Question:
I have a fear of going to the bathroom in public restrooms,is this normal?
I am 5 months post op and have a major fear of going poop in a public restroom,Iv'e had this fear for years but it is alot worse since surgery,it's almost controling my life. Yesterday I was at the mall with my Mom and had to drive 15 minutes to get home,I almost didn't make it! I am scared to go in public because it smells so terrible! Is there anything that can help me get over this? Anyone understand? — [Anonymous] (posted on July 17, 2001)
July 16, 2001
I have always been a bit hesitant about going in public, and would often
wait to "let go" until everyone else had left. Post-op, since I
go more often, I finally recognized that everyone's poop stinks, that I was
never really horrified by anyone else's smell, and that I was simply not
going to compromise my quality of life (that's why I had the surgery, after
all!). I still try to be polite, use a courtesy flush right away. If you
are really concerned, carry a small purse size spray with you (I like Ozium
citrus) and spritz once or twice. Good luck. Kate
— kateseidel
July 17, 2001
being a distal my poop smells awful
I try not to have to use public bathrooms but sometimes it is impossible
not to.
First when I start going I flush the toliet and continue flushing
as i go and spritz the air with a concentrated spray like the citrus one
mentioned
above
vitalady sells one that is suppose to immediately eliminate the
odor..
Your not alone in this phobia.
But even with all the pooping it is worth it
down 91 pounds and feeling great
Kathy
— Kathleen M.
July 17, 2001
I can relate. I am pre-op, but have an aversion to pooping in public. I
also, have this silly notion that if I come out of the stall someone may
think that of course I have smelly poops because I am fat! (as if you have
to be fat....duh) I work in a busy 36 story office bulding and have, at
times, gone to three bathrooms until I found one that was empty! One day,
te person in the stall next to me kept flushing and flushing. I thought it
was a bit odd, but I figured out why. It keeps the smell from rising and
it works!
— [Anonymous]
July 17, 2001
I know several people who have gone through this. Personally I dont like to
but I will go in public.. sometimes I just have to. I wonder think its a
treable condition and I would talk w/ your Dr about it. It's like people
who fear speaking in public etc.. I can't help but think it falls along
those same lines and bet it could be treated w/ panic or anxiety meds or
counseling etc. Gosh its a natural thing.. everyone has to go.. you know?
— [Anonymous]
July 17, 2001
Gosh, I thought I was the only one! This is my worst phobia. I had been
seeing a counselor for a few years for depression/anxiety and it was only
recently that I got up enough courage to bring this problem up to her. I
wanted to put a paper bag on my head b/c I was so embarassed & knew I
was as red as a beet. But, I only brought the subject up once, so I still
have the phobia. I just *CAN'T* go in a public restroom. I'm most
embarassed about the noise (fart, plop, splash) & then the smell. I
wait till the coast is clear & everyone is gone & then I cautiously
but quickly try to go. But it ticks me off when it always seems that when
the "bomb" is just about to drop, THAT'S when someone walks in!
Then my butt sucks it back in & I hold it till I get home. I know this
is abnormal. Other people come in the restroom & start pooping with no
hang-ups & I get resentful of them for being able to poop without fear.
Sometimes I try to go despite my phobia by keeping in mind that everyone
poops & that nobody's poop smells like roses, but no matter how much I
psyche myself up to going, it just won't come out (& I'm not talking
about constipation). Only unless I feel secure that I am definitely alone,
then I can let it go. As embarassing as the subject is, the best treatment
is counseling. My husband has no problem going in public restrooms & he
once told me a funny story. He was going once in the high school (where he
teaches) restroom & he said two janitors walked in talking. One of them
said, "Oh man! This one's RIPE!!!" I laughed so hard when he told
me about this! But seriously, it's not good to hold the poop in. Just keep
in mind, "When ya gotta go ya gotta go!" The other posters gave
some good advice - to flush as soon as it drops. And bring the air
freshener. I haven't done this, but I will in the future.
— [Anonymous]
July 17, 2001
Well, the first thing I want to say is that I have some serious points to
make, and being me, can not post only those. I feel "compelled"
to bring my own brand of humor to this situation, so apologies in advance
if I offend the question poster or any reader. Not my intentions at all.
I think lots of ppl have this issue. I know I do, as well as ppl anywhere
I've been where the subject was discussed. I wonder where the
"seed" forms that we should not just do what comes naturally.
I remember a story that my fiance told me about a man he knew who had been
with his wife for 7 yrs, and had never seen, heard, or smelled that she had
a bowel movement, or even a fart! She would always wait and do it when he
wasn't home! That is crazy, I think.
I would be willing to bet that it is more a woman thing than a man thing.
We women have been told and retold what is "ladylike" and what is
not for so long that we have issues with being so "dirty". Men
are sort of proud of "smoking" someone else out, in a lot of
cases.
On the other hand, I try very hard to not go in the same bathroom as our
bedroom if my fiance is in there, to be courteous to him. He does the same
for me. We have 3 bathrooms in our house so I go to the other one. Now if
we're downstairs, and nature happens, it happens. Anyway, I digress
slightly :).
Another helpful hint for public potty, now this is graphic...for the
"remains" shall we say, on the porcelain? I heard a tip to put
an A** gasket (those paper barriers) on the top of the water before you sit
to go. It helps keep the "product", if you will, off of the bowl
floor, and when you courtesy flush it will not leave marks.
That's saved me from having to wait around for the back to fill with water
again so I can "wipe the slate clean".
I think my answer (now pre-op), is to take the Devrom, or another pill that
is supposed to be helpful with odor, then bring the ozium, put the paper
down, and courtesy flush. See,I'm worried! When you have a checklist for
things like this, you're probably overthinking it, eh? Maybe we should
start a public potty remedial class, where we practice in a row? We could
meet at the nearest airport bathroom...J/K
— [Anonymous]
July 17, 2001
Oh, I thought I "outed" myself with the last long winded post
about this subject. Well, I'm not going to hide behind anonymous. I
posted the message that talked about the a$$ gasket. There, I said it. :0
— Vanessa C.
July 17, 2001
Well guys I have several bathroom fears in public. 1/ if the toilet hangs
on the was as opposed to standing on the floor I am terrified it will
break. I've had several chairs break under me 400 lbs. 2/ I am pee shy
and poop shy. I cant move anything unless the place is empty. I will sit
in the stall forever waiting for the place to clear out. Luckily one it all
gets going I am fine. 3/ I am also very afraid that one day at work or
public in general that I will find I am no longer able to wipe. I
currently do contortions like crazy now. Thank God my surgery's in Sept.
Not too much longer of this.
— Jennifer H.
July 22, 2001
I used to have a real bad problem feeling comfortable enough to go in a
public restroom. I don't do it very often because I'm real picky about how
often they clean them and if it doesn't look clean, and I can hold it, then
I do. However, there are occassion when I just can't hold it any longer.
What do I do to get over the hang up? I pretend that my %^#$ doesn't stink,
and remember that I'll never see these people again. And if I do, I
probably won't remember them anyway. Now if I'm at work that's a different
story. I do know these people and will see them again. I try to time my
chore for when everyone else is steadily working. Since the walls are very
thin, I do a lot of flushing, and if anyone does say anything(which I have
had them do because we are all a family and tease one another constantly) I
make sure they know that it wasn't me because my ^&%$ doesn't stink:)
— K T.
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