How in the world do you all go to work everyday?

[IDreamInColor]

I haven't worked outside the home since 2005 when the agoraphobia and graves disease hit with a vengeance, luckily I was able to work at home making wedding cakes to make money, and now this MC has taken over my life even more. I'm just curious on how you all are able to go to work everyday with constant D. Their is absolutely no way I could hold a job with these problems.
My hat goes off to all of you who have to manage that...how in the world do you do it?

[Celie]

Without the Entocort, I would be unable to work. I hope I can get this stuff in remission with diet, but if not, I will have to have some medicine to keep me in front of my classes....

Celie

[tex]

IDream,

I am self-employed, so if I had to show up late for work, or lie down for a while, it usually wasn't a big deal - the crew could get by for a while without me. Also, I live and work on a farm, so wherever I might happen to be, I was usually only a few steps away from an emergency toilet - IOW, behind a barn, tree, tractor, field of corn, etc.,

The worst times were when I had to make deliveries on a bad day, because then I usually couldn't duck behind something in a pinch. Sometimes, I would have to pull the truck over, and take a little nap, to allow the extreme fatigue, and the nausea to settle down. Usually, I lucked out, but when I didn't, some of those accidents were very embarrassing, to say the least. At least, I didn't have work in public, most of the time, and that was a big advantage.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Planning and Risk management are my main allies

- take all my own food everywhere
- plan the week, (meals all cooked, plenty of supplies for the week,)
- plan the day (block time for toilet stops between meetings and block time to have a relaxing lunch,)
- i have spare set of clothes etc in the locker here at work (and a spare clothes in the car)
- monitor the symptoms - if things are not going well and i have to stay at work then i will consider taking meds
- manage my tasks around fatigue levels
- bosses and work colleagues that know my limitations
- plenty of rest each night

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning IDream,

Sometimes it is really difficult to work each day but with a caring and understanding boss and co-workers it can be done. I must say that Gabes has pretty much set down the formula I work with. Always, always have a change of knickers and pants on hand - it is a must.

Maggie

[Joefnh]

Idream I think the others have filled in all the details, all I can add to that is that many days it really is the mind leading the body. What I mean by that is many times, my body really is screaming at me to stay home, but I cannot. The mind has to lead the way... I have to choose my attitude that morning to make it to work

--Joe

[Bifcus16]

I Dream,

I have been in remission for some time, but I remember it was mind over matter. I took time off if I had been up all night, otherwise I just went with it. Couldn't let this stop me!

Like the others, ensuring I have food is critical, so access to a microwave and fridge helped. Other than that I would make sure I went to the bathroom before meetings. No one would say anything if I had to duck out during a meeting for a while.

It was actually worse when I was recovering and had bad problems with farting. That is harder to keep discreet. I visited the loo a lot, and used some of the techniques for releasing gas to give me as long a gap as possible without smelly emissions being a problem. I told people I had a medically diagnosed problem, and tried to do more via email and avoid long meetings.

Attitude helps. Everyone has their problems. Mine means I need to dash to the loo more often. I expected others to cope with that, and they did.

Lyn

[Linda in BC]

I dream..
No choice and lots of pepto-bismol...
Linda