Bowel/fecal incontinence

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I am new to this forum (2 months) and not sure if I’m doing this right but I’ll start here.
I was diagnosed with bowel/fecal incontinence last year and am struggling with the social consequences of it, which will be more in evidence when the quarantine eventually lifts. But even now, invitations to go for a walk (which I love to do)I have to turn down if they are offered unless I already had a bowel movement. How will I handle a 7 hour trip to my son and his family? I do volunteer work that will start up again after the quarantine.
Trips to the doctors or P.T. (Pelvic floor physical therapy) are carefully scheduled around what I hope will be a “post bowel movement” time.
I am 77 years old and otherwise in good health and was fairly active, including long walks with friends even during the pandemic.
I have good medical care but would like to know how others deal with the social limitations. All the forums I’ve come across all seem to deal with bladder incontinence.
Thank you,
Christine

 

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I have fecal incontinence along with my bladder incontinence. I use a small fleet enema when going out, it only fills the rectum. But I also use tape protection also day and night. Also daily scheduled enemas that my PCP ordered. The has help me have some control in my life. Yes, I'm enema dependent and of course diaper dependent. But at this stage of the game, I just want to smell the wild flowers!

 

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Hi and welcome to the forum. Have a look at Coloplast Peristeen, it might be useful for you. Other suggestion could be wearing protection with waterproof pants over to add another layer of smell defence? Can you get to see a bowel specialist to get more information?

 

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Thank you for your response. I am not familiar with “tape protection.” Is that purchased over the counter?

 

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Hi Christine,

I didn't mention diapers or pull ups as it is very personal as to what you would prefer to try but best suggestion is to speak to a professional about this.

 

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@Christine89 it is a adult diaper, my caregiver uses that term when we are out, and instead of using diaper, but here its fine to call it what it is.

 

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@Christine89 Northshore and many others can help you get started. I do know Northshore will send out samples so when you start wearing diapers you will find what is best for you. Also we are very happy you found our incontinent family here!

 

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I also have bowel/urine incontinence and like to get a bowel movement before going out.I'am like someone else what is tape protection?

 

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Who mentioned tape protection?

 

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Hi Christine89,
I'm sorry to hear of your experience. There are so many other disconcerting effects connected with the fecal incontinence. I'm an 83-year old widow and have been dealing with urinary incontinence regularly for 13 years and some before that. That runs in my mother's family. But I did have fecal incontinence starting in 2013 until I figured out what was causing it.

On returning from my mother's funeral on a Sunday in 2013 I started having severe pain in my left abdomen and by Monday morning I had to go to the ER. The doctor there diagnosed me with IBS, not knowing anything about my history. I knew from my temporary symptoms that that was a wrong diagnoses, but had no idea what was causing the real pain. She prescribed an anti-biotic and the pain went away.

The previous five years I had been drinking a cappuccino mix every morning and then in 2013 started having one in the evening. After a couple weeks my fecal incontinence began but I didn't connect it to my cappuccino. I saw the gastroenterologist who discounted what I told him was happening as though I just had a weak sphincter muscle. However, his resident assistant checked me out and said that the muscle was fine. I experimented for the next few years trying to see what was happening. The pharmacist said that the cappuccino mix was like drinking creamer, it would go right through me. My friend, a college chemist major, said it was the silicon dioxide, used to prevent caking of the ingredients. I learned that silicon dioxide is in a lot of the stuff we eat so I figured that that shouldn't be the problem. Since I love the mocha flavor I was reluctant to give up the one comfort each day in my life. I found that when I stick with drinking just the one cup in the morning I'm okay. I still don't know what really caused the pain when I went to the ER, maybe an infection in the lower intestine.

The things we have in our diet can sure mess with us. I started taking liquid turmeric hoping to relieve 65 years of chronic upper and lower back pain. After the first month I noticed when I wiped that the "smudge" was a bright blue green like wet green crepe paper. And upon examining, I saw that my stools were dark green. How bizarre! But I knew immediately that it was the turmeric because it was the only new thing in my diet even though the turmeric is orange in color. The color change in the bowel probably has no effect on my internal body function but I cut back on the amount taken by .5 and only take it every other day now. So far I haven't detected any significant pain relief anyway.

I hope you find some help for your incontinence. It's so frustrating to find answers. I keep hearing in my head the phrase, "Physician, heal thyself." Sometimes I think that's close to the truth. All we "seniors" especially, are familiar with our bodies after so many years, and probably can figure out most of our problems on our own. My experience has been that most M.D.'s are not prone to investigation of odd things, preferring to give a pill or shot. Well, trying the simplest fix is, of course, the best start. I don't want to disparage the medical profession - too much! It just seems like as I get older that my complaints are not taken seriously, after all I probably won't live more than another 20 years! Pardon my cynicism. But I know that constant pain causes a rise in blood pressure which causes me to be at greater risk of heart problems and stroke. I just want the pain to go away.

 

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Did any of you developers bowel issues after prostate radiation?

 

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I have fecal leakage. Not a lot but still bugs me. I have had a big accident a few times & that’s so hard to clean up from. A doctor told me that I should just take a anti poop pill before going out socially but that messes with your system. I wear a poise pad 24/7. I have depression with it too because of the problem. Also anxiety! I’d just like to be a normal 67 year old lady. But what is normal? Thinking of you. This group has been great to share with. Welcome

 

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@laalaauk I did, its a term my caregiver uses, and myself, so not to offend anyone, especially in the medical community (poor things) instead of saying diapers.( I now enjoy using the term in a clinic or hospital, as it makes them think what it is! lol As remember you cannot say diapers to them right!! lol shocking!

 

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Thanks for all the responses. Living in a large city I do have excellent medical care available and the top GYN Pelvic Floor surgeons. And pelvic-floor kegel exercises have strengthened the sphincter muscles a bit.
It’s the support from people who have to navigate social interactions at work or in the community that I hope can give me tips (from the field so to speak)in how to make the best life with it. Even the “embarrassing stories lived through — and survived helps. Thanks again. I’m glad I found this site.

 

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@Christine89 I've lived with bowel incon for a long time and it's not that difficult to manage as long you control odor (take Nullo daily) watching what/when you eat and of course wearing adequate protection.

 

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Oh tape protection! Makes sense when you think about it! It's a diaper that's held together with tapes!!! I have to admit I saw that earlier and I wondered, what the.....? But give it some thought and it's obvious! Of course, so why not???

 

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There is a product for minor bowel leakage - a pad called "Butterfly". Helps on the staining issue, too. Not easy to get. I haven't had to order for some time. CVS used to carry them, but I had to call on phone to order. The men's and women's are the same, except for the color of the packaging.
There was a manufacturer's shortage, and the Amazon sources took the price above any one's reach except the 1%.
ritanofsinger is right. Your logic on the silicon dioxide makes sense to me; unfortunately, they don't give the "strength" or amount of that on the packaging. Have you eliminated some of the other ingredients? Chocolate, caffiene? It seems to many here that incontinence doctors don't seem to care, possibly because they don't have answers. Geriatric medicine isn't lucrative, and some medical schools don't even teach it, anymore.
I'll repeat a line many have used, on this site. If you have a doctor that isn't listening, get a different doctor. Request and/or demand help for the social issues. Maybe they have suggestions of where else to get help. Ask the nurses.
The social side is tough. I'm not sure if counseling is available for this; there is for urinary incontinence. Aside from assuring you have access to a bathroom, pay attention to the variables you can control, I suppose.
Welcome. God Bless

 

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When I had bowel incontinence my docs had me on a regimen of looting. It helped, but did not get rid of it totally. I only went to doctors appointments during that time. The only thing that ended this was being diagnosed with rectal cancer.

 

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welcome christine, everyone is so great here. I know you'll fit in just perfectly.

 

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Hi Christine, It's good to have you here on the forum and right off you'll notice that the people here are very sincere and welcoming. Everybody respects each other but we can still speak very frankly about our issues and not fear that anyone will belittle us or try to minimize what we're going through in any way. And I'm glad you are able to speak from the heart in introducing yourself. That means that you have come to the right place!!!
I don't have your particular issue of fecal incontinence (just bladder)at this time but who's to say I won't at some point later??? Incontinence can hit anybody at any time so you're in good company here. But we do offer advice as well as a sympathetic ear here and everyone here is really awesome in his or her way.
In reading your intro I notice you love to go for walks and that's something I also enjoy. It's such good exercise and you get to see so much more than you would just by driving somewhere. I also see you're a volunteer. Good for you!! I also volunteer at a local nature center. During normal times we host field trips by elementary school students and I help with the teaching. It is a wonderful way to spend a day and hopefully this covid will end soon so we can have those trips for the kids again!!
So, please make yourself at home here and drop in whenever you want, even if it's just to say "Hi!"