Help/Advice? Going to London... really scared.... panic central.....

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

K

Katiepede

Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
81
Hey hey,

My boyfriend's parents have been trying to suggest that we all go to London, to a show and have a meal out..... I have been trying to get out of it, and put it off for err maybe a year now.... and finally a date mid June has been set.... and I am completely petrified!

I was just wondering whether anybody can help with some advice, or whether anybody lives in London and knows some tricks.... or maybe I just need some words of calm.... I don't know.... but I feel a panic coming on, and I don't like it :-(

London is my all time scare-central.... I think I may be able to get out of going on the tube.... but all those people.... I am convinced I am going to poo everywhere in front of my boyfriend's family... :-(

Thank you all,

Katiepede
xxx
 
I am in the US, so I don't have any advice. However, I feel for you. I know what it is like to have to worry about having to urgently go to the bathroom while out and about.

I hope you can make it through the day without an issue and enjoy yourself, too!
 
Oh wow, do I ever understand! I was flaring in 2009 when my good friend was over in London for the day. I had to take a train back and forth, and folks, there were no loo's on that puppy! Never mind walking all over the place and stuff.

I must have stuffed myself with 8-10 immodiums. And avoided food and drink. I got thru. Only needed the loo at the station (kings cross at the time) as I was leaving to go back home. Thank goodness, whew! But the stress of waiting for a problem!

Immodium, water...and chill. There are toilets, you will be ok. Dont panic. Folks in London are pretty friendly believe it or not, if you need a loo and you're ill, they'll help you out. They did me.

Try to enjoy yourself and dont forget the immodium!
Misty
 
Hi Katie,

Try not to worry about it too much, i know the feeling but its better to stay calm than get worked up. I travel through London every other weekend through the footy season so am up there quite a bit, i normally go through the City so toilet quality is quite good around there.

If youre seeing a show, i would assume youll be around Leicester square/Covent garden where there are plenty of toilets, the trick is to try and find the best ones.

Make sure you take your cant wait NACC card if you have one, if you really need to go, try and target the finer establishments around, theatres usually have good toilets anyway but look for the smart restaurants/hotels around and youll find the finest/quietest toilets.. dont go to burger king/macdonalds where the toilets have a high rate of use.

Also if you find yourself in a position where you have to explain to a staff member why you need to go, make sure you speak to a british national, no insult to the immigrant workers here but they will probably turn you away because either they dont understand you or they are worried they would lose their job for letting you use the loo..

Dont worry about the tube either, youll be on and off it within minutes. Most important thing is to enjoy your day out!

P.s.Have a look on here: http://golondon.about.com/u/ua/londonforfree/RecommendedToilets.02.htm .
 
I had a flare in London once, started just before going to see a show actually (I was gutted, but i managed to hold on throughout act one and not miss any thank goodness, but i wasnt as sick with it back then). The good news is you dont need to panic - there are toilets available EVERYWHERE in london!!! You will be fine!

Let your bf and his parents know about your condition and what it is, and take an emergency kit in your handbag just in case - deodorant, wet wipes and fresh knickers.... and be careful of immodium, those babies combined with codeine were v likely a contributing factor in my recent bowel obstruction - VERY VERY painful and WILL land you in hospital - which I'm sure you don't want!!!

Try and relax, take care with your food and tube journeys tend to be short and if u need it on the tube u can always hop off go to the loo and hop on again - a day ticket means this wont cost extra and its like 1 minute MAX between tube stations so you need never be more than 5 mins TOPS from a toilet!!

Good luck and try and enjoy yourself, you deserve some fun!!

xxxxx
 
lulu2 said:
and be careful of immodium, those babies combined with codeine were v likely a contributing factor in my recent bowel obstruction - VERY VERY painful and WILL land you in hospital - which I'm sure you don't want!!!
Click to expand...

I'm sorry that happened to you but it's really not fair to say that will happen taking those 2 meds- because they affect us all differently, myself I take 30mg codeine up to 4 a day and lopermide too when I need them. Neither medicine together or alone stops me having a BM each day (well more that one but you know what I mean!)
 
From my experiences in London I know there's also the added stress of having to pay to go into some of the restrooms so be sure to carry some cash with you!
 
StarGirrrrl said:
I'm sorry that happened to you but it's really not fair to say that will happen taking those 2 meds- because they affect us all differently, myself I take 30mg codeine up to 4 a day and lopermide too when I need them. Neither medicine together or alone stops me having a BM each day (well more that one but you know what I mean!)
Click to expand...

I wasnt saying it WILL happen, I was just warning you to take care cos that's what happened to me....
 
Hey hey,

I am sorry for the delay in my reply.... however, thank you for all your caring advice....

I am very excited because I got on a bus today ("beams")... ok, so it wasn't for long, and it was in Sheffield... However, I am very pleased with myself as I haven't been on a bus in years...

Next step: try and get on a tram (a bit like an underground).. eeek

I will let you know how I get on..... not long until London (weekend after next)!
Thank you all again!
:-D xxx
 
Was lucky and never actually needed to "go". I would just hop off, find a loo at the station or cafe, then hop back on again. Buy a two day ticket or whatever u need. U can go pretty much anywhere then. We stayed at covent garden, have a lovely time
 
hey katiepede ive done london a few times and travelled from glasgow so a farther travel than you will be doing,what i done was pre-booked train seats that were close to the loo's on the trains and when we booked the show i made sure we found tickets as close to the end of the rows so you dont need to jump over people to get to the loo's,as for walking about it was fine,plenty of pubs,mcd's and these places to use the facilies,i'd advise against going on the bus trips though as it could end up messy and you dont want to waste money going round on a bus worrying about the toilet and take some immodium.a wee pack of baby wipes wouldnt go a miss either,hope this helps you.enjoy your trip.
 
My two cents -

1. Take a backpack or large hobo style bag with a change of undies and pants, wetwipes, etc.

2. Sit on the aisle at the theatre.

3. Relax. Have a good time.

Good luck!! - Amy
 

Similar threads

L
Switching from humira to stelera
Replies
7
Views
3K
Jo-mom
Jo-mom
D
Not IBD at First, Now it is IBD
Replies
3
Views
2K
djgeeks
D
P
Do I really have Crohn's?
Replies
5
Views
2K
nicky54
N
A
My History
Replies
3
Views
2K
ARSalerno3
A
U
trying my best
Replies
16
Views
3K
user 447597
U

Latest posts

Back
Top