Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

you might want to consider pelvic floor therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor so you can hold your urine and stool better.

I have struggled with the emotional distress of bowel incontinence due to a combination of EPI, SIBO, the medication used to treat EPI, and possibly just simple IBS C/D alternating, so I can relate. Losing a relationship during this time was especially hard, and I understand it is a lot to ask a new partner to accept, and am just now venturing back into dating.

Before the health issues, I had an intense exercise routine, diet, and was in incredible shape. This has been humbling, to say the least. After several humiliating accidents in public (not limited to light leakage), and in a hotel, nonetheless, I became increasingly neurotic about staying home.

The LOWFOD map diet helped a great deal, and getting back into exercise has as well. I am trying to be more positive in my thinking, and that has helped my mood, but accidents still occur. I just try ot be prepared: Extra Depends, wipes, latex gloves, and bags to dispose of discreetly, and if traveling, I sleep on a pad to help avoid problems in hotels. Having a spare change of clothes is imperative.

Choosing to wear Depends made a difference, but it took a long time to accept it. However, as awkward as it was mentally, it was not nearly as awkward as avoiding contact with others, or worse, having an accident. As I am a very social person, I simply couldn't take it anymore.

I have had occasional bed wetting and saw several urologists about it. They said as long as it is only at night and a couple of times a month, it is not a significant worry, considering my other health issues and age. Easy for the doctor to say, but I guess in the big picture, they are correct. I am still alive, and my overall health is improving, so there is that. At this point, if there is an issue, I simply excuse myself and deal with it.

I had pelvic floor therapy years ago and found it pretty challenging and not helpful. It was embarrassing to say the least and to go through all the testing was . . . Yucky
I would do it if I had more confidence it would help - I’d love to hear others’ experiences!

There is someone on another thread looking for someone who has had their large colon removed - maybe you can connect!

I have had microscopic colitis for About 10 years and have bowel incontinence. I’m opting to have my colon removed as soon as I can get an appointment with a surgeon. I am 70 years old and I just can’t take the cleanup anymore. Not when I am full of arthritis and it’s hard to move Quickly. I am very hesitant about going out especially for dinner even just to Friend’s house. I can be 5 feet away from the bathroom and not make it. That’s how little control I have. I am praying that this removal will allow me to eat more and enjoy life a little bit more as my diet is so limited. I did purchase some adult rubber pants from Amazon which I do wear when I’m going out. They’re not too bad. A little tight around the legs, but the adult depends are not dependable at all. Have you ever tried taking off a depends when it’s full!?! It’s terrible! it gets all over your legs, shoes if you haven’t had the mind to kick them off before you take them down. I can’t believe how far it spreads. Sorry to be so graphic but …..So I totally get it! I totally understand. You have my sympathy and my prayers. I’m not a candidate for a J pouch as my anus muscles are shot due to child birth.

I would love to hear how you made out. I live in Canada so I haven’t heard of it here, but I’m willing to travel if it’s not way above my budget. Thank you

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier post: SIBO treatment was GREAT for about a month. I felt like I was 99% normal energy levels, IBS, sleep, you name it, and then it was back to having issues. Peppermint Oil (similar to IB Guard) helps, as does the generic version of Gas X with incontinence due to flatulence.

Hi njzmom,
I myself do not have fecal incontinence but I have a family member who does. She finds it very upsetting, as it comes on rapidly and is not controllable. She now wears Depends just in case it happens, even while at home, as it can strike suddenly.
I hope you find some help with the problem.

I am at the end of my rope after 25 years of this. I rarely leave the house. Like you, I was in great shape. Never anxious about much. I had my gallbladder removed in 2011 and nearly died because the doctor cut my bile duct. It made no improvement on my stomach issues. No one can find out what's wrong with me. I've tried everything. I was divorced in 2011 and can't even imagine trying to date. I would be a nervous wreck. Diagnosed with IBS, but I think that's just a catch-all when they have no answer. Just recently I went in for physical therapy, and they found that I was constipated! I was shocked. I always thought I had the opposite. Nothing I eat makes any difference. I have a great diet, eat pretty Mediterranean style, drink lots of water and take 2 t of psyllium every day. I'm mystified, and I feel completely useless. I can't be a functioning member of society, can't even volunteer anywhere. All I can do is sit in my house and donate what little money I can to worthy causes. Other than that, I am just existing. I can barely go the grocery store without extreme anxiety, and half the time I end up in the bathroom. Can't travel anywhere, when I should be able to. I'm so tired of this after all this years. Tired of minimizing it, telling myself other people have it worse. It's my life, and 25 years wasted.

I tried this and it was a disaster. $20,000 just for the trial period! My cost was over $2000 because I have a deductible. It was very painful (especially when they pull the wires out), though they say it's painless. Didn't do anything for me, so I didn't have the implant. They still charged me for the 'trial'. I got the feeling it is a moneymaker for the pharmaceutical rep and the doctor. Hope you have better luck.