Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

I have the fecal incontenance too. For me IB guard works its an otc. My gastro Dr., likes IB guard, but so far has not offered any other solutions. I also take a probiotic/prebiotic which seems to help.. I’m 88 yrs old

Hi! I had never heard of IBGuard, so I’ve been reading about it. May I ask how does it help you? How much do you take?
I am so interested to hear about others experiences!
Thank you!

I also took peppermint oil supplements/IB Guard, as a gastrointestinal physician suggested it when I was having gut issues with something entirely different, the semaglutide (Wegovy) I was taking. I can't necessarily attribute any effects to it, as the same doctor had me try multiple things at once. However, my side effects from it were zero.

@kates56

I use a "hand sprayer" type bidet that is an inexpensive attachment I got from Amazon, and it expedites cleanup a great deal. It is under $30 US dollars.

In addition to a pad, I carry cottonelle fresh care flushable wipes. You can buy a small pack of 14 wipes for your purse or buy individual tushy wrapped wipes on Amazon. And carry an extra panty liner or thin absorbent pad.

@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”.

I would be happy to chat through this website. I don't know of any other way.

@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.

@annpeters oh I’m so sorry!! I don’t know anything about microscopic colitis. I have been diagnosed and “undiagnosed” with a few things over the past several years- enough to make me believe no one knows what is really wrong- and they are just guessing at ways to treat the symptoms- it’s so frustrating! It seems as though they try something in hopes that it will help, and if it doesn’t they say, well “everyone’s different!” In January I had an Interstim placed - after all these months, I’m still not really sure it’s helping, but in combination with my gastrointestinal dr. trying to make my bowel movements more predictable with magnesium, things are currently better than they were. You may want to ask your dr about that?
As for the rubber pants, I have never searched for them- they definitely sound like something that I could have used at times- but they don’t sound comfortable! I agree, I wish there was more discussion about this problem- it seems as though there would be a market for more comfortable protective supplies. Maybe we should design something! I would love to stay connected if you’re interested- just sharing with someone who understands is helpful to me!