Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

I use immodium anytime I go out (up to 4 or 5 but she says I can use more if necessary). I use Lomotil if the diarrhea is very bad. I usually need only one dose of that. I take Metamucil twice a day. I eat a high protein, low carb diet and drink lots of water and zero calorie electrolyte drinks like Gatorade light and Powerade Zero.

I have had UC for 28 years now. It the past year , I add urinary inconti ence to the surprise "eruptions" from UC. I find the cleaning myself up afterwards the most difficult for me. If I am not careful I will get a UTI within 5 daus of one of these disasters. After all the clean up ( shower needed most of the time) I go take a 2-3 hour nap.( after an immodium).
I dont like leaving home. I only get out for dr. appointments and 1-2 times a month for a brief trip to some local place.
Most days I wear long t shirt nightgowns. I rarely put on street clothes anymore. Just for outings.
Next week I turn 70 and this past year has really brought home to me my limitations that changed my life . I feel old & forgotten.

Oh Kate! Your message makes me so sad. Yes, I HATE having bowel incontinence, but you can’t give up. There are things to try and ways to work around it! I’m 66 now and still fighting it- if you would like to message me privately, I would be happy to connect. I live near Minneapolis.

I have ongoing small bowel obstruction problem and therefore take Restoralax daily. That usually means I have about 4 bowel movements daily. I have to clean myself after each movement or I get a sore rash. My doctor recommended I use baby wipes followed by a barrier cream. This has helped me so much that I wanted to mention it instead of having to shower after each movement.

I hear you. Can’t help but agree that age (I’m 71) works against us. I too am housebound most days and go out reluctantly for appts, usually only doctor or dentist. Feeling guilty because my husband does all the shopping & travel plans during retirement have been put on hold. Had to send him by himself to babysit grandsons today because of bowel issues. Bowels are unpredictable which makes planning to do anything almost impossible. I understand & sympathize with your situation.

Yes! You get me. I wonder what part of the country/world you live in. Charleston,SC is my general home area.
My hubby does what he can. He is 76 and still working "part-time at 40 hrs". He used to work 50-65 hrs all his career years.
I hate to ask him to do more after work, but I must.
Some days I have no energy.
Oh, how I get you.

We CANT let this limit our lives!!! I am fighting really hard to get a handle on it. I have a neurostim- I don’t think it has helped. I think the most helpful approach is to try to keep my bowels predictable. I do that by keeping track of what I eat and if it triggers diarrhea. If I haven’t had a BM for a day or two, then I take Imodium prior to leaving the house - so far, that has been helpful. I would love to share experiences to help one another!

Hi-I have given into the problem by NEVER leaving the house without protection. That means I always wear stay free thin maxi pads- the overnight ones, with knit leggings or shorts (under a dress too). As much as I hate it, I have learned to always have a couple plastic grocery bags, extra pads, baby wipes and a change of underwear and/leggings in my (somewhat large) purse. Having a purse with outside zipper pockets helps, so all my supplies are accessible only when I need them, and the cashier at the grocery store doesn’t need to know everything I’m carrying 🙂

Yes, baby wipes are a game changer for me as well- even though they’re not flushable, they’re cheaper- and I think they’re bigger. I carry them in a double ziplock or a refillable travel size pack.

I have Never had anyone to talk with about these issues. I would love to continue these conversations! We have so much to offer each other!

Kate, I want to say something that will make things better. I feel your disappointment and despair. When I am there, and I have been more than once, I take it to a therapist, or medical doctor. There is a way to handle this. I have had fecal incontinence. Mine is less serious. Maybe your help is some of us in the same boat. Maybe a meeting on zoom.

Kate, I hate the cleanup process, too, but I get valuable help from my BioBidet, which goes on my toilet in place of the regular toilet seat and is attachable to the existing water source. It operates with a remote and produces a gentle stream of warm water that cleans very effectively.
It can be purchased on the internet and doesn't necessarily require installment by a plumber -- my daughter installed mine (she's a lawyer, not a plumber). It has worked flawlessly for three years -- no wipes, no rashes.
The one drawback is the cost -- they are not cheap. I think mine cost about $300 and has been worth every penny. If it ever needs replacing, I'll take out a new mortgage on the house rather than do without!