Bowel Incontinence

[loulou111]

Over the last few months I've had periods of
Loose bowel motions But today im ashamed to say, I had a very loose action. I soiled my underwear, through to my trousers. I'm in my 40s I have no idea what's causing it. My diet is pretty healthy. It comes from nowhere and literally pours out. I'm so embarrassed even writing this. Any idea what it could be? . I have made a G.P appointment

[Mamyalynne]

Very distressing for you, it could be anything and not necessarily a major thing but you'll worry all the same.

Glad you've made an appointment - let us know how you get on.

It's far more common than you might think.

[loulou111]

Thanks mamyalynne jackdaw I'm not finding your comment at all helpful. My name is louise hence my profile name. I'm seriously worried.

[Mamyalynne]

Lou, some have no tact or feeling - try to ignore them.

I realise you'll be scared but it really could be minor and you're doing the right thing.


Remember to keep your fluid levels up too.

[Jackdaw33]

No offence meant. Just the phrasing. I have recently had the same. It is distressing when it happens.

[jno]

I suppose IBS is a possibillity but it may just be a passing problem ....er, no pun intended - that will clear up. Your GP will arrange tests and they'll probably be a lot more helpful than people on a website can be.

You might like to browse through this

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/diarrhoea

[Buenchico]

See here
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Incontinence-bowel/Pages/Introduction.aspx
clicking the links to 'Causes', 'Diagnosis' and 'Treatment'.

[anneasquith]

Any change in bowel habits should be investigated, until you're gp appointment I'm assuming you are anxious you may have another incident, be prepared , use a pad for protection, change of clothing, good luck

[trt]

Its horrible Lou, I've had the same twice, in the past 3 months.

I was sat watching TV, feel the urge coming on to go to the loo, then when I stand up, or walk there, to late.
I have put an old towel, and a kitchen roll in the bathroom now, just in case.

Not had it since, but will go to Docs if it does.

[jno]

I'd be going to the doctor anyway, trt. Once might just be a mishap but twice bears investigating.

[KARL]

Apologies, awful subject, but am sticking with the line of the post: When around 15-16 years old and travelling on a bus I suddenly felt an enormous sense of urgency - I was unable to hold on and filled my pants. Luckily for me it was sufficiently solid to not significantly go past there, I took over the single men's toilet at the bus station on arrival and proceeded to clean up. Very many irate people banged on the door but this was always going to take quite a while. You may be able to imagine my embarrassment (the pants went with the flush).

The point of telling this is that this is not at all an unknown thing - when, rather worried, I told my schoolmate about this he was very calm about it and used an expression which came straight from the colloquial dictionary, self explanatory and clearly widely used expression suggesting everyone knows about this sort of thing. My relief was considerable - that was 55 years ago and it never again happened to me.

You likely have some form of infection of the digestive tract and may need medication to bring it under control. My incident showed no further signs at all and no intervention was ever carried out, testimony to youth and otherwise robust health, I assume. I have had other bouts of similar illness but never with similar consequences, although I have become quite ill. In Nigeria I was introduced to an extraordinary tablet called Thalazole - it works extremely quickly and knocks these things devastatingly on the head - I often refer to it as a drain cleaning plug (proceeds from one end and removes all before it to the other end). When I asked at my local pharmacy in the UK, the man had never heard of it, went through successive tomes and eventually found something. His expression darkened as he read through, then slammed it shut and said it was "not used here". Subsequently I googled and traced some reference to it being used on calves...... I still keep several tablets, just in case I or someone else needs one (and usually that is all you need) - there will be people who would be horrified at the thought but the stuff has more than once brought me back to life in Africa and India.

[Smowball]

I've had exactly the same so no need to feel ashamed. Mine was severe IBS. Took me months and months to find my triggers but after a food diary and elimination diet I've just about solved/ cured it.

[johnny37]

could be ceoliac disease. Doc will take a blood test and send you for a gastropaphy to confirm. If so you will have to give up gluten. Just a suggestion. used to be able to get prescription for gf bread but they have stopped that now to save money.

good luck

[Kathyan]

I had the same thing a couple of years ago. After investigations mine turned out to be Ulcerative Colitis. You do need to get it checked out though as it could be one of several things.

[loulou111]

Many thanks everyone. Some good answers here. I will keep a food diary as suggested.

[Sqad]

"I'm in my 40s I have no idea what's causing it."
This has been for the last few months and you have not complained of pain which has ruled out many conditions.
See you GP.