Fecal incontinence

There’s a series on Ch4 catchup called Know Your Sh!t. I found it quite helpful to know that other people’s digestive systems also caused them problems. You might find that one of the episodes covers your problem. It obviously doesn’t solve the anything but sometimes it’s good to know that you’re not alone x

Incontinence Nurse in the GP surgery will help

Thank you. Has anyone been successful with exercise?

Think about your diet. In the last ten years I’ve found fruit and veg that I have enjoyed for decades suddenly cause problems in that department. I avoid whole grain varieties of anything, or in minuscule quantities. Ditto legumes. It is a tricky balance between enough fibre and too much!

Something popped up on my iPad the other day explaining how coffee is a laxative. Not that I go anywhere these days but, when I did I would have to eat a very bland diet first a week before a day out.

Thank you, Role. I did wonder about that as I eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Certainly more than 5 a day. Maybee70 Actually I have stopped drinking coffee this week as I find it is a laxative. Thank you. It’s probably age catching up with me.

Side-effects of medication? Back problems?

I am sorry you have this. Have you talked to GP? I think you should so that they can make a proper diagnosis.
It could be gastrointestinal, especially if the stools are loose; or it could be a spinal problem (potentially serious); or a neurological problem.

Please don't just go down the route of pads (except as a temporary measure) before you have been properly examined and diagnosed.

Pelvic floor exercises can help with this problem.
The easiest one as recommended to my friend by the clinic was a simple raising yourself on your toes. You feel the muscles in that area working immediately.
I do it every morning while cleaning my teeth.
I do them for one minute.

This thread from a year or two ago is helpful - you will definitely know you are not alone. Agree with other posters that GP advice should be sought - they will be able to refer you to incontinence service.

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1324946-Very-embarrassing-problem

My husband suffered from this and he has been diagnosed with EPI - Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. You need to go and see your GP.

A friend started to get this. After looking at her diet she eventually cut out wholemeal bread and the problem resolved itself.
I think too much fibre can do it, just find which food isn't suiting you any more.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Reported

My mum suffered from this, not all the time, but intermittently with very loose stools. It turned out that her bowel was twisting, so the stools were what’s know as overflow. Eventually her bowel twisted and did not untwist itself. She ended up with emergency surgery and a stoma. Whatever your symptoms please consult your GP. Whatever the cause this is not something she should put up with. I hope all goes well and it turns out to be a minor issue,

I think what Flippinheck is referring to is a blockage which may be due to several causes.

The most common cause of faecal impaction among elderly people is constipation so severe that the faecal mass becomes impacted into a large lump that only very wet faecal matter can bypass.

Faecal impaction is successfully and gently treated with a a special oil enema and then when the mass has softened by an ordinary enema.

In any case, consult your doctor.

Could the doctor refer you to a dietician? Would it be helpful to review your diet?

Caleo

I think what Flippinheck is referring to is a blockage which may be due to several causes.

The most common cause of faecal impaction among elderly people is constipation so severe that the faecal mass becomes impacted into a large lump that only very wet faecal matter can bypass.

Faecal impaction is successfully and gently treated with a a special oil enema and then when the mass has softened by an ordinary enema.

In any case, consult your doctor.

This

Caleo

I think what Flippinheck is referring to is a blockage which may be due to several causes.

The most common cause of faecal impaction among elderly people is constipation so severe that the faecal mass becomes impacted into a large lump that only very wet faecal matter can bypass.

Faecal impaction is successfully and gently treated with a a special oil enema and then when the mass has softened by an ordinary enema.

In any case, consult your doctor.

I was referring specifically to sigmoid volvulus where the sigmoid colon twists on itself and, yes, thus causes a blockage. Liquid ‘overflow’ can sometimes bypass the blockage, though the blockage remains. Twisting can sometimes be rectified but not always and often recurs. The twisting can also impede the blood flow to the colon causing parts of it to die off. Hopefully this is not what the OP is experiencing.

I'm glad this has re-appeared. You can get little plugs: you can slip them I and out, lubricated with a lot of Anusol 3, and if you have piles and they are bleeding, Anusol 4.

Unfortunately they are not dissimilar to butt plugs, a sex toy, but this isn't the time to be embarrassed, because they could be the answer to a lot of embarrassment and cleaning undies.

Just do, of course, consult specialist first (rather than GP, whose knowledge would be general and not to this detail)

But you can do a little gentle practice first by using a finger which is lubricated and seeing what sort if any a "grip" you can get on your anus.

Have a look at this page, there is also a clear recommendation on it.

www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=medical+butt+plugs+for+leaking+anus&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Personally I have got it under control with pelvic floor exercises where I focus hard on the anus

Wyllow3

I'm glad this has re-appeared. You can get little plugs: you can slip them I and out, lubricated with a lot of Anusol 3, and if you have piles and they are bleeding, Anusol 4.

Unfortunately they are not dissimilar to butt plugs, a sex toy, but this isn't the time to be embarrassed, because they could be the answer to a lot of embarrassment and cleaning undies.

Just do, of course, consult specialist first (rather than GP, whose knowledge would be general and not to this detail)

But you can do a little gentle practice first by using a finger which is lubricated and seeing what sort if any a "grip" you can get on your anus.

Have a look at this page, there is also a clear recommendation on it.

www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=medical+butt+plugs+for+leaking+anus&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Personally I have got it under control with pelvic floor exercises where I focus hard on the anus

I just copied this from ChatGPT:

"Moderate to severe damage
If the anus has suffered:

Tears or lacerations (e.g., from trauma or childbirth),

Anal fissures,

Nerve damage (e.g., from surgery or prolonged pressure),

Complete or partial sphincter rupture (often after obstetric injury),

then exercises alone are not enough. These cases usually need:

Medical evaluation (e.g., anal manometry, ultrasound),

Medications to promote healing or reduce inflammation,

Sometimes surgery (e.g., sphincteroplasty or advancement flaps)."

There is more about it on Chat but I decided to keep my reply short

If you prefer plain simple explanations to the one I posted, just tell Chat GPT that's what you want and Chat will reply using plain everyday words, and give further explanations if you want.

See your GP. You need a proper diagnosis.

Yes, but in all this, don't forget that if a "plug" works for you, it's a way of gong out free of worries about leakage

See my post above. if You read the web ref, you'll see advanced work has been done in Cambridge to develop it.

repeat ref

www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=medical+butt+plugs+for+leaking+anus&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8