Hi there this is a bit embarrassing but I seem to have developed a problem with my bowel movements for the second time in recent weeks I have had to dash to the loo and not got there quick enough.this is devastating I already have a problem with my bladder but if my bowel is going to be a problem as well I don,t know what I’m going to do. I won,t dare go out it’s to frightening to think I could be out and this happen to me.it was so embarrassing I had to get my husband to help me I don’t know what I would have done if I had been on my own.i have secondary progressive ms but lately I seem to be declining fast my mobility is next to nothing and now this is happening .has any else had this bowel problem I need advice please
Hello
It is a fact that bowel incontinence happens to a lot more people that we are ever aware of. It did happen to me a few times, but my bowel problems were generally the opposite - severe constipation. (I had a colostomy 3 years ago, so my problems now are completely different.)
Do you have a bowel and bladder nurse service? Obviously (damn Covid) theres no chance of a face to face appointment at present, but you should be able to get some advice over the phone.
There are things you can do to improve your bowel continence. Have you heard of anal irrigation? There are several types available, Peristeen is something a lot of people use (another is Qufora). If you search on either word, you’ll find some information about the products.
The idea behind anal irrigation is that you pump warm water into your bowel, you sit there and wait for a while (15 minutes or so), the water is expelled together with the bowel contents. It takes a bit of time, and some practice, but it can make your bowel a bit more (or a lot more) predictable. I did try Peristeen but with constipation as severe as mine it just didn’t work (although it does help many with constipation as well as incontinence).
Otherwise, there are exercises you can try to improve your muscles (difficult I know!). Or you can try various dietary ways of changing your bowel movements.
Really you need to speak to a continence expert, why not get your GP to refer you to the local bowel and bladder service? But try not to be too embarrassed. It takes effort to get over the sheer embarrassment of discussing such intimate subjects, but the more you talk about it, the easier it gets. Honest. I used to be so shy and didn’t discuss my constipation at all for years. Eventually I managed to start talking first to my GP, then my MS nurse, then bowel & bladder nurse, nowadays I’ll talk to anyone about anything!!
Best of luck.
Sue
Hi, I’ve got spms also and have the same problem, but I was referred to a physiotherapist for sphincter exercises and it helps.
I’ll try and describe the exercise as follows. Squeeze your anal sphincter tight, now relax, then pinch it half way and hold for about 10 seconds, relax for 5 seconds and repeat pinching it half way 10 times and do this 4 times a day - if you can remember. At the end of each session, pinch and let go rapidly for about 15 times.
This helped my confidence and travel without worrying too much.
Thanks for the advice I,m going to try and get a telephone appointment with my gp.i.ll try and get over my embarrassment it might be easier to do on the phone.but thank you for your words of advice
First of all it is common with MS and do not worry about it, I and hundreds of others have the same problem.
You must prepare for it.
In the toilet and my car, I store , underwear, wipes, plastic bags and a pair of shorts.
I also record my movements in my diary.
You need to speak to the incontinence nurse as Sue said, do not think Doctors are of much use from my experience over 5 years.
My last disaster was 27th May at 11am so the diary works, I was ok later and had pudding and chips from the chippy.
Again do not worry about it, be prepared.
Bertie
It happens to me too…but only ever happened outside of home twice…\very often as my carer gets me hoisted out of bed, gravity takes over and it happens…on the floor and if they remember to bring the commode pan in, it gets caught in that.
Other times, I dont have time to get my pants down and it happens. But a lot of the mess does get caught in the pad, so is easily cleaned up. I have lost 2 pairs of trousers in the last month, as it didnt get caught in the pad.
My hubby throws the trousers away as he doesnt like to wash them…Im now using my going out` trousers instead of the tatty staying in ones!
I know I may come over as carefree about the problem…of course I dont mean to make light of a serious problem…it`s how I act on the outside for other people. Inside I am cringing and feel awful.
love Boudsxx