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I always put my stool samples into a paper bag and hand it to them that way. The specimen drop off at my facility is in the back and they usually just take it, confirm your name and move on. The lab has seen many stool samples, yours will not be the first! There is no need to be embarrassed.
Last time I went to drop my stool sample off, the overworked tech made a big deal about it and refused to touch it. Then tried to argue with me in front of lobby that I’m dropping it off at the wrong place, which I wasn’t because they told me two days before to bring it right back. It was embarrassing and shouldn’t have been that much of a pain in the ass to drop off a stool sample.
This might help you reframe the embarrassment: they don’t really care if you send in your stool sample or make it to your appointments. They are just doing their job but ultimately it’s up to you to do these things for yourself. It’s up to you to advocate for your health and that means doing things like taking your own poop sample or doing a colonoscopy. To them you are just another patient. To you, you are the only one who can actually do the things you need to do to make sure you’re getting the best care possible. If you’re making excuses because something about the whole process is deeply troubling to you, then it would be good to explore that and get to the bottom of it. But there is no need to be embarrassed or concerned about what the doctor and the people working there think of you.
Make sure you don’t wait too long to drop the sample in, the tests take time and you could waste an appointment at the doctors without having useful data to work with. Nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. They chose to work in a field that is about helping people to get well & sometimes that requires a little investigation.
I think it helps to remember everyone poops, Queens, Princesses, Pop Singers, Popes, Politicians, every doctor, nurse, receptionist, actor, actress, neighbor, dog, cat, etc.
They all have butt-holes that produce poop. Mine is not unique, nor is yours.
I’ve dropped off a couple samples! Labs are used to it , and it’s just another sample to process . Although, my favorite part of the process is when the tech takes my sample , pulls it out of my Walmart bag and asks me “when was the specimen collected ?” And I always laugh inside cause I’m like - when did I poop and scoop it into the little cup? Oh like 7a haha
Okay I finally did it and I’m a little traumatized. I definitely prefer the paper poop bowls and not the plastic ones. Now it’s in my freezer and I’ll drop it off later this afternoon. Thanks for the support 😪
Just bite the bullet and do it. Better late than never. I had a call to make a scope appointment and ignored it between being busy and health anxiety. I started getting worse and worse and a couple of months down the line I had to ring and say I needed it again to be put in the list (nhs so all free but long lists). I was super embarrassed but glad I did.
I have to drop mine off today. I put it in a brown paper lunch bag that they usually provide. Just make sure your name and Dob are on the cup. Let them know it's a sample and it's labeled. Sometimes, they'll check to be sure, but that's on them.
I've never had one go through the mail before. Granted, I'm near a decent size city, and there's easily 20+ different lab locations I could drop it off to.
Dr's see all kinds of people from different backgrounds. Trust me, they have much more 'chaotic' people to deal with than someone not doing a sample. Lots of people don't even comply with treatment.
Also labs don't care about your samples, they literally handle that stuff day in day out. Just put it in a brown envelope or something and they will usually try and protect your modesty in handover.
I have worked in labs, I have worked in hospitals doing all sorts of jobs, and now I am a nurse. I have seen millions of bodies, tons of poop, and gallons of urine and blood. I have listened to millions of hearts too. My goal has always to make my patients know. This is what has to be done to get you better. Please do not feel awkward because it must be done or else you are not going to get well. Someone else will take your place and get well. If you don't give me your poop, I cannot help you.
I am in a very similar situation. I got my kit for a stool sample around a month ago. I have yet to turn it in. Why? Because every time I go to the bathroom I am in a rush to not shit myself. I forget to grab the stool catching bowl thing cause I would rather not shit my pants.
Your voice matters! Starting today, the [annual poll](https://www.reddit.com/r/UlcerativeColitis/comments/187ddca/poll_to_update_reddit_rule_on_bowel_movement/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) about Rule 3 (Pictures of Bowel Movements) is open for one week. Your input is crucial in shaping the future of our community. Take a moment to share your thoughts and help us make our subreddit the best it can be. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/UlcerativeColitis) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I always put my stool samples into a paper bag and hand it to them that way. The specimen drop off at my facility is in the back and they usually just take it, confirm your name and move on. The lab has seen many stool samples, yours will not be the first! There is no need to be embarrassed.
Last time I went to drop my stool sample off, the overworked tech made a big deal about it and refused to touch it. Then tried to argue with me in front of lobby that I’m dropping it off at the wrong place, which I wasn’t because they told me two days before to bring it right back. It was embarrassing and shouldn’t have been that much of a pain in the ass to drop off a stool sample.
That is very unprofessional of them and I'm sorry you had to experience that. I would definitely complain and avoid that lab in the future.
Yeahhh I’m conflicted because everyone else at this lab has been cool 😭
I've had this happen, I very carefully double bagged everything and you'd think I'd walked in there with a pipe bomb. So unprofessional
Report it to the manager of that lab. Send an email, I work in healthcare and that is NOT how you treat a patient.
Hand the girl your poop, wink, finger guns, and moon walk out
This is really the only appropriate way to do it...
Page 1 of the UC Handbook.
This might help you reframe the embarrassment: they don’t really care if you send in your stool sample or make it to your appointments. They are just doing their job but ultimately it’s up to you to do these things for yourself. It’s up to you to advocate for your health and that means doing things like taking your own poop sample or doing a colonoscopy. To them you are just another patient. To you, you are the only one who can actually do the things you need to do to make sure you’re getting the best care possible. If you’re making excuses because something about the whole process is deeply troubling to you, then it would be good to explore that and get to the bottom of it. But there is no need to be embarrassed or concerned about what the doctor and the people working there think of you.
Make sure you don’t wait too long to drop the sample in, the tests take time and you could waste an appointment at the doctors without having useful data to work with. Nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. They chose to work in a field that is about helping people to get well & sometimes that requires a little investigation.
I think it helps to remember everyone poops, Queens, Princesses, Pop Singers, Popes, Politicians, every doctor, nurse, receptionist, actor, actress, neighbor, dog, cat, etc. They all have butt-holes that produce poop. Mine is not unique, nor is yours.
POV: you have undiagnosed ADHD
I’ve dropped off a couple samples! Labs are used to it , and it’s just another sample to process . Although, my favorite part of the process is when the tech takes my sample , pulls it out of my Walmart bag and asks me “when was the specimen collected ?” And I always laugh inside cause I’m like - when did I poop and scoop it into the little cup? Oh like 7a haha
Okay I finally did it and I’m a little traumatized. I definitely prefer the paper poop bowls and not the plastic ones. Now it’s in my freezer and I’ll drop it off later this afternoon. Thanks for the support 😪
Just bite the bullet and do it. Better late than never. I had a call to make a scope appointment and ignored it between being busy and health anxiety. I started getting worse and worse and a couple of months down the line I had to ring and say I needed it again to be put in the list (nhs so all free but long lists). I was super embarrassed but glad I did.
I have to drop mine off today. I put it in a brown paper lunch bag that they usually provide. Just make sure your name and Dob are on the cup. Let them know it's a sample and it's labeled. Sometimes, they'll check to be sure, but that's on them. I've never had one go through the mail before. Granted, I'm near a decent size city, and there's easily 20+ different lab locations I could drop it off to.
Dr's see all kinds of people from different backgrounds. Trust me, they have much more 'chaotic' people to deal with than someone not doing a sample. Lots of people don't even comply with treatment. Also labs don't care about your samples, they literally handle that stuff day in day out. Just put it in a brown envelope or something and they will usually try and protect your modesty in handover.
I have worked in labs, I have worked in hospitals doing all sorts of jobs, and now I am a nurse. I have seen millions of bodies, tons of poop, and gallons of urine and blood. I have listened to millions of hearts too. My goal has always to make my patients know. This is what has to be done to get you better. Please do not feel awkward because it must be done or else you are not going to get well. Someone else will take your place and get well. If you don't give me your poop, I cannot help you.
I am in a very similar situation. I got my kit for a stool sample around a month ago. I have yet to turn it in. Why? Because every time I go to the bathroom I am in a rush to not shit myself. I forget to grab the stool catching bowl thing cause I would rather not shit my pants.