hi Ger,

yes i've heard of holiday constipation also. it probably affects quite a few people..either that or the other extreme - diarrhea. food is different, bathroom is different, daily routine changes - no surprise really.
i think you're right the only difference between 'normal' people and us having holiday BM trouble is that the 'normal' people would not be so freaked out about it and not let it so totally ruin their time as it seems to happen with us.

i'm not so sure if there are people around me who would understand if i told them. some of my family members are a bit sarcastic and i remember some making little snide remarks about things that i did or intended to do (when i was a teenager). so i don't really trust them all that much (but who can choose their family?)
as for my boyfriend i haven't told him properly yet. once i told him when he was a bit drunk ;-) and i found some courage. he seemed understanding enough but it wasn't mentioned since so i'm not sure if he even still remembers.
i fully intend to tell him again shortly (and properly) though, i know he loves me but he likes to make jokes a lot about toilet habits (i thought it was just a male thing), so he better not make jokes about me. :-) maybe only in an affectionate way.

i forgot - did you mention that your girlfriend knows about the condition?

bye for now,
Emily