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Original poster

Crohn’s Disease- humiliated by receptionist at doctors

385 replies

KnittingMania · 08/08/2023 10:51

I’m at doc surgery rn waiting for my appt. I have Crohn’s Disease and have to access toilet unexpectedly up to 12 times a day or more. So Sod’s Law it happened while waiting here. Immediately after I exited the toilet, having tried my best to mitigate odours by cleaning etc, the receptionist bustled out and went straight into toilet, huffed loudly, went elsewhere with lots of door banging and came back with air freshener. She then sprayed it not just in toilet but throughout the reception kind of passageway that is in clear view of the waiting area.

I cannot help being ill. I avoid so many things bc of this miserable and embarrassing illness. I thought I could feel safe at doc’s. They could provide air freshener in the toilet. But my point is wider- no one should be shamed by their illness in a doc surgery.

I would like to complain. Should I? It’s kind of embarrassing doing this. But I feel she should learn and raise her levels of understanding.

OP posts:
browneyes77 · 09/08/2023 18:15

Sorry you were humiliated like that OP.

I suffer with Ulcerative Colitis so have flare ups myself and can understand how debilitating IBD is!

I think you’re right to complain.

It was fine her freshening the toilet for the next user, but the way in which she did the OTT amateur dramatics to do it was unprofessional and lacked empathy, given it was a Dr’s surgery where people have all sorts of illnesses that can play havoc with their bowels. Embarrassing a patient like that isn’t on.

Vladi10 · 09/08/2023 18:21

I’m so sorry OP, no one should be humiliated like that. At the end of the day, we all poo and there shouldn’t be such a stigma around it. I don’t have crohns but I was born with a bowel condition which can make life unbearable most days. Sending love and strength

finished31 · 09/08/2023 18:27

KnittingMania · 08/08/2023 10:51

I’m at doc surgery rn waiting for my appt. I have Crohn’s Disease and have to access toilet unexpectedly up to 12 times a day or more. So Sod’s Law it happened while waiting here. Immediately after I exited the toilet, having tried my best to mitigate odours by cleaning etc, the receptionist bustled out and went straight into toilet, huffed loudly, went elsewhere with lots of door banging and came back with air freshener. She then sprayed it not just in toilet but throughout the reception kind of passageway that is in clear view of the waiting area.

I cannot help being ill. I avoid so many things bc of this miserable and embarrassing illness. I thought I could feel safe at doc’s. They could provide air freshener in the toilet. But my point is wider- no one should be shamed by their illness in a doc surgery.

I would like to complain. Should I? It’s kind of embarrassing doing this. But I feel she should learn and raise her levels of understanding.

What an absolute vile twat person.

I've got UC and feel your pain.

Hope your get some relief soon x

Interested in this thread?

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General health
Bandyarsia · 09/08/2023 18:30

Howlingmoor · 08/08/2023 19:47

@Allthefeel children, disabled people, obese people, people with a bad stomach, people who are rushing, parents trying to clean up wriggling toddlers, carers…

Show quote history

None of this has ever entered my head that people would be turning on taps in a public bathroom with poo smeared on their hands or standing there washing their arse in the sink. Presumably this only happens in disabled toilets? I have never seen anyone wash their arse at a sick before. Surely wipes would be better? Asking a genuine question.

Carpedimum · 09/08/2023 18:34

Crikey the insensitive comments on here, people really behave as their shit doesn’t stink, just like the Receptionist. Is there no empathy and kindness anymore?
@KnittingMania I am sorry you’ve got this horrible condition, my DSS1 has got Crohn’s and DS’s girlfriend too, so I do understand and if I’d been in the waiting area I’d probably have asked the snotty Receptionist to cease with air freshener because that’s a real health hazard.

Jewnicorn · 09/08/2023 18:43

I don’t even know what to say. I have Crohns and think you might have lived through one of my worst nightmares today. (It’s not the right disease for someone self conscious about poo to begin with 🙈). I’m always so embarrassed when I’m caught short and have to use the bathroom out and about, even though it’s a frequent thing, so to have someone make a big song and dance about it would be awful. I’m so, so glad you complained and I really hope she learns from this.

To those asking about using VIPoo or the like, I can’t speak for OP but I often barely have time to get my trousers down when the urge strikes, let alone faff about spraying stuff in the toilet bowl. For a long time I decanted febreeze into a small spray bottle and sprayed that around when I was done but honestly I think that drew even more attention to it so I stopped. Yes it might be nasty to have to smell it but it is so much worse living with it (and failing that just pity my husband who’s head is about six feet away from the door of our bathroom at night).

Babyandfurbabymum · 09/08/2023 18:44

Totally agree with what others have said, you SHOULD complain. She needs educating or sacking as her behaviour is inappropriate for a compassionate, clinical environment. Nobody should feel shamed for their disability. I suffer with a similar disability and it's traumatic enough to have to use public toilets or to constantly worry about being caught short, nevermind being humiliated in public! Write to practice manager copying in your GP.

Gilead · 09/08/2023 18:45

I have Crohns, now have an ileostomy so know how awful it can be. Sorry this happened, and yes do complain, it makes it easier for all of us if we let people know when they’re behaving badly.
💐

Lordlanky · 09/08/2023 18:50

I have bowel issues also, not as bad as crohns, but I bring a box of matches with me in my handbag and light one if I have a bad smelling one. It leaves it smelling like youve just blown out bday candles and better than air freshener

I hope you get a decent response and the receptionist stops treating people like that - if she cannot handle a smelly pooh then maybe she shouldnt be working in any kind of health setting

Poppingmad123 · 09/08/2023 18:51

I would complain. Some people need reminding of the setting they work in and how they need to remain professional and sensitive. I would also like to see public loos especially in clinical areas, have cleaning products like wipes readily available so people can wipe down surfaces before/after themselves. An automatic sprayer or a basic air freshener would be helpful too as well as loo roll and paper towels and decent bins.

DrSeuss84 · 09/08/2023 19:03

I’m betting your poo didn’t stink half as bad as her attitude!

you should absolutely complain.

Cloodybunt · 09/08/2023 19:04

I have crohns. The receptionist is a nob and needs to be told.

But lots of people are nobs, and poop does stink, and people are childish about it, so carry the ViPoo spray everywhere you go for code brown situations. It's a game changer for the smells we make, it really does work.

Also, if we are recommending... get a travel can of "wipe". Its a total game changer for a blistered arse that is having to tolerate cheap paper in a public loo.

Definitely complain though.

AllyArty · 09/08/2023 19:05

Why don’t u carry a small room freshener in your bag? Something with lemon or lavender etc. That and a pack of tissues and a small plastic bag (dog poo bag).
I think you should write to the manager of the surgery. The receptionist should not have so obvious.

Julia001 · 09/08/2023 19:07

I always have VIPOO , just in case.

Escapetofrance · 09/08/2023 19:07

What an appalling thing to do. I’m sorry you had to endure that in place where illness is at the very heart. Some people need reminding to be kind.

Leavesofautumn · 09/08/2023 19:10

They levels of ableism on this thread are disgusting, both towards people with Crohn’s and towards people with asthma.

SuddenlyOld · 09/08/2023 19:22

Haven't read the whole thread but a good tip to neutralise loo smells is to strike a match. Its the sulphur. Of course you don't want to set smoke alarms off at the GP but might be useful in other settings.

As far as what happened, I hate using public Loos so can't imagine how horrible it must be to have no choice. And I hate cubicles without an ante room even more. I think you'd be eligible to use the disabled loo so less likely someone would be queued behind you

Dibbydoos · 09/08/2023 19:26

Yes def speak to practice manager. Your illness is not your fault.

She is ride and obnoxious. I do often wonder why people who don't care work in health or care jobs!

simiisme · 09/08/2023 19:46

To those of you being insensitive on here, you might one day suffer from a similar condition yourself. I hope you have a flashback to how unsupportive you were on here.

Motnight · 09/08/2023 19:48

AllyArty · 09/08/2023 19:05

Why don’t u carry a small room freshener in your bag? Something with lemon or lavender etc. That and a pack of tissues and a small plastic bag (dog poo bag).
I think you should write to the manager of the surgery. The receptionist should not have so obvious.

Why would you carry a dog poo bag and tissues if you have access to a toilet?

AllyArty · 09/08/2023 19:56

So that if u wanted to reduce the odour you could clean up as best u could and put the bag in an outdoor bin. Also there isn’t always a bin in every toilet and sometimes they are overflowing. It has saved my blushes more than once.

Leavesofautumn · 09/08/2023 20:00

AllyArty · 09/08/2023 19:05

Why don’t u carry a small room freshener in your bag? Something with lemon or lavender etc. That and a pack of tissues and a small plastic bag (dog poo bag).
I think you should write to the manager of the surgery. The receptionist should not have so obvious.

Because (a) I’m not a dog, and it’s really offensive for you to make that comparison, and (b) have you ever tried putting diarrhoea in a bag? Didn’t think so.

Cosycover · 09/08/2023 20:04

AllyArty · 09/08/2023 19:56

So that if u wanted to reduce the odour you could clean up as best u could and put the bag in an outdoor bin. Also there isn’t always a bin in every toilet and sometimes they are overflowing. It has saved my blushes more than once.

You think she should shit in a bag?

Bandyarsia · 09/08/2023 20:08

Cosycover · 09/08/2023 20:04

You think she should shit in a bag?

Show quote history

No, don’t be silly, for the wipes she used to clean up preferably than to clean her arse with her hand in the sink.

Gettingnowhereagain · 09/08/2023 20:11

Just read your thread. I've suffered with bowel problems for years. It's embarrassing enough to have to rush to the loo and leave a smell without someone making you feel bad about it. Do people think we do it deliberately? That we wouldn't wait till we got home if we could? I'd make a complaint. I always carry a sht kit as I call it. Spare trousers ,knickers,poo pouri ( I buy it online it's the American one it's the best) spray , baby wipes ,a plastic bag and one of those little odour neutraliser air freshners ( they are a round plastic with a little air spray inside. I just carry the little spray not the plastic thing) you can buy in pound shops. I've also learned to get a thick skin because there's always people like the receptionist who think their sht doesn't stink. And I haven't met anyone who hasn't either sh*t themselves at some point or had to go for one in a public toilet so the people who are unsympathetic are hypocrites 🤔. As for people saying about people getting it on toilets or taps those of us who have problems are very aware of the fact and make damn sure we don't get it everywhere. We shouldn't be shamed by anyone for doing something everyone does.