Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 36
Loc: Albany, NY and Hartford, CT
One of the ways I "told" my family about my problems was to leave Heather's book on the sink in the bathroom. Looks like everyone read it because suddenly my whole family was asking questions and urging me to see the doctor.
What was embarassing for me was living in a girl's dorm for 4 years at college. 4 bathroom stalls to 65 girls!!!! And though it is rare I feel like actually going, when I need to I need to go right then. I told some friends- some understood, others thought it was just sooo funny. When they saw me walking to the bathroom (sometimes running...) they would say "It's about time! What's it been? Like 10 days now?" Then they actually marked on a calendar for a month to see how often I went since it was just sooo funny. They also told others and soon it was a girl's dorm joke. "Oh no, Sarah's in here. Better go now cause the stall won't be available for another hour!" Needless to say, since graduation I have not spoken to them. Nor plan to.
This year I have my own bathroom. Although I did find out (from a fellow sufferer at college who actually introduced me to the term IBS) that I could have applied for a dorm room with a private toilet since my college considers IBS and Crohn's a disability. They give you a private bathroom (though there are few rooms like this) and a handicap parking pass in case you need to go right then and can't find a parking spot. Wish I had known for the 4 years I was there. Now I know to ask. Although my IBS diagnosis is not official yet so I wouldn't necessarily qualify....
But I find that a major step in recognizing IBS- an entire campus devoted to our convenience! YAY!
Posts
Re: Feeling embarrased
I told some friends- some understood, others thought it was just sooo funny. When they saw me walking to the bathroom (sometimes running...) they would say "It's about time! What's it been? Like 10 days now?" 
Then they actually marked on a calendar for a month to see how often I went since it was just sooo funny. 
They also told others and soon it was a girl's dorm joke. "Oh no, Sarah's in here. Better go now cause the stall won't be available for another hour!" 
Needless to say, since graduation I have not spoken to them. Nor plan to.
