Incontinence

Hello,
I have never posted on this forum but have read it often since soon after I was diagnosed about 5 years ago. I have tried it seems like every natural and prescription solution to no avail and now I am facing the decision of potential surgery. I am currently on Remicade and after my initial loading doses I have only gotten worse. My doctor wants me to double the dose but I am not that optimistic that will work either. The main reason for my post though is that as my disease has progressed I have become more and more incontinent. I have to wear depends and my frequency of accidents has increased to about 3 times per week. It has had such a horrible effect on my life and has basically stopped my social life. I often can not even make it to the bathroom while inside my apartment. The thing that I am most concerned about is that I am not bleeding really badly and not even as sick as I have been in the past but I just do not have any control of when I need to use the restroom. I am really frustrated with my Doctor and he keeps telling me that it is normal while in an ulcerative colitis flare to have accidents but I do not really know too many people with this disease... so if anyone has had a similar experience and could share it with me I would really appreciate it! I am thinking that something else is really wrong with my body that is causing these accidents...but the recent flare I have been in has lasted almost 2 years without any real relief. Thank you everyone for your posts. They have really helped me through the years.

Love the drs casual attitude about not being able to control your bowels...how would they feel in that situation?? Anyway, the loss of control is due mostly I believe to rectal inflammation. Are you using any enemas/sups/foam? If you can heal the bottom, you should have more control. Easier said than done as the rectum is a total ***** to heal. Btw, welcome to the forum!
B

I have experienced many accidents while flaring. I know exactly what it is like especially during a long flare. Last year I ended a moderate flare that was going on a full year, not much blood and not even everyday but man if I didn't poop my pants a time or two a week, not to mention how many times I barely missed the "can" while trying to get into position before I could sit down, most frustrating part for me. Missed it by that much I tell you. I even pooped in my backyard because the 50 yard walk inside was just not going to happen, it wasn't because I was lazy I tell you. So unfortunately for us UCers it is "normal" while being in a flare to have very little to no control over when your body is going to let her rip. The good news is YES as you gain control over the flare you will also gain control over your bowels again. To be honest soon after I gained control last fall I would hold back a BM for a few minutes just because I could, great feeling to be able to hold it for a little while. HAHA take that UC!!! Keep plugging away and good luck.

Sorry for the delay in this post. I want to thank everyone for their replies. It really helped me a lot to hear your responses!