What are your strategies for finding a toilet?
What strategies do you have if you find that you need to go the toilet when you are out and about and you find that they are all closed?
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If the bathrooms are all closed, you find yourself with a bit of a problem, don't you 😀. I personally have not ever experience ALL of the bathrooms being closed so I don't have any tricks. As far as advice and tips, well, I would suggest having a bag of 'clean up' supplies and fresh clothes. There are many articles about the 'emergency bag' on the site. Otherwise, make a list of all the restaurants and open access establishments in the area you will going to be as prepared as possible. You can't control the situation if EVERYTHING is closed. Hopefully, that won't happen too often. Thank you for your question, remember we are always here for support and I hope that you are well today. -Todd, IrritableBowelSyndrome.net Team
Hello! Finding a bathroom is incredibly stressful. It's almost as stressful as leaving the house, for me. I live near NYC, so public restrooms are sometimes hard to come by. As somebody who still likes to travel, Having IBS is not ideal when on the move, especially on long road trips: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/poop-terminator and https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/hometown-travel.
Here are some of my articles where scanning and hunting for a toilet is all too common in my life!
I try and take reliable routes. Ones where I know toilets can be found. I usually like stopping at a Target bathroom, as it gives me an excuse to check out what cool LEGO sets they have in stock lmao. Otherwise, I use Apple maps, or Google maps, to find bathrooms or McDonalds' near me. Fast food chains are perfect. There's usually a side door that's closer to the bathroom and out of eyeline of the cashiers. Nobody will give you a hard time if you're popping in and out for a deuce. My girlfriend has absolutely saved my bacon on more than one account. Her, my folks and I, were taking a long road trip from NYC to Buffalo, NY when my tummy gave out. We had to find a bathroom in RURAL Pennsylvania in order for me to not crap my pants. She found one on a park reserve in the middle of the woods, way after hours. AMAZINGLY, the bathroom facility was unlocked, with working lights.
I've lucked out with every trip, and getting to know travel routes, common toilet spots and free bathrooms is a must while living with IBS. You never know when it'll strike!
Thank you so much for sharing with us and being a part of our community. I hope you've been feeling well as of late and that this helps!
Best
~SawyerI often look for a Starbucks or a fast food place where access to bathrooms is easy.
That's great advice, thank you for sharing! Karina (team member)
