no bm while away from home - Bowel Disorders Message Board

star8527 · 05-14-2009, 02:23 PM

I have a problem that whenever i am away from home vacation mostly usually twice a year for 7 to ten days I am not able to have a bm. I don't know if it's because I can't relax and I am so tensed up or what but it makes me miserable. I have actually almost not gone away once because of this. I usually have no problem at home but if it's somewhere new or just not at home I can't go. Has anyone heard of this and if so how do you deal with it?

kennyboy · 05-14-2009, 02:41 PM

It could be caused by a change in drinking water and diet.

Part of the fun of being on holiday is to try out the local foods and drinks but due to past experiences with constipation while on holiday I have resorted to taking drinking water with me and stuff I normally eat for breakfast. For a get me out of jail card I'll take a supply of soluble fiber and take that during my stay too.

If you take those precautions you can eat the local food and not get constipated. Hope this helps. Cheers.

nscrbug · 05-14-2009, 04:02 PM

Actually, yes...I have heard of this problem and am afflicted with it as well. There was an episode of Oprah, where she had Dr. Oz on addressing "weird" or unusual problems that people are too embarrassed to ask their own doctors about. Well...one person in the audience mentioned that whenever she went away from home, like on vacation or business trips...she could not have a BM. Dr. Oz referred to this problem as "safe toilet syndrome"...ha ha! It IS a real issue that happens to a LOT of people. He said that it's mainly a psychological issue, having to do with not being in a familiar bathroom setting, which causes stress and tension...thus causing "vacation constipation". I was happy to hear that I'm not the only one that suffers with this annoying issue...it made me feel almost "normal" knowing that so many other people have this problem. Many of my girlfriends, also have confided in me that they too, have this problem.

Drain Bamaged · 05-14-2009, 04:39 PM

Hi Star8527

I have also heard of this occurring.

What have you tried to assist yourself.
I do have some ideas for you but, don't want to repeat what you may have already tried.

Best Regards: DRAIN BAMAGED

Ummm, Star8527 ~

If you were at home ~ you'd beable to have a BM ? This has nothing to do with constipation ?

auntjudyg · 05-15-2009, 09:39 AM

I have heard of this. I have heard of people who can only have BMs at home . . . not even at work or a public restroom, etc.

I agree about the change in water and food . . . this can disrupt your internal bacteria. In addition to fiber supplements, eating yogurt or taking an acidophilus supplement might also help.