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lizzieg33
lizzieg33

I have a tentative diagnosis of UC and am waiting for a colonoscopy to confirm. My problem is that I'm expected at a big family get-together in a couple of weeks, entailing an 8-hour journey at the very least and I desparately need something to prevent those brief but violent bursts of diarrhoea. Having to keep dashing to the bathroom will ruin the weekend, and not being near a bathroom doesn't bear thinking about! Imodium helps when the diarrhoea has started but doesn't prevent it. I'd be grateful for any help and advice.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • pca
    pca lizzieg33

    Posted

    Hi Lizzieg33,

    What a nightmare for you. 

    I wish I had a good suggestion for you, but to be honest other than taking with you changes of clothes and incontinence underwear, I am afraid I cannot suggest any temporary remedies for this truly horrible condition.

    Before I was properly diagnosed and put on medication (mesalazine) I was in your situation, having to make journeys to and from, albeit nothing like 8-hour ones, and that was stressful enough so my heart goes out to you.

    Your GP presumably can offer you no help? 

    I hope someone else on this forum may come up with something.  May I ask where you live? Are you UK-based? 

    Peter A  

    • lizzieg33
      lizzieg33 pca

      Posted

      Thanks, Peter. Yes, I'm in the UK and will see my GP again in a few days to see if there's anything he can do. Just thought it might help if I knew what to ask for!

  • pca
    pca lizzieg33

    Posted

    Hi Lizzie,

    I guess the only thing you can of your GP is for something to help alleviate the incontinence issue. It can be dreadful, as I know, but it will be brought under control, I assure you. But first, you obviously have your big family get-together so you really need to have some more immediate relief, together with something to help you have trouble and stress-free journeys and allow you to enjoy your family.

    There is a probiotic drink called 'Symprove'. Do 'google' it and see if it sounds like something you would wish to try. It's been the subject of research at King's College Hospital, London and clearly does work for some.  

    I wish you all the best and please do stay in touch,

    Kindest regards,

    Peter A xx

    • lizzieg33
      lizzieg33 pca

      Posted

      Thanks, Peter, for your time and suggestions.
  • pca
    pca lizzieg33

    Posted

    Hi Lizzie,

    I only hope it may help you, Lizzie.

    With thoughts and all good wishes as always,

    Peter A

  • steph789
    steph789 lizzieg33

    Posted

    Hi Lizzie,

    Try to map out where there will be public bathrooms. I felt a lot of the time, I was panicking because I wasn't near a toilet and that made me get the urgency! Try not to be embarrassed when asking public places to use their bathroom. You can also purchase a radar key off the internet which can open up thousands of accessible toilets across the UK.

    I'm afraid I can't offer much more advice. I went on a family trip right before my diagnosis and it was a bit of a nightmare just because the medicine I had wasn't properly treating me! I carried a hot water bottle round with me all weekend! 

    Stay strong, good luck with the results x

    • lizzieg33
      lizzieg33 steph789

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice, Steph. Have a radar key on order, which will hopefully come before the big adventure next Friday!
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