Bowel incontinence

I have an embarrassing problem that has developed over the years due to chronic constipation. My anal sphincter has lost muscle tone. I have been trying to find a balance between constipation and loose stools. I was put on Linzess, which is VERY expensive and gave me diarrhea even on the lowest dose. I was unable to control my bowels and had to wear pads....very messy! I got off the Linzess and began using one capful of Miralax in water at bedtime in addition to Metamucil after lunch. My stools were very soft and I could not tell if I was passing gas or leaking stool. Right now my biggest concern is the loose anal sphincter. I used to be able to prevent myself from passing gas in social situations and now I can't do that plus I leak stool. If I don't take anything for the constipation I go for days without a BM and my stool becomes like rabbit pellets and I have to strain to have a BM. I have IBS and a redundant bowel. Years ago my gastroenterologist had me see his nurse practitioner who gave me exercises, similar to Kegel exercises, but I was hit and miss doing those. Does anyone else have a situation like mine? I am only 69 years old and we love to travel. I can't foresee traveling or going swimming, etc. if I have this problem.

Hi @jeanne51 and welcome back to Connect, though I am sorry it is under these circumstances. I would like to connect you with people who have had similar issues with bowel incontinence so I moved your inquiry to a conversation on that topic.

Have you consulted with a physician regarding your problem?

Hi Amanda, I have consulted my gastro in the past but not since this issue exacerbated. I thought it would be beneficial to get reader's in put before I move forward with my doctor. Basically I have been dealing with SEVERE constipation for two years, but since I was a child. I just recently discovered the issue of bowel incontinence with the Linzess.

Not sure what started my IBS-D but radiation to the cervix ten years before is my guess as in the 1980s they were not so precise with the gamma rays. I was also working and it started that I just could not get to the bathroom fast enough to have a b..m. and it was diarrhea.
That was years ago and then it went into overdrive and did seem to connect with when I had salads, fruit etc. which I started to stop eating.
Retired.. It continued and does to this day; however, after being given too many antibiotics in 2018 I got C.Diff and then and now when I have an antibiotic the feces just runs down my legs etc., and when on antibiotics are not supposed to use Imodium or other anti diarrhea meds.
During the six months of antibiotics on and off I developed fecal incontinence and that was 2018 .... now it has changed my life.
People do not understand, my adult daughter says Mum wear one of those pair of disposable underwear and go out.... but people don't realize this underwear is usually for urine incontinencne or, maybe the odd passage of a formed stool which would mean just throwing away the underwear; but when you have incontinence with diarrhea it is an awful mess.... I have even had to cut off my nighty rather than try and take it off over my head!!! And as you say, now I do not know when I have gone, all of a sudden I smell something and oh no its me.

Apart form the stomach cramps, and after maybe five bms and a sore anus, it is not the most painful of my illnesses but it is th most life-changing. Even going to dentist I am scared that while having treatment I will have an accident. So now taking more anti-diarrhea meds and then feel pressure in bowel and as someone said, then its rabbit poop. When I am in the shower daily and use a hand held howerhead to clean myself, the pressure of the water can eject feces... its HORRIBLE.
No, paper underwear doesnt work, nothing does. I keep a pail of water and bleach in basement for white underwear and white face cloths which I keep in a drawer for my use only.... my diet is bland hardly any fruit or vegetables, nuts etc., and I think thats not helping my other illnesses, almost malnutrition. I too talk about it openly because more people than you think have this and maybe we can help each other. My neighbour has constipation and terrible pain, I am not sure which is worse.
Others have suggested having bowel removed but weak as I am at 77 cant go through it; also they say as there is nothing wrong with the bowel, they wont take it out anyway. If younger and lived in a bigger City I would pursue a fecal transplant... they say it works very often.... some people are dong it themselves at home!! J.

Never ever do a fecal transplant at home! People have died under the care of physicians let alone at home and not having the proper testing!! Have you spoke to a GI doctor about it, and if anything can be done?

@fighter ooops, can I change the wording of my post to:

If younger and lived in a bigger City with a hospital that performs it, I would pursue a fecal transplant ... they say it works very often.
I have read that some people are doing it themselves at home but that it is not recommended because it could spread infection from one person to another etc...as fecal matter has to be rigorously inspected for germs etc. from the donor by the hospital..... . plenty of information on Internet about it.
(Thanks for pointing that out, fighter) J.

You're welcome. I hope you can find some help.

Hello @lacy2

Have you ever seen a pelvic floor therapist? If not, consider asking your doctor for a referral. They can be very helpful in dealing with constipation and incontinence (both fecal and urinary). A pelvic floor therapist can provide information on exercises, breathing techniques as well as nutrition to help you deal with these problems.

Seeing a GI doctor who specializes in motility disorders will help put you on the right track as well.

Have you seen a motility disorder specialist or a pelvic floor therapist?

I am 80, male. I have the same issue, plus heavy bleeding from the penis. The issues are brought on by Gelsolin and Fukutin Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. I have to wear pads, front and back, and take Miralax-type laxative, and eat lots of prunes if I can avoid the problems. Sad you have the stuff, but glad to know there are others out there. The new longer and wider pads, up to 7" x 23" help a lot, but no swimming. The bleeding is from the leatherized and fragile urinary sphincter. I have to force a catheter through it because it is so tough. Same toughness with the fecal sphincter.

Hello and thank you .. No haven't seen a motility disorder specialist but was referred to a place where she had me get up on a table and on hands and knees and do some type of tightening of the rectal muscles but unfortunately at 75 at the time and just put on new meds, it didn't work out and I was too wobbly... and I didn't go back or really continue at home.
I sometimes wonder if everything "down there" has collapsed.
When I had radiation to Cervix 1985 the tumour (about the size of an apple) was inoperable so I feel I have been carrying around a radiated uterus and ovaries all these years; plus the radiation damage.... they showed me on a monitor the inside of my bladder and when sprayed liquid on insides it bled; and then the ibs-d... if it was indeed that; and c.diff with fecal incontinence...
I have had blood in urine quite visible 3 times over about ten years, once for 5 weeks; I even took photos sounds silly but alone and wanted proof...
sometimes when I have had diarrhea about 8 times in a row (dont read this, men).. all of a sudden I get anal/vaginal/bladder cramps which remind me a little of my younger sexually active days - sort of like a climax but it is about ten times as strong and actually hurts so much I cry out and family member gets me a heating pad.. it doesn't last long but I get it about six times a year.... haven't mentioned it to a doctor and haven't even had a family doctor for a year. I suppose it's funny in one way but honestly the pain is intense and I have never found much info about it on the web except once a site had a small note that it was from mixup/damage of the nerves in that area receiving signals: all I can say is its embarrassing and very painful.