop in toilet and it eliminates the smell. Never tried them but maybe they work. Just carry the little bottle in your pocket.
Posted 12/23/2009 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
There is an enzyme that is called Just a Drop that you put into the toilet before you go. It eliminates the smell even before it has a chance to waft out. You can get this almost anywhere or if you are outside of the USA then they have a website as well. I bought some and my son tried it. It did take the majority of the smell away but it still left a small "under current" of odor.

But I am the same way. I won't even go in a public bathroom unless I have no choice. I have fairly good control right now but once in a while it can't be helped. So what I do is I flush as I go so that way it hides the noise and smell. I get embarassed about it too and then I get angry because it's not my fault. I am very open about what Uc is but I have yet to conquer reluctance of going in public.
Posted 12/23/2009 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I second the flush-as-you-go approach.
Posted 12/23/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Flush as you go also eliminates the possibility of embarrassing toilet clogs.

Really, when I was flaring I got to the point of just being so glad there was a toilet nearby, I completely forgot to worry about smells. Plus when I'm eating a flare diet - almost no fiber or spices, my stools don't have as much smell.
Posted 12/23/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
My stools smell horrible when I am flaring.

I can't really flush as I go because this particular toilet splashes a bit. There is another toilet b ut it is shared by a couple other people and I would have the same issues using their toilet. It is a very small building, kind of like a house.

Posted 12/23/2009 4:43 PM (GMT 0)

Do your coworkers know you suffer from a digestive disorder? I've missed so much work due to illness over the past year, I have had to share some of that information with my colleagues. That has created sympathy and understanding, and a little bathroom smell isn't an issue. They're just happy I'm well enough to come to work at all!

Also, turn the issue around. If one of your colleagues had your problem, would you care if the bathroom was a little stinky? I know I wouldn't! Just hold your nose wink

Posted 12/23/2009 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oh man, when you gotta go, you gotta go!  However, I think I'm going to try those drops, sounds like a good idea.  Also, flush-as-you-go helps!!  And the sound of flushing the toilet helps hide any embarrassing noises!!
Posted 12/23/2009 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, I'm very reluctant to go #2 in public. I know there will be times when it's unavoidable and I know it's not my fault having an IBD but it IS embarassing and tough to deal with. I guess it's just something we have to learn to do!
Posted 12/23/2009 7:30 PM (GMT 0)

I carry one of those portable Lysol sprays in my purse for Mall toilets, etc.  In our area we have "family" restrooms nearly every place so I use that and spray first!

ElaineNY

Posted 12/23/2009 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
I don't even bring a bag in the restroom because it is right next to my desk. I am going to have to get a little pouch for carrying bathroom items or a small bottle of drops I can stick in my pocket. It is not like someone will always go in right after me but it has happened before and I felt pretty bad. By someone, I mean the other person. tongue
Posted 12/23/2009 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
You could go on to edgeparks website or ebay or something and order m9 spray. Its this odor stuff that completly takes it away, but doesnt leave a flowery smell like lysol or something. My insurance covers it since i have an ostomy so i dont know how much it actually costs. but it may help give you some peace of mind
Posted 12/24/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thankfully I'm a stay at home mom now. I've been dealing with UC for a long time now tho. There were plenty of times when in a flare I would dread having to use the bathroom at work b/c I knew I would stink it up to high heaven, not to mention how loud things could get. At my last job our building had many floors. When I had the urge I would go to a different floor where I knew there weren't as many people. Still didn't work all the time. I'm sure whoever walked in regretted it, hehehe. devil
Posted 12/24/2009 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
It's either you or the other person so why not bring it up to the other person. Let that person know you have this condidtion that makes your poop stink when you're flaring and want to do something about it so the bathroom you both use doesn't stink for that person and guests that may come. That person will be polite most likely and say it doesn't matter but I woulds insist (act comical about it) saying that the smell bothers you so you know it bothers others. Maybe purchase one of those air fresheners that sprays on a timer. Search online for something that cuts through strong odors, You can use sprays, the m9 spray seems like something to try, a candle works best at home but that's probably a fire restriction at work. I infrequently will light a match at work despite any fire regulations because there's nothing that cuts through the odor better. There are products that eliminate odors instead of just covering them up so look for one of those.
Posted 12/24/2009 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh, that sucks.My internship is at family court and there are staff bathrooms on every floor, but I usually go out to the public ones. I don't want a judge walking in right after me.
Posted 12/24/2009 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
I should just try bringing a book of matches. No one would care if you light a match in the office, it's a small office.
Posted 12/25/2009 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Just having indoor plumbing would be nice. My job requires me to be on construction sites 75% of the time, therefore johnny-on-the-jobs/porta-potties it is for me. I have learned to carry TP with me in my truck.

Living with IBS and now UC, I have learned to have no shame in my game. I will go anywhere, anytime. This includes gas station bathrooms on the outside of the building with no door (just pulled my truck right up to the door so nobody walks in, just jumped over the hood to get in). Also jumped off in a ditch while on the interstate with no exits close enough.

The relief is worth whatever it takes to get it.

The match idea sounds good, as well as the flush-as-you-go........which should be a public bathroom rule anyway.
Posted 12/27/2009 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
At my current job I have no problem but I did have your problem at my internship. It was a legal aid clinic in an old house and the bathroom was right across the hall from my supervisor's office. I used to be in his office and hear people using the toilet so I knew they could hear me using it. Also, the rule was to leave the door open when you were done (so people knew the bathroom was free) yet if I did that I would stink up the whole place. It was next door to my school so I would usually just run over to the school to go instead. At another job there was an office building across the street with a food court. If I new I was going to be in the bathroom a long time I would say I was going to get a snack and just stay in the food court bathroom instead of the work one.
Posted 12/28/2009 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
I hate pooping in public bathrooms! Not because of the smell, just walk out and pretend you smell like roses, but the noise. Ugh! It sucked in high school. I'd try to hold it until all the crazy skanky girls finally left the bathroom (their hang out spot apprently) and then go. And then someone would come in and use the stall right next to me. I dunno... usually if I can I run the water and try to not let my poo explode out. But yeah, matches or some lysol or something. They might think you're a clean freak, not smelly lol
Posted 12/28/2009 5:51 AM (GMT 0)

ElephantPipe said...
It sucked in high school.


I had to get permission (with help from my parents) to go use the front office's bathroom throughout school (elementary, middle and high) as I would NOT go in the student bathrooms. Most thought I was over-exaggerating but I honestly didn't care much. The relief was worth it.
Posted 12/30/2009 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
The craziest thing happened at work. I never tell anyone anything or open up to people but today I was feeling bad about going to the bathroom kinda often so at the end of the day I mentioned to the girl I work with that I have chronic GI issues and she said "So do I, I have proctitis." I couldn't believe it. I guess she used to have bad flare ups when she was in the 20s and 30s but hasn't had one in quite a while and she thinks her proctitis stopped due to having a child, hormones and pregnancy.

on the negative side, I don't share the bathroom with her. I share it with a guy. He is great and would probably be very understanding but I don't feel comfortable bringing it up to him, mostly because he is male.

Posted 1/12/2010 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
my stools used to smell really, really bad especially when I was in a flare and my stool was loose. I can't even begin to describe the odor, but two things helped...avoiding processed sugar and sweets and by taking a probiotic like Culturelle (at least 3 a day)

NBT
Posted 1/12/2010 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
That product "Just a Drop" that Red_34 mentioned works like a charm! I bought it at WalMart in Canada.  It came in a package of three, two larger bottles and a mini purse size.  I carry one with me at all times but rarely need it as fortunately (or unfortunately?) my BMs usually only smell like meds (?) and blood.  I can tell if I am going to need it though by how my guts are feeling.  But I do have a bottle sitting on the back of my toilet for my husband and "smelly visitors" (aka my husband's buddies tongue ). 
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12