Fecal Incontinence - what type of condition do you have?
Severe (more than 10 times a day) - 0.0% - 0 votes
Highly Irritable (5-10 times a day) - 25.0% - 1 votes
Moderate (3-5 times a day) - 0.0% - 0 votes
Mild (0-3 times a day) - 50.0% - 2 votes
None - 25.0% - 1 votes
Posted 1/5/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 18 and have severe fecal incontinence. I've had since I was 4 and, seeing as I'm about to start uni in Sept, I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to cure it. I've been to plenty of doctors btw and they seemingly don't have a clue. I'm seeing gastrologist if that helps. Has anyone had this problem and had it cured? I don't know if this helps but on a good day I go to the toilet between 0-2 times and on a bad day I can go up to 15-20 times. I can feel particularly tired after going 10-15 times btw. I know it's nothing to do with my diet because it doesn't matter what I eat, it still happens. I mainly eat fruit, vegetables and bread and I drink a lot of water (about 2 liters a day).
The leakage takes many forms, according to the Bristol Stool Chart ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bristol_Stool_Chart.png )
Any ideas? Post Edited By Moderator (Ides) : 1/5/2008 4:59:38 PM (GMT-7)
Ides
Forum Moderator
Joined : Nov 2003
Posts : 7204
Posted 1/6/2008 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to Healing Well! Sorry to learn of your bowel problems.
When you say you have fecal incontinence do you mean you cannot make it to the toilet to have your bowel movements? If so, I am quite surprised that your doctors have not investigated the problem to date. Incontinence means that you do not have voluntary control of your bowels, ie you cannot make it to the toilet.
If you meant that your problem is the number of bowel movements you have a day, then there are many problems that cause excessive movements. Really the only way to get to the source of the problem is to have a thorough evaluation by a gastroenterologist.. I'm glad that you will be seeing one. Do you have any other symptoms like pain, cramping, excessive gas, heartburn? Any other symtpoms need to be reported to the GI so he will know to run the proper tests.
Good luck and let us know what he says.
SnowyLynne
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 1539
Posted 1/6/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I had that problem but was put on medication & no longer have the problem.I also changed the way I ate,& If I eat something too greasy I take an Imodium & that checks it..........
Howlyncat
Elite Member
Joined : Jan 2005
Posts : 24909
Posted 1/6/2008 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
I have had the surprise happen a couple of times and NOT made it to the toilet. I have Crohns ....I too am wondering just what you mean in your post as I agree with Ides......why would any doc not have had this checked out and your parents involeved since this happened at such an early age to begin with ..........
I sure hope you get some professional help and tests to find out what is going on........
Posted 1/6/2008 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
I am not sure what you meant either but I would think fruit would add to this problem as would a lot of water. Perhaps you just need to add extra fiber. since you mention going to toilet I am assuming that it is not true incontinence that you have absolutely no control over but rather more an urgency that makes you run to the bathroom.
Keriamon
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2005
Posts : 2976
Posted 1/7/2008 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Fruit is bad to give people with IBS gas and/or diarrhea. Apple juice in particular is a natural laxative and shouldn't be consumed by anyone with D problems.
Personally, I've pretty much given up all fruits. Juices are the worst, but raw fruit isn't too good on me either. I can have some cooked, though.
Raea
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2007
Posts : 98
Posted 1/7/2008 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Are you actually passing BMs or do you mean that you leak?? I have a leaking issue after I have a BM. I have been trying things like Kegals but it doesn't help. ???
Marsky
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2007
Posts : 1956
Posted 1/9/2008 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Fresh fruits and vegetables are hard on people who suffer from D, as Kerimon pointed out. All except ripe bananas. Now applesauce is good, you could try that but fresh apples are hard on patients with D.
Even though you say it doesn't matter what you eat, this happens anyway, I would strongly recommend you keep a food journal. It wouldn't hurt and you may begin to see a pattern, many fresh vegetables create excess gas in the GI tract and make things worse, much worse.
Finally, I also strongly recommend you try a low residue diet (the opposite of high fiber). Your gut may just need very plain foods and to calm down. A low residue diet works well for me (plain or vanilla flavored yogurt, not with fruit in it, fresh bananas, applesauce, white bread, plan bagels, white rice, plain english muffins, turkey, chicken, plain pasta, mashed or baked potatoes, frozen cooked vegetables such as peas or corn, plain Special K or Cheerios, occasionally canned peaches or pears, pretzels, saltines, etc.). Avoid candy, whole wheat products, high fiber cereals, etc.
I wish you well.
Marsky/Mary