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With my career I am often having to be in long 2-3 hour meetings. I am often tape recorded, and there are often lawyers in the room. It is a high stress situation for a normal person, and then the fear of having to run out of the room to use the bathroom multiple times adds to it. Telling my boss does not help because the people in the meetings are constantly different clients and often trying to pinpoint me/our team to get financial gain. If I run out multiple times my boss does not care, but the clients start to pinpoint me as I look unprofessional.  

I've quit and tried to find other jobs or even change careers but at this point I am stuck because this was the career choice I made/got my masters in. What advice to you have?  

Reply posted for JLL .

Hello. I saw your Response to another person's Post and thought I'd reply to you. You stated that you found Work from Home. Will you please let me know more about that? Thank you in advance.

Reply posted for dede1.

I am sorry you are going through this. It is awful not to be able to predict/control attacks of diarrhea.
I have found, like many of us, that the thought of being caught with no way to get to a bathroom can provoke an attack.
With my doctor's ok, I am now using immodium the day before I have an event, plus, I don't eat. I might have a protein shake in the morning, but that will be it for the day ( or until the event is over).  If it is a long day, I will eat plain chicken, but that will be it.
  I too, am looking for solutions, and exchange of ideas is always good! 
Lynn
PS, the worst part, is other diseases at least sound better.  Saying, "Ima poop my pants" just has no upside!  

Reply posted for dede1.

I don't....instead I got a job where all of my meetings happen from the comfort of my own home, where my bathroom is close, clean, and familiar! 

If you are interested in leanring more about my work from home job, please DM me or reply to this post. 

Five years ago I had to give up my career as a classroom teacher due to chron's. I was so depressed about this and wanted more than anything to teach and to be a productive member of society. Crohn's pervented me from doing both.

Reply posted for cianphillips.

Noticed in a reply that someone mentioned Kratom; I wanted to say that I've been taking it for a year now regularly, for the pain and anxiety that comes with UC, and it works very well--plus it got me off regular use of narcotic meds. While I wouldn't say it has no addictive properties, it is WAY less addictive than opioids and for me it's had no negative side effects. However, I haven't found it to slow or stop the diarrhea; it just makes the whole experience more tolerable. There is a movement by the FDA to make it illegal across the country but the AKA (American Kratom Association) is working hard to stop false information about its "dangers" and to keep it available and safe. Just wanted to share my experience in case anyone is considering trying to get off other painkillers. Kratom really does help!

Reply posted for charbs.

Funny you should mention opiods. About 10 years ago, before this latest opiod epidemic and consequent scare, my doctor prescribed opiods for some chronic pain issues and for the following years I was able to modulate my dosage so that taking them during the week helped with the frequency, fluidity, and urgency, allowing me to attend meetings and be more present. Over 10 years I built up quite a tolerance and experienced some undesireable side effects, but given that I just spent the two week Holiday break in bed and bathroom bound, I would trade those side effects for the colitis symptoms without hesitation. I am considering trying Kratom as it has some of the same properties as opiods. 

I held the second highest position in our IT deparment and am now in a lower position than when I started, 13 years ago without any direct reports. Luckily, I really enjoy the technical work more than the leadership/management work and my place of work has been very accomodating and supportive, allowing two work-from-home days a week and covering for me when I ran out of matching sick/vacation time to allow for full pay while on disability.

Reply posted for dede1.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/11/26/he-pooped-himself-metal-concert-riverbend-heres-why-hes-telling-you/1986139002/?from=new-cookie

Reply posted for dede1.

I'm in the same boat.

I'm one of the veterans at our company (I lucked out and got in when we were starting up - a year before my diagnosis).
I started climbing the ladder, as you do, even after diagnosis but, having constantly take time off after surgeries and leaving after accidents I stepped down and now, as a veteran with the company, I hold one of the lowest positions - but, at least I get a steady paycheck, even if it's a pity check.

I'm also the "angry guy" at work - and keep to myself.

Reply posted for dede1.

Have you tried opioids?  My Chinese doctor prescribed tincture of opium for my perpetual diarrhea.  Opioids cause constipation.  The stuff works.

Reply posted for dede1.

I can completely relate. I have changed jobs a few times and each time I fear the first few months when it becomes apparent that no matter how I much I prepare ahead, I have to leave meetings repeatedly for the bathroom. I know that part of it is psychological b/c the minute the door is shut I feel the panic and then this signals my colon and round and round I go. I wish I had a good answer for you, I totally feel your pain.