Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

I don’t know if this will help anyone but I thought I’d throw it out there. I’ve struggled with the whole constipation/diarrhea now for over four years. Tried every med and even combined some. Motegrity did help for a little while, then not. I soon discovered that when I had “accidents” it wasn’t really diarrhea but overflow diarrhea. I would cut back on my constipation meds, which only made the problem worse. I finally did find a combination that works for ME. Mestinon, which is typically prescribed for myasthenia gravis but also acts as a motility agent, and Miralax. The combo has been life-changing for me, and, also cheap!

I'm 76 and have mild bowel incontinence and IBS. Incontinence runs in phases. Days when I empty completely, I feel fairly confident that I can run errands without protection. Other times, I wear the small butterfly pads. Exercise and gravity are more likely to result in incontinences. I had radiation for endometrial cancer 26 yrs. ago, and I believe that caused the problem. I saw a Dr. at Johns Hopkins for my IBS, and when she heard about the incontinence she sent me for a test to test muscles and nerves. (I forget the name of it). At the end you have to poop out a balloon within 2 minutes. I could not. They recommended physical therapy for pelvic floor. The therapy did help. Actually the therapist said I had a retroceale ( a pocket) in the rectum which pushed into the vagina. This is a lot of the problem. The exercises helped some, and at least she actually examined me physically, and I have some idea what is happening. The idea is to keep the pocket from expanding. I also find that when I am constipated, yet feel I need to go more, I will get down on all fours until the urge to go sends me up to the toilet (squatty potty style of course). Mine seems like a mechanical problem. I am on gluten free, dairy free, no alcohol, no caffeine, low fod map diet. Taking fish oil has been a huge help also to lubricate stool expulsion.

I had a small nodule in anal area and had to have that removed several years ago. Now I have mild bowel incontinence because of the surgery. Maybe physical therapy would help with my problem.

Wondering if anyone has had success with surgery for bowel incontinence. It’s been a couple of years since any posts. I am 69, had 3 episiotomies, 1 d& c & am afraid to leave the house as the incontinence is getting worse. Also a grade 2 rectocele. My husband is eager to travel & I’m terrified.

My GI dr wants me to get a procedure that tests the nerves in the rectum and if successful, they would implant some device but I don't want to do it. My PCP said he's known one elderly woman who did it and reported success, plus it corrected her bladder issues too. I think it's called Interstim therapy

Hello @shirl48 and welcome to Mayo Connect. Yes, I've heard about the device you mentioned, and it is supposed to be helpful for bladder and bowel issues.

How long have you been troubled with these problems? Is there anything else that you have tried?

At least 5 years. Medications like Immodium and Bentyl, Cholestyrimine and Colestipol, Kegel exercises, Fodmap diet, Lactose free diet, extra fiber pills, Colon Probiotics

My GI doctor gave me information about Interstim or Axonics Therapy to read. Looks like a wire of a stimulator is inserted near the sacral nerve. I'm unsure of doing this. Any thoughts?

I'm just skeptical of the procedure and not sure I want to wear a wire attached to my lower abdomen. But if you get it done, let me know!

I’m going through the testing this Friday. After 40 years of embarrassment due to the inability to control my bowels due to a botched child delivery. I would like to know more. This gives me hope!