can you help me feel confident about using public toilets

[Beararosedale1]

Can you help me feel more confident about using public toilets? sometimes when I go to the toilet, I make a noise (wind) and I'm worried that when I have diarrhoea, and other people can hear it, they'll think bad things about me.

are there things I can say to myself which will help?

how do other people cope with this?

have you had any experiences that will help me?

[Hidden]

I think this is something that affects many of us on here, but frankly, when you've gotta go, you've gotta go and other people can think what they like!

One helpful thing to do is get a RADAR key (available from many disability sites) which will give you access to locked public toilets for the disabled, the advantage being that these are often separately housed from the rest.

[Beararosedale1 in reply to Hidden]

thank you, this is very helpful.

I look forward to hearing others' thoughts too

[b1b1b1]

Everyone feels like this to some extent. I think the thing is to remember that all people have these same issues from time to time, and just not worry about it. Practice just not caring what anyone there thinks.

[Beararosedale1 in reply to b1b1b1]

thank you, it s really helpful to know how other people are thinking about it, and that they're not so worried

[Moijoy]

Hi I try not to want to go number 2s in a public toilet if I can help it as I mainly want to go about half an hour or so after eating I would wait till I’ve been at home then go out that’s just me. But I do have wind and if this is coming I would try to wait till someone has pulled the chain to flush the toilet or put the hand dryer on. You are not alone it your thinking hope this helps you. Kind Regards Moira

[Lucyjaine98]

I also worry about using public toilets for a number 2 that’s were my whole anxiety to do with ibs comes from an unfortunately it’s what makes my ibs worse the worrying! I’m going on holiday( only in the uk) an it’s my biggest fear, but I’m just going to bite the bullet chances are even in your own town you won’t see the people again and just think about it from your perspective are you bothered about hearing someone on the loo? They’ll have forgotten about it in no time so try an not worry, says me! 😂 but I have gotten better than I used too x

[missymo]

Yes definitely get a radar key.its so much less stressful.x

[Lin1944]

Hi, I have just joined this group and have been reading all the posts and it’s good to know we are not alone. I never go to the Ladies with my friends when out for a meal, I go on my own as I know the noises can be so loud. I flush the toilet before I sit down and that noise hides some of the other noises. I have to have a single room if I go on holiday with a friend.

I asked the bowel surgeon what I could do about my constant trumping and she laughed a lot and said men do it all the time. I said I know but it’s not very ladylike especially as I am over 70. She didn’t take me seriously and kept laughing.

I have started drinking Aloe Vera so will let you know if it works. So much easier for men they don’t give a damn but we are all so ladylike. X

[Dep91]

You can buy things like V. I. Poo to mask any smell but end of the day everyone poops and the people that my hear u in the public rest room will prob never see you again so in a nice way they can get stuffed hahaha