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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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peni | @peni | 5 days ago
In reply to @njzmom "@peni I am so sorry you have had this for your lifetime! It makes my journey..." + (show)
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@peni I am so sorry you have had this for your lifetime! It makes my journey of only 10 years seem minor.
I don’t know of any great products out there - I’ve even thought of writing the stay free company and suggesting they work on a different more protective type of pad!

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@njzmom My journey doesn’t seem so bad to me after hearing from the poor woman who is suffering so much she wants her colon removed. Please do write Stayfree &make copies for all other companies who sell those products and sign my name with yours. Peni Jahoda

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 5 days ago
In reply to @wdywms "PT has told me about butterfly pads to use. They may help some when gassy." + (show)
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PT has told me about butterfly pads to use. They may help some when gassy.

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@wdywms - will you share more about the butterfly pads and how they can be helpful?

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Cathy | @njzmom | 5 days ago
In reply to @peni "@annpeters I totally understand why you are hating your tortuous colon, but I spent most of..." + (show)
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@annpeters I totally understand why you are hating your tortuous colon, but I spent most of my 85 years trying to keep mine and have reduced incontinence with diet, vitamins herbs to only about 25% of the time. Have you tried that? Have you talked to people who lost theirs? I have & that’s why I’m determined to keep mine. I am praying for you.

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@peni
At my recent Gastro visit, she mentioned that as a possible answer - I was horrified, but she didn’t act like it would be so terrible -☹️

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annpeters | @annpeters | 4 days ago

Thank you so much for responding! Yes, I’ve tried the FODMAP Diet, diet for candida and IBD, diet, for arthritis, diet for SIBO… Etc. Every one of these diets contradicts the other so I do eat clean… No sugar and very little grains. I try multiple supplements and vitamins. I’ve seen a homeopathic doctor plus gotten different natural path treatments. And yes, I have attended stoma support meetings and read as much as I can. I know there can be tons of complications . But, some people have told me their life has just begun once they have their colon removed. Thank you so much for your prayers. I admire your determination!

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dboesten | @dboesten | 4 days ago
In reply to @annpeters "@peni i’ve experienced bowel incontinence for many years as well. My diagnosis is microscopic colitis. I..." + (show)
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@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.

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@annpeters
I asked for a colostomy after becoming a quadriplegic solely for the purpose of making clean up for my caregivers not quite so messy (pardon the pun). That may be a more approachable topic with a surgeon. It's not perfect, but at least it is mostly (& often completely) contained. Hoping the best for you! ~Diane

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pichulita | @pichulita | 3 days ago

I have lymphocytic colitis and because I had a severe flare up last year and beginning of this year, my rectal muscles became very lax and I had accidents and urgency. My proctologist is treating me with a Fotona Wave chair that vibrates on your lower back and seat for 20 minutes. I am on my 3rd treatment of 6 that were prescribed but I'll probably have more after the 6th one. This chair helps to strengthen your rectal muscles among other things and I hear it works real well. Too soon to tell for me but you could look into it.

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wdywms | @wdywms | 2 hours ago
In reply to @lisalucier "@wdywms - will you share more about the butterfly pads and how they can be helpful?" + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@wdywms - will you share more about the butterfly pads and how they can be helpful?

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Butterfly pads are the shape of butterflies. Fold them in half. Put it between the cheeks of the butt. Loose stool will adhere to it. Can be handy with gassy stool so there is less mess. Have to replace when using the bathroom, & dispose of it, not flush. May take some getting used to having something there. Amazon sells some by a different name.@

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