Fecal Incontinence....any remedies?

I'd try and convince him to get the Colostomy bag. I had 3 during my battles with colorectal cancer, I don't have one anymore but for along time I wished I had.. It was so hard to get my body right, but I take the max dose of loperamide when I have to go somewhere. But I also have to take laxatives. It's a really tough thing to balance. But really an Ostomy isn't that bad and it's way better than pooping your pants. I'm tiny and could hardly wear jeans or a waist band. It was uncomfortable for me, but I still wish I would have opted to keep it sometimes.

He's 82. The surgeon has told him the operation will be very, very hard on him.

I’m sorry if I missed that. I misunderstood. 🙁

No, it's fine. If he was 60 to 65 we would definitely try it. But he didn't get it until 2022. I'm trying to make things comfortable for him but it's very hard.

I hope you're doing OK on your cancer journey. From watching dad I can tell it's a living hell.

Lomitil (sp) works better than Imodium. It controls but is not constipating. It does require a prescription, but has no side effects. Works quickly too. Tiny pill.

Yeah he was on it when he went through radiation. I am trying to get a hold of his doctor to prescribe it. I just want a day off or two where we don't go through 8 diapers and he soils his pants.

I can really relate to what your dad is going through. After radiation and chemo for anal can, I was left with a damaged sphincter muscle resulting in fecal incontinence. I lived with it for about a year. Even though I wore heavy duty pads, I spent all my days in the bathroom or looking for one. It wore me out. I am 74 years old and now have a colostomy. I sobbed when the doctor suggested I get one. I thought it was the end for me. It’s now almost 6 months later and my life is so much better. The surgery was so much easier to adapt to than having fecal incontinence. I can understand why he isn’t up to the surgery…his age unfortunately, is against him. Using a bidet really helped my sore bottom. I’m sorry that you both have to go through this. Wish I could be more helpful.

I have microscopic colitis and recently flared badly due to nsaid eye drops after cataract surgery. I didn't find a big difference between Lomotil and Imodium. But I found a big difference with Pepto Bismol liquid filled caps. You can take one every half hour or up to 16 a day. I never too more than 6 tho - i introduced a strict diet for four days of dry toast, banana, peanut butter (creamy), applesauce, and no caffeine, carbonated beverages, dairy, added sugar or fat. And after three - four days it really turned for me. I added some plain white chicken meat cooked soft (i got a rotiserrie chicken and ate small amounts of breast meat no skin. I stuck with the Pepto Bismol, the restricted diet, and water. If you can find some ginger tea with real ginger, that helps too. After a week when I was confident i could make it to the bathroom, I added baked sweet potato to the soft chicken for the nutrition.

Ive gone back on the colon Steroid, Budesonide and am tapering the dose over about 8- 10 weeks. I am finally responding and have had no antidiarrheal since Sunday.

Good luck to you!!

I'm sure I'll end up trying everything.

Have you looked into C diff via google. Takes a specific antibiotic which I don’t remember. It can be contagious, may be caused by the inadvertent introduction of the wrong antibiotics which kills all the good germ in the bowels ergo C diff. . The correct antibiotic should clear him up in 7 to10 day. I got a porta potty next to my bed. If you go that route get a large on. Much more comfortable. Been there, done that.