Stop the clustering to travel

[midlifemom]

Hi all.

I guess to call it clustering. For 2-3 hours each evening I'm running in and out ouf the bathroom for a bm. There's gas and intense urgency, but very little stool. But sometimes 1 minute later, literally barely make it out of bathroom, the urgency is back. Sometimes I'm lucky and i get half hour before next episode. So, whether this is clustering or not, i need to find a temporary means to stop it for a wedding this weekend.

I know I've read other post here on same topic. I recall enema or immodium/lomotil being two options. I'd prefer not going the enema route. Can those that have successfully managed this let me know how they did it.

Thanks all.

[Joecool1983]

I often have problems with stool fragmentation/clustering also. If you want to make it through a day, then some sort of medication to stop you up, such as Imodium should do the trick.

[ams5796]

I've been going through those same clustering sessions nightly for a really long time now. I know you said that you'd prefer not to do an enema, but that would probably give you total peace of mind for that day. It's really the best option. I'm not sure if you're looking for a break for one day for the wedding or if it's a whole weekend event. The weekend event would be obviously more tricky. I think you can get through a day for the wedding with very little eating and drinking (before the event) and taking doses of Imodium or Lotomil every few hours. So, if the wedding is late in the day I would start the day with a very light breakfast and then I would stop eating for the day and start responsibly dosing the Imodium. At the wedding you'd probably be able to eat and drink carefully. The problem with taking so much Imodium for me is that I would end up clustering even worse for even longer for days after the wedding.


Ann

[midlifemom]

I've been going through those same clustering sessions nightly for a really long time now. I know you said that you'd prefer not to do an enema, but that would probably give you total peace of mind for that day. It's really the best option. I'm not sure if you're looking for a break for one day for the wedding or if it's a whole weekend event. The weekend event would be obviously more tricky. I think you can get through a day for the wedding with very little eating and drinking (before the event) and taking doses of Imodium or Lotomil every few hours. So, if the wedding is late in the day I would start the day with a very light breakfast and then I would stop eating for the day and start responsibly dosing the Imodium. At the wedding you'd probably be able to eat and drink carefully. The problem with taking so much Imodium for me is that I would end up clustering even worse for even longer for days after the wedding.


Ann

I need to control it for just 2.5 hours during travel time to wedding (unfortunately, travel time coincides with cluster time. Will adjust travel time as much as possible.).
Then for 3-4 hours during reception.

Its just I've never taken immodium proactively, only after the diarrhea started, but thought that might be the answer. I could also pick up a fleet to bring along just in case.
Trying the proactive approach tonight to see how well it works without stopping me up completely.

[ams5796]

Imodium can certainly work proactively. Unfortunately, one of the keys to having this situation work is limiting your food intake (doesn't seem fair, does it? ). Sometimes you just have to take the risk and throw caution to the wind. Otherwise, you'd overthink everything and miss out on all the fun. (now I'm talking to myself)


Ann

[Rubyslipperz1]

I sometimes use immodium for an important event but I also will often wear a stupid Depends to give me extra peace of mind. My issue is usually the opposite, diarrhea, but when I have the clustering issue I barely have any warning so I started using the immodium + sexy diaper and it has worked for me to enjoy special events, flying, etc.
good luck!

[Lordswood77]

I'm due to start irrigation shortly once my chemo finishes in early October. I've been reading some good reports and it very easy to do using the mini irrigation systems

Qufora is the one I will be using

[midlifemom]

Just an update.
Taking immodium proactively, before any rumblings began, worked wonders for the ride to the wedding.
The day of the wedding was more difficult as there was so much food! I took 1/2 an immodium throughout the day every time i went the bathroom for a bm. This kept the urgency under control though stools were still rather loose. Day after wedding, today, i began backing off on the immodium and my system is clearing itself out.

Bottom line - this worked for me, let me attend a wedding i really wanted to make. Perhaps it will work with someone else. Good luck!

[ams5796]

Thanks for updating us, midlifemom. I was wondering how you did. I'm really happy for you that your plan worked. It's always the food that gets in the way! But, you made it work. It's liberating to know that we can participate in important activities. It seems to be all trial and error.


Ann

[BeansMama]

So glad it worked for you!

[Pita]

That's wonderful MLM that you were able to go to the wedding without problems, happy for you!!! ox

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm so glad it worked for you midlifemom!*hugs*