First Weekend Trip with my Boyfriend... Dealing with Bathroom Issues!!! HELP PLEASE

Hi Guys,

I had my DS almost 8 years ago so for the most part, I know what foods work for me and which don't. The problem is that even when I eat perfectly (no sugar/flour/sucralose/milk,etc.) I still have moderate amounts of gas in the mornings (but REALLY stinky, peels the paint gas) and when I go to the bathroom it smells horrendously BAD! I am not exaggerating, the smell even grosses ME out. And I pretty much have to go the bathroom as soon as I wake up or within 20 minutes of waking.

I live by myself so this isn't a problem on a day to day basis and it's a small price to pay for the wonders of the DS but this weekend I will be going with my boyfriend on an overnight trip. We've been together for 4 months and I've thankfully avoided having to use the bathroom when we're together (I'm a little ashamed to say that I've lied a couple of times saying I had somewhere to be early in the morning so I couldn't stay overnight and thus avoided having to use the bathroom in the morning with him around.

But I know it won't be possible to do that this weekend. I am going armed with Ozium, Orange Citrus, Just a Drop and Poo-pourri but I know the hotel room probably won't have an exhaust fan and I usually spend about 30 minutes in there in the mornings so it will be obvious what I am doing in there.

My question is, how do I bring this up once I use the bathroom? It's something that is absolutely terrifying and super embarrassing for me because the smell is practically gag-inducing. Do I not say anything? How do I bring it up? I like him a lot and he likes me too so I would just like to know how I can deal with this. This is also the first serious relationship in my life so I am wondering if anyone has had anyone break up with them because of a DSers bathroom issues. If that's the case does that mean I'm going to be alone forever? It'd be different if I were already married but I was only 20 years old when I had the DS.

How have you guys brought up this issue with whomever you're dating/your significant other?

I'm going to start experimenting with probiotics/flagyl/gas-x etc. but I won't have time to do this before (I've heard those things can initially make your digestive problems worse before it gets better) since the trip is in 3 days.

THANK YOU so much, any advice is appreciated!!!

Poo stinks...even those who don't have designer guts. For all you know, his may make yours smell like a bed of roses.

Don't fret it, just eat to avoid issues and enjoy yourself.

I agree completely.  We all poop and pass gas - and it stinks.  In our house, we brag over who can clear the room!!  I win since the DS!!!    While my boyfriend and I have been together a lot longer than 4 months, I figure that if he can't handle you at your worst, he doesn't deserve your best.  I personally prefer to handle things head on and with a sense of humor - so something like "You do NOT want to go in there!  There were no survivors" works wonders.  Or "I'm really sorry, but I gotta go take care of this and it's probably not going to be pretty".   So while I understand that only being together 4 months you want to keep on best behavior and not disgust the poor guy, if he can't handle the stink he ought to stay outta the bathroom!!!  Relax, enjoy, and laugh about it!

First of all, relax and just do the best you can.  Here's how I deal with all this.  I put all my stuff in the bathroom the night before.

In the morning, ask if you can shower first and he will probably agree and go to the bathroom.  When he comes out you go in and do your thing.  Immediately after, take your shower and get ready.  Time plus the use of all your care products and perfume will do the trick.

And of course if you are lucky enough to have a window, open it!

Awesome way to handle it Pattie! Smart!

I agree with Patti.  Add an activity after that allows the chemicals a chance to chase the odor around before you surrender the bathroom.  A shower, putting on your make-up, what ever.

Also, a courtesy flush will help a lot towards this issue.  Don't let it hang there for 30 minutes before you flush!  Keep moving it along, it cuts down on the intensity of the smell.

I use Ozium.  Spray that, jump into the shower, have a window open, and you will be fine.  If you spray Ozium, and stay in that room, there should be a fan or an open window.  That stuff will knock the oxygen out of your lungs if you inhale much of it.

I would also tell Mr. Wonderful before you go.  I would explain the urge upon waking, the fact that you are not absorbing roughly half of everything you eat, and that your body disposes all of this chewed but unabsorbed food naturally - and this causes a more robust bouquet than your normal sewage plant.  Because you are a special, wonderful woman.  Be able to laugh at yourself and make jokes about it.

I recommend all of these ladies' suggestions, and add to that a fair warning for him.  You can flitter your eyelashes and say something like "This just could be the big test to see if you could stand my imperfections", and explain that your body is on a tight schedule, blah blah blah.  Give him the chance to potty first, then invite him down to the lobby to get you breakfast while you do your thing.

I met my husband at almost two years post-op.    He, fortunately, has a very tolerant sense of smell.    We had been dating about three months when we spent our first night together - in - of all places - a university dorm!   I was taking a graduate course, and he came out to visit me.    He knew I'd had the DS.    My dorm had this large, all ceramic tile bathroom that was very echo-y.    I went in in the morning, did my business, fortunately, there was an open window, and I showered, etc.     A couple of nights later, I made some oblique reference to my less-than-normal bathroom habits, and he said, "you make a pretty impressive racket in the bathroom for such a little girl...."   I almost died of embarrassment.   Now, after four years of marriage, it's no big deal, LOL.

LOL LOL LOL LOL.  I almost swallowed my tongue when I read "you make a pretty impressive racket in the bathroom for such a little girl...."    

OMG THAT IS SO FUNNY.

Incense....sticks or cones are the best. It lingers so by the time I get out of the bathroom it is still burning. They also sell small incense sticks. I light it before i even sit down....so I don't gag myself! I am not into perfumy smells and some can be overwhelming. I pick the scents that calm me too...hope this helps.