Staying in a hotel room with IBS and 4 other women

[GunpowderGelatine]

Posting in Chat for traffic.

Next week I'm staying in a hotel room for 2 nights with 4 other women, 2 are friends of mine and I don't know the other 2. Problem is I have recently been diagnosed with IBS (after I booked the trip) - I'm so so nervous about having a flare up with one toilet! Any advice from other sufferers?

If you get very windy during a flare I can recommend shreddies-they’re fart filtering underwear. They do genuinely work (I promise I’m not sponsored!) but I’ve found the stop working after the first wash (even following the special instructions). So I wear them over my usual underwear and buy a new pair for situations like yours. They remove all the smell.

Only thing i could do when going through similar isnt that nice either - use the communal ones... I found that much easier. Honestly though if you was my friend and i was one of the 4 women i wouldn't want you to worry its human nature you didnt ask for tummy problems

Can you not get a double for you and one of your friends? 5 in a room sounds difficult!

Unless you're staying in a Youth Hostel dorm, I don't know how you will get 5 people in one room.
But ViPoo is unbelievably good at masking smells

5 in one room sounds very cramped.

Showers alone say 15mins each is over an hour to get you all ready in the morning. I'd point that out and suggest changing to 3 and 2, you can all gather in one room for drinks and stuff.
Tbh I'm surprised a hotel will allow 5 adults to share one room unless it's a proper suite with seperate rooms, within the suite.

Re ibs, it takes one brave person to mention their ibs to make everyone else feel comfortable to use the bathroom themselves

There is no way in hell I'd share a room with four other people, let alone with the anxiety around toilet issues. Either cancel or book another room. I've been on adventure type holidays all over the world and have never once shared any sleeping arrangements, I just pay extra to sleep alone

I wasn't part of the room decision making it was just booked but yes sound like hell (though the beds are in two separate rooms, two doubles in one and a twin set in the other). And I agree with a PP it's not easy to mention not all reactions are nice ones. Just looked at booking another room it's £345 for 2 nights elsewhere in the hotel

Have you got a suite? I’ve never seen a room with that bed set up, maybe it’s adjoining rooms? Maybe moe than one bathroom?

It sounds like a big room then, when you arrive try and bagsy the room next to the bathroom, also clock where the toilets in reception are and plan a ‘get out’, an excuse to go down to reception. Maybe have ‘bad signal’ on your phone and you need to make a call. I know people might frown on this but I’m disabled and I’d have no issue in your circumstances, feel free to use the accessible toilet (if there is one). If anyone asks, you’ve got a bowel condition and you need an accessible sink in the cubicle and you couldn’t wait.

I have bad IBS and often use reception loo when staying in a hotel hotel, so Mr Squiffany is not exposed to my noxious fog. But I don't need since discovering ViPoo. (other smelly toilet brands are available)
But I'm surprised at a 2 bedroom adjoining room still only having one loo

DH to the rescue - he's booked me a separate room as a surprise. What a star 😍

dont take immodium if not careful will constipate you give you bad stomach pains use buscopan instead nothing better

Definitely don't want constipation!
Now I've gotta think of a way to tell the others I won't be in a room with them without sounding weird or unsociable

dont take immodium if not careful will constipate you give you bad stomach pains use buscopan instead nothing better

Buscopan is great for when an attack is happening but (if the OP is anything like me) it won't prevent an attack. Imodium can and does do that. I've been using it for years and a low dose can at least slow things down so it's not such a violent attack and more manageable if you don't mind using bathrooms when you're out and about. A larger dose (for travelling or nights out) will work better but can cause issues a day or so later, sometimes it's worth it for me though because I have a huge fear of needing the bathroom away from home so would rather avoid that.

I'd love to never take imodium again but sadly they are my best friends these days. They are are a great help though when you have to just get on with things.

I do agree with a really bland diet in the days running up to the overnight trip though, I find it keeps the grumblings to a minimum.

I only take Buscopan and yes when I have a flare up. Not been able to prevent one yet though. I will pop to chemist tomorrow and ask about Imodium. Even though Ill be in a separate room, we all have the same schedule for the weekend and wouldn't want to hold people back because I'm spending 30 minutes in the toilet

That's always my problem too, when I know I have to be somewhere at a certain time my stomach will start playing up about 15 mins before I need to be there. Honestly most times it's my anxiety about it happening which makes it happen!! If you can tell the others the issue before you even go, then it might take some of the anxiety away. You'd be surprised how many people suffer with bowel issues and will understand.

Tell them the truth.
“DH booked me a room to myself as a surprise because I’ve recently been diagnosed with IBS and I was panicking about having to share with you guys”

Aww well done DH!

Do tell them the truth, you don’t have to say which medical condition though, as someone might say they’ll join you and split the cost. You won’t be the only one not wanting to spend nights in a crowded room!

Imodium every time!

Drink peppermint tea, I find it really does help with symptoms. Your DH is a