I am curious as to how many of you are employed full time. I am finding it harder to work because of my frequent restroom trips and the role of my job. I do try to eat very little during the day and fast so I am not going all the time but sometimes it doesn't work and my job is fast paced, demanding so that I often don't have time to stop and use the restroom several times.
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I worked for 30 of the 41yrs since getting my pouch. I could only work a sit down job as that helped control my restroom breaks. As I got older, harder to control. Applied for SS disability, best decision for me, I can focus on my health.
I work in a factory running a machine and I had to take 16months off for the 3 surgeries but I got my job back .it's not easy but I have a handy toilet that others use more than me and I wont work long hours and take a day off if I need it.I have a coffee at 6am a banana at 9.30am and a wholemeal marmite and lettuce sandwich at 12.30pm.finding a job that isnt stressfull and having an understanding employer is harder but necessary,
I am a full time trial attorney for almost 30 years. Although I have battled pouchitis for almost 27 years and have occasionally had high frequency of BMs, I never had an issue. I recall once, in all those years, approaching the bench with a Judge in Court for a private discussion with him and opposing counsel about possible bathroom breaks during a long Court hearing. I explained my situation very briefly and just said I have an intestinal issue, no further info needed. But a funny thing happened. I did not need to use the bathroom, not once, during that long Court hearing, although I did once it was over. I think it was mind over matter. I didn't think about it at all, and was completely focused on the legal issues in the case that I needed to argue that day. Since that day- which was probably in the 1990s- it has never been an issue.
A lot of people now work from home due to the Covid pandemic or changes it created. My girlfriend's company sent its employees home when Covid pandemic began, and they have not been back to the office since almost 1.5 years later, which makes me wonder what they are paying for rent on that office. In fact, because jury trials were suspended in Connecticut from March 13, 2020, through June 1, 2021, I became adept at the art of the remote Court hearing. It's much easier to take breaks if you are working remotely. But working at home could be an option, for some of us anyway, that lessens this issue.
One other thing I should mention is that I did use Imodium a lot in the past and that also helped me get through longer Court hearings without repeated bathroom breaks. That and eating light before Court and saving meals for when I got out of Court. This obviously is just common sense.
Good luck with your issue.
I worked full time for years after my J-pouch surgery (I’m retired now). It was never an issue for me, but I always worked in places with reasonable bathroom access. Most J-pouchers don’t give it a second thought - they are either lucky or they got the qualified help they needed to tame their pouches. Urgency is disabling, but a properly functioning J-pouch isn’t.
I work from home. Used to go into the office but after my takedown went straight from leave to wfh due to covid. Now people are going back to office but my department has been approved for permanent work from home if we want, which I do. Generally when I am out and about I find my pouch behaves, but a few weeks ago I did go into the office for an all day workshop. That day I was having a bad pouch day and hit the restroom about 7 times. Not a norm for me but still glad I can generally be home during the day. 4 days after the bad day at work, I spent all day at Disney with my grandson and pouch was no issue.
For 25 of my 30 years with a J pouch I worked full time as a road warrior, meaning frequent business trips with air travel, and on my feet during presentations and trainings for clients. What worked for me was sticking with food I knew I could tolerate, eating lightly, avoiding alcohol and desserts, taking Imodium and Metamucil (helping with control and consistency), and building in breaks.
5 years ago I made a career shift and now work for an employer not multiple clients and that job is 30 hours a week, so much more manageable for someone with a pouch. I’ve been working remotely since March 2020. I recently received a Crohn’s diagnosis following a bad bout of pouchitis (my first in 29 years) and am dealing with increased frequency and discomfort, but I am planning on requesting an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accommodation to continue working remotely as the rest of my organization returns to campus in September. Might that be an option for you? An ADA accommodation might also involve other options if your job requires you to work in person—such as more frequent breaks. There are no guarantees and your mileage may vary, but that could be worth exploring. (If you’re outside the US, your country may have a law analogous to the ADA.) I know everyone hates HR, but you could check with them, or with your union rep if you’re part of a union. So sorry that this is a source of worry for you. Wishing you a good solution that leaves you better supported.
I am a registered nurse (pediatric critical care) and a flight attendant. I have found what works and definitely what does not. I have drastically cut down on gluten and that has made an immense difference. High protein seems to keep my pouch happy. Everyone and their pouches are different.
