HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Urgency Triggers

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/30/2011 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've noticed there are certain events that occur that seem to trigger the sense of urgency to have a BM. Some examples:

Stopping for gas on a road trip, or exiting a vehicle in general
Dialing a number, waiting for the other person to answer
Grocery shopping, being in big stores

Has anyone experienced these or have their own events the occur frequently?
Posted 5/31/2011 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely.

Leaving the house (I sometimes have to stop at a public toilet on the way to town)
Used book stores (??)
One large store that is always very warm and the staff doesn't like to let customers use the toilet.
Waiting in the car with the kids while DH runs into a store to get something.
I sometimes have it happen if I'm calling to place an order, but not usually for personal phone calls.

My BMs are frequently triggered by anxiety (of not getting to a toilet in time) but thankfully I haven't has issues in the grocery store.
Posted 5/31/2011 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely the big stores and pumping gas get me every time. I hate it. I stopped going to my favorite Marshalls/Homegoods because the bathroom is hard to get to. Urgency is the worst.
Posted 5/31/2011 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
The brain tends to suppress the urge when you're occupied and it would be inconvenient. Maybe the urges come when you're doing something trivial or you're relaxed and your brain isn't busy.

My one and only public accident was at a Walmart, but it was right after eating Indian food for dinner, which might not have been the best idea during a flare. I gave my wife the car keys and sat in the back with all the windows open. When we got back to the apartment I didn't come out of the bathroom for an hour or so. Oh, and I was wearing off-white pants.
Posted 5/31/2011 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Whenever I arrive in a parking structure, I get the urge. The doctor's office is the worst.

When I am flaring, I can get the urge at any moment, there is no particular thing that would make me have to go.
Posted 5/31/2011 7:20 AM (GMT 0)
I've never had that happen to me.

If one is flaring, however, it's the inflammation.

IBS can also cause the urge to go...anxiety would probably be the contributor.

q
Posted 5/31/2011 10:52 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, anxiety can be the culprit to feel the urge to go. You may not even know you have anxiety. For me, it's waiting for the time to roll around to go out for the evening with friends. I have no idea why I do this but it stinks! And I'm in remission! :(
Posted 5/31/2011 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I tried coffee again this weekend (read that extra Dark roasted coffee is actually good for your stomach).. still, the caffeine in it over powered me and I was glad I was at home.
Posted 5/31/2011 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely the anxiety.. I had wondered why I get the urge at certain times (especially in a car, when waiting for someone, and when I'm having trouble finding an address) and realized that just before the urge hits I think "Do I know where the next restroom is in case I have to go?" and answer my own question with a "No" or "It's pretty far away" ..
Posted 6/1/2011 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Ahh the phone ringing. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has that. :)
Posted 6/1/2011 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
I get it when I'm helping the kids with homework.... anxiety??

Amazing what the brain can do. Now if we could only find a way to get it to just say NO!!
Posted 6/2/2011 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Another trigger- the minute I put toilet bowl cleaner in. Every time.
Posted 6/22/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
When having light symptoms of flare; entering or exiting flares.... I like to go outdoors for walks/runs and get really bad urgency/anxiety in places where there are no restrooms close by. I get so scared that I will need to hide behind a bush or tree to go before having an accident. Luckily, that hasn't happened. Oh and I am always praying that I don't look like I have squeezing my butt cheeks together so tight so nothing slips out. hehe
Posted 6/23/2011 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have many but since my anxiety has subsided greatly it's much better but I still have issues with ,y doorbell ringing and when I have company come over or expecting company I freak a little thinking they'll come to the door when I'm stuck on the can.

I think our "triggers to go" are all very natural considering the nature of this disease.
Posted 6/23/2011 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
The smell of some soaps... I have no clue why.
Posted 6/24/2011 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Me too!  For some reason when I'm on the phone. Never thought of it before until you mention it. 
Posted 6/24/2011 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. A....smell of some soaps as in nauseating or relaxing?

q
Posted 6/24/2011 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
coffee and also smoking while not drinking (I very rarely smoke), but if I had a cig and and also had a cocktail I do not have the urge.

If I drank coffee and smoked a cig together, my bum would probably erupt like a volcano.

While flaring add working out and oranges to that list.

I haven't noticed any special places or things other than the above that make me have to go. I will think on that.....
Posted 6/24/2011 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Getting in the shower...that's always a fun one.

I have learned to fight my brain about it though...just close your eyes and take deep, and concentrate on your breathing. Helps me a lot.
Posted 6/24/2011 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Bet75 - I'm the same with cigarettes! Hardly ever smoke, but when I do, I often have to run to the bathroom halfway through it. I think I'm the same when smoking with alcohol, but then I usually take immodium before doing so, so I can't feel it as much.
Posted 6/24/2011 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I think the more relaxing ones.
Posted 6/25/2011 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
This thread just trigged a BM, thanks guys.
Posted 6/25/2011 2:44 AM (GMT 0)

MattSCESC said...
This thread just trigged a BM, thanks guys.


hahahaa you too??? that is freakin weird!

Anytime i know there isn't a bathroom immediately close by or available, or whenever I'm stuck in a situation that I can't just exit immediately and comfortably, I get urges. ya, it's anxiety. Interestingly, for me at least, the UC causes the anxiety that causes a BM. Kind of a vicious circle. Only way out is through breathing and mental control.

One of my least favorite: when a plane lands and everyone stands up to wait for the doors to open, and you're trapped by tons of people in the aisle and couldn't get to the bathroom in time even if you wanted to. The stewards won't even let you go after a certain point in the landing procedure for safety reasons. Sitting very still and focusing on slow breathing and a broad perspective gets me through it. I ALWAYS go right after I get off a plane.

Also, exercising or moving in general tends to make me have a BM. On average I will walk for about 5 minutes before I have to go, and then I can continue to walk ok for a while. I've noticed I can hold an urgent BM for quite some time as long as I am sitting perfectly still, and I mean PERFECTLY still.
Posted 6/25/2011 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
^^ I wholeheartedly agree with you.

I just got married April 2nd, of this year, and we went to Jamaica on our honeymoon. I am from Southern California, and we had to change planes in NC, before making the journey down to Montego Bay. I couldn't get off the plane fast enough... I swore to never use airplane bathrooms, for the fear that those sitting close to the door, would have to hear my vicious explosions. I did well the entire flight, with the exception of when it was time to get off the plane. Everyone stands up, and I am sitting there in a pool of sweat, trying my hardest to not freak out. I wanted nothing more than to bolt for the door, but knowing full well that if I started trampling people, I would probably be arrested, and not make my final destination (The restroom).
Posted 6/25/2011 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
While I struggle a lot with urgency, I think because of a combo of bad rectal inflammation and IBS, it's fortunately all psychological for me. In general, I won't have an urge if I'm out where it wouldn't be convenient or comfortable--even in the restroom of a restaurant I'm at. But as soon as I'm within 5 minutes of my own apartment, I basically have to start running and pray one of my three roommates isn't in there..
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply