Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it

Please let us know how the test goes.

Has your gastroenteroogist done testing? If you know you have a rectocele has he said maybe you should get a colorectal surgeons advise?

Have an appointment booked with a colorectal surgeon at the end of February, day before I turn 70, Lol. Hoping he will have some good suggestions. A gynaecologist was not helpful at all. I’m so tired of the get more fiber, drink more water, it’s IBS & all in your head attitude. I suspect helping older ladies with fecal incontinence is not high priority for many. Keeping my fingers crossed that this doc will be different.

I hear you and I also have done all it. I am 70 also.. waiting to see if Mayo will see me as a patient. Good luck with your appointment! Are you going to Mayo?

I am currently going through pelvic floor rehab for not being able to hold back a bowel movement sometimes - mostly when the stool is rather soft. I just found out about a therapy for overactive bladder or fecal incontinence. It's called Axonics. My gynecologist is a uro-gynecologist who performs this procedure. I plan to schedule a consult with him about it. From what I've read, it's sort of like a pacemaker implanted in the buttocks that helps the nerves in the sacral area communicate with the brain to improve symptoms. It looks like you go through trial period with an external unit and if successful, they can implant it.

Hello @shirl48

I can understand your skepticism about the device in your abdomen. I am considering it as well.

Just a thought: I choose to look at it as being similar to having a pacemaker for your heart. Doctors have been doing those successfully for many years and patients have been helped. It might be wise to ask your doctor if it can be removed if there is a problem.

I know this is an old post, but if you are still suffering, may I suggest you look into Axonics for sacral nerve stimulation. It has been shown to help with both bladder and bowel incontinence. I only have bowel incontinence probably from nerve damage from the birth of my only child which was 36 years ago, but my problem has been getting steadily as I have aged. I'm 70 years old now and have been struggling with bowel incontinence for many years. My daughter weighed in at 8 lbs. 7-1/2 ozs. and they had to use forceps to get her out plus I have a very small frame. My urogynocologist performs this procedure. I'm not sure what other specialties do it. It does require a trial phase where leads are place in the sacral nerve and all the wires and battery are taped to your backside. If you pass the 1-week trail with a 50% or better improvement in urgency and number of bowel movements, you go on to phase 2 which is surgical implantation of the device/wires. I tried everything from keeping a food diary, to low FODMAPs, to increasing my fiber, to Pelvic Floor Rehab, to daily Imodium (which helps, but causes a rebound effect for me). I am only 2 weeks post op from having the implant and have seen a dramatic change in urgency and number of bowel movements. I wish you the best of luck.

Fecal Incontinence ?
RX Colesevlam 625mg t.i.d (3x) & Dicyclomine 20mg b.i.d (2x) per day. This brought me from Chronic Diarrhea to Constipation in 2 months. Make sure dr has your full attention & Listens. I return to dr 12/12/23 w/o going 3 days. Dunno whether to kiss z doc or be alarmed? Not addressed at all. doc had an intern w him & was Obviously Preoccupied. STOP if you Stop going 3 days.

I have struggled with fecal incontinence for about 10 years now. I am in my mid 60’s. I have seen numerous drs, therapists, and dieticians. I had a neurostim put in in January. The only thing it has helped with is making me more aware of how close I must stay to the restroom. As soon as I think I’m “safe” to venture out, at least half the time I have a total “loss” episode.

I know things could be, and ARE, much worse for others, but this is not fun. For years my drs have told me so many people deal with this issue, but I HAVE NEVER MET ONE!!! I would love to connect with even one other person with whom I can share these struggles and maybe get some new suggestions!

Thanks to all of you out there. It’s nice to have people.🙂

Hi, @njzmom. I agree - fecal incontinence is not fun. I had it before in my bed, twice. It accompanied severe diarrhea as a medication side effect, and boy, was I feeling humiliated. For awhile, I used some bed pads from a local big box store, and that gave me the confidence to fall asleep, without terror that an incident would occur.

I moved your post here so that you could connect with others talking about fecal incontinence, such as @p95 @slangston @deblf @hopeful33250 @wizdum @emyliander and others:

- Bowel or fecal incontinence and how to manage it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bowel-incontinence/?pg=15

@sallyw133 also may have some thoughts for you about making it safe to venture out.

At this point, njzmom, do you venture out, or do you skip social occasions? Do you experience this issue during the night and during the daytime?