Toilet Troubles Endometriosis

[E44E44]

Hi we have been told at work we must go to the toilet in are Break and Lunch times I work in a School Teachers Support Assistant we have been told this as there have been too many staff out of lesson time , I tend to go when the Children are outside or having their choosing time which is their play time ( special needs School) now having endometriosis does anyone else have to go frequent during the day and if not get pain as yesterday when I got home out my car as I hadn’t been to the toilet that much as I normally do I was in agony felt like my insides were been dragged along the floor and felt like period pain , today is my day off and if I was at work it would have been a sick day as been in pain from yesterday and Monday not going to the toilet frequently, I may talk with one of the managers tomorrow as she knows I suffer from Endometriosis.

[princessk09]

Hey, I get in agony if I don’t go to the toilet and it’s like a sharp pain. I go quite frequently but it tends to be the days leading up to my period and during it xx

[lol2806]

Maybe you can get a letter from your GP as you have a valid medical condition and reason for needing to access the toilet when needed.

[E44E44 in reply to lol2806]

Hi Thank You for reply , I had thought of this and I am going to go ahead I have a G.P appointment tomorrow.

[lol2806 in reply to E44E44]

I hope it works out for you-you shouldn’t need to suffer.

[lisams88]

Hi Hun, surely they can’t stop you from going to the toilet. I’m a teacher and I get to the point on most days that I’ve held it so long I’m in agony. I’ve spoken to my head and told her about my condition, something as simple as a 2 minute toilet break will prevent the pain. If they are still being ridiculous get a gp note sweetie. Xxx

[Catherine232]

Hi, I agree with the other replies here. Have a discussion with your manager. You may need to educate them about how endometriosis affects your bladder to justify why you require more frequent toilet breaks. If you find that they aren't willing to listen to your concerns, then definitely get your GP or consultant to put something in writing. There's a good Facebook page called Nancy's Nook which has lots of educational documents in it. I have learnt a lot from that site. It's research articles and other interesting articles, and I'm sure there will be something in there that you can print off to give your manager to read. Good luck xxxxx

[Jen82]

Just wanted to weigh in. Endo falls under the Equality Act as long term chronic health so you have every right to have toliet breaks to suit you for health reasons. It's a reasonable adjustment and legally they need to support you. Your argument is without being able to go to the toliet when you need it would result in you off sick so therefore more costly to them then supporting you to perform at your best and stay healthy at work. Good luck. Get the letter. Speak with your manager. Stand your ground.

[ferns80]

I agree with Jen82 about regular toilet breaks being a reasonable adjustment.

[Linz4686]

Hi - I have same problem - I’m in agony if I don’t go but in agony when I do go, sometimes I feel like I’ll pass out when going to the toilet as it is that painful -

It’s such a horrible diesease to bare, I hate the way it’s such an unrecognised condition.

[SB90]

I go as and when I need to, you can apply for access to work as this is classed a life long term medical chronic disease and comes under therefore the disability act. Access to work will assess your needs and potentially also send you to occupational health, measures then need to be in place to support you such as ergonomic chair, seating, rest breaks as and when and access to toilets. It is illegal for them to state this with a medical condition as detrimental to your health, I work in an FE environment lecturing and so go as and when and don't ask at all. This is a necessity, so isn't up for discussion- as long as there is a TA present if young children they havent ground. Go on the government website or google access to work- apply ASAP and also ask for occupational health- as they will recommend things for your work to do to support you.

[SB90]

gov.uk/access-to-work

here is the website. The forms are on this also- do it asap. I have ergonomic chair and everything to support me.

[PandoraPenguin]

I'm a teacher. Last time I had endo issues I made it clear to the Head that sometimes I just have to go "right now". I am lucky my room is opposite the loo and I teach Secondary. We had the agreement that if I had one of "those groups" I'd flag with a neighbouring teacher and wedge the door open, otherwise it was understood that I would only leave classes as an emergency. It's not ideal but they agreed to that as they knew if I couldn't go then I would get worse and end up having a sick day which was worse for their workload!!!

[Bob1993]

Hey!! I get the sharp pain too. I’m just wondering if it’s worse in the morning for you? When you wake up and your bladder is full?

[E44E44 in reply to Bob1993]

Hi yes I do get pain in the mornings but then I find those Actimel yoghurt drinks work first thing then during the day if I don’t go I get like a period pain cramps as my periods have stopped as on the pill .

[k77a]

dictating when a person can and cant go to the toilet, sounds like a breech of a basic human need.