I've done it. You've done it. Sitting in the movie theater, waiting for a break in the action so that you can run for the bathroom. You may wait for a love scene or a slower conversation to make a break for it. Upon returning to your seat, you ask your companion in a whisper "What'd I miss?"
No longer! You can now check RunPee.com to find out the best times to run to the toilet during a movie. Some movies have multiple opportunities. And, this site lets you know what you have, or will, miss while you're dashing into the lobby. Plus -- it's also available as an iPhone application.
After so many years with ulcerative colitis, I've gotten pretty good at judging when to make a run for it. But I could have used this site years ago!
With all the symptoms associated with IBD, it is sometimes difficult to decide what you should call your gastroenterologist about immediately, and what can wait until your next office visit. After a while, living with such serious symptoms as pain and bleeding can just seem normal, even though those things are anything but normal. Here are some of the signs and symptoms that should be reported to your doctor right away.
Is it true what they say -- that beans can cause more gas than other foods? Or do beans just have a bad reputation? And what can you do to enjoy your baked beans this summer without the fear of driving away your guests? Learn more about beans and why they're known to cause gas in most people.
When I came across Michael Seres' blog, I was completely transfixed. His story is gripping, and he often tells it from a hospital bed. I would tell you more, but he's pretty much covered everything already in this interview I did with him.
Q: What made you start blogging about your health?
Michael: At the beginning I started the blog as a way of letting family and friends know what was happening without having to phone everyone the whole time. Very quickly it also became a theraputic exercise for me to convey what was happening and how I was really thinking. At that point I realised that it could be of benefit to other patients and families. I guess I am hoping that people can see that there is always a future however bad your Crohn's is.
Q: What do you hope to get out of your blog?
Michael: I hope that the blog can achieve a number of things. In the first instance I would like it to help raise awareness of bowel transplantation. Whilst it is still a very uncommon transplant (I was the 11th patient to have it at Oxford) it is an alternative for patients that end up with short bowel or intestinal failure. In my case after over 20 operations for Crohn's I had intestinal failure and faced long term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). This in itself can damage the liver and even lead to a liver transplant so by having the bowel done you can have a real shot at getting your life back.
Aside from raising awareness I hope that I can show people that however bad things get there are always options. Never give up. When you suffer with a long term chronic condition like Crohn's it is easy to get caught up in the day to day. I hope that my blog will enable people to think of alternatives.
I also hope that my blog will help to demonstrate the impact that long term ill health has on your family and close friends. They are often the forgotten ones as people tend to worry about the patient. My kids have grown up only knowing dad goes in and out of hospital. This has to have an impact on their lives and I hope people might understand that the best way is to be open and honest with your kids. Telling them as it is works best.
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