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I hate public restrooms!!

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Posted 7/13/2010 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
I was at the MOA (Mall of America) today with my boyfriend and after we ate my tummy was getting icky. I went once and was fine after that but a little later major urgency kicked and I had to rush to the bathroom. I finally found one (no where near where we were) and started to go. It was one of those very...um...fragrant, loud, explosive episodes where you have to hold on to the seat and there were two girls in the bathroom, just talking and looking in the mirror while I was doing this and one of them goes "Oh my god that is so nasty. So disgusting" then starts talking to the other girl in another language. I wanted to die! I hate it when you really have to use the bathroom and there are a pack of girls just hanging out in there. All I want to do when I'm about to crap my pants is to go in peace and not have an audience!
Posted 7/13/2010 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
I think we all can relate to that one time or another. My daughter and I went with my husband out of town for work a month ago. As he was at his meeting us girls headed to the mall. My daughter is only 2 so I wait until I can use a stall so I can take her stroller in with me. I was having an episode like you mentioned. I on the other hand was lucky enough to be in a bathroom where the hand dryers were very loud so it masked my noise. I was unfortunate though while washing my hands because my daughter kept repeating "mommy poopy" over and over again. Gotta love kids!
Posted 7/13/2010 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
haha, I would be mortified but what can you do? You don't know them and you're not going to see them again, they obviously don't understand what it's like to have an illness. I am trying to stop feeling insecure about doing my business. I have made huge steps but I am still shy. It's always uncomfortable. I have issues with using the toilet at work. Our toilet is like a home toilet, it doesn't have super pressure like a public restroom. I always have to flush twice if I do anything besides pee and I know the other people in the little office can hear the double flush and know what was going on in there. It's kind of humiliating. I don't know why it bothers me so much, everyone does it, actually, no one else in the office takes a dump. The one person goes home and the other person has their own bathroom - I am the only person stressing over a bowel movement. It's pretty petty. Sadly, I'd probably prefer to explode at the mall.
Posted 7/13/2010 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
You're right, I'll never see them again. Its kind of ridiculous but I always worry that someone will glance at my shoes and then run into my again and notice my shoes and think 'Oh she's the one who painted the toilet in that bathroom" lol maybe its because for some reason I always look at the shoes of the person in the stall next to me. Kind of like reading the shampoo bottle while going.
I don't have a problem going pee or poop for that matter in a public restroom when there are other people doing the same thing and not hanging out in there! It was the worst in high school. Girls always travel in packs and they have to travel to the bathroom. I traveled to the bathroom with my best friend, my permanent hallway pass! :)
Posted 7/13/2010 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Yup, the packs who spend an hour in there re-doing their makeup &/or hair while hogging the sinks are sooooooo annoying! But, Callalilly, if you're experiencing urgency, you probably should be taking Colazal 3 x 3 daily, rather than just twice. My gastro always objects when I do that-- says it's really not enough med to ward off inflammation. I hope you eventually had a fun day in spite of those hassles ... / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/13/2010 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
Ahh the infamous gaggle of girls! I have been there Sam and I'm sure many of us can relate. When I was your age, I would get super embarassed too but now that I'm older and probably more crankier, I just don't care anymore! lol Everyone poops plain and simple. I refuse to be embarassed now for something I have no control of.
Posted 7/13/2010 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
Oh man. MOA! I live close to there, sort of. I'm a couple hours north.

I've never understood the fascination of going to the bathroom in packs...even when I was 'healthy' I never did it in high school or otherwise.

Now, I find it incredibly annoying too! Sometimes I worry, but lately I've given up caring...

The bathroom I have at work is three stalls, and I'm not the only one who stays in there for longer periods of time, so I don't feel so bad. =]
Posted 7/13/2010 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Aw, dont you hate that?  But you know what?  We've all been there, you've come to the right place to vent! smilewinkgrin

I'm a bit older than you and I'll say this, as you get older, you care less about what others think.  I often think about if I'd gotten this at a younger age and I shudder...I cannot imagine.

 

Posted 7/13/2010 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
laura200 - I slo hate it when women near my age (55) want to go to the restroom with me. I want to ask - are you sure? Really? lol While I don't struggle with the UC diagnosis, I don't want people I'm socializing with next to my stall, going #1 and then washing/hurrying out the door, thinking, why am I taking so long? I never announce when I am going to the bathroom either, I might even make it look like I'm heading to the bar and then detour to the restroom.

A month ago we vacationed a few days with another couple. We have a ski boat and were staying in a lodge room (flush toilets of course). This couple have a camper with deluxe bathroom. Wife has a gluten allergy so they take all their meals at their camper. Which is fine but they wanted me to use their bathroom too. Again I had to make it look like I didn't need a bathroom so when she began collecting dishes from dinner, I high tailed it over to the camp grounds flush toilets. This couple couldn't believe that I wouldn't use their camper marine toilet. Oh sure, that is what I want to do - stink it up, use minimal TP and minimal water. Finally my husband said - she wants to use the camp grounds flush toilet.

All I know is yes since I am older now I care less what others think I'm experiencing in public restrooms but I wish those without bowels issues wouldn't try so hard to understand. I am to the point now where I don't even bother explaining anything anymore, I just say - I need a bathroom, a lot. Of course they always think #1. People have said while on our boat noticing that I am not eating at all, there's an entire river for you to use! Yeah, for #1! Then of course they think, how gross, that I would jump in a lake and contemplate pooping there. Sure that would work.

I think we all want other people to just leave the heck alone when sick. I wish doctors could figure all of this out too.

Sigh....
Posted 7/13/2010 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Emmadog that really warrants mortification! Kids!

Old hat it was definitely D from too much dairy,, especially since I've been having no problems with my bowels. I had ice cream the day before and forgot lactaid until I was almost finished. Somehow I can always tell the difference between the kind of D I'm having, I guess by the symptoms.

Laura...yeah the MOA lol I'm from the east metro so the MOA isn't really anything cool to me. We just went there for something to do!Mar

Marsky don't you wish people would just catch on? They would probably have to burn the camper down if a UCer used it constantly! :)
Posted 7/13/2010 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have a love/hate relationship with public restrooms!

It's humbling to have to make noise and smell when others are around,
but usually I'm terribly grateful that I found a public restroom and have a toilet to use.

Anyone who makes comments is terribly immature. I'm sure there are a million good comebacks.
Posted 7/13/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
It's never happened to me, but since the idea of having to go in front of someone (basically, it's what's happening) freaks me out, I'd probably say as I'm going in...I have a bowel disease, and if you know what's best for you...LEAVE!!!!And if they complain, I'd yell...when it happens to you, you'll know how embarASSing it is for me to have to do this with you in here!!!!! And the first time you can't make it to the bathroom and S**t your pants...think of me!q
Posted 7/13/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
We were on vacation a few months ago with my in-laws. Luckily, my mother-in-law and I know that we want to go to the bathroom alone. We play it off to the boys as one of us girls will stay with my daughter and then switch. If we do have to go into a public restroom together at least we understand when we have issues. I have UC and she has IBD. I think it also helps she is a RN so she knows it is a medical issue I have. We have a vacation coming up in a week with the whole family and sharing a cottage...this is making me nervous.
Posted 7/13/2010 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Oh man this topic is reminding me of what happened when our family went out to a restaurant when we were kids. My dad and my brother went to the bathroom. My dad finished and was taking his time washing his hands, waiting for my brother (Mike). Mike seemed to be taking a long time and started making those explosive noises as described on this thread. It went on for a while! Dad was getting a bit concerned so made a comment like "Hmm, kind of noisy in there." No response, maybe Mike didn't hear him. Louder this time, Dad called out "Kind of noisy in there!" Suddenly this growling kind of mutter came from the stall and Dad realized... it wasn't Mike!! He quickly left and there was Mike already long since back at the table!! Oh he was so mortified, he hoped the stranger wouldn't recognize his shoes or anything when he came out.
Posted 7/13/2010 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I carry around with me breath spray (the none Listerine ones) and I spray before and after I go. They also have a product called "One drop" (but to me it smells worse than poo unless you get the mint one). I also flush absolutely immediately after--so smell doesn't have time to linger. I'd wipe later and flush again. If I think it won't be too messy I flush during and it drowns out (no pun intended) the noises.
Posted 7/13/2010 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yes, flushes along the way help a lot, with the smell and the noise!

(And also with clogging up the toilet, at home.)
Posted 7/13/2010 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I love reading this thread.  Since I am 70 I don't really care anymore but I did when young and did not have UC.  I carry the new Lysol tiny spray with me and also flush if I can reach it a couple of times for the comfort of the others - not that I really care unless it is friends or family.  They should be glad you got to the bathroom in time!!

My pet peeve are the women (girls, whatever) who squat over the seat and pee all over it.  Sometimes I don't have time to wipe it off or don't see it - YUCK!  I am old and bad knees so can't squat even if I wanted to. 

ElaineNY

Posted 7/14/2010 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Serenity Now.....too funny!!!! Maybe the person in the stall was deaf and couldn't answer. I would have probably commented the same if I was your dad. LOL.


Elaine....I can sooo relate to the pee on the seats, interesting how they are afraid to sit on the seats (I put toilet paper), but don't give a crap about leaving their pee all over. Sheesh. They should have squatting stalls and a pit for those who prefer that.

q
Posted 7/14/2010 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
Serenity Now that story is hilarious! Its like when you're shopping with a friend and you see a person out of the corner of your eye and you think its your friend so you start talking to them, and its a random stranger!
I really should carry around some spray. Expolsive D in public isn't a problem for me much anymore but geez I could have used it then! I did flush right away because of the smell. I do that a lot a home too for fear of clogging the toilet.
I hate when people pee on the seat!! I work at a movie theater so our bathrooms obviously have a lot of stalls and there is always pee (or blood...ew I know) on the seat! My mom always told me as a kid to squat but I just sit on the toilet anyway. I don't touch the seat and grabbing the tp or the door handle is just as bad!
Posted 7/14/2010 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
It's too hard to squat and not have my underwear somehow not touch the toilet. So I clean the seat before I sit on it, and I flush with my foot (with shoes on of course).
Posted 7/14/2010 7:25 AM (GMT 0)
WEll, foot flushing is still as bad with all the crap from the floor, now onto the flusher....sheesh, well...that's one way to up the proposed not enough bad bacteria in gut theory.


Ever hear of holding toilet paper in your hand to flush?q
Posted 7/14/2010 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
My wife and I were discussing this topic last night and thought up a clever way to break the ice.

Start talking to the toilet. Hell if they are scared of the noises you make and the smell, you should at least make the most of the situation.

Something like, "That's right you ****ing toilet you take my ****, and you better like it!"

Or, "How you like me know!"

"That's right, I own this bathroom. I will destroy you, toilet!"

"What you can't handle my ****, please my toilet at home has seen twice as much!"

"Oh boy, I should have never ate all those freaking beans, I sure hope no one uses this stall after me!"

"Oh god, oh god, here it comes, (loud scream followed by lots of poo noises), WOW! I think I just sunk the Titanic!"

Then there is the simple loud strenuous moaning and groaning as if your giving birth. That might work just as easily.

You think the women, or men, would run away simply on the usual, add a few of these and see what the reaction is than.

I apologize if this offends anyone, but hey you should be on the upper hand in the situation. Make them uncomfortable, not the other way around.
Posted 7/14/2010 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Too funny! Someday when I'm feeling sassy I should make a comment like that.
Posted 7/14/2010 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
husbandofill - your reply reminds me of the hilarious scene in one of the Austin Powers movies, the bathroom stall scene with Tom Arnold next to Austin's stall. Austin is fighting off one of Dr. Evil's henchmen but Tom Arnold thinks he's having trouble passing a bm. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. Just google - Austin Powers bathroom scene - on youtube.
Posted 7/14/2010 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Marsky your comment reminds me of Dumb and Dumber when Harry is at that girls house and his stomach rumbles and rushes to find the bathroom and goes only to find out that the toilet doesn't flush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnT8hICaiNM
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