Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Working and using the toilet

Hi all,

Just thought i'd ask you all how you cope with this?

I have fused SI joints and for the past year or so I have not been able to clean myself at all when I go for a number 2. At home this is fine as after I go I use a shower douche thing to clean myself in the shower and then throw it away.

I have seen things you can use like aids to help you but is there anything more discreet out there that I could bring to work. Also hygenic as I work in a hospital.

At the moment if I need to go I just hold it in which is sometimes painful, and on occasion when I could I had to go and not clean myself which was really embarrasing and I was paranoid for the rest of the day, thinking people would think I smell. I can not think of the solution besides going home or holding it in.

Thanks

There is a handle w/extender that you put the toilet paper on the end of. You could bring that with you and wipe down with some sanitary wipes after using it, just to be on the safe side. There is one called the "freedom wand" which breaks down into 3 pieces so it's not as long and awkward to carry.
Women carry purses but men are caring bags more often so it's discrete and normal for you to bring with you to the bathroom.

If you hold it you are at risk for serious health issues not to mention the pain of it.

As Pezami says, see if you can find one of those "bottom wiper" aids. You may have to try a couple of different sorts to see which works best, but they aren't hugely expensive. The other thing is to use a wet wipe in it rather than toilet paper, as that will clean you off better with less effort. Another option is to get one of those douche bulb things - its a squeezy rubber bulb that you fill with warm water, with a nozzle and you can use it to squirt yourself, though you might have to adapt the nozzle somehow to put a bit of a curve on it to reach properly. Also, don't use the regular bathroom, but make sure you use a disabled one as they will have a handbasin, disposal bin, etc and a lot more room, plus usually grab rails that mean you can support yourself better in a slightly raised position off the seat to clean yourself up, and more room to manoeuvre.

You could probably find a small back pack to use if pockets aren't an option. I work in a hospital and love my scrubs with cargo pockets. If you don't wear scrubs, that's not an option. Sorry you are having these problems, but hope this thread has given you some ideas.

Buy an aid and wet wipes as described above, use a small bag to carry to keep discreet.... Any one asks tell them it's your meds, they'd be non the wiser.....
I use butrans patches for pain relief... It would be plausible that I might go to the bathroom to change a patch ???

Understand how you must feel, it's a very personal problem.

Joseph9a: Check your private message account here, as I sent you a note with a suggested plan of action and I want to be sure you received it.

Brad

If you are in a place where you don't have a device to help, just pull out about 3 feet of tissue, fold in half and twist until firm and go from there.