topic Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask in Wellness

Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

pegsue — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:46:06 GMT

Ok seriously embarrassed to ask but any suggestions would be appreciated. Is there anything you can take OTC to be sure you do your morning constitution at a certain time? I eat a fairly healthy diet, exercise, drink lots of water, take multi vitamin. This issue is making me late for work a lot. I am about 30 minutes from work and will have gone before I leave the house, everything is ok and then I can be 5 minutes down the road and have to go NOW! and then I end up having to stop by my MIL house, or stop at the gas station in the next town if I can make it that far. DH gets aggravated because if we start to go out the door I have to go back inside or stop just a few minutes down the road. He doesn't understand how I didn't know I had to use the bathroom before we left the house....it just happens. This is becoming an issue, like I said it causes me to be late for work a lot and now I always worry about it. I just turned 50 last year and I don't know if it has something to do with aging?? I figured I would ask, I can't be the only person this happens to.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

free-spirit — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:50:00 GMT

I suggest you make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

And maybe have a colonoscopy.

Have you googled Chrohn's or Ulcerative Colitis? Do you have any other symptoms?

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

heyslick57 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:56:13 GMT

This happened to me every time I would go into a store, come to find out I had a bacterial infection in my stomach. Well I had other problems as well, like really bad acid attacks at night 30 minutes after falling asleep. Once I got the infection under control the bathroom problem went away.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

lolakimono — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:57:22 GMT

This happens to my BF too.

Do you drink coffee? That seems to get things moving at a certain time for a lot of people.

Do you have "normal" episodes, just that it doesn't happen before you go, or are we talking about the big D?

If you need to go, try adding Natural Calm powder to your water (when you get home from work) and sip it slowly before you go to bed.

If you are going too much, try using Marshmallow Root to slow things down. It has really helped my colitis.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

pegsue — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:58:44 GMT

I did that about 2 years ago and had a colonoscopy and all is fine. I have not googled Crohns but a friend of mine's daughter has Crohns and she was very sick until the doctors diagnosed her and treated her. I don't believe I have that as I think I would be sick like her...and I'm not. I did google ulcerative colitis and read thru the symptoms....doesn't really fit me either other than 1 or 2 other symptoms, i.e. fatigue.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

chessylady — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:59:34 GMT

See a doctor, could be Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

circles — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 02:59:37 GMT

are you nervous about leaving the house??? I know that sounds like a dumb question...I just know that is my problem....causing the same issue....

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

pegsue — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:05:54 GMT

Well I have gotten to be nervous about leaving the house because of this! And I am sure it isn't helping matters any but dang, it is in the back of my mind.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:06:45 GMT

I discovered by accident that if I take Magnesium in the evening it cures that problem in the morning......not every day but it works for me! You will need to take the mangesium daily.... I started taking the magnesium for bone health and discovered the added benefit.......

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

Lucky Duck — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:06:55 GMT

Try eating a serving of yogart. When I get out of whack (kind of as you described), I eat yogart (strawberry Activia) several days in a row and it helps.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

TRUE — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:34:04 GMT

Sometimes it can be psychosomatic......My dad used to do this every time we were to all get in the car to go someplace.....he had to go.

As long as you're ""going"" I wouldn't worry......

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

judgejudith — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:42:53 GMT

Just had an idea that maybe you could experiment with changing your routine for a week or two to see if you notice any difference. Not knowing your routine, try getting up a half an hour earlier, then eat something to wake up your digestive track.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

happycat — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 04:04:54 GMT

On 3/2/2014 momtodogs said:
I discovered by accident that if I take Magnesium in the evening it cures that problem in the morning......not every day but it works for me! You will need to take the mangesium daily.... I started taking the magnesium for bone health and discovered the added benefit.......

Can I ask what kind of Magnesium you take? TIA.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 05:02:35 GMT

It could be any number of things. IBS for one. My daughter has Crohn's Disease, many different things.

My business partner has the same thing where the commercial talks about the lady who has to go to the bathroom over and over.

Get it checked out!

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

mistriTsquirrel — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:29:18 GMT

If you're talking about your colon rather than your bladder...

I've heard that drinking aloe vera juice (found at your local health food store) about a half hour before a meal, can help.

I have purchased some, but I haven't taken any yet. I plan to try it when I have a day off work. (A co-worker of mine told me a story about her bad experience with drinking 2 doses of it at a time and having to go to the bathroom suddenly, so I will wait until I have a day off with nothing to do and try taking 1 dose before a meal, and see what happens.)

I am mentioning it because if it is a way for you to regulate evacuation predictably, it could be a good thing for you, as long as you schedule your doses so that you will be home when they take effect.

You may also want to include more fiber in your diet. Fiber doesn't just make you go to the bathroom, it also helps absorb moisture in your lower intestine that can help "bulk up" your waste. (In other words, you feel like you have to go, but it's not pure liquid, so you can wait until it is convenient to go.)

I hope my answer helps you in some way.

I think that your issue can probably be resolved by adjusting what you eat and drink and at what times...but you may need to consult a doctor if the problem is severe, because your digestive system may be in need of more specific care than most peoples' digestive systems require.

I also agree that sudden urges to evacuate the bowels can be psychologically-based. I've had panic attacks before. The last one I had was in the hospital, when my dad was being wheeled out of a procedure that would tell us if his cancer was early or late stage. As they brought him out, I had an immediate need to make my way to the bathroom and evacuate my bowels. It was obviously stress-related. I was able to clean myself up and pull myself together rather quickly (because I knew it was "just" a panic attack), but if you have not gone through treatment for anxiety, you may not be aware of what's happening (and affecting your insides). I have gone through more treatment for anxiety and depression than I care to disclose here...and I feel I am better equipped to de-escalate my anxiety because of the help I have received. If stress or anxiety are factors, please know that there are ways to manage that as well.

I'm also wondering if something in your diet is aggravating your intestines? You may want to see an allergist or gastroenterologist to rule out that possibility, or to help you avoid your problem foods.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

ennui1 — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:01:13 GMT

If it's only in the morning, I'd suggest changing your schedule a little. Drink less coffee, or change what you eat for breakfast and when you eat it.

You say you drink lots of water -- cut back. Maybe your intestines can't process it all.

I also suspect stress. Do you hate your job?

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

Cyndog — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:22:43 GMT

I was terrified to leave the house for years never knowing when I would burst out in terrible stomach cramps and pain. I knew every bathroom in town. I had this since I was young. I've fallen off the commode passing out from the pain, I've broken teeth falling, I've hit my head on stall doors from passing out and had to be dragged out under the door. My mom always said we had colitis, I always had a prescription for Lomotil. Later the doctors said it was IBS, but I finally realized that it was chronic constipation that after days just had to come out somehow. For me MIRALAX changed my life, I go every day without any cramps like a laxative gave me. Maybe you could ask your doctor if that is something for you.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

Cyndog — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:32:38 GMT

P.S. I'm sure stress from worrying about it probably exacerbated it by my stomach being in knots before I left the house. Maybe a mild anti-anxiety medication might help until you figure out the cause.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

violann — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 16:08:01 GMT

Don't take magnesium OXIDE to manage this situation without input from medical personnel.

Re: Using the bathroom-embarrassed to ask

RedTop — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:23:32 GMT

When I worked, my system developed its own schedule of going immediately after I got up, then needing to go again within an hour, which still gave me plenty of time to get out the door on time. I am not aware of doing anything that promoted this schedule for me; my body just took care of itself. Even though I am now retired, my body still works on that same schedule of going immediately when I get up, and then a second time within less than an hour. I have long accepted that as being normal for me. I do think more fiber in your evening meal might make a difference with your morning routine. I would also try getting up a bit earlier to give your system plenty of time to get adjusted in the morning. I got up at 6 and had to be at work by 8, and never had a problem. One of my work friends always got up at 4:30, which I thought was totally ridiculous, but it was because her system needed more time to move itself, and that time schedule was what worked for her. Hoping you soon find what works for you!