Need to make myself poo before I go out in half an hour

[Needapoobeforegoingout]

Really hoping the name change has worked

Am going out to meet a friend in half an hour. Its an hour's walk there, then round a park with her for at least am hour, then an hour back. There are no loos anywhere.

I've had a dodgy tummy for the last few days and know I have to poo before I go out. I once didn't do so in similar circumstances and ended up having to fork out lots for a taxi home because the need was so sudden and urgent. I don't think I have ibs as it doesn't happen all the time, but enough to interfere with my life when there are no loos.

So I need to poo before going out. Have had two pints water and two black coffees and nothing. I really don't want to cancel/be late because of this. I hate that public loos and cafes are closed as this would have been such a non issue before lockdown.

Any ideas?

@Needapoobeforegoingout

Have asked her if we can push it back for an hour.

I'm 🤔 about this whole thread.

However, if you are having to alter your life to this extent due to your bowel issues, I'd seek help. Medical help. IBS or no, this isn't normal. At all.

Twenty five years ago when I was capable of running, I sometimes would go to the gym and do a run of about an hour on the treadmill. I was timing myself and obviously did not want to be interrupted by needing the loo.

So I would do a warmup of about ten minutes which ended in me running for a couple of minutes at 9mph (v fast for me), then I'd get off the treadmill and drink half a pint of cold water quickly. I'd be standing near the loo as I did that.
That's not how warm-ups are meant to be but my biggest priority was not needing the loo during my run.
I'd need the loo at once and would then be ok for my run. I'm not sure if everyone reacts like me though.

Alcohol will do it. Could just be me, of course.

Hi when I get nervous I need the loo my stomach gets gripes - what I take is Imodium supermarkets stock these - life savers on long trips where you can’t stop!

Massage your belly clockwise around your belly button

It does sound like IBS. Symptoms come and go depending on lots of factors - hormones, what you've eaten, stress levels etc.

However, if you are having to alter your life to this extent due to your bowel issues, I'd seek help. Medical help. IBS or no, this isn't normal. At all.

This. Get it checked out.

Thank you for all advice.

@EarringsandLipstick it happens like once or twice a month max so not enough to seek diagnosis. I have a family member with genuine IBS and she suffers far more than I do. I feel it's not fair to call it that as I am nowhere near as unwell and limited as she is.

It's also normally not an issue but with loos closed it is. Going to busy myself cleaning flat and change back to regular user name.

Might take the suggested immodium before I leave.

Also, it is legal here to meet in gardens I think, but I am going to her, just giving it some time.

I get you OP - I worry if I go for a run with a friend and haven't been to the loo beforehand!

Prune juice, apple/pear/pumpkin puree, lentils, chilies - these have all worked in the past. Failing that, fig syrup or some leftover lactulose (from giving birth 10 years ago) work well too!

@Needapoobeforegoingout

Thank you for all advice.

@EarringsandLipstick it happens like once or twice a month max so not enough to seek diagnosis. I have a family member with genuine IBS and she suffers far more than I do. I feel it's not fair to call it that as I am nowhere near as unwell and limited as she is.

It's also normally not an issue but with loos closed it is. Going to busy myself cleaning flat and change back to regular user name.

Might take the suggested immodium before I leave.

Regardless OP, if I had to change my arrangements with any regularity (once or twice a month is regular), I'd be looking for a solution.

I appreciate the situation is exacerbated due to Covid & toilets being unavailable but I still think having to arrange plans around toilet visits is not sustainable.

Omg the Lidl sugar free sweets..
Bet i lost half a stone that day...

(not envy)

@EggBobbin

Just pack out the seat of your underwear with sanitary towels

And... poo herself?

Star jumps should do it.

Look through RightMove

@Easterbunnygettingready

Omg the Lidl sugar free sweets.. Bet i lost half a stone that day...

Those sweets are pure evil.

Quite good if you fancy a good turn out

@SmidgenofaPigeon

Well, if time was of the essence, I’d probably google rather than making a MN post to garner shit tips and stories.

Indeed

@Needapoobeforegoingout

Have asked her if we can push it back for an hour.

Sounds painful!

Are there really people who only go twice a month?
Is that physically possible?
Just telling my DH about this, who poos twice a DAY!
His words
"If I went two weeks Id explode"

Cancel and ring the doctor tomorrow.

IBS can vary hugely in severity and frequency of attacks. Don’t rule it out.

Have you tried the Lockdown Loo website? There may be one open somewhere.

Yes to sugar free sweets. I ate a large quantity without realising they were sugar free.. I was at a house viewing when my stomach first gurgled and I realised what was going on. I had to drive to my poor parents house which was much closer than mine and ended up stuck in their bathroom all afternoon. Never will touch those sweets again 😂

I don't think OP meant she only poo's twice a month likeamillpond, just that these symptoms of needing to go urgently (which is what she's worried about while she's out) flare up about twice a month. I do think it sounds like IBS though OP, as PegLegAntoine says symptoms can vary hugely, I know I can go months with no symptoms at all sometimes.

@likeamillpond

Are there really people who only go twice a month? Is that physically possible? Just telling my DH about this, who poos twice a DAY! His words "If I went two weeks Id explode"

The OP said this (ie dodgy tummy) happens a few times a month.

Not that she only goes a few times a month.