Overwhelmed.

[HappyBird]

If I needed to use a MEN's bathroom I would....so to use a larger restroom labeled Disabled would not be an issue for me - don't let the small stuff get to you

You are so right Erica........ we shouldn't sweat the small stuff, a loo is a loo!

Every right thinking person would agree - our business is best done in the nearest loo. If its a men's loo, a kiddie loo or disabled loo - it's far better than having an accident in public.

I think Blue Badges (disabled badges) should be awarded to anyone suffering with MC.

[Polly]

Hi Naty,

Not much more to add to the good advice you have already received......except the possibility that you may have developed a new sensitivity. Most likely culprits would be soy and eggs, IMHO. It is not unusual for new sensitivities to develop over time.

Anyway, good to hear from you again, even though I'm sorry for the reason.

Hope the flare is short-lived and that you are back on track ASAP.

Love and hugs,

Polly

[tex]

It is not unusual for new sensitivities to develop over time.

So true. I've developed a sensitivity to soy over the past 6 or 7 years, confirmed by stool testing both before and after.

Tex

[T]

That really puzzled me when I recently became intolerant to soy and it happened when my histamine issues went crazy with the fall pollen.

Its been 1 year ago this weekend my DW and I went on A 3 day vacation for our anniversary I was already having D off and on but thought
I was ok and then BANG MC hit me full blown not A good vacation spending my time in the bathroom.
No vacation this year I still have the bad memories from last year.


Terry

[Vanessa]

Naty,

I totally understand where you are coming from. A few weeks ago I announced that I was in remission knowing that was going to jinx me. A few nights ago I woke up at 3 in the morning with gut pain, gas, and boom......ten watery trips to the loo. Literally out of no where. Had to take immodium as there were no signs of stopping. I hadn't done that since I was diagnosed.

Then the mind starts going with it's recorded loops of what ifs.....

Hang in there....nothing lasts forever!

[TREESE]

Hi, Nat - this may not be the case with you at all, but what you said about how it felt to use the Disabled Bathroom resonated with me, but on a different level. Still, maybe it's worth mentioning.

When I was in my 30s, my Back went terribly awry. Pain and more pain, and crippling spasms that never gave me a moment's peace for 5 years. YES, 5 Years. But, I was strong minded and determined Not to allow my own head to do me in. Shortly after, someone I knew made a comment about my one day winding up in a wheelchair if I didn't improve soon. That remark upset me so badly that I instantly made a mental decision that I Never would. But 4 years into it, I was attending a function (a healing Mass, actually) and in order to be prayed over, each person with pain was given a wheelchair so as to be wheeled up front to be prayed on first. Otherwise, I would not have gotten a seat, since each service was filled to capacity.

The moment I sat in that wheelchair, I was broken. The reality of my situation and my complete inability to conquer it through my best efforts alone, will-power and all, hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt all was lost just because of that final straw of having to sit in that wheelchair in spite of my promise to myself. But, you know what? It actually opened me up somehow. A secret burden I was carrying was lifted. I didn't have to hide the fact that I had needs and needed help, anymore. The shame dissipated, too. Maybe I didn't leave there healthy, but I did leave there far less burdened.

Maybe you might relate to that in some way, since you never used a disabled person bathroom before and when you did, Bang!! The last straw!

I do hope you won't mind my sharing my own experience. It may not be your experience at all, but I so wanted to help share your burden that I had to try.

You have friends, here, Nat. We're with you Glad you wrote and shared!

Feel better,
TREESE

[natythingycolbery]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the responses.

Things have settled down a little bit, although I appear to be developing a cold. Which is always fun. I'm taking it easy though. Been going to work though as it all settled down, luckily work were ok with me being in as they knew about the MC, that said I'm off tomorrow just to give myself chance to recover from the cold of doom.

I think Blue Badges (disabled badges) should be awarded to anyone suffering with MC.

I disagree with this. My understanding is that the blue badge is for those who can't walk far. But that is a debate for another day.

Hi Naty,

Not much more to add to the good advice you have already received......except the possibility that you may have developed a new sensitivity. Most likely culprits would be soy and eggs, IMHO. It is not unusual for new sensitivities to develop over time.

Anyway, good to hear from you again, even though I'm sorry for the reason.

Hope the flare is short-lived and that you are back on track ASAP.

Love and hugs,

Polly

Hi Polly,

I don't like soy and hardly eat eggs so I doubt it is anything to do with either of those. I'm hoping it isn't anything to do with food intolerances though, I really don't think I can deal with any more! I am however looking into this as we speak just to make sure it isn't food intolerance related.

Hi, Nat - this may not be the case with you at all, but what you said about how it felt to use the Disabled Bathroom resonated with me, but on a different level. Still, maybe it's worth mentioning.

When I was in my 30s, my Back went terribly awry. Pain and more pain, and crippling spasms that never gave me a moment's peace for 5 years. YES, 5 Years. But, I was strong minded and determined Not to allow my own head to do me in. Shortly after, someone I knew made a comment about my one day winding up in a wheelchair if I didn't improve soon. That remark upset me so badly that I instantly made a mental decision that I Never would. But 4 years into it, I was attending a function (a healing Mass, actually) and in order to be prayed over, each person with pain was given a wheelchair so as to be wheeled up front to be prayed on first. Otherwise, I would not have gotten a seat, since each service was filled to capacity.

The moment I sat in that wheelchair, I was broken. The reality of my situation and my complete inability to conquer it through my best efforts alone, will-power and all, hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt all was lost just because of that final straw of having to sit in that wheelchair in spite of my promise to myself. But, you know what? It actually opened me up somehow. A secret burden I was carrying was lifted. I didn't have to hide the fact that I had needs and needed help, anymore. The shame dissipated, too. Maybe I didn't leave there healthy, but I did leave there far less burdened.

Maybe you might relate to that in some way, since you never used a disabled person bathroom before and when you did, Bang!! The last straw!

I do hope you won't mind my sharing my own experience. It may not be your experience at all, but I so wanted to help share your burden that I had to try.

You have friends, here, Nat. We're with you Glad you wrote and shared!

Feel better,
TREESE

I'm sorry for your experience Terese, it sounds like it was a really difficult experience for you. In a way, I accepted the MC when I was diagnosed with it, the I was lucky enough to not flare for a long time. But I suppose I just forgot how debilitating it can be when it does rear its ugly head.

[Deb]

Bluebird, I think you're right. I do have the "bathroom card" which in designated states allows me into business' bathrooms. If denied there could be legal recourse.

Treese, I enjoyed your post. I think when we finally surrender we can heal.

Naty, I thought you came across rather rudely to people who are only trying to help.

Deb

[natythingycolbery]

Sorry if my writing/typing appears to come across that way to you Deb, it is certainly not my intention to appear rude to others.

[HappyBird]

I'm upset that someone who has to use disabled toilets judged me about using them.

Naty,

It's a tough world out there - people judge each other and you yourself judge others too!
If you look able-bodied and use a disabled loo you may get criticism or a disapproving stare - shrug it off. You can be quite terse yourself which could be perceived as rudeness.

People are suckers for a friendly gesture and a smile. On the odd occasion when I found a queue outside the loo I have said "so sorry everyone, please forgive me for taking so long in the loo, it was unavoidable."

[natythingycolbery]

True. I was just overly emotional for a variety of reasons on Wednesday and that was the thing that tipped me 'over the edge.' So to speak.

Thank you for being understanding though guys.

In the words of Elsa I need to 'Let it go.'

[HappyBird]

Hi, Nat - this may not be the case with you at all, but what you said about how it felt to use the Disabled Bathroom resonated with me, but on a different level. Still, maybe it's worth mentioning.

When I was in my 30s, my Back went terribly awry. Pain and more pain, and crippling spasms that never gave me a moment's peace for 5 years. YES, 5 Years. But, I was strong minded and determined Not to allow my own head to do me in. Shortly after, someone I knew made a comment about my one day winding up in a wheelchair if I didn't improve soon. That remark upset me so badly that I instantly made a mental decision that I Never would. But 4 years into it, I was attending a function (a healing Mass, actually) and in order to be prayed over, each person with pain was given a wheelchair so as to be wheeled up front to be prayed on first. Otherwise, I would not have gotten a seat, since each service was filled to capacity.

The moment I sat in that wheelchair, I was broken. The reality of my situation and my complete inability to conquer it through my best efforts alone, will-power and all, hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt all was lost just because of that final straw of having to sit in that wheelchair in spite of my promise to myself. But, you know what? It actually opened me up somehow. A secret burden I was carrying was lifted. I didn't have to hide the fact that I had needs and needed help, anymore. The shame dissipated, too. Maybe I didn't leave there healthy, but I did leave there far less burdened.

Maybe you might relate to that in some way, since you never used a disabled person bathroom before and when you did, Bang!! The last straw!

I do hope you won't mind my sharing my own experience. It may not be your experience at all, but I so wanted to help share your burden that I had to try.

You have friends, here, Nat. We're with you Glad you wrote and shared!

Feel better,
TREESE

I can relate to your story and totally understand your reluctance to be wheeled forward in a wheelchair. I would possibly have reacted exactly the same way.

There is no guarantee that you would have been healed that day, maybe what you learned about yourself regarding the wheelchair was more important. Being open about who you are and admitting your weaknesses does give those around you the opportunity to understand you better and that itself is like sharing a heavy load. :-)

[TREESE]

Thank you, friends, for your understanding and kindness toward my clumsy attempt to be of assistance to Nat. And for your support of what was then a truly difficult experience for me, personally, and one that I had not shared before with anyone before this Post. I only shared it to hopefully be helpful, but if I wasn't, sorry, Nat.

Thankfully, others here understood what you needed and offered it! I do hope you recover smoothly and speedily henceforth.

Peace,
TREESE

[natythingycolbery]

Terese, you have nothing to apologise for at all. Indeed it is I who am at fault here and for that I apologise. I posted my abrupt and downright rude reply when I was in a dark place in my mind, due to a mixture of everything getting on top of me and lack of sleep. You put out something very personal and difficult for you to share with us and my response was just not appropriate at all. If I could take back my response I would. As it is, I have now edited the post in question. I totally get what you were trying to say but I wasn't and still am not sure I understand the purpose of the post (I believe I am misunderstanding it altogether as I wasn't sure how it related to my incident) if you feel up to it, would you maybe be up to explaining it again? If not I'm happy to just accept that you no longer want to discuss it and move on.

And I honestly apologise to anyone who was offended by my reaction in this thread, I honestly did not mean any upset.

I also believe that for everyone's benefit, that over the next few days this thread should be left alone. As such I probably will not reply to any posts here unless Terese feels up to trying to help me understand her original post.

[TREESE]

Hello, Nat - I read your post and of course, apology accepted in full! I believe we just somehow got off on the wrong foot together. However well I meant, what I said just didn't resonate with you, and for that I am truly sorry.

But, who even knows if maybe what you shared just helped bring to the surface a painful memory within me that had to be faced and shared for my Own healing's sake, so I could finally release it in a safe environment, which I did. So, in a way it was You who helped Me!

That being said, may we both now move forward together, renewed and supported by this loving community, and continue to heal.

With no harm done, and all now forgiven, I hope to remain in harmonious fellowship with you.

Peace,
TREESE