Fecal incontinence

I think that is what WebMD calls it. Embarrassing dilemma!

Since cath pulled Oct 16th I have fecal "leaks" after going to the bathroom. I clean AND wash...and in one to two hours later it feels like my rectum is on fire. I inspect my underwear/pad to find a fecal matter "stain" and I will be dirty again. The only way to stay cleaner longer is to shower again...and again.

Any tips or suggestions, please?

Alegar
Sorry you've got this problem messing up your recovery.

Kegels can help tighten the anus as well. this is what I read about how to do Kegels (even if I don't do it exactly this way)

Up to ten times a day…

Sitting on a chair with your legs apart lean forward, resting your elbows on your knees, and make a conscious effort to relax your abdominal muscles and buttocks. Although sitting like this is probably the best way in which to do these exercises, they can be done whilst standing or lying down, with the knees slightly apart.

Contract the muscles around the urethra (imagine stopping the stream of urine whilst urinating). Keep the muscles contracted for the count of five (one-and two-and three-and four-and five) and then relax the muscles. After the count of five, repeat this cycle of contraction and relaxation five times.

Next contract these muscles quickly and strongly, then relax immediately. Repeat these quick contractions and relaxation five times in rapid succession.

Now do five slow and five rapid contractions with the muscles around the anal canal (imagine you are stopping yourself passing wind) instead of those around the urethra.

Next, stand with your legs slightly apart and contract both sets of muscles at the same time – it should feel as if you are pulling up the entire pelvic floor. Contract and relax these muscles five times, trying to contract them more strongly each time.

As for cleaning up: a trick remembered from the days when I looked after my kids was to put a wet wipe (or even just a couple of sheet of WC paper) on top of the pad, then when you do have a leak from the back passage it only ends up on the wipe and is dealt with more simply.
Another trick I learnt means I can also wash down below without needing to get in the shower. but you need a shower hose on the faucet in the bath. I strip to the waist drop my pants and sit on the edge of the bath and use the shower hose to clean up, then all I have to do is dry my backside with a towel, pull up my pants and pop my shirt back on. (Takes me about a minute - but I've been doing it for about 20 years, as, long before PCa, I found I used to get very a sore anus if I didn't wash immediately after a BM)

And if you leak when passing wind, then the only safe option for the time being is to treat every fart as a potential BM and get to the bathroom and sit down.

Someone medical might be able to give you some dietary advice too that might help.

Hope you have a big improvement in your situation soon.

Alf

Well, I guess I'm not the only one with this little intermittent problem. Yesterday I was five months out of brachytherapy. Then about three weeks ago, I started having a very slight "anal leaking" problem too. At least it just appeared as a little bit of brown water. Told my Doc about this and was told that this is not an uncommon thing and was given a Rx for "Hydrocortisone Acetate, 25mg" which are corticosteroid rectal suppositories. After just a few days of using these suppositories, "things" were about back to normal. The information included in the package indicate that these are used for inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis and as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory conditions of the rear end. They worked great for me.

Slightly different problem, but I cannot pass wind without having to pee. This does not cause a big problem, but sometimes feel like a good fart and have to hold off until reaching a bathroom. I would think it`s something to do with the muscle control we loose when loosing the walnut. But hey ho, better without the cancer !!

All the best from England.

Alegar,

I'm adding another comment and thus sort of bump this thread to the top as I found the following item on the www about bowel problems after RT.

www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Radiotherapy/Pelvicradiotherapyinmen/Bowelproblems.aspx

The Macmillan organisation is a Cancer support charity in the UK. So some of their info is no use for people not in the UK (such as the mention of the special key you can obtain to get into public toilets) but the rest is good.

Having read this info I am going to arrange to go and see a doc as I can now tell that my bowel is not meant to be behaving the way it is.

Alf

Question,

"Massive Bleeding" is not normal under any circumstance. If t were me, I would certainly be seeing my dr(s) if indeed you have a lot of bleeding. Could it be a hemmorhoid ?

Alf,

I can agree that the bowel issues are not the best - I went from a "one-a-day" to at least 4, often more.

No long road trips unless I check the route for rest stops. But that is the same for the fatigue -

When I read the article, there were several points where I felt like they must have interviewed me

A lesson for all - after having had RT, sit on the can before you fart. The outcome is unpredictable.

Hi, my bowel, ever since I finished the radiation treatment has never been the same, I too have gone from "one a day" to 4-5, had a colonoscopy and in the radiation area, the bowel wall has been affected, also I have diverticular changes to the bowel wall, at least I found there was no sign of cancer in the bowel thank God.

Guess this is just one of the side effects of trying to kill the beast!

Regards Mal.

I am 1 year out from radiation and have developed a messy problem, fecal incontinence, it has not been too bad but last Saturday night, I was on a date and we were walking through a shopping mall when it hit and it hit bad. There is never a toilet nearby when you need one, so needless to say I crap my pants heavely, got to a restroom and cleaned up as best i could, and told my date we had to leave, so she had to ride in a crap smelling car for 5 miles.  This happens about once a week but never this bad. The lady no longer wants to see me, but I need a solution, I cant go around doing it in my pants!  I am a 70 yr old male is ok health PSA is <01 and this is the most prevelent problem I have. I also have no libido but I can deal with that.

I need help and suggestions on what to do!

Heybow