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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have a nap in the loos?!

50 replies

DaffodilPower · 22/08/2018 14:16

Ok, I am shattered today!

I have Crohn's Disease and find the hardest symptom is fatigue, as people just don't understand how crippling it is. I am usually quite good at coping, but today is one of those days that I am not handling it.

I am shattered, can barely keep my head upright, and have been so unproductive it's unreal.

I am in my own office thankfully, but always have my door open, so closing it for a snooze would arouse suspicion, plus the boss is in (his office is next door)..

Would it be wrong to just have a quick 10 minutes in the loos? They're public/staff mixed, so I don't think I'd be noticed if I just shit myself away in a cubicle..!

Any other fatigue coping mechanisms welcome!!

OP posts:
RatRolyPoly · 22/08/2018 14:52

I've definitely been one to use a quick bathroom nap when required. I've worked out that 8 minutes is about the longest on a night out that you can set your alarm for before you have to be back at the table with colleagues knocking back the gins, so as to not arouse suspicion...

In the office you can definitely do longer.

TittyGolightly · 22/08/2018 14:53

I often pop out to the car for a lunchtime nap (stupid daytime working has me in a permanent state of jet lag). If it gets you through the day, crack on.

Original poster
DaffodilPower · 22/08/2018 14:58

Saggital sadly it;s not that simple with chronic illness; if I went home every time I felt 'ill' or fatigued, I'd get short shrift! It's just about learning to cope..

I get an hour unpaid lunch, but usually end up working through it as the later in the day it gets the busier it is (though I have stopped answering the phone during that hour at least!).

I try to get out for a walk morning and afternoon. The fatigue goes through phases, and today signifies the start of a bad one!

I think lunch time car snoozes will be the way forward.

I have had all of my vitamin levels checked and they are all within normal levels, as is my iron.

blueskies that sounds ideal! Sadly no meeting rooms free, it's a hospital so any empty room only stays that way for a matter of seconds!

OP posts:
9amTrain · 22/08/2018 14:58

if I just shit myself away in a cubicle..!

😂😂😂😂😂

Original poster
DaffodilPower · 22/08/2018 14:59

RatRolyPoly haha! I will bear the 8 minutes in mind on the next night out!

OP posts:
Original poster
DaffodilPower · 22/08/2018 14:59

BlushBlush

OP posts:
RB68 · 22/08/2018 14:59

Car snooze with sunnies on

RatRolyPoly · 22/08/2018 15:00

Daffodil it's just enough time to get your head back in the game but not long enough that the other pissheads wonder where you've gone Wink

minisoksmakehardwork · 22/08/2018 15:13

Definitely a car snooze. Make sure you take that hour break away from the office as it is so hard to not work when you are in the office but on a break. Keep a pillow to be comfy and relax. Even if you just eat your lunch and rest with eyes closed. Although a note on the dash saying 'do not disturb unless after Xpm will stop people knocking on your window to check you're ok.

Vitalogy · 22/08/2018 15:13

Yeah, go for it. I take my hat off to you being able to do that. I can't even sleep in my bed Confused

Jenasaurus · 22/08/2018 15:16

Its probably made worse by the shingles you have just recovered from, I imagine that would make you feel tired and with the Crohns as well it is adding to it.

My sons first job a years ago, there was hardly any work and he was struggling to keep awake with boredom and also living it up the night before, he found a box in the warehouse, got inside and went to sleep! could be dangerous depending on what happened to the box though...imagine waking up in a crusher!

Original poster
DaffodilPower · 22/08/2018 15:25

Vitalogy - I find the night's bloody hard, part of the problem I imagine, but no amoint of sleep is enough when I do get it!

Jenasaurus - Yes I thought that, it seems I was sickening for shingles for a few weeks before the virus came out, and I imagine this is all part of the fall out.. Joy!

Good idea Mini to put a sign in the car - imagine just settling down and some concerned passer by waking you up! Grr!

I'm considering asking to change my hours, too. I currently work 7.30am - 4pm, so I might come in at 8.30am instead, it might help..!

I'm in bed no later than 10pm so don't want to limit my evenings too much!

OP posts:
BloodyDisgrace · 22/08/2018 15:27

No, if there are other cubicles for others to use for non-naping purposes :)

Secretsquirrel101 · 22/08/2018 15:33

I feel your pain, I have chronic fatigue (alongside hEDS and pots) so I get how hard it is. I sleep in my car on my breaks (20 mins in morning and 40 at lunchtime) it's the only thing that gets me through. You need to get away from your desk for your breaks, look after yourself.

loverly · 22/08/2018 15:56

I feel your pain - I have psoriasis and get chronic fatigue as part of it.

These strategies are going to sound nuts - a good air flow around/being on the edge of cold so I can't be cosy at work and sleep/chewing something so that my facial muscles wake up - gum or sucking a worthers original/stretching every so often to remind my muscles they are awake.

I feel your pain. I teach and sometimes the 2pm slump is SO hard!x

loverly · 22/08/2018 15:57

Or the 10.30a.m. slump now I think about it!

imnotreally · 22/08/2018 16:02

I may have done this in the past 😳

Fang2468 · 22/08/2018 16:54

I have crohns too and I have done this in the past - had a tiny 2 minute power nap. It seemed to do the trick. Im lucky to work next a park and try to get out for a 20 min walk at lunch, I’ve also done a car snooze at lunch in an emergency too! It’s all about coping with the symptoms.

Inthetropics · 22/08/2018 18:53

The ocasional 10 minutes nap in the loo was what made it possible for me to keep on working in the early days of my hypothyroidism diagnosis. Go for a nap, OP!

thinkfast · 22/08/2018 19:43

Are you sure you're over the shingles OP? I had it last year and felt like crap for ages

Twolittlebears · 22/08/2018 19:46

I would. When I was pregnant with DC1 I worked somewhere with luxury cubicle loos and an open plan office up to CEO level. I certainly snoozed sitting up on the floor of a loo cubicle more than a few times (I can sleep anywhere and these loos were large and plush!)

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 22/08/2018 21:22

Awful, but when I was pregnant I used to lie my coat on the floor of the disabled loo and have a sleep. Didn't do me any harm!

Original poster
DaffodilPower · 23/08/2018 08:04

Thank you all for your replies/advice - sorry to those of you who experience it, too!

I went for a walk in the end and just sat it out until 4pm. Same today I imagine (though I won't rule out a car park snooze). The boss is on holiday next week so I can take early days and try and reset myself a little.. no plans for BH weekend either so planning to just rest up.

Not sure I'm what I'd call 'over' the shingles, but the rash has all but gone, whether the fatigue is that or the Crohn's who knows..!

I've come armed today with some porridge for mid morning to try and do the slow release energy thing! Fingers crossed..!

OP posts:
Gersemi · 23/08/2018 08:26

Do you have any meeting rooms at work you can borrow during lunch hours? A friend of mine with thyroid problems used to do that. Once one of the bosses came in with important clients and discovered her, he didn't turn a hair but just backed out and ushered the clients elsewhere.

Original poster
DaffodilPower · 23/08/2018 08:48

I wish Gersemi. I work in a hospital so no such thing as a free/empty room Sad

Most days I cope quite well, but sometimes it just really hits me like a brick in the face!

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