IBS-D - anyone had accidents!?

[Flik22]

Sorry if TMI, but i am super worried I am loosing control of my Bowels, The last few times I have had IBS-D, I have absolutely no other warnings other than.....I feel I need to pass wind and then when I do I get a warm sensation so stop myself! Run to a toilet ( well not run but dash!!) and if I wipe there is runny poop there and we'll you can imagine the rest💩💩, I'm seriously mortified this is happening and just wondering if anyone else suffers this? I am off to the docs tonight to question it as I really don't feel it is normal!! Xx

[b1b1b1]

Yes, it happens to me. I have had some VERY near misses. This especially happens if I don't stick to the proper diet. It is very upsetting. The only thing I can suggest, other than being careful what you eat, is to know where bathrooms are on any route you take. For example, Starbucks has good bathrooms, so do most coffee shops and restaurants, and some super markets. Learn where they are. Also, if you think you might have to go, don't delay, find the nearest bathroom. I have delayed a few times and the results were not good.

[Flik22 in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you for your advice, I can't delay when it happens! Haha! I don't go far from home to be honest, and yes always know where toilets are! I hate this IBS, keep thinking it's more than that! But they say from the tests I've had all is ok with the structure of my bowel! Xx

[Hather in reply to Flik22]

I bought a key from my local disability shop for access to a disability toilet that I can use if I need to ...I usually use the normal toilets but it is very reassuring to have this key, if I have an urgent issue..like most I can’t go far from home and this constipation has caused prolapsed bowel and I am now awaiting a call from my hospital to do a second repair ... but I don’t think even this repair will alter the slow daily evacuation that is very tiring and takes up a lot of time each day..

[SnooW]

Yes I have had this too on occasions, also pass wind with bit of mucus so never really know which is about to happen, so always play safe and only pass wind on the loo if poss! I wear extra panty liners on days I feel 'unsafe', just in case, and always carry Imodium with me. I've no idea what causes it as yet, but possibly too much fibre or dairy products. I hope your GP can help as it is miserable always having to be 'on guard' for it happening.

[Flik22 in reply to SnooW]

Thank you for your reply! I feel mortified it's happening! Sometimes feel my IBS is getting worse not better with altering my diet! I've been dairy free for 18months, tried gluten free! Wondering if this last episode is because I ate eggs! I like your advice with panty liners think I will start to do this! I already always have loperamide with me! Took 3 yesterday 😞😞 xx

[SnooW in reply to Flik22]

I know, it feels degrading but we can't help what our bodies choose to do. If I have my handbag with me I have a spare pair of knickers tucked away inside also. It's all just things to make me feel safer when out. I sometimes take the loperamide before a day out, just in case - probably shouldn't but again it helps give peace of mind as getting stressed over this makes things worse I am sure. I wish I could offer more help but it's still all a mystery to me as well! I wish there was a straight answer to dealing with IBS!!!

[Flik22 in reply to SnooW]

How long have you been suffering? It's so degrading, I was at work too and totally broke down! Not good!!!! Your replies help loads, as much as I wish you weren't going through this it is comforting knowing we are not alone! Xx

[SnooW in reply to Flik22]

I think a bad tummy upset back in my 20s (I'm 62 now) may have been the start of it all but definitely when I was in my 30s and 40s it all really kicked off a lot more. The sudden diarrhoea is more of a recent problem though.

I hated being at work as the loos were horrible and not privately situated, and my tummy noises were embarrassing so I can totally empathise over the horrible event you had at work. My main worry is getting caught out when I'm walking my dog - open fields and hills, and not a loo (or even a hedgerow in some places!) in sight.

I've found this forum to be a huge godsend as I think we tend to feel we are the only ones with bowel problems but there are many others out there who suffer the same and even worse and there is a mine of information on here to help us cope with our condition. As you say, it's a comfort to know we are not alone in it. x

[Linedanceing in reply to SnooW]

I constantly have accidents, and at the time it makes me feel very embarrassed, even though I now make sure I'm protected with pads and wipes but no matter how you manage it and even though your the only one that notice you still feel so down and unclean for a while after and hard to clear your head of it, then you maybe are ok for a while and forget until the next time, all you can do is be prepared, it a pain in the bum literally, excuse the pun

[Floc in reply to SnooW]

It can be so stressful having to go through this had a few accidents before from having to find a loo in a hurry when taking my daughter to school. The muscus part I describe is like having a sneeze and it's a snooty nose and can't use a hanky because I forgot to pack one in my hand bag. The musus part has something to do with the intestine. It's how the large intestine digests your food. Watched a programme about your intestine by a Doctor Micheal (sorry can't remember his second name. This man showed how the bowel works and how many days it takes before the intestine poos it out. I listen to a relaxation c.d every so often. I know that stress is a major trigger and even taking a pain killer can upset my stomach. I even resorted to aroma therapy oils as the smell can help you to relax. At the begining when I had accidents and couldn't work out why it kept happening. My doctor sent me for a colonoscopy and I was just labeled with IBS.

[Eastbourne11]

Hi Flik22 yes I have had an accident in a public place. It gave me PTS. I've not had it since as I eat smaller meals and Wear incontinent pants - the pretty ones! I travel a lot so it's not easy to know where toilets are. Get a key from your GP to be able to use public toilets. I have seen some replies and they seem like good advice. Recently I have read the FODMAP book available from the library, and that has helped a great deal. Accidents happen to lots of people for different reasons so if it did happen - well, that's life you are not alone. I knew a professor who had an accident in the middle of a corridor. Good luck

[Flik22 in reply to Eastbourne11]

Hello! Thank you for your reply! I broke down at work yesterday when it happened, mortified! Yes I've tried the Fodmap diet, infact I eliminated most things out of my diet for a while, lost a lot of weight from it, was still suffering so thought stuff it if I'm going to suffer may as well suffer eating the foods I like! 🙄 I'm back on track now and going to keep a food diary etc and see if I can find a link! Poor professor, in a corridor with students! Bless him! Xx

[Pennylewis]

Had IBS for years when i reached my fifties the doctors thought it must be something else. So finally i have had all tests they finally they leave you alone to get on with it. Apart from a print out of Fodmap foods to avoid. Telling me to take anti anxiety tablets. Nothing they can do. Always carry spare clothes in my car these days. You just never know where and when. Lol 😂. Be prepared.!!!

[Flik22 in reply to Pennylewis]

It's horrible isn't it the not knowing when it can attack! Especially when I have no other warning signs! As you say be prepared! And never go too far from a loo!! 😞Xx

[Floc]

I hate having to plan a day around my loo habits particuarly when inside the panic buttons drive everything to the fast lane. My daughter has a bowel condition and she suggested I eat natural yoghurt (with no sugar in it). It helps to calm my intestine and to make it less bland I use a little fruit (like peach and some honey). The yoghurts with fruit are laced with sugar and if you have IBS sugar is a trigger food. I can't drink coffee but drink tea with less sugar. I used to love eating nuts but this was a disaster as I'd end up in the loo most of the time.

[ShaunieIBSLan]

I bought a radar key, I take 2 loperamide before a journey, and carry 2 or 3 immodium instants as spares at all times. I've been caught short many a time, now to the point where I've had to give up working it's a seriously bad medical condition, that is over looked by many people I don't let it get to me anymore tho, and just think to myself; "this is what I am now, if it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen"

[Marathoner]

Oh, guys, it's aweful. I think we have all been there. I have to do the diarrhea Lamaze breathing before I even dare make a move to the bathroom. I just have to hope that my backside has enough strength that day to get me through without any accidents. What a life we are all living, huh? I feel so sorry for some of the above commenters. I have my daily struggles, but I could not imagine a life of worrying about the bathroom ALL THE TIME, much less have to give up working or have secret emergency keys for restrooms. Kudos to you all for playing this hand of cards with as much dignity and self-respect as you possibly can. And kudos for not letting it get you down.