[Mike NoLomotil]

I was thinking about this last night. Your mind wanders while you are tryin to be patient with a 2-year old who will not go to bed.Maybe someone has asked this before, if so I apologize. Refer me to the thread. But I was thinking back on some of the worst places I ever had to cope with the onset of a D attack, and what events sort went on around me at the time. And I thought, I wonder what some of the other folks "WORST PLACES" were?Show me yours I'll show you mine....uh, TELL me I mean. I don't know that anybody wants to SEE.At least this ain't as "heavy" as some of the discussions we get into eh?

 

[kbaum]

hands down - my surprise bridal shower

 

[Guest]

Hi Mike; This should get some good? replys! My worst was at a friends pool party. There were alot of people, mostly friends from church, lots of kids and only one bathroom. I kept having to go in there, and whenever I was either a kid was banging on the door, or one of our friends was standing right there waiting to go in. I was so imbarassed cause of the sounds and smells. I can just imagine what some of them said to their spouses later

------------------Deb

 

[zigmissus]

There's been so many--how can I choose one "favorite"? Here's a few: With a group of friends on a picnic in a park with no restrooms. In the car with my boss and two co-workers. In the middle of a lecture class where I couldn't slip out unnoticed. On a small motorboat with two guy friends in the middle of a lake. At least I haven't experienced my "ultimate nightmare" D attack yet--trapped with a bunch of people in a stalled elevator!

 

[Mannie]

Once on an airplane, in those tiny little bathrooms with a line of people waiting. Another time was at a restaurant. I went out to breakfast with a friend a few weeks after gallbladder surgery. I ordered carefully, getting egg relacers and nothing fattening, but it didn't help. I had D three or four times before I finished eating, and there was only one bathroom in the whole place, and you had to go through the kitchen to get to it! Those employees must have thought I was strange...

 

[Mike NoLomotil]

An elevator! It never occurred to me. I will probably dream about that one for weeks. OK you went first so my (2) favorites areWAFFLE HOUSE: WHERE AMERICA DINES1) Lunchtime in a Waffle House on IntersTate 95. Its was a filthy one-holer and I had truck driverS lined up banging on the door that if I did not come out they were coming in...and I had to keep going back for hours...it would not stop. And every time I DID, some NEW truck drivers would start banging on the door again. Then back outside to hide in the booth. Thank God I never saw any of those people again.LOVE IS BLIND BUT DIARRHEA OPENS THE EYES2) I had been dating a woman in whom I had a particularly strong interest and who was coyly reluctant to consummate for a protracted period of time, thus building my desire to a fever pitch. At last we agreed to go to a beautiful hotel at the beach to spend a romantic weekend. We went out to dinner first. In the heat of anticipation I lost my head and did not speak to the chef.Some hours later, with anticipation building (remember, we are NOT long timers, but this is a FIRST timer), I pulled into the circular driveway of the hotel to check in, leaving my companion in the car in the drive with the engine running. No sooner had I obtained the room key than I was overcome beyond belief by the most sudden and massive gastrointestinal and peripheral attack of IBS I had experienced in months! The pain, extreme urgency, cold sweats, dizziness, nausea....I went straight to the restroom in the lobby. I could not even get back to the car...and did not come out for over an HOUR...all the while she sat there...waiting...waiting...waiting.As soon as I was able, I returned making apologies that I had several "beeps" due to one mergency or another and ended up on the phone much longer than anticipated. This seemed to placate her. I then parked the car, my confidence renewed and eight Imodiums in my stomach. Unfortunately,I could not make it to the elevator and left her standing in the lobby for another 45 minutes while I ran back to the lobby bathroom. Of course people are coming in and out and hearing rude noises and all manner of disturbance from within. All the while she is waiting...waiting...When I emerged, her only comment was "Beeping alot today, huh?"Finally got to the room and I spent the rest of the night in and out of the head while she watched TV. Clearly there was no way out of explaining my disease...and watching my dreams dissolve in a sea of wet toilet paper.Now THERE is a doomed relationship, right?Surprisingly enough, we ended up quite attached to each other, living together for 8 years until a "career loggerhead" separated us (mine in Fla. and her oppty. came in California). Most understanding woman I ever ever met. Wherever you are, C-, I miss you!

 

[katz16000]

Well, lets see...I've had a few. I can relate to the elevator thing. I lived in a dorm last year and the elevators were so scary that I never took them. And I lived on the 7th floor, I sure got a whole lot of exercise that year! My thigh and calf muscles were huge lol

Anyways, my worst has to be after a day trip to Berkeley (ate pizza) but this was when my IBS was fine, totally manageable. I had a surprise attack of D, 1/2hr from home, in a car with my best friend and her mom and sister. Was stuck at the gas station for an hour. My best friends family was so sympathetic. I made them some cookies as a thank you.------------------19 year old female, college student,*D* type Email me Katz16000###yahoo.com

 

[Guest]

Oh, BOY, do I ever remember the answer to THAT question! It was April of 1993, on an eight hour plane trip to Hawaii. We were stuck on the runway due to bad weather for 45 minutes and they wouldn't let me get up to go to the head.I must have been in there a million times once we got in the air. The 'return to cabin' kight came on every time!!!------------------Color Rainbows in the Rain

 

[Guest]

Mammouth Cave:They made us sit down and listen to a lecture in the dark halfway through the cave. Of course you know the only thing I was thinking about: what if it happens here? So of course it did. The ranger gave me her flashlight (thank goodness it was a woman) and her only kleenax and sent me off in a side cavern with only a wheelbarrow for company. I was terrified!! It was pitch black and all I had was a flashlight. She told me to bury it, but all I had were my hands and I was in a big hurry to see light and people, so I didn't do a great job. So if you're ever in Mammouth Cave and you smell something....On a tour bus in the middle of the night in Tivoli, Italy:Had to tell the tour guide, she stopped the bus and led me into a bar. The funniest thing was when I left the barman insisted on thanking me and telling me to have a nice night!------------------SueTrying to live a "normal life"!

 

[Guest]

Its so nice to know Im not alone with this problem!! Anyway, there is one incident that sticks out most in my head...Oh man!One time my hubby and I were driving across Texas where there was nothing for miles, not even a rest stop, all you saw was the sky meet the land. So the dreaded cramping and the sweats kicked in, I immediatly went into a panic. I grabbed the Immodium assuming I was supossed to take 2 pills, not reading the box that instructed only 1 pill! I couldnt figure out why I couldnt go to the bathroom for a solid week!!! Lesson learned!

 

[Guest]

I couldn't even begin!!! There have been so many. 1 time I was in the car with my son and he was only 3 weeks old I had to stop at a gas station, which of course you needed a key for the bathroom, so I had to climb in to the back seat and get this infant out of the car in like 20 below wheather and drag him into this dirty bathroom for 25 minutes while I went. Total nightmare. I give that kid credit though, when he was a baby, I would run into the house and set the car-seat down by the door and run to the bathroom. He's 4 now so it's not that bad now, other than when I take him in to a public bathroom with me he has to start...."ARE YOU POOPING MOM?"...and then it's like everyone knows!!! But God knows I love the kid!! All I can say is I know where I can stop between my house and just about every-where I have to go. I thought you all might find it funny... I know that sounds weird, but to all of you who deal with like me, we have to find the humor in it or we will go nuts. I know your stories put a smile on my face because I can relate. So all I can say is keep smiling I'm sure they will find a cure for us one day!!! I'm here if any one needs to talk!

Kendra

 

[Rosy]

This is my sister-in-laws which surpasses mine:My sister-in-law had a severe D attack at a ballgame and had to use the women's restroom with the familiar line-up. There were several stalls but a very long line. She was practically doubled over and asked to PLEASEeeeee let her ahead as she was very sick and couldn't wait. NOT ONE WOMEN WOULD LET HER USE THE RESTROOM OUT OF LINE.Fortunately her husband came to the rescue and led her directly into the men's no-lineup restroom announcing loudly to the male occupants; I'm bringing in my wife who is sick. He took her right to the stall and stayed there to help her. She was thoroughly grateful to her husband and so relieved she didn't really get embarrassed until LATER.(Noise-smell-you know the usual

. Although you don't want these things to happen, there are times all modesty, signs, "rules" etc. just don't matter. (I did relate this story in one other thread but thought I'd repeat it)

 

[Mike NoLomotil]

ROSY: Your sister in law sounds like the luckiest woman alive in the context of her husband. What a guy.[This message has been edited by Mike NoLomotil (edited 07-09-2000).]

 

[Guest]

This is a funny one Mike and others! I've been having IBS for two years and nothing has happened as embarrasing as this one. In a mandatory meeting at work with the state gov. I had a severe bout of "D". I went to the bathroom in the conference room and when I went to flush the toilet it had a malfuntion. As I was pulling up my britches, the toilet water instead of being flushed down it came back up and got all over on me! I had to walk out in front of 50 people. My boss met me outside and asked what the problem was. I was so embarrased that I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. I went home to change and couldn't go back to work until the next day!

 

[Guest]

two words....JURY~DUTY

 

[Guest]

where fear and anxiety hit hard:1. on an airplane2. in a car with other passengers3. a home with only one bathroom4. roller coaster5. elevator6. during a test or meeting or interviewcan you think of anymore? where you can guaruntee that you will be sick.

 

[Mike NoLomotil]

The Jury Duty always sounded like it would be me urging the death penalty just to get it done...but for shoplifting? So for (2) decades I did not register to vote so I would never be called.Airplanes? Oh yeah...Flights to the U.K. were always preceeded by a (1) day intentional flush, followed by (1) day of maximum Immodium intake followed by inf-flight Xanax. Worked like a charm!And that meeting with the gov...HOW did you MAINTAIN? I am so sure I would have seriously considered slashing my wrists and ending it all right there rather than come out of there...then when they found me at least they would attribute the loss of bowel control to a post-mortem event.But then again, permanent solution to temporary problem.I think I will wait another day and for a few more of these jewels, then tell you the one about me and one of my buddies (who also had IBS) that happened one night in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. THAT was a good one too...but not for him![This message has been edited by Mike NoLomotil (edited 07-09-2000).]

 

[Guest]

My one "accident" happened in a WallMart, and considering some of the stories on this thread, was pretty mundane compared. You know, the usual sweats, urgency, gas, rush to the bathroom and not making it, soiling the pants, waddling out to the parking lot, etc.However, the "worst" place I ever had an attack was in a casino. That's because I had accumulated over a hundred dollars in credits on a slot machine when the attack came. Consequently, the decision to make is, "Should I soil myself while sitting here waiting for the machine to cash out, or should I forget the hundred dollars and rush to the bathroom?"I took a chance and hit the "pay-out" button, hoping that 1) the coins would come out quickly, and 2) the machine's hopper was full enough to make the pay out, because I couldn't wait for an attendant to come over and refill the machine.As the coins tumbled out, I gathered them out of the tray and into a cup as quickly as I could, all the while holding off on the intestinal explosion that was threatening. More than once I was convinced that I wasn't going to make it, but it held.Finally the thing completed the pay out, I had gathered all the coins in a cup, and went waddling off to the bathroom. Fortunately, casinos have well marked bathrooms all over the place, and they're usually large ones, with plenty of stalls.With cup in hand, I raced in, barely closed the stall door and got my trousers down, and...one big gas explosion and nothing else!! That was it - the whole thing turned out to be one of those false alarms.So, my question to anyone would be: What would you do - immediately leave your winnings or stay with it and collect? What would be the "number" that would make you try to collect in lieu of leaving?

 

[Andy M]

Late summer of '89. Waiting for a train at a train station in Bonn after two weeks of severe diarrhea. I had only fifteen minutes for the train to arrive at the depot. I went into the depot to find the bathroon but couldn't and didn't even know enough German to ask. I was terrified that I wouldn't last long enough for the train to get there. I was sitting on this bench in front of the depot when these two silver-haired old ladies came and stood near me. I surrendered my seat to one of them and heard the woman say something flattering and sonorous in German that sounded like she wanted to tell me how polite I was. I sort of regretted being polite because then I had nothing underneath my posterior to help me hold my cheeks clinched together. When I finally boarded the train (thankfully German trains are usually on time) I still didn't have enough time to find a restroom there because I feared that I would miss my train stop in the town I was going to. Of my two weeks in Germany, I spent a large portion of my time on the commode. I think I may have had classic traveler's diarrhea at a point when I was only aware of Immodium being availible through prescription. I came home ten pounds lighter (though some of the weight might have been lost through dehydration).

 

[Guest]

Mine? Wedding day. I was in and out of that dress so much BEFORE the wedding (I was not going to chance getting the dress "dirty") that I broke the stupid zipper and had to be sewn in to the thing minutes before the wedding. Thank goodness everyone expects the bride to be late, 'cause I was.