Water works during endo flare - help!!!

[GrouchoSparx]

Hey everyone, I'm in need of your fantastic advice again! It's a strange situation, but I'll take literally any suggestions, because I feel so stuck.

A bit of background: I'm currently at the beginning of an endo flare, and my neighbour has decided he needs a leaking pipe fixed, so our water (joint supply) is being turned off. The water company are carrying out the works at some point soon (they'll basically turn up on the day), but the council own the pipes and have contracted the water company to complete the works in their behalf.

Problem is, because of the medication I need to take (makes me thirsty and need a sterile area), because I need to refill my hot water bottle all the time, because when I need to use the toilet I need to use it, because I need to clean myself up regularly and wash sheets and clothes when I leak, I can't be in a position where there's no water.

There's no family and friends I can go and stay with (all deceased).

I'm on the priority services register already due to endo and autism, but both the council and the water company are refusing to offer any kind of help with the condition, as it is apparently not a condition they recognise as a disability or long term condition. (For my autism, they told me to buy fidget toys and stay in the house.) They're also not providing bottled water as it's not classed as emergency work.

Are there any other organisations or charities that would be able to help?

Everything is in my mum's name (family home), and the council and water company won't speak to me without her present. My mum is also of the mind that I'll be fine and manage without my medication and hot water bottle, and can wear a nappy and use sick bags.

I literally don't know what to do, where to ask for help, what help I can get, and both my parents are angry at me for being ill and needing the water.

Help!

[Pennyheart1]

I’m so sorry to hear they are turning your water off and that you are struggling with endo. Im also sorry to hear that this situation is causing more anxiety for you too.

I’m afraid I don’t know what additional help may be there for you. Do you know for how long this will be? This would be a good question to ask and may help to prepare for it. Such as filling up your bath with water or lots of bottles and jugs before it happens. This would allow for hot water bottles etc. Water isn’t normally turned off all day as we all need it… but I totally understand that this is not easy! Hope that the situation is short lived and all goes back to normal for you quickly x

[GrouchoSparx in reply to Pennyheart1]

We've been told it could take weeks, as it's all the pipework that needs replacing (it's all lead and full of holes). When the council came to assess the issue, the water was turned off for eight hours, and they've told us it would likely be turned off solidly until the works are complete.

That's a good shout about filling the bath up though!

[BloomingMarvellous]

My heart goes out to you. If you can bear the burden of a lot of public attention then I’d take it to your local TV or paper or radio . It’s not right for them to leave you in this position. Shame on them albeit it’s necessary work.

[Cailleach]

Sorry I am a bit slow replying and this may have happened by now, if so I hope it wasn’t too bad. It would be unusual for the water to be shut off more than a few hours I should think as everyone needs access to water for drinks, washing themselves and flushing the loo.

If it hasn’t happened, I would agree, stock up on water in jugs or flasks for drinking, maybe wet wipes for personal hygiene and you can flush the loo with a bucket of water every so often - set aside a couple of bucket fulls in advance.

It seems sad that you do not find your parents supportive with your endometriosis. It is a lot to cope with when those closest to you are not sympathetic - I think quite a few people here experience this. Are you in touch with any support services, or is your GP helpful? You could maybe do with someone sympathetic to talk to such as a counsellor? Xx

[GrouchoSparx in reply to Cailleach]

We've been told that the water will be shut off completely until the works are complete, and it'll be days.

I've been trying to collect as many bottles and containers as I can to fill with water, as neither the council nor the water company will be giving us water (budget doesn't allow for it apparently). Works are starting tomorrow, and I'm panicking, which is making my endo pain worse.

I've booked a GP appointment to see if I can get any help or a change to my medication temporarily so I'm not reliant on needing to sterilise and inject while the works are happening, and maybe get a doctor's letter for the council and water company, explaining that I need help.

No, my parents aren't supportive. They just complain about the fact I need so much support, complain about how much medication I have to take, and then constantly make me out to be the bad person for considering my needs. Apparently it's "just a bad period". My mum is also chronically ill (her eczema has reached a point where she needs constant steroid tablets to stop her immune system reacting), and she made sure her needs were met, but then said mine didn't matter.

[Cailleach in reply to GrouchoSparx]

This is really shocking. Hope your GP will be able to help or advise. I take it your parents do not live with you, just own the property?

I had a thought about the hot water bottles, do you have anywhere near you like a big Boots where you could find a heat pad -either electric or able to be heated in the microwave? I have a good electric one I got from Amazon, you could probably get a quick delivery and I don’t think it was that expensive.

[Cailleach]

Sorry, I was a bit pushed for time when I replied before, hope your GP will have been helpful. I was thinking you can create a sterile area using alcohol wipes, which you can get at the chemist if your GP doesn’t supply them.

Also filling up the bath would help if you then have a bucket to flush the loo occasionally -just chuck a bucket of water down it. Minimise washing clothes, bedding etc by padding up well and maybe put a towel under you when you sleep if you think you will bleed heavily.

Are you able to go out during the day for a while eg to a cafe or library, where you can sit for a while and also use the loos?

But I am really suprised that the Council expect people to go for days with no water supply. Are you the only one affected apart from the neighbours who have the problem?