Embarrassing bathroom problem--what to do?

[closertofine]

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Ok, so I'm not feeling so good...apparently I have some problem like fibromyalgia or some undiagnosable virus that rears its head when I'm under stress...which is now! Well, not only do I have horrendous muscle pain (desperately trying to get my health center to give me some anti-inflammatories!), but my stomach is being its wacko self. If you've heard of irritable bowel syndrome, you know what I mean!

So what I'm wondering is what to do about this digestive issue on test day...since I don't think there's much I can do about the pain, except Ibuprofen (don't want to take a muscle relaxer and be completely out of it!). The main thing I'm worried about is the fact that almost immediately after I eat, I often have to run to the bathroom...and I HAVE to go, no holding it until the next hour.

I guess I could just not eat at all...but then I'd be a mess also, not able to concentrate...so do you guys know if there's any way I could get permission to go to the bathroom if I absolutely have to? I obviously don't want to sacrifice any time on the test, but a one-minute bathroom break would definitely be necessary for me to make it through sometimes.

I'm not trying to complain or be gross at all...just really could use some advice! Maybe a note from a doctor....or is it too late for that? (like I should have gotten permission way earlier...but I didn't know this would be a problem!)

Thanks....

 

[Amit1]

They let you take bathroom breaks. Be prepared for the worst case scenario and wear Depends.

 

[dumbest premed]

Originally posted by Amit1
They let you take bathroom breaks. Be prepared for the worst case scenario and wear Depends.

Yep...exactly what I was thinking. And I hear that now they make Depends with extra strong Velcro straps....made just for YOUR comfort and protection😉.

But heck, just take the bathroom breaks...it'll be a lot...umm..."neater." But I would really suggest wearing a good pair of Depends if it's that bad. The last thing you need is brown fluid running down your leg during the afternoon.

 

[enamine]

and don't take stimulants like adderall or ritalin because they will exacerbate said problem

 

[closertofine]

Thanks for the input...but were you kidding about the Depends? I hope so...because I just don't think that would be such a good idea when it's #2...it's not that I have no control over my digestive "functions," just that I need to go when I need to go.

About the bathroom breaks, you think they would let me take one during a section? I'm assuming this is what you guys meant, but I just wanted to make sure...

Oh, and I normally take Adderall and a form of Ritalin, so I HAVE to tomorrow, or I would be asleep throughout most of the test! I didn't know that those contributed to stomach problems... normally I'm ok with them...

 

[enamine]

Drug Information Handbook
Charles Lacy, RPh, PharmD
Copyright (1978 to present) Lexi-Comp, Inc.


U.S. BRAND NAMES ? Adderall?; Adderall XR?

SYNONYMS ? Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine

GENERIC AVAILABLE ? Yes: Tablet

PHARMACOLOGIC CATEGORY Stimulant

USE ? Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); narcolepsy

RESTRICTIONS ? C-II

PREGNANCY RISK FACTOR ? C (show table)

PREGNANCY IMPLICATIONS ? Use during pregnancy may lead to increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight. Infants may experience symptoms of withdrawal. Teratogenic effects were reported when taken during the 1st trimester.

LACTATION ? Enters breast milk/contraindicated

CONTRAINDICATIONS ? Hypersensitivity to dextroamphetamine, amphetamine, or any component of the formulation; advanced arteriosclerosis; symptomatic cardiovascular disease; moderate to severe hypertension; hyperthyroidism; hypersensitivity or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines; glaucoma; agitated states; patients with a history of drug abuse; during or within 14 days following MAO inhibitor (hypertensive crisis); breast-feeding

WARNINGS / PRECAUTIONS ? Use caution in mildly hypertensive patients; amphetamines may impair the ability to engage in potentially hazardous activities. In psychotic children, amphetamines may exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder. Stimulants may unmask tics in individuals with coexisting Tourette's syndrome. Not recommended for children <3 years of age. Avoid abrupt discontinuation.

ADVERSE REACTIONS As reported with Adderall XR?:

>10%: Central nervous system: Insomnia (1% to 17%) Gastrointestinal: Appetite decreased (22%), abdominal pain (14%)

1% to 10%: Central nervous system: Emotional lability (1% to 9%), nervousness (6%), fever (4%), dizziness (2%), weakness (2%) Gastrointestinal: Vomiting (7%), nausea (5%), anorexia (3%), diarrhea (2%), dyspepsia (2%), weight loss (1%) Miscellaneous: Infection (2% to 4%)

<1%: Depression

PATIENT EDUCATION ? Take exactly as directed (do not increase dose or frequency without consulting prescriber); may cause physical and/or psychological dependence. Take early in the day to avoid sleep disturbance. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take double dose. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or OTC medications that act as stimulants. You may experience restlessness, false sense of euphoria, or impaired judgment (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known); dry mouth (frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help); nausea or vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care may help); constipation (increased exercise, dietary fiber, fruit, or fluid may help); diarrhea (buttermilk, boiled milk, or yogurt may help); altered libido (reversible); or altered acuity of taste or smell. Diabetics need to monitor serum glucose closely (may alter antidiabetic medication requirements). Report chest pain, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat; extreme fatigue or depression; CNS changes (aggressiveness, restlessness, euphoria, sleep disturbances); severe unremitting abdominal distress or cramping; blackened stool; changes in sexual activity; or blurred vision. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed.

 

[basupran]

Hey, I am sure that your situation will mend itself come test time...you will be so focused on the test as well as scared, so your sympathetic nervous system will kick in and shut down your digestive functions, but wait...increased sympathetic activity readies your body for fecal expulsion if needed...but you probably wont need to because nothing will be life threatening....

Don't worry, and you don't need depends...it will screw up your performance if you did number 2 as you are not used to it. If you do want to stay away from foods for the sake of not having to go in the middle of the test, at least stick with fluids with decent sugar content, maybe some light carbohydrate rich foods (bread)...no roughage...there are some great mrps as well, myoplex tastes pretty good...try to stay away from any that contain milk/lactose. Isopure makes a drink that is lactose free, but it is carbohydrate free period.

In all honesty, you are not the only one who gets diarrhea during stressfull times...I get it as well, and so do other people...mine usually goes away by the morning of the test...if worse comes to worse, squeeze, and it will go away...stay away from milk...maybe you are lactose intolerant? Maybe you indulge in certain foods when stressed, ie ice cream?

Good luck for tomorrow!

 

[Amit1]

If you really have no control like you say - sport the Depends. Your worry is that you often "HAVE" to go. If you HAVE to go its gonna happen whether its in your panties or in the Depends. I would rather make a mess in a pair of Depends than in traditional underwear. Also it would probably control the smell and keep others from noticing you as well.

Also the depends will buy you a little time before you can run to the bathroom. If it squirts out a little in the absorbant Depends you are in the clear. But the same story with panties and you are going to be uncomfortable the whole test and be making others uncomfortable as well with the smell of farts and turds.

Hopefully your fibromyalgia or virus clears up before the test though

 

[enamine]

No offense, but if someone sitting near me was making a disturbance, i.e. what has been described above, I would immediately ask for them to be removed from my vicinity or demand that I be moved.

 

[QHamp]

Runners have discovered that just before a race they should eat plenty of carbs the night before. The next morning they eat just a little to stimulate peristalsis and have a BM. (A handful of chocalate chips followed by a half hour walk is my "elimination meal"...leaves me running for the nearest 'jon) This is followed by some high-sugar, low roughage foods.

(I realize that some might find this talk of bodily functions disgusting, but may I remind each of us which profession we're going into. And in the words of another person...

"Everybody poops" ) 😛

Best of luck 🙂

 

[QHamp]

Originally posted by indo
Also, mammals have a reflex that is triggered by stomach distension (food streching the walls). This is why people have to go soon after a big meal some times.

Will it help if I crawl on all fours ? 😀

 

[closertofine]

Ok, no, I'm not kidding...though I wish I were! Wouldn't normally post about bodily functions (not my style) except that there really is a problem here!

I did use to be lactose intolerant, but it seemed to have gone away over the past several years (great, I ate yogurt this morning...good choice...not!)...my mother, grandmother, etc. and I all have irritable bowel, though...just a "nervous stomach!"

Oh well, I'm done now! And I and my noise-making stomach made it through...though I was in the bathroom much of the lunch break, and it wasn't pretty to say the least!!!

 

[OwlMyste]

Originally posted by dumbest premed
The last thing you need is brown fluid running down your leg during the afternoon.

Okay that's just nasty!! but true!!🙄😛