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Random Car Thought?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/18/2017 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
So, like most people I have problems in the car with stomach pain, cramping, and needed stops for bathroom breaks. I was thinking, could the way we sit in the car play a role in the discomfort? when i am usually sitting/laying in bed, i usually am pretty spread out. when im in the car, i hunched close to the steering wheel pretty much all bunched together in the drivers seat.

i tried to move my seat back and even recline it a bit to try to spread myself out. obviously need to make sure you can still operate the vehicle, but in a quick drive tonight, i felt some relief compared to normal. the true test will be my morning commute tomorrow.

has anyone else tried/thought about something like this?
Posted 9/18/2017 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting thought. Although sitting in an office chair or at my kitchen table has no similar affect on me *shrug* try and see.
Posted 9/18/2017 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
I think for me personally it's my mind that gets the best of me when in the car. If I'm at home or work I'm fine because I know where the bathroom is if I needed to go, but in the car there's a million thoughts running through my head. What if I need to go? Where will I go? What if I hit traffic? What if I get pulled over. I'm not sure if it's in my mind or in my stomach, but either way I am unable to central it once the thoughts start no matter what I try.!
Posted 9/18/2017 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
There's a mental component for sure where anxiety takes over, as we know UC urgency can hit unexpectedly and give us a minute or less to find a bathroom. I've wondered before if the shaking and motion of the car causes irritated tissue to come into contact with stool and trapped gas bubbles to cause us discomfort and issues. Haven't yet asked if i could sit on that paint-shaker at home depot and find out lol. If it IS the cause then I want an at home mixer to clear myself out BEFORE I get in the car lol.
Posted 9/22/2017 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Its funny after 12 years of UC the car has always been a nightmare. I think it's the thought of not knowing where the nearest loo is. Mind plays tricks on you for sure. If I had a penny for every time I've needed the loo during a car trip!

I once met a man with UC who had a van with a loo in the back, not a potty and actual chemical loo. Great idea but slightly extreme maybe?
Posted 9/22/2017 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
after trying it for a few days, i noticed a small improvement. It could also be the Entyvio continuing to work, but my body just feels a little more open and spread out versus all jammed together.

i do agree with you guys that mental attitude has a lot to do with it. if i get in the car with it on my mind, i'm going to have that stomach pain and urgency to go even though i really dont have to. absolutely frustrating.

Garthy, funny enough I, like most people, have a bag, toilet paper, and even another pair of dress pants for my morning commutes to work. that at least takes the pressure off that worst case i could stop in an empty parking lot/on an emergency pullover spot and use it if i had to. thankfully never have been close to using it, but it does put my mind at ease a bit.
Posted 9/22/2017 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
There's definite mind games we subconsciously play against ourselves. As an example, when I'm driving i'll know when I'm getting close to one of my good restroom stops (a gas station or other spot open early) and think confidently that i got this, no need to stop today! And as I pass by the gas station my gut churns, heart races and makes me second guess my confident decision. A moment of uh oh. Then my gut calms down as I drive further down the road. It's crazy but I play it in syndication. Ugh.

Lately, I've been commuting with my wife as we now work a block apart from each other and she drives in the mornings and me in the evenings. It's been great, i distract myself by talking to her, playing on my phone, or even closing my eyes and practicing calm thoughts and breathing when my anxiety unexpectedly runs high. I know from experience that if i can get 15 minutes down the road without urgency that I'm 99% safe. So after that point calmness reigns lol.

I haven't had any accidents or emergency stops within months but my anxiety levels are still on high alert, and haven't yet gotten the memo that things are better. I know it'll fade in time and become less frequent. But dang it sucks right now!
Posted 9/22/2017 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I find one of the worst things about UC is this type of anxiety. i don't think you ever get used to it.
Posted 9/22/2017 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Am I the only one who finds walking more problematic than driving? I never really worry about driving, because I know my bowels will usually be okay.

But go on a walk and it can be 50/50 whether urgency or crazy itching will start up. It certainly puts me off trying to do any long walks. But driving is okay. I dunno which way round I'd rather have it, tbh.
Posted 9/22/2017 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I just find the knowing where a toilet is half the problem. It can be driving, train, coach or walking. My GI once asked if CBT would help. I replied "yes if CBT can magic up a toilet if I need it on a packed train in rush hour"!
Posted 9/23/2017 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
My colon has a brain. It knows when I have to go out. The shaking while driving might also somehow increase motility. I dread the 10 hour drive to see my daughter.
Old Mike
Posted 9/23/2017 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
physcology! Might not cause UC, but can have a huge impact on living with it. Very underestimated, if you've had an accident on a train before chances are you'll be anxious.

I once nearly had an accident in a well known book shop, every time I went back to that shop without fail I needed the toilet!
Posted 9/27/2017 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
I'm the same, but I know 100% that it's all mental for me. When I'm going somewhere and I know where all the bathrooms are, and they're easy access etc, I no longer feel that same fear/worry and my ride is a million times better. But the second I hit standstill traffic I can feel the panic start to rise
Posted 9/27/2017 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
For me, the morning commute was really bad the past few months before I started Humira. My gut is way more active in the morning and it was getting pretty unbearable. I was having to stop once every morning.

I know a lot of people say it's mental but I did some experimenting and I can say with certainty, for me, the urgency was related to the physical health of my colon and the time of day. Not the environment.
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