Need Advice- Should I Mention Something To Teachers?

[HAK1031]

Hi All,

I'm a high school senior, and I've been gluten-free for a year. I've never said anything to my teachers unless it came up, like if we had a field trip or food in class, etc. Those who I have talked to have been very helpful and understanding, but I figured I'm old enough to handle it as it comes up.

(slight gross alert)

Since going gluten-free, my bowels are finally regular. I almost always go first thing in the morning, although when I have to go I REALLy have to go. But when I get glutened, even after the obvious symptoms pass, it takes a while to get back to normal.

I had a minor mishap last weekend where I ate some miso at a japanese restaurant while traveling, assuming it would be fine since I always have it at our local restaurant and they checked for me and it's fine. I only had one spoonful before the waitress ambushed me and took it away, and I didn't get too sick. After a night of D, I was constipated for a while, and now my bowels are all messed up.

Yesterday, I couldn't go in the morning, which worried me a little. But then during calculus, which was the last class of the day, we were taking a quiz, and all of a sudden I REALLY had to go. I knew my teacher wouldn't let me go w/o a lengthy explanation, which I wasn't about to deal with. So I rushed through the rest of the quiz (never a good idea in calculus!) and then went.

This is the first time anything like this has happened. It was never a problem when I was younger and undiagnosed because I had severe C and only had to go a couple of times a week. I have had a reaction at school before, but only stomachaches, never D or anything. But should I mention something to me teachers, in case it happens again? Needless to say, it's really embarassing! But I'm afraid it might happen again sometime when I can't wait and can't go, ie during midterms or AP tests or something. Any thoughts?

[ShayFL]

If it were me, I would speak to my teachers about it. I cannot imagine someone not being understanding. Make it clear that it would be rare that you would ever have to get up suddenly and go to he bathroom, but it could happen. It has been 22 years since I was a senior in HS but I do not remember having to ask to go. If you really had to go....you just went. But maybe you could have a teacher that wouldnt like that, so an explanation would be a good idea.

[purple]

For your own peace of mind let them know. I am sure they would appreciate it.

[Guest Mommy2aiden]

I would get a letter from your doctor stating your issue,and show it to each teacher while you explain. its better for them to know then to not, just in case

[Ashley]

Definitely tell your teachers. Especially concerning emergency bathroom trips. I'm taking several AP classes myself and got in the same situation in AP Gov't during an unit test. I knew my teacher wouldn't let me stop mid-way so I rushed through it and failed it, just to use the bathroom.

I had my doctor fax a statement to the school, then which was forwarded to all my teachers. There's no problem now and I really don't have to say anything other than "I need to go."

I never really eat much before finals or mid-terms, to avoid any emergencies like that.

Good luck and never take anything off a teacher about this problem. But I'm sure your teachers will be understanding

-Ash.

[HAK1031]

Having taken AP gov last year, the thought of rushing through a test in there scares me! You guys are right, I'll talk to the doctor about a note, and maybe get the school nurse to help me out.

[jjc]

I would definitely mention it too. My daughter is a high school senior, and on her medical paperwork this year, I put a note about her situation and said that "she MUST be able to leave the class and use the restroom if necessary, NO QUESTIONS." Now that the teachers know this (and the other students don't), she's got peace of mind that if she feels sick she can just leave.

(Also, going to the bathroom with D in the middle of class when the bathrooms are empty is a whole lot easier than going between classes when the bathrooms are filled with other students!!!)

[*lee-lee*]

i agree with everyone else...definitely let you teachers know. in NY (where i went to HS), we have state mandated final exams and no one is allowed to leave the room until 2 hours have passed, even if you've completed your test. they allow exceptions but normally a proctor follows you to the restroom. point being...there are always exceptions! a note from your doctor that can be put in your file would be an excellent idea. there's not much to dispute when you have a note!

[Mother of Jibril]

With all the AP classes it sounds like you're getting ready for college...

Make sure you tell your professors! I'm a professor at a big university and every semester I teach a lecture class with 150 students. I've had students with learning disabilities, panic disorders, fibromyalgia... sometimes documented with a letter from a doctor or disability services, sometimes not. Personally, I don't need a letter, but I do appreciate it when students let me know in advance if they might have a problem during the semester. Then we don't have to have any embarrassing confrontations You wouldn't believe the crazy excuses people come up when they don't have a legitimate reason for missing an exam.

[SeMeCl]

I agree. Tell your teachers, I know in my high school you had to have a really go reason to be leaving class especially during tests (and even more so in the AP classes). If it has affected or is affecting you in class, it is best your teachers know, that way you don't have to go through a long explanation when/if the situation does come up, you just go.

Good luck on your AP exams (I'm a math freak, and I thought the calculus one was the hardest; hopefully your teacher is better than mine was )

[melmak5]

I second, third... seventh the sentiment here.

Tell your teacher.

Personally, the more anxious/nervous I am, the worse the urgency feels or sometimes is. It is much better to be able to responsibly respond to your body and bowels.

I would also urge you to tell any employers. You may or may not need a note, but telling people before there is a problem is usually less embarrassing than having to explain after the fact why you need to RUN down the hall.

I have actually gotten into the habit of asking/finding the restroom in every building I use. I luckily usually do not need it anymore, but before figuring out that I had Celiac disease, I was going 8-10x a day and am really grateful that I can now joke about knowing where all the bathrooms are in the Boston subway system.

[kim:)]

Hi All,

I'm a high school senior, and I've been gluten-free for a year. I've never said anything to my teachers unless it came up, like if we had a field trip or food in class, etc. Those who I have talked to have been very helpful and understanding, but I figured I'm old enough to handle it as it comes up.

(slight gross alert)

Since going gluten-free, my bowels are finally regular. I almost always go first thing in the morning, although when I have to go I REALLy have to go. But when I get glutened, even after the obvious symptoms pass, it takes a while to get back to normal.

I had a minor mishap last weekend where I ate some miso at a japanese restaurant while traveling, assuming it would be fine since I always have it at our local restaurant and they checked for me and it's fine. I only had one spoonful before the waitress ambushed me and took it away, and I didn't get too sick. After a night of D, I was constipated for a while, and now my bowels are all messed up.

Yesterday, I couldn't go in the morning, which worried me a little. But then during calculus, which was the last class of the day, we were taking a quiz, and all of a sudden I REALLY had to go. I knew my teacher wouldn't let me go w/o a lengthy explanation, which I wasn't about to deal with. So I rushed through the rest of the quiz (never a good idea in calculus!) and then went.

This is the first time anything like this has happened. It was never a problem when I was younger and undiagnosed because I had severe C and only had to go a couple of times a week. I have had a reaction at school before, but only stomachaches, never D or anything. But should I mention something to me teachers, in case it happens again? Needless to say, it's really embarassing! But I'm afraid it might happen again sometime when I can't wait and can't go, ie during midterms or AP tests or something. Any thoughts?

Haha dont worry, I am in your boat. I am in 10th grade and I use to have problems, and If I come in contact with wheat I got to go. okay yeah that sounded weird. but you know what I mean, so since 5th grade I have sat down with my teachers for a 504 plan meeting (which helps by the way) and I go over the whole bathroom thing. Very embarassing but honestly its better than sitting in class in pain. I know going to the bathroom can be a problem when we are at this age because they think we are going to go and just skip class, so letting them know why you have to go often then I think it would be better. Good luck! I know its this part of the gluten-free diet that I really dont like!!