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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to poo whilst at work

53 replies

manyana11 · 14/04/2013 19:09

I have this terrible fear of having to go whilst at work. I'm hypothyroid, often constipated and if I don't go it makes matters much worse, I've now changed my hours at work so I'm working full days and I fear I'll need to go. I know a lot of colleagues feel the same I think it's just the embarrassment of it. Arghhhh...

OP posts:
Original poster
manyana11 · 14/04/2013 19:20

Is it just me?

OP posts:
Passmethecrisps · 14/04/2013 19:22

I have seen many a poo thread on MN so I can assure you that it is not just you. Do you use those dulcoease things? Softer might make it easier and faster therefore making potential embarrassing situations less likely.

WMittens · 14/04/2013 19:22

A former colleague of mine expressly enjoyed defecating at work, because he was being paid for it; I have to admit, it's kinda cool when you think about it like that.

mateinthree · 14/04/2013 19:23

Well if your colleagues feel the same they're probably more worried about what other people think of their rectal habits to cast judgements about yours.

Original poster
manyana11 · 14/04/2013 19:24

Dulcoease, didn't work, I have to drink prune juice every night (yeuch) but it does help some days.

WMittens, I know that's cool but I still can't get over the cringe factor, I mean what if they know I had a poo, daft isn't it bit I just can't get over it!

OP posts:
WMittens · 14/04/2013 19:28

Just pretend you were skiving, like checking MN or FB on your phone.

I know it's easier said than done, but you should try to get over the cringe factor - it's a perfectly normal natural function. There are two icky things that are guaranteed - your parents had sex at least once, and everyone shits.

MrsOakenshield · 14/04/2013 19:29

I get constipated very easily, and will do so immediately if I don't go at work when I need to. The best thing I've found is to print off or take something (I tear a page out of a freebie listings mag) to read, find the most private loo and flush if needs be. The reading relaxes you so you go very quickly rather than struggling for a while. I can be in and out of the loo in less than 20 seconds, so not much time to bump into someone else. But I am old enough not to give a shit (ahahahahaaa!) what anyone else thinks about me pooing at work, which helps!

cardamomginger · 14/04/2013 19:29

YANBU. Although I like WMittens' colleague's take on the matter Grin.

Passmethecrisps · 14/04/2013 19:31

I try to go at work when I know the loos are likely to be quiet and I scope out loos that are less busy anyway.

I think lots of women have poo issues.

TroublesomeEx · 14/04/2013 19:31

I have a rule:

Never poo in a public loo

It rhymes, so it must be true. Wink

WMittens My brother takes the same view!

BedHog · 14/04/2013 19:36

I love pooing at work. You get paid for it, the toilet paper is free and usually better quality than the value stuff we have at home, and you don't have to scrub the skids off the pan! Grin

complexnumber · 14/04/2013 19:44

What is this issue?

You are grown ups!

Be grateful there are toilets at all!

Otherwise block up and don't make an issue of it.

mateinthree · 14/04/2013 19:48

As long as you don't leave a floater (and get caught doing it) nobody is going to judge you OP.

specialsubject · 14/04/2013 19:50

my reaction is 'grow up' as well. Assuming you are doing it in the correct receptacle, flushing afterwards, washing hands and leaving the facilities as you would wish to find them - what do you think a toilet is for?

Passmethecrisps · 14/04/2013 19:51

I am very grateful for toilets. Proper, porcelain toilets are a thing of wonder and extremely comfortable to use.

Sadly that fact doesn't stop my pooper getting stage fright in a public toilet

Original poster
manyana11 · 14/04/2013 19:54

I think it's a case of what if I make a noise....or leave a smell and the loos are busy, there are no such things a quiet times. I once nearly blocked the macerator of the disabled loo as I just had to go, now that was awful I had to leave it just chugging away to itself after I had flushed I hoped I hadn't blocked it!

OP posts:
ChoudeBruxelles · 14/04/2013 19:55

As long as you aren't the person at my work who regularly leaves the pans pebbledashed I wouldn't worry.

ChoudeBruxelles · 14/04/2013 19:55

Flush as you go along

Montybojangles · 14/04/2013 19:56

Can't go in a public loo.
Have you tried lactulose for the constipation?

Original poster
manyana11 · 14/04/2013 19:59

Monty, you name it I've tried it, it's just my metabolism is so slow these days.....lactulose horrible stuff, it's supposed to coat it but never worked for me :(

OP posts:
ilovecolinfirth · 14/04/2013 20:42

How do mathematicians treat constipation? They work it out with a pencil!
I am so sorry! I heard that joke the other day! Seriously though, I have every sympathy, during second pregnancy I really suffered with constipation and on many occasions was in pain and really didn't want to go at work. Lactulose would make me feel very ill and never seemed to work. Have you tried eating dried fruit like apricot? X

ZZZenagain · 14/04/2013 20:44

I've never thought twice about it, if you need to go, you should go. It isn't healthy to hold it back.

MsVestibule · 14/04/2013 20:56

I could only poo at work in the disabled toilet. Unfortunately sometimes people would chat directly outside the door (on the landing) so it was a big awkward when I came out, as the chatting people would look at me as if to say "have you been in there doing a poo Hmm'.

And I'm quite sure it wasn't me being ridiculously paranoid.

Theicingontop · 14/04/2013 20:59

We had a disabled toilet (no disabled colleagues, don't worry) that I used for such purposes.

Awkward when someone was waiting outside one time, presumably for the same reason. No "oh it was the person before me" excuse, it was me and they knew it.

BonaDea · 14/04/2013 21:11

I cant believe people get wound up about shit like this (geddit?). Honestly, yabu. Get over it and do it, there's nothing weird about going at work.