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Reading on the toilet?

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Posted 8/31/2011 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I was (mis)diagnosed in '04 with anusitis and the GI told me to refrain from reading whilst on the loo. I was never given a reason for this.

To be honest, it doesn't sound such a big deal, but I admit it took me a bit of getting used to. It just didn't 'feel right'. Of course when finally DXd with UC and suffering with severe flares, reading a mag/book/paper was the the last thing on my mind, as it's pretty hard to concentrate when you're moaning and groaning in pain trying a BM every 15 minutes.

In (relative) 'remission' I do confess I have reading material on hand in the bathroom. We, as a lot of folks do, tend to jokingly refer to bathroom as 'the library'. Reading or not reading doesn't seem to make any difference to my UC symptoms.

I wonder how others feel about this, or even have some (scientific) reasons as why we shouldn't read on the toilet.
Posted 8/31/2011 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I think (no scientific reasons here) the idea is not to remain on the toilet for any longer than needed. It is not a great position to be in as far as hemmies are concerned and reduces blood flow to your legs to a certain degree. The best position to empty your bowels is actually supposed to be squatting.

However, if you're there for a long time anyway, and not just sitting there reading, there's no reason not to have reading material handy.
Posted 8/31/2011 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Agree with hekela. I think the idea was not to stay there too long or to strain too much. But, yes... I read in the bathroom all the time. However, I'm a reading fanatic. I read while eating (if I'm eating alone), I read before bed, I read in the car on long trips, etc.
Posted 8/31/2011 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I suppose it's alright if you keep at least one eye on the road smhair

I don't overstay on the throne and I've learnt the hard way about not straining. Which are probably the two main reasons for not getting wrapped up in a magazine article when you should be doing your business. It sounds plausible, thanks.
Posted 8/31/2011 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've never read in the bathroom
Posted 9/1/2011 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Honestly, buying an iPad was one of the best things to happen to my UC. I understand the points about straining, but when I'm sick and going 10-15 times a night, sometimes it's just worth it to hang out in the bathroom and play Scrabble or read the news until the next BM comes. Especially when I was living with 4 roommates to 1 bathroom, I didn't want to them to see me running to and from the bathroom every 10 minutes.
Posted 9/1/2011 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I read all the time on the loo. Love my itouch!
Posted 9/1/2011 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

Mackster said...
Yeah, I suppose it's alright if you keep at least one eye on the road smhair

LOL Only when my husband is driving, of course.
Posted 9/1/2011 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
     This has got to be a "guy" thing..lol.    I used to think my hubby fell in.  He did, and still does, take forever with his BM's.  I thought when we cancelled the paper delivery that would cut down his toilet sitting time, but nope, he manages to find something to read.

     By the way, he was not the one with the problem.....I had UP.  He doesn't even have hemmies!!!!

Posted 9/1/2011 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Christine, I was thinking the same thing. My husband reads on the toilet forever, but he is not the one with the issues. Even when I was flaring I never read while on there. I just want to do what I have to do and get out of there as soon as I can.
Posted 9/1/2011 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
i always thought it was really gross to read on the toilet, i never did it. my husband will take his phone in there and be on it while he is pooping, then get up and still be using his phone, then not clean the phone! and he sees no germ problems with that!
that would be my big thing about it, germs all over everything.
Posted 9/2/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I always thought it was gross to read on the toilet too. Until I was diagnosed with UC and found myself bearing down uncontrollably. I couldnt stop no matter how much I had gone I would feel like I had to push out more. So I started bringing in magazines and found it became my focal point instead of the need to push. 3 months later I have upgraded to a kindle and find that I am less stressed during my bathroom visits than before. I am so glad I found this site. My husband is away on business my youngest is at work and my other 2 are living away from home. I feel bad....was weaning off steroids and just had to go back up again. Two remicades down and I am feeling very lonely and blue tonight. I feel so much less disconnected typing out my feelings knowing someone might actually be out there to receive them
Posted 9/2/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you found us, amyo!
Posted 9/2/2011 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I agree. The idea is not to remain on the toilet too long. If I feel tense, I will pick up a bottle of shampoo and read the back. That relaxes me, and I go right away. So I think reading can help. You just shouldn't spend more than a few minutes doing it. As with anything, it's okay in moderation, not in excess.
Posted 9/4/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
My Kindle and Droid were the best purchases of my life! They have both been lifesavers in the bathroom for me.
Posted 9/5/2011 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Never been a toilet reader.
Posted 9/5/2011 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
oh nuts... I not only read whilst on the toilet, I play games on my iPad too... uh oh... :(
Posted 9/5/2011 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a toilet reader, usually the paper (get it only on Saturdays) and take segments throughout the week..lol.

I also read parts of magazines. But..never stay in there longer than a bm. But, when I'm flaring, it's hard to concentrate while I'm whimpering, squealing and white-knuckling it through the cramps and butt puking...

I never keep magazines in the bathroom, however, and never touch whatever I'm reading after wiping until I've washed my hands.

q
Posted 9/5/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
TMI

I'm on the toilet right now. smilewinkgrin
Posted 9/5/2011 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Nor could we even imagine what you're doing in there.....lol.   turn   
Hope you're not tweeting about it, however..now that would be TMI.
  shocked

q

Posted 9/6/2011 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have any excuses to read whilst on the loo anymore :( Two minutes and I've emptied my bag and I'm out of there!
Posted 9/6/2011 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
I love reading (books, magazines or ipad) in the toilet... Whether or not in remission. If I happen to be in a flare, it helps keep me from obsessing over the stool quality. If in remission, it helps me get the job done. Then again, like Princessa I love reading throughout the day- I am typically working on a dozen books (mostly non fiction) at any one time.
Posted 9/6/2011 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
I do crossword puzzles. I save up the big Sunday ones for the bathroom (and airline flights). So I am exercising my brain while I go! I am usually tired of working on the puzzle about the same time I'm done. Not good for the middle of night, though, it will stimulate my brain and wake me up too much.
Posted 9/7/2011 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Funny story: I was interviewing a candidate by phone years ago, the interview was going well and all of a sudden: TOILET FLUSH.......loud flush.......and the guy kept on talking not realizing what conclusions I was reaching from the toilet flush.

Interviewing on the toilet, not recommended, particularly if he would have added human sounds as well ! Thank God he didn't
Posted 9/8/2011 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
I have found that reading in the bathroom helps to keep you awake when its the middle of the night and you are completely exhausted....My husband woke up one night looking for me and I was so tired that I had fallen asleep on the toilet with my head leaned aginst the wall.
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