Had to leave work

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Andi
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Had to leave work

Post by Andi »

I would appreciate advice from anyone who can help.
I just had to leave work to go home and clean up after an "accident". This is not the first time it happened. How long does this gone on and will it ever end?
Has anyone else ever had the humiliation of trying to explain to your boss why you had to run home for a little while?
Does it get better? Is is like this forever?
I am sorry,I am just somewhat upset right now. I dont know why or how this happened to me and I just want it to go away.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Andi,

I'm very sorry that happened, but I can certainly understand how you feel, since I've had similar "very inconvenient accidents", myself, in the past. I wish I could tell you that it will end tomorrow, or next week, or even next year, but you would know that I was lying. If it's any consolation, here's a link to an article describing how
Lymphocytic colitis is characterised by a benign course with resolution of diarrhoea and normalisation of histology in over 80% of patients within 38 months.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9824342

Here's another study of CC patients, with this conclusion:
In our cohort of patients, 63% had lasting resolution of symptoms after a mean 3.5 yr follow-up. There was a high incidence of arthritis and NSAID use in our population, but there was no relationship between these entities and clinical course or histology. Initial histology, except possibly for Paneth cell metaplasia, did not reliably predict severity or course of disease. Finally, although variable in clinical presentation, treatment-free remissions are common in collagenous colitis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8995938s

I suppose, at the very least, maybe we can get a good laugh out of those articles. Note that the second study showed that NSAID use had no connection with CC. I have no idea how the researchers reached these conclusions, but it goes to show why doctors don't understand MC at all. I'm guessing that there probably are a few people with MC who don't require treatment of any kind, but they seem to be as scarce as hen's teeth.

To be honest, my opinion is that we have to deal with this forever, and unless we are able to find a treatment program that works for us, and we stick with it, (and we're lucky), it may not get much better. The jury is still out, as far as long-term consequences are concerned. I've been in remission for over five years now, and I'm having a reaction this morning, and I have no idea what might have caused it, so as I said, I understand how you feel.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by Jeanie »

Andi,
Since I'm retired I haven't had that problem. However, a while back I was delivering Meals on Wheels and when I got to the first person, as I stepped out of the car I had a big time accident. The only thing I could do was climb back into the car. Fortunately I had a friend with me so they had to deliver all the meals and I just sat there and drove. It would have been serious if I had been alone as I HAD to get the meals to the people and I don't know what I would have done. I've been a bit scared to repeat that scenario so now I have to wear something just in case. You wonder how much people understand when they haven't endured the problem. If you race to the bathroom, they always think it's the other problem. When I was working, I got a phone call just after I left my desk for the bathroom and my co-workers said "she can't be in the bathroom, she was just there." It had only been 10 minutes earlier. I feel for you as I'm scared every time I go square dancing. It's difficult to flee in the middle of a tip. I don't like living with fear but I don't want to quit doing things either. I wish I had a better answer for you.

Jean
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Post by starfire »

I'm very lucky in that I didn't come down with this disease until after I stopped working. However, I HAVE had a couple of accidents which were VERY inconvenient and embarassing so I have a very good idea what you are talking about. It's always such a shock. At one point I figured I'd be in depends for the rest of my life. It's darned hard to keep on changing sheets in the middle of the night.

I can't remember................ Are you on any meds or doing diet or what.

Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
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Andi
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Post by Andi »

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the replies. Tex, I read the articles, they really dont get it.
No, I am not on meds right not. I took Asacol for a while but it did not work and i had side effects (hair started falling out). I am working on the diet aspect but it is hard because I am also a vegetarian.
Sorry if i sounded desperate this morning, I guess I was. I am feeling a little better now but I still wish i could just live my life and not worry about dealing with it. I am grateful that I dont have a life threatening illness, but this sure can be humiliating, esp. when it happens in front of others.
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angy
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Post by angy »

Andi sorry you had an embarrasing experience with that awful D...

god only knows i know how u feel...lucky for me i have a car and work in the community so i can drive to the nearest public loo....if one is around...if not ill drive home as fast as i can and sod everyone else...whether im working or not...

fortunately i havent had any accidents for a few months...especially since i cut gluten from my diet and various other foods...Im the same as you andi...been on asacole for months...been reduced twice....and yes it gives me hair loss and itchiness sometimes....isnt so bad since i had it cut down to 1000mg day since last week (seen gi doc then) side effects are less...

I drink loads of probiotic drinks....milkshakes...which soothes my gut...okay if your not lactose intolerant.

Have you changed your diet?? or added anything that you may be reacting to???

hope you feel better soon andi.. :bigbighug:
Angy ;)
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Post by angiemay »

andy so sorry to hear about your incident im retired now but had one incident not so long ago just outside talking to a friend just could not stop it and as she dosent know about me just made a hasty retreat :oops: new hear so hope we both can get some sort of normal going on angie :lol:
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Carol Arnett
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accident

Post by Carol Arnett »

Hi Andi,
I felt so empathetic reading your post. I had a similar accident once while at work and had to tell an asst. mgr. that I didn`t like about it. He just kept looking at me with a straight face and when I said I would punch out to go home and clean up he said "sounds like you have enough problems so just go". I appreciated him more after that but it was very embarassing trying to explain MC to someone who had never heard of it.
I hope things turn around for you soon. Hugs, Carol
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Andi
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Post by Andi »

Thanks again everyone. I wish this had waited till I retired, hard when it happens at work and very humiliating.
Yeah, i have changed my diet in many ways but being a vegetarian I am afraid of limiting my options to almost nothing.
Just knowing others know how i feel helps a lot.
I go for weeks and weeks and am fine, but then, just out of nowhere, things just happen.
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Post by jillian357 »

Hi Andi!

I'm SO sorry to hear you had an accident at work. I had a mess on my hands just last week, as I was getting into my car to get into work.
Out of the blue--BAM--it hit. I had to change my clothes after taking another shower. At least I was still home, but still....it's miserable. I'm so sorry your incident happened where it did.

I guess that's just how life is living with MC...we just have to keep plugging along and make the best of it. You are not alone!!!

Hang in there!
P.S. I've learned the importance of having a fresh change of clothes with me wherever I may go too.

~Jill
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Andi
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Post by Andi »

Hi Jill,
I am so sorry to hear it happened to you as well. I definitely do keep a change of clothes with me but needing to go home and shower is really important as well. I am lucky my office is 5 minutes from work.
My boss said I now have to request what is called a "reasonable accomdations". We have unoffiically dealt with this for the past year but it is obvious that I am not going to be able to do field work on a regular basis.
I am lucky that I have worked for the Fed. Govt. for 22 years, they have benefits that many private industries do not have. If you have doctors notes for your condition, and it prevents you from doing one or all of your regular duties, they are required to try to give you "reasonable accomdations" (to accomdate you as long as it does not have a huge negative impact on the work unit). If they cannot do these accomdations they give you a disability retirement (it would be 60 percent of my salary for one year, and then 40 percent until age 62 when I would get my normal retirement). I have paid into disability for 22 years (all govt. employees get it deducted from their salaries) so if it happens it will be money i did pay into.
I am hoping that is a last resort. I want to be able to continue in my job. Most of my job is coordinating the various insect trapping programs, and that is something I can do from my office. Last week was a long and stressful week, it happened twice that I had to leave work. I think the stress about worrying about my job has definitely contributed to this.
I am feeling pretty down about it all but the worst part is having to tell your boss about such an intimate and humilating thing. It kinda makes you feel like a non-person but I have no choice at this point, we have to do the formal request for "reasonable accomadations".
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Post by starfire »

I pray all will work out as good as possible for you. You have certainly done your best so I'm glad they will work with you.

Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
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angy
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Post by angy »

I hope they treat you right andi...considering your length of service and commitment with them..they should. I dont see why you should have to retire early because of mc someone else could cover most field work. :roll:

i hope it turns out good for you ..tc
Angy ;)
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Post by maddie »

Hi all, I just had to get into this discussion! I realize I am so lucky not to have to go to work everyday, I am retired. However, there are still problems just living a normal life! I made a dental appointment today and am a wreck wondering if I can sit there for an hour without an accident! Most of the time it is so urgent I can't even make it to the bathroom even if it is nearby. It is really tempting to just stay home and cut off the outside world. I also am so worn out when I am running to the loo all day and night that I just want to give up. That is when I am grateful for everyone on this board, such a wondeful support system. Bless all of you and hang in there. Maddie
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Post by jodibelle352 »

Hi Andi:

You are not alone when it comes to this experience. I don't think anyone on these boards has not experienced having an accident at the wrong time.

As for myself I've had so many since I've been dx and twice much like yourself it was very humiliating. My latest was while I was shopping at Wal-Mart Super Center and there was 2 men cleaning the closest restroom and even though I explained they told me I couldn't use those bathrooms and had to go clear to the back of the store and use those. Needless to say I DID NOT MAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With the love and support of many from this board I received and apology, store policy changed for many Wal-Mart Stores and I even received a $50 gift card to replace the clothing I soiled.

Andi, what I do and you may want to try this is when I know I'm going to be going out for a long period of time I take an anti-D over the counter medication while I'm getting ready. This usually helps prevent the D from occuring. You may still have to rush to the restroom but at least your stool will be solid. Sometimes I take 2 anti-D tablets so that I won't make such a mess.

Secondly, which is very unsettling when you do this the first few times is to wear an adult size Depends or any other brand of choice. This way if you have an accident at work you wont ruin you clothing and at least you are able to clean yourself without to much embarrassment.

If you have a place at work to store and extra change of clothing and keep some extra Depends close by in a locker or some place that isn't to suspicious to other employee's you won't have to actually leave but will beable to handle the situation right at work keeping your emotional wellbeing in tacked.

I would also suggest that if you are comfortable with your boss or the owner of where you work. BE HONEST and explain that you've been dx with this so that they are aware that sometimes you may have to leave your job to use the restroom and/or have to leave to go home if the circumstances requires.

I'm not sure how long you have been on medication or if you are just trying to deal with this with the GF diet but I'm on Entocort and it has only been maybe 3-4 months at the most that the medication and the diet has made it more easier for me to go out in public without the fear of an accident.

You're not alone here and we will all do our best to help you make adjustments to help reach and gain some kind of normal living. Believe me this will NOT happen over night but with time and once the diet and whatever medication you're taking starts taking hold day by day you will regain your confidence.

Hope this helps just a little.
Love and God Bless:
Jodi
May God and All His Angels, watchover, protect and guide you "One Day At A Time".
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