How often do you have accidents?

No it's not normal or the ideal for uc patients, however, it can be the reality when things are not going well. I had a year-long flare of uc, where I was going from medication-to-medication, trying repeatedly to get off of prednisone. I was having multiple accidents a month (while driving, at work, at the grocery store) and more close calls than I could count (emergency stop at the side of the road, to poop in the woods). Quality of life totally sucks like that, around a year of struggling with it, so I know.

What do do? Try stronger medications, and not be afraid of it. Prednisone is a stop-gap to provide temporary relief, but unless your uc maintenance medication is strong enough, take prednisone away and you suffer again. I'm on remicade now, and in remission (1 bm a day). Speak to your gastroenterologist, get aggressive with your treatment. Find a way out. It was a long, long struggle but in the end it makes you appreciate it more once you win.

I have been on Entyvio for 8 months now. Have one BM in the morning , mostly solid .
I still have accidents , wear pads in my panties , and sleep wearing a depends .If I beak wind it triggers a small amount of poo and mucus.
So I stay safe . this UC Kees on giving!!

At my worst, accidents were a daily occurrence for me. My uc was severe though and I didn't have any luck with the meds. I couldn't live like that anymore so I had to have surgery. You're not alone....it happens to a lot of people in bad flares.

I've had 5 surprises in two years. The first one was in public, horrific and humiliating. That was my "Welcome to UC". The others have happened in my car. All of them horrible experiences. Despite best efforts to empty the tank before going anywhere and carrying around emergency supplies, its inevitable that we will be caught short from time to time.

on entyvio 9 months still have a few accidents but not as bad, like a volcano. Usually the week after my iv is a little rough but with diet changes and entyvio is so so much better. I ran out of socks before.... with accident when driving. smile. get you gi to eval you meds. it may help

I am a little late to this discussion, but I thought I would add my two cents. If any of you are still struggling with this I can relate. I've had UC for 9 years I have been pooping my pants for 6 years and I am so done. It's become such a problem in my life that I am considering an ileostomy... more on that in a bit...

I always wear two extra long panty liners, not side by side but one behind the other so that my undies have a long line of protection. That way, I dont have to take off my pants, I just take off the liners. Something that REALLY helps with the cleanup is VASELINE! Before I go anywhere I put a dab of vas on TP and smear it (for lack of a better word) all around down there. If you are female you know how horrible it is to have poo in your hair. The vas will create a barrier so that you can wipe it right off. It will also protect your skin and you wont get rashes. I keep a tube of vas in my purse, along with wet wipes and liners. Something I just heard about is keeping clothes pins so you can keep your shirt out of the way (or skirt off the floor).

I have been on the SCD (diet) for 5 years and it has been the only thing that has ever given me any relief from UC. I no longer have chronic diarrhea but even when my stool is formed I can't keep it in. I haven't tried immunomodulators or biologics but I really dont want to and I am only going to try them if I find out I have Crohn's and not true UC. I don't respond to 5 ASAs or mesalamine. And I hate the side effects of prednisone. I had moon face for two years, (went to senior prom feeling very ugly) along with cystic acne, hair loss, and psychiatric blows etc. Don't want to remember...

Having a permanent ileostomy would dramatically improve the quality of my life. I am fully aware that I am trading one set of problems for another set. But there are countless things that I would be able to do with a bag that I haven't been able to do for years. I could get a job. I could go to the grocery store without fear, anxiety, pain and several bathroom trips to clean up accidents (I never make it on time when I'm at a store and so I rarely go anymore). I could attend weddings, reunions, funerals, birthday parties, and other important family gatherings. I could go camping, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. I could go on a vacation. I could join my husband when he invites our friends over for a game or movie night instead of hide away in our room. I could go on dates with my husband.

I would be so happy if I never had to poop/ wipe my butt ever again. Even on biologics you guys are still soiling yourself. I don't want that. I want to be drug free and butt free! I want to eat normal American food and stop starving myself.

I have a very poor quality of life. I want my life back. I want to be drug free and able to eat more foods. I want to give my husband and future children the wife and mother they deserve.