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First Accident in Public

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/24/2016 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
It was bound to happen and today was that day. I just moved to a new house and was exhausted. At lunch I decided to run to the local Whole Foods to get a few things and some lunch. While eating lunch I got the urge. Then it became a panicked urge. Then it told me there was no waiting. It all happened with in a minute or two. I looked around me to see if I could find a bathroom near but it turns out it was at the opposite side of the store. I fast walked out of the store while my body decided to do its thing. I crouched down near a trash can in the corner near an entryway, giving up knowing I couldn't win. There were people around outside. Obviously people leaving and entering. Some were at (not so close but seeing distance) tables. A few eye contacts and then darts but everyone ignored the skiny guy crouching on the ground gripping his stomach.

I had no idea what to do. Then a lady and her family walked by and asked "Are you OK? Do you need me to call someone?" I explained that I was embarrassed and had a digestive condition and I wasn't able to hold my bowels. I could tell she was a little disgusted by my statement but, to her credit, she asked if she could get me anything. "Maybe some napkins and I can go find somewhere." She agreed. Her husband came out with a very large amount of napkins and I thanked him. I shoved them down the back of my pants with a few people watching (while trying to pretend not to) and walked as normally as I could by a few folks to my car.

Why am I sharing? Three reasons:

* If/When you have a public accident you can be reminded you are not alone.
* There are nice people willing to help.
* To vent :-)

I was embarrassed but really I was more confused than anything else...and right now (90 minutes later) I'm not really upset so much as grateful it worked out.
Posted 4/24/2016 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
welcome to the club smilewinkgrin

the nice thing about UC is, often times we get another chance to improve on our initial, lame performance -

truly sorry tho - it really does suck no matter how much we can laugh it off -
Posted 4/24/2016 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry this happened. I've been in your shoes. I tend to just run away fast as I c an though. It has taught me this though: I'd do anything to get better and not have another accident
Posted 4/24/2016 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
That is terrible. I am thankful each day that I've never had anything quite that severe happen to me. I had a few sharts were I had to dart to the bathroom and lose my underwear, but never a full on BM that was a mess in a public place. I know in my case, it's purely luck that it never happened to me. That and my determination not to eat much at all and especially not in public places while flaring. I am happy there are some nice people in the world who were helpful to you. I recommend you consider additional medication to get this UC to a point where you're able to wait to use a toilet. We can't live forever within 10 feet of a bathroom, trust me, I lived that way for a few years and it was very limiting and reduced my quality of life a ton.
Posted 4/24/2016 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
I usually get hit in the car, newspaper to the rescue. Yes you can poo and drive, amazing
what we have to do,sometimes.
One time while shopping in Macy's I saw a formed stool on the floor, said to myself
perhaps a UC person, or something else. No idea.
When ever I go out I always pre check where the bathroom is, whether it is a church or a store,
rectum/colon does not seem to care where I am. But it knows when I am out, and my wife does
not understand my dread of flying, oh well.

Old Mike
Posted 4/24/2016 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
If you've had an accident then first, contact your gastroenterologist, as you're flaring and you need to adjust your medications.

I've had a number of accidents while driving, several accidents at work, one at the supermarket, one while cross country skiing, and more close calls then then there are "Mc's" within a McDonald's menu lol. It's a strange mix of emotions, a bitter total hatred of uc, embarrassment and disappointment with yourself, and panic and worry that others know (even after thoroughly cleaned up). It sucks, but it's just a part of this horrible disease. Just try and be aggressive with your treatment and make the flareup as short as possible. You end up becoming very efficient at something you should never have to be, cleaning up after accidents.

I'd take extra precaution when out until the medications kick in, such as bring an emergency kit (a gallon ziplock bag with wet wipes, tp, and a change of underwear). Take Imodium before going out. You can control output by when you eat, skipping breakfast can help early morning travel, etc. Some wear pads to provide some extra guard, or even diapers when urgency is at it's worst.
Posted 4/25/2016 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the club Sir. This kind of situation about 5 years ago led me to a new kind of underwear for outside of the house travel. I also keep an extra in the car with wet wipes. There is no shame in helping yourself. Trust me there is freedom in having protective under wear. Depends are ok, I like the walmart brand:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Assurance-Men-s-Maximum-Absorbency-Underwear-Small-Medium-40-count/28848303

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Assurance-for-Men-Maximum-Absorbency-Underwear-Large-Extra-Large-36-count/28538879

Post Edited (GutsAreUs) : 4/25/2016 6:46:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/25/2016 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. I read that and quickly started to think what I could have done to help you in that situation. It happens, unfortunately. On the other side of the coin, you'll never have to see those people again (or prob won't remember if you do) vs havin that at work or something.

My heart goes out out you, as I know we can all relate. Hang in there and hope you find some meds that work. It's not fair, is it?!??
Posted 4/25/2016 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
You have my sympathy - my accidents were all while I was in the car, so I now have a towel, loo roll, and some of those wet toilet-paper wipe things (Andrex), I also carry a pack of those in my handbag..
Definitely get to your Doc and see what they can do - it could have been brought about by the stress of moving, but it could be you're starting to flare.
Best wishes to you!
Posted 4/25/2016 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wearing a diaper for the first time today.
Posted 4/26/2016 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you had this terribly embarrassing accident.

Maybe avoid eating out for a while.
Posted 4/26/2016 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear. Has happened to me too, on my to way to teach a class. It's a cruel disease.
Posted 4/26/2016 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
This happened to me last night while traveling home from the store. Made it to a convenient store near home. Took one step out of the car and blam accident city... Thank God I had my Adult diapers on. Even with that I had to go to the bathroom - clean up. Then go back to the car and get my spare AD - go back to the bathroom and put it on. No shame or pride here.. I literally have none left; only thing I can suggest to my fellow UC sufferers is to always be prepared when out and about...
Posted 4/26/2016 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the support! Funny thing is I wore an adult diaper while moving and then took it off before I went out to whole foods. Oops!

The way I think about it is I'm not part of a very selective club that has "dropped a deuce in front of a whole foods entrance." It sounds like an old school punk rock protest. tongue

notsosicklygirl: I recently switched meds to see if a different med of the same type would work better (Lialda -> Ascol). The doctor and I agreed that if it didn't work we'd need to jump up to something stronger than mesalamine. I think the switch has let it backslide more. She was recommending 6mp and I'm inclined to try.

janey47: Adult diapers are not nearly as awkward as I thought. I'm glad they exist and will be utilizing mine more often until this gets back under control.
Posted 4/26/2016 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Go for the 6mp, much better than having accidents.
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