Embarasing Bowels

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

Hi

Now to get to the bottom of this embarassing situation.

I went out to lunch, wonderful time with a friend,

went to get a book off my bookshelf for my friend, while she turned her car round, we are talking just a few minutes if that.

when suddenly needed the loo without warning or time to get to the loo and no control, couldn’t stop/or hold it (sorry to much information!) Hence washing machine is on if you know what I mean!!!

have had this a few time (very embarasing and scary) , had also experieced this at night, 4 times in all but that time bowels opened while I was actually asleep, the night time thing was before my spinal surgery, but like today have had these few incidences during the day since the surgery. I know that when I need to go there is a real urgency, but mostly i need that and usually have time.

I also have similar urinary problems mainly urgency, but sometime shall we say dribble as soon as i get the feeling and if i ignore it then there is little control

Anyone else experience these embarasing problems, in limbo under investigation as to whats going on neurologically. Mri tomorrow, have sent copy of previous mri for comparison. Its been noted that there are upper motor neurone signs at this stage,

But my mum had MS and whats going on seems to very much be echoing her symptoms, and thinking back over the past 20 years its looking more and more like a possibility although am trying to keep an open mind, cause i know there are lots of other things it could be

Don’t laugh I was refered to The National in London by GP and now being investigated. Yesterday received an outpatients appointment for neurology at our local hospital, rang apparently they had received a referal letter, but couldn’t tell me who from.

How cool is that ! BOTH HOSPITALS WANT ME!! lol

Think will cancel my local hospital and stick with The National have been very impressed with them so far, Sorry ranted on a bit waiting for the washing to finish lol

2

You have mu completely sympathy, I suffered from this for over 5 yrs. The embarassment, the panic, not being able to go out without knowing where there is a loo. Been thru so many tests, and finally earlier this year, I had a sacral nerve stimulator fitted, and whoop, can hold on now!

i am undiagnosed re MS, always looked upon my bowel issue as a stand alone thing, possibly related to childbiryth. However i have had other sumptons now, and am waiting to see a neuro.

(sorry for typing left hand dont work properly!!)

3

I too have been suffering from urgent and unexpected loose bowel movements for just over a year now. I have also had other symptoms; eye pain, double vision, headaches, burning in legs but all of these things I just put down to working too hard/not enough sleep/I’ve trapped a nerve etc. The only thing I ever actually complained about to my GP was the bowel problems and only really because it was affecting my day to day life.

My doctors first thought was therefore IBS but a colonoscopy and other tests came back clear. It wasn’t until I casually mentioned the other symptoms that he made me have an eye test which came back showing that my eyes are completely uncoordinated and I have now been referred to Neurology.

I can fully sympathise with you re the bowel issues, it has caused me no end of stress. I have been off work regularly due to the anxiety and fear of it happening there and needless to say my work have not been the most sympathetic.

Hope you manage to get it all sorted out x x x

4

Hi,

Ive just seen this post and im so glad ( i know that sounds weird, sorry). I have exactly the same thing, it happens pretty frequently and without warning. Sometimes I will have just sat down to eat and will have to run to the nearest loo, or it will strike when im out. I have had a few occasions of waking in the night with urgent need to go as well. Ive lived with the constant fear of not getting to a toilet for the last 6 odd years and was told it was IBS. Just like you im now starting to doubt that as coupled with all my other symptoms its very suspicious!!

5

i’be been diagnosed for 4 years now.

that first time that incontinence crops up is so humiliating. but swallow your pride and take to using tena lady - my lifesavers.

also ask your gp if you can be referred to the bowel and bladder clinic. the continence nurses are lovely and somehow its not embarassing.

so even if you are still in limbo land there is help out there.

carole x

6

i was diagnosed last month with ms and last november i had bowel urgency for about 3 weeks. a couple of very embarrasing episodes one being that i was forced to get out of my car and do a number 2 behind a set of bottle banks as the urgency was so great. not my proudest moment. thankfully it subsided but i still suffer from a weak bladder somewhat.

7

Thanks guys in away its reassuring to know you are not alone

8

Hi, yes, me too, been there, got the t-shirt!

It is sooo embarrassing and makes an impact on your confidence when going anywhere.

I use big NHS pads…yeh, not terribly glamourous, but they do give me a bit of leeway, should the accidents occur.

Some times, like you, I have no warning at all that something is moving!!!

What is making me wonder about your problems is the fact that youve had a spinal op. Now could this have damaged your nerves to your bladder and bowel?

Sorry, if you`ve already asked that question of the docs.

luv Pollx

9

I too have problems, mainly of a discharge after a normal bowel movement. I found the following on the internet and am going to ask my doctor about -

“Low-dose oral amitriptyline may inhibit rectal motor activity and reduce passive leakage caused by a weakened anal sphincter”.

I have had all the bowel tests and all normal. I have been using imodium which slows down activity.

Moyna xxx

10

No this was happening before the spinal Op

11

No this was happening before the spinal Op

12

Have had these experiences last year when everything seemed to be happening. Has improved somewhat since but that may only be because I now feel compelled to follow a couple of strict rules - Never delay more than absolutely necessary before acting upon the urge, especially if having to climb stairs! Always go before leaving for work. I always wear a large pad now in any case because I have not yet recovered sufficient control over urinary incontinence.