Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

Posted by Sarah @emyliander, Jun 11, 2019

I am 73 yr old femal with diagnosed Celiac, Microscopic Colitis and IBS. i don’t have diarrhea, BM’s are either soft formed or constipated small hard stool, but either way I can be incontenant of small amount of stool. I wear a pad in close knit underwear with legs, so nothing can escape. Any advice from people with same problem would be comforting and useful. I would like to know how you handled it on social occasions.
Thank you, Emyliander

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Kate56 | @kates56 | Oct 20, 2025

In reply to @njzmom "We CANT let this limit our lives!!! I am fighting really hard to get a handle..." + (show)

@njzmom yes. Me too. We could really support each other! What a gift if kindness.
How do we trade info to begin a supportive friendship?

Kate56 | @kates56 | Oct 20, 2025

In reply to @njzmom "Oh Kate! Your message makes me so sad. Yes, I HATE having bowel incontinence, but you..." + (show)

@njzmom I will do that soon. I need like life experienced friends.
DM me.

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Oct 20, 2025

In reply to @kates56 "@njzmom I will do that soon. I need like life experienced friends. DM me." + (show)

@kates56, you'll notice that I removed your personal email. Connect is a public forum. We recommend sharing personal contact information using the secure private message function. I might also add that by sharing here in the forum, you are connecting with several people where all can benefit from group support.

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Feb 2 10:29am

Well, here's a guy weighing in on bowel incontinence. I started about a week ago (add it to the list! My wife says to me). For the better part of a year, I had constipation that required glycerine suppositories in order to have a BM after four or five days. I suppose that may have contributed to my current problem. I am not able to have a real bowel movement at this time. I get urges that only result in a small amount of soft poo coming out. I have taken to wearing Depends like pads during the day and more effective padding at night. I often experience what feels like a slight gas passage, but it is usually just a small amount of the soft stuff. Yes, I have an appointment with a gastro in about a week and a half. I am hoping it is nothing serious. I have enough serious issues on my plate at the moment. PN pain and burning keeps me occupied for the most part. I don't know if I am looking for advice or not. Maybe just venting. I hope you all have a blessed day!

Cathy | @njzmom | Feb 2 1:25pm

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with bowel incontinence- for whatever reason- it’s so frustrating. I’m afraid the Gastro drs I’ve seen haven’t had a lot to offer- I hear”well, everyone’s different,”. or “We have lots of things we can try” . . . But the thing that has been the most helpful for ME lately is the right amount of magnesium. I take 2 at night and one in the morning. (400 mg of magnesium Oxide) if I get constipated on it, then I reduce it, then go back when I’m back on track. I try to keep my diet very consistent ( ie not too much fruit or too many raw veggies, etc.) I had very high hopes for a Neuro Stim that was implanted about a year ago, but I’m not really sure it has helped. It has just increased my awareness of everything I never had to pay attention to before I developed this problem!
Best of luck to you! AND
You are welcome to vent to me anytime- I get it!

Cathy | @njzmom | Feb 2 1:33pm

I’ve had bowel incontinence for almost 10 years now - hate it hate it hate it— BUT, it is wha it is and we have to deal don’t we? I’ve learned to NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE without supplies. I carry wet wipes,(I like baby wipes, even though they aren't flushable) extra pads, (I use Maxi ultra thin) extra underwear, and bags for disposal in my (rather large) purse. I have become more comfortable letting people within my “circle” know this is a problem and could cause me to have to leave a gathering without notice, etc. I choose carefully where I am willing to go and who I am willing to go with. Having a fun overnight at a hotel or friend’s home doesn’t happen very often anymore. I’m very cautious of being in those situations now. I have found that almost 100% of the time, as soon as I feel confident about going somewhere, THAT is when I have an accident. It’s so frustrating! I’ve read somewhere there ca be a psychological reason for that. 🤷‍♀️. Anyway, that’s some of my story. Hope it helps you-I’d be happy to have further discussion anytime!

donnagail | @donnagail | Feb 3 2:30pm

In reply to @heisenberg34 "Well, here's a guy weighing in on bowel incontinence. I started about a week ago (add..." + (show)

@heisenberg34 Hope your GI has the answers to help you.

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Feb 3 3:06pm

Thanks. We shall see. The last time I went, it was like a joke.

annpeters | @annpeters | Feb 3 6:47pm

In reply to @njzmom "I’ve had bowel incontinence for almost 10 years now - hate it hate it hate it—..." + (show)

@njzmom I swear I could’ve written what you just wrote. We share the same story.

Cathy | @njzmom | Feb 3 11:52pm

In reply to @annpeters "@njzmom I swear I could’ve written what you just wrote. We share the same story." + (show)

@annpeters really!!???
For years I’ve been desperate to meet someone to share this struggle with!!! The drs have always said, “MANY people struggle with fecal incontinence”. Haha - I wondered “where are they?” It’s not like you meet someone in a coffee shop and chat about this stuff! I’ve asked my clinics if we could start a “group” or something, but of course they’re never interested - data privacy you know- that’s what keeps us isolated from one another. Until I found Mayo Clinic Connect- would you like to talk more?