Wow--I thought I was the only one with this problem! Before my diagnosis, I had an accident at work as a result of getting stuck in traffic one afternoon after running an errand, and I have a 40-50 minute commute in very heavy traffic (I drive less than 45 miles)to contend with!
I have found that keeping myeslf distracted helps alot. In the morning, I listen to a radio talk show that I really like, is funny and very captivating for me. If I am having a really bad morning, I do have few people that I don't mind me calling them at 7 am if I am having a really bad morning and just have to go to work that day. I also eat a banana while I drive on bad mornings, which is very comforting to my stomach and seems to sooth any cramping. In the afternoon, on my way home, I make a lot of phone calls, return calls to people who have called me, etc, which helps my anxiety, as well as frees up time during the day.
I also (as many do) take one immodium when I get up if I am feeling iffy, two if I am definately having symptoms. I also take two GasX in the morning right before I get in the car, one on the way home if I need it. I also know where every restroom (clean, so-so and "big emergency") is along the way, which also helps alot.
At first, I used to give myself time to make 2-3 stops along the way, primarily stopping into grocery stores or Wal-Mart for a quick break--just to be sure. As I began feeling more confident, I would try to have fewer and fewer stops, and now I can usually get all the way to work without stopping at all--a really great feeling of accomplishment!
There are a few stretches of my commute though that have nothing along the way, but them I timed that distance one morning, and realized that it is less than 10 minutes between restrooms, which used to seem like forever, but I have worked on psyching myself out during that stretch, and feel so proud when I can get all the way to work without stopping.
I have even scoped out a few doctor's offices that open early or stay open late, and, I found out that in my state, any government building, including Fire Departments, must allow thier facilities to be accessible to the public--one of the rural stretches has a fire department in the middle of it--I have not had to use it, but I have comfort knowing that it is there!
Good luck to you--I will be thinking of you while I am in traffic!!
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Beth
IBS-D, IBD, Pain
Working toward stability
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Re: morning commute advice
