wetting the bed

i'm a college student and for the last year have had trouble keeping my BMs inside me until i get to the restroom. i moved into a single this year because i was embarrassed every time i had diarrhea in bed or even on my way running down the hall to the bathroom. it's difficult to sit through classes because every time i have to pass gas i fear it being a BM instead, and it's nearly impossible to make it through a 10 hr shift at work without racing to the rr. i'm currently coming off of entocort and have noticed an increase in my number of BMs but haven't had an accident in awhile. i've asked the drs if i should lower my amitiza dose (which was already lowered from 24 to 8) but they said if i'm only using immodium a few times a month, i'm okay. i tried to explain that i only take it when i absolutely have to (like before a 5 hr car ride, a shift at work, or an exam) but they didn't seem to care. they keep citing the fact that generally when i'm impacted i still have diarrhea that goes around the impaction so they don't want to take me off of it.

PLEASE tell me that other adults have this issue! i get so embarrassed and cry every time this happens. i feel like a baby and can't stand it when the response from the dr is maybe we should get me adult dipers i literally hung up on the doctor when she suggested that! how do ya'll handle this? i know urgency is a big part of UC, but this is ubsurd!

I feel for you rpg. My college had an obscenely long walk from the parking lot to the nearest restroom and I got caught out there twice with nowhere to go. During the worst of this last flair I also had issues making it to the bathroom at night. And then there's the issue of running into traffic.... So yah, you certainly aren't the only person to get stuck with this problem. I hope things improve for you, midterms + UC is a horrible combination.

I think it's safe to say most of us know exactly what you're going through, the only tips I can give you for your daytimes is wearing adult diapers, I know it sounds horrible but it's not your fault your sick, obviously if you could hold it in/control your bowels you would...at bedtime I sleep with a folded towel under my butt, that way I don't have to change bedding over and over in the middle of the night and no mess to clean up going from my bed to the bathroom, I hold the towel against me to keep any mess from getting anywhere...it's a sickening disease and it's bad enough the physical part of it let alone the mental/emotional part of it...only we understand cuz we go through it, anyone that doesn't have the disease can't even get their heads around what we go through on a regular 24 hour basis.

If your urges are maximum it's a good sign that rectal meds are called for...it's not necessarily the "cure all" but they have their place when needed...as many GI's have explained to me over my 19 yrs of IBD, taking rectal meds when they are not needed will not necessarily prevent a rectal flare from coming on and there is also the risk that your system will get used to them and stop working all together if taken indefinitely. That's something to think about strongly...over-abusing any med can have a very negative effect on anyone and increase your risk of no longer working and when you really need them that would suck cuz there's nothing really new out there that I know of as far as rectal meds go.

suebear said...
I'm so sorry, yes this is a part of UC unfortunately and has happened to many of us. If you haven't registered with your campus Office of Students with Disabilities you might talk to them. In the event you need more support due to UC it will be given by that office.

Sue

thanks sue. i am registered with the office of disabilities. i'm actually majoring in Speech language and hearing sciences and minoring in disabilities studies and special education, so i'm pretty good on that front. unfortunately i can't get a note-taker because i'm only unable to sit through class sometimes...