Faecal Incontinence

Hi, so sorry to hear of your terrible situation healthwise. I can understand your anxiety as although I have come close to having accidents, I haven't had one yet, but the anxiety that causes me is awful, so you must feel very anxious. (I have colitis, ibs-d, & bile acid malabsorption). The only things I can think of to help you are: have you seen a gastroenterologist to see if any meds can help eg loperamide? Have you had sehcat test to see if you have bile acid malabsorption? (it is still possible to have this condition even after gallbladder removal & it causes chronic diarrhea). The test involves swallowing a safe radioactive tracer capsule that mimics bile acid & 2 scans a week apart. Have you seen a colorectal surgeon/specialist to see if they can help you? hope this helps, & take care.

Do think about asking for the sehcat test though, it could be the cause of your chronic diarrhea. nothing to lose by having it done. take care.

Susan,

May I make a suggestion.

Have no idea where you live.

Go and see Anthony Dixon Bristol privately.

Let him give you an opinion and pay to see him.

Then may be you can get an NHS referral.

It sounds as though you have a form of rectal prolapse but not complete.

There is an operation called Ventro rectopexy.

I am not a doctor but it may well be worth researching, look on the OXFORD Manor farm website, which is informative for info.

The team there are Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Cunningham.

At Bristol is Mr. Dixon

There may be other centres of excellence for bowel problems however I have found these two to be the most helpful.,

All of us women have different symptoms.

These operations are not without risk.

Good luck,

Sandra 

 

Susan,

You need help.

Have Bristol or Oxford offered you any assistance.

Stay strong an determined.

Coukd all this be prolapse related.

The funding within the NHS is stretched and many patients are not getting the help they need.

Has Ventro rectopexy operation  been mentioned?

Your gall bladder may be an incidental they may have just focussed on this.

Who did you see at Bristol?

Sandra

 

Susan,

I BELIEVE there may be till operations availablle for you.

I am no doctor however so much has changed in the last 5 years with technology and so forth. 

I am 59yrs old.

Had caesaren section with problems after.  Adhesions IBS after for years.

Everything got better with pain issues then perenial not NOW. I was in loads of discomfort when I had my monthly period. After menapause relief. All better.

Years of not great but all got better. Then difficult forceps delivery nearly killed me, and then an easy perfect delivery 3rd time round.

Since 2004, had 10 yeasr of back pain early morning.

However this goes once mobile and I manage.

Yes and they found some lumps in my pelvis and everyone thought the back pain was due to these lumps but I think not and luckily I said no to surgery and just had monitoring for 10 years these tumours have remained stable.

However there is always a may be something has changed.

To fast forward.

Taken me 4 years going round in circles seeing doctors.

I have prolapse in 3 departments.

Been offered uterine hysterectomy and anterior repair, 

suspension  surgery holding womb and bladder in place.

However no centainties that my bowel will be better.

I have some faecal incontinence not bad but some, my anal muscles are not good.  At times I just go in my pants. Not often but it happens, and things are getting worse.

Ventral Recopexy costs £5,000 done at Bristol or Oxford.

Cheaper than the london hospitals.

I have no idea if this can help you but every year technology is getting better.

You cant holiday in your situation or enjoy your life.

You are in a very disabilating situation.

Your uterus has gone, however may be there is a way of supporting your bowel and bladder to help you with this operation.

Susan I believe there may be hope for you.

You can try NHS referral for these centres.

Or the private route which I recommend if you can afford.

All the best

Sandra

 

Susan, I know exactly where you are coming from, I too suffer incontinence, but my anxiety and stress levels are far worse. I like you can't visit my child, have not been to anyones house for over 7 years and I mean anyone!. I have 4 other children who can'y go park with Mummy as she is scared she will have another accident, it has ruled my life for 20 years and I am only 40. I have at least one panic attack a day, I only leave to go work 3 times a week, A 5 MINUTE Journey is hell for me, my husband has to drive me there and I panic soon as we hit a traffic light, or a tiny traffic jam, this can reduce me to get out of the car in sheer panic and have almost been killed by moving traffic. I totally sympathise and know people mean well when they suggest surgery or wear a pad, what use that will be on a train, or in a car full of people, I will never know. I feel I have wasted 20 years of my life to this condition and nothing will improve the sheer panic and terror I feel at leaving the house, big hugs to you.

Hi Susan

Thanks for such a quck reply, I too have had all the tests going, sigmoisoscopys etc, however there is no cause for mine, I just literally need to go straight away, no warning, they think I may have sensory processing issues, which causes certain senses to be more sensitive, wish it was my fingers or something rather than my bowel though. I feel a useless wife and Mother, even thought my husnabd and older children reassure me they are not bothered if yet another day out is cancelled, I have missed funerals, big celebrations all because I am scared to go out and anything happen in front of anyone. I get such dark thoughts and hate the way it makes me feel, as awful as it sounds to other people I would rather have a wheelchair as this is a disabilty that is catered for and understood, and I know thats a truly awful thing to say, but its honestly how this condition has made me, I am bitter about it, so many things that people take for granted, like a walk to the shops, or a parents evening, childs assembly, all these cause huge anxiety and panic and for every one I manage to attend, there are 50 occasions that are not attended, I am sure you understand.

Hallo Susan. I know you posted over 2 months ago so hope you have already found a solution to your problem. I note you have mentioned diet. Have you tried cutting out all dairy products? Cheese,yoghurt,butter,milk. I had this problem for about 6 months and also had my gall bladder removed about 15 years ago which led to very loose motions. Also suffered from minor gripey pains and wind every time I ate something. Consulted a doc who said if I was still alive after 6 months it wasnt serious!!!!!      So I decided to cut out various items from diet and lo and behold I have lactose intolerance and have probably been like it a long time,if not all my life The faecal soiling was just the last straw. After cutting out all dairy I am fine and it is very noticeable that if I happen to eat something with milk or milk products in I have some soiling. So having to inspect all packaging now for milk products...luckily milk is a known allergen and the products are usually in dark type which helps.    I find I dont have any stomach pain or upsets now,also no wind or runny motions,and feel so much better, I am now hooked on soya milk which is fortunate. It all takes some time to get used to a new regime but worth it in the end.  A side effect I also noted was no more sore perineum or anus.This may be something you have as well?       If i have to eat out or on holiday and milk is unavoidable I take Lactase capsules with me and take 1-3 before the meal. You have to work out this dose for yourself,and it doesnt always work well,so not suitable as a cure,just an aid.  Dont know where you are but you can get Lactase at health food shops in UK . Got mine at Holland and Barrett but I expect other places stock them.        I would be very interested to hear if you have already found your own solution.