Major D All Day Today - Panic Over Work Tomorrow

[DingoGirl]

Hi all - I'm working myself into a panic about this....but, what do you all do at work when there are major intestinal problems? I went out Sat. night (never go out any more to eat ), obviously ate something bad, suffered most of the day today. Not only my gut but even my emotions/mind feel messed up.....tomorrow I work 8 hours, six of them alone - - I work at a climbing gym and the bathroom is outside of the gym, WAY at the end of the soccer field. I have to actually lock up, and can really only go when there are no customers. I've been gluten-free just over 4 weeks, have not dealth with this before.

By the way I have been SO weak for years, don't climb at all any more, have only worked there 2 months, and they all think I'm a freak now, even though I try to downplay everything about celiac disease.....people mostly don't get it, I'm finding out. The best part? People that work there don't take breaks or lunch hours, no matter how long the shift....I'm expected to follow suit. Climbers are very tough - - no sympathy.

Celiac torture!!! I feel very helpless, the owner and manager are both out of town tomorrow, so no excuses....I just feel like crying now, and think I will. Since this could happen frequently, I don't know if this is the job for me....

~ Susan

[Guest cassidy]

I feel for you. I would take immodium in the morning whether you think you need it or not. Hopefully, that will slow things down. Today should be better than yesterday because more time has gone by since eating gluten.

If you are not sold on the job, maybe a more understanding environment would be better. If people work all day they should be able to eat lunch and go to the bathroom when they need to.

I am in sales so I'm in my car all day, except when I'm in with customers. If I have to go, it is in a customer's bathroom or the nearest gas station. I work in a rural area, so I've had to stop in very nasty places. I also eat lunch with customers 4-5 days a week. It would be much easy to work somewhere with a bathroom, microwave and fridge.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

[happygirl]

I second the immodium....it has saved me many a times!

hope you survive-let us know!

[Guest nini]

third the Immodium... it is a lifesaver when you have to work and have D...

[Rusla]

I can so relate to your problems. When I was a bus driver most of my routes there were no bathrooms on them. So, I would have to take immodium and never eat because I could not take the chance of not being near a bathroom. I hate to say it but jobs like these are not for people like us.

[penguin]

Def use the immodium, and hell, cry labor laws!

It's not like you want to have a break to get your nails done, you have a disease and they can't really argue with your needs. Not if they know what's good for them, anyway.

In the US you get a 15 min break every 4 hours, legally.

[mmaccartney]

I'm no expert, but I believe that Celiac, as a autoimmune disease, gives coverage under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If that is indeed true, your employer must make reasonable accomodations for use, such as allowing for you to take rushed bathroom breaks, or locating you closer to a restroom. I've seen lots of changes take place from the ADA, but I'd check with an attorney and doctor to make sure it is indeed covered.

[penguin]

  mmaccartney said:

I'm no expert, but I believe that Celiac, as a autoimmune disease, gives coverage under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If that is indeed true, your employer must make reasonable accomodations for use, such as allowing for you to take rushed bathroom breaks, or locating you closer to a restroom. I've seen lots of changes take place from the ADA, but I'd check with an attorney and doctor to make sure it is indeed covered.

Alright, I spend 10 minutes on hold for the ADA info line. They said they do not have a laundry list of conditions that fall under the act, however, he said they consider a disability a "physical or mental condition limiting a major life function" or something along those lines.

So, for ease of answering, I asked him if someone had a severe allergy to gluten, a component in most common foods, causing symptoms and intestinal damage, if that would be covered.

He said it would go by a case by case basis, but yes, it could be considered. I didn't want to sit on the phone forever waiting for the EEOC line to be picked up...

I have a limited daily bureaucracy limit. I think I'm done for the day.

[DingoGirl]

Oh THANK you guys for that advice.....I managed the entire eight-and-a-half-hour shift, no breaks, on my feet all day...only 3 potty breaks, NO D all day so that was a bonus. I will definitely get some immodium for those occasions.

Driving a bus and being out on sales calls - I don't know how you guys can do that! Kudos to you....at least I can RUN to the bathroom which is 100 yards away.

Chelsea - thank you for your bureaucratic dealings and checking into disability, much appreciated.

Ugh! Today, only 6 hours with no break....

Blessings -

Susan

[jerseyangel]

Susan--So glad you got through the day ok. I was actually thinking about you this AM--after reading your post yesterday, I thought that was my worst nightmere come true! Probably the reason I'm still at home after leaving my job at the end of 03. Also--I always keep Immodium in my wallet, just in case

[DingoGirl]

  jerseyangel said:

Susan--So glad you got through the day ok. I was actually thinking about you this AM--after reading your post yesterday, I thought that was my worst nightmere come true! Probably the reason I'm still at home after leaving my job at the end of 03. Also--I always keep Immodium in my wallet, just in case

Patti - I get it now, why some Celiacs don't work. I'm pretty depressed over it actually, and wondering what I"m going to do. Might have to look for a "work from home" job.....and the immodium is definitely in my purse at all times now!

[Veronica]

Susan, it's great to hear that your day went well. I had months of D, finally had to quit work becasue I was calling in all the time. Never knew why I felt so sick, didn't know why it would happen some days and other days were ok.

I spent months going back to dr for tests...and missed a lot of work.

Running to the washroom wasn't easy either...I was a cashier at a grocery store. People are NOT happy when you HAVE to turn off your light and RUN!!!!

Finally I was missing soooo much work, I had a feeling they were going to fire me. So I quit...then 4 months later was diagnosed with Celiac. I started to feel a bit better so I asked for my job back and I was told NO.

I live in Canada, and not sure what our laws are, but I'm glad I didn't go back to that store. How ignorant can people be? I was sick...I wasn't skipping work...but he refused to give me my job back.

I'm glad the immodium worked for you....I would buy stock in it if you paln in working for a while..LOL

[DingoGirl]

Wow Veronica, I think working in a checkout line would be one of the worst things for us! I could imagine having to run off several times a day....

I had to give notice yesterday at work, in a way. I won't be assistant manager and work the front any more - there is just too much pressure if I'm the only one there and there's no bathroom nearby. It was making me incredibly anxious. so, I can still work there, but just do some office stuff, and make my own schedule - just come and go as I please. That will be better for now.

I think they really do think I'm a big baby there though, they just don't understand!

Thanks, guys, for all your encouragement.

[jeannie]

  DingoGirl said:

Patti - I get it now, why some Celiacs don't work. I'm pretty depressed over it actually, and wondering what I"m going to do. Might have to look for a "work from home" job.....and the immodium is definitely in my purse at all times now!

Immodium is the drug of every day. Do you know yet why one day is good and the next not so good? I haven't been able to figure it out.