Ulcerative Colitis + Massive Preparations = Successful Romantic Dinner

Ulcerative colitis is annoying and inconvenient all the time. No matter where you are or who you are with, you are probably wishing you didn't have to deal with UC. You never think, "Hmmm, you know what would be great right now? Explosive diarrhea." But one of the times that your hatred for your ulcerative colitis is at its zenith is before or during an attempted romantic dinner. Whether with your significant other or a potential significant other, you do not want to embarrass yourself. With some preparations, you can ensure that your big night will not leave you hating your life.

Managing Your Symptoms

The last thing you want is to let your partner be aware of what is happening to you in the bathroom during your romantic dinner, so the one of the first things to do is to do your best to make sure you don't have any symptoms for the evening. This is impossible to guarantee, but put some energy into it and you have a better chance of success. If possible, for a few days before your romantic night, eat an extremely bland diet. I am talking steamed rice and veggies. Doing this will minimize your chances of a flare-up. However, if you have had UC for any length of time, you know that this doesn't ensure your comfort. Sometimes, other measures must be taken. Though UC is not to be combated on a regular basis with over the counter medications, desperate times call for desperate stifling of your diarrhea. Dose yourself up on the day of the date with anti-diarrhea meds. Spot treatment is what you need here.

Cover Any Symptoms You Can't Manage

Even taking the precautions above might not leave you symptom free. In case you find yourself suffering anyway, you need to prepare a survival kit before your romantic dinner. If you are going out, be sure it is a travel survival kit. If staying in, make sure you know where to find everything before hand. The kit should contain a smell-covering device, the best being a small container of perfume or cologne. It should also have some wet-naps to use for unexpected clean up if need be. An extra pair of underwear can't hurt either, especially if you are planning on having the significant other (or candidate) exposed to your underwear. Though not physically in your kit, coming up with a few excuses for trips to the restroom beforehand is a good idea, that way you won't have to think on your feet later.

Be Smart About Dinner

For the love of god, don't order the so-spicy-it-will-melt-your-face-and-colon entree. It will not help your case. You know what foods disagree with you, so avoid them at all costs during your romantic dinner. Don't starve yourself, because your date will think you aren't having a good time, but be smart about what you are putting in your mouth so that it doesn't come back to haunt you. If you will be dining in, it might be best to offer to cook. This way, you can also maintain total control of preparations in order to minimize your chances of having a problem. Make your favorite UC-friendly recipe for the two of you, and enjoy.

Ulcerative colitis isn't pretty, and it isn't something that has any place in your romantic evening. However, with some prep time, you don't have to let it ruin your date.