Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

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.

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.

@aileenredding I would LOVE to meet or chat with anyone struggling with this!! I’ve never had the opportunity- even though the Drs say “lots of people have this issue”.

@njzmom I’ve dealt with bowel incontinence most of my 85 years unknown reason at first, severe food allergy & rotation diet next, now a Crohns diagnosis. My issue is both pads & panties seem shaped & sized for urine, menstruation, men, or obesity, not a small woman with wide hips & bowel leakage. Even regular ladies panties seem cut for men to see, not to provide coverage for the lady’s bottom. I’ve found a few that do, but the pad won’t stick to the right spot in them. I’d like to know what “lots of people” or even a few do about this.

@peni i’ve experienced bowel incontinence for many years as well. My diagnosis is microscopic colitis. I find the depends or adult diapers unreliable. I have purchased adult rubber pants on Amazon. They’re very very tight around the leg so there’s no leakage. They are a bit uncomfortable, but better than having an accident in public. I really truly wish more research could be done on this as it is such a debilitating issue to have. It’s so stressful, so undignifying and so difficult to clean up after yourself. I am really hoping to Have my colon removed. I know it’s a huge step. I am basically exchanging one problem for another, but I’m 70 years old and can’t do the cleanup anymore. 99% of my BM’s, bowel movements are incontinent. I’m praying I can get a surgeon to understand as one has already dismissed me.

@njzmom I’ve dealt with bowel incontinence most of my 85 years unknown reason at first, severe food allergy & rotation diet next, now a Crohns diagnosis. My issue is both pads & panties seem shaped & sized for urine, menstruation, men, or obesity, not a small woman with wide hips & bowel leakage. Even regular ladies panties seem cut for men to see, not to provide coverage for the lady’s bottom. I’ve found a few that do, but the pad won’t stick to the right spot in them. I’d like to know what “lots of people” or even a few do about this.

@peni I am so sorry you have had this for your lifetime! It makes my journey of only 10 years seem minor.
I don’t know of any great products out there - I’ve even thought of writing the stay free company and suggesting they work on a different more protective type of pad!

@peni i’ve experienced bowel incontinence for many years as well. My diagnosis is microscopic colitis. I find the depends or adult diapers unreliable. I have purchased adult rubber pants on Amazon. They’re very very tight around the leg so there’s no leakage. They are a bit uncomfortable, but better than having an accident in public. I really truly wish more research could be done on this as it is such a debilitating issue to have. It’s so stressful, so undignifying and so difficult to clean up after yourself. I am really hoping to Have my colon removed. I know it’s a huge step. I am basically exchanging one problem for another, but I’m 70 years old and can’t do the cleanup anymore. 99% of my BM’s, bowel movements are incontinent. I’m praying I can get a surgeon to understand as one has already dismissed me.