Soiled Myself Big Time :-(

[TechieBlue]

Hi

Newbie here.

I have had intermittent IBS going back a number of years but yesterday things got out of hand. In the evening I started getting stomach rumblings and then full-on IBS cramps, pretty severely. I was out visiting my brother-in-law and had to make my excuses and leave for home, I knew some time in the toilet, and the resulting smell of course, was going to be necessary.

I started for home, which wasn't too far away, but got caught in roadworks related traffic. The cramps got worse and worse, about the worst I've had. I was struggling to not poop myself and thought I'd got away with it but 5 minutes from home I lost control. It was horrendous. Not just leakage but complete loss of control.

Needless to say, this is worrying me substantially. I was due to be driven out by my brother-in-law last night for about an hour to get to a venue and had I not made my excuses I could have been in a car with him with all of this going on, defecating into my own trousers because I couldn't help it.

I am now worried about this happening again. It's actually not the first time, it happened once before three years ago too, and fortunately again I was on my own and in my car and no-one found out.

This really has quite shocked me - what does it mean for me, am I now at risk of this happening at any time? I know that avoiding going out, going away etc would be catastrophic from a mental health point of view, but what about if it happens on a train, in a car with other people, in an aircraft?

I have an appointment with a Physician's Associate tomorrow and hope to see a Doctor soon too so I am taking appropriate medical advice. I also have bought some Buscopan which I will keep with me, though I don't know whether it might prevent something like the incident yesterday.

Pretty uncool all in all really I think I know the trigger, an excessively large spicy dinner the night before - won't be doing that again, but I don't recall any such trigger the first time this happened.

Thanks for reading if you've got all the way through this post.

[Hidden]

Thats it accidents at the time can feel like the world has ended!

Imodium are good in preventing accidents if you are worried about it happening when you are out and take a couple before you go.

I had an accident on a day out just before everything shut down back in the March of 2020 and at the time it had felt like the world had ended but i laugh about it now!

Thing is accidents arent uncommon and lots of people have them.

[TechieBlue in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Hidden - very kind of your to reply.

[Hetchins1946]

This is similar to my recent history. I've had ibs since 2007 and I've had a few really bad accidents! (Sorry to the good people of Berlin!).

The only advice I can offer is to take Imodium at the first hint of any sense of 'trouble'. Buscopan can relieve pains in some people, but won't help with the diarrhea.

You also need to work on finding out what triggers this. It's often stress or diet. For me it is stress and very hot weather, but there seems to be other factors I've not narrowed down.

It's not easy. Good luck with your appointment.

[NorahH]

Hi There

It's ONION & GARLIC for me I avoid them at all costs. Look at The Low Fodmap eating plan, that nay help.

Good luck, remember no one gas died, that's how I look at it. I know its devastating when it happens

Norah H

[pink123floyd]

Know what you mean techie same thing yesterday happened to me luckly i was at home 1st.time i was at my sons and didnt make the bathroom felt so ashamed but my daughter in law has IBS so knows what we go through and gave me some underwear and shorts i know use underwaer simliar to period panties just incase i also have a prelasp bladder so this underwear does give me a bit of cofidence to vist family hope you get to see some soon and some relief from the specialist as to how to control the pain.take care stay safe.xx

[Allot]

I really sympathise with you it happened to me twice on holiday in an evening out I was mortified cried my eyes out!! Got really stressed about getting on plane home so stopped eating for 3 days!! In my case I never had any warning it just happened.

Then it happened again at my gym class I’m now terrified to go out am on antidepressants to try and relieve the anxiety but my life is on hold. I have never been diagnosed with IBS but self diagnosed as I know there are various foods that disagree with me - not to the extent of chronic diarrhoea however. I have paid for private appointment and now awaiting a colonoscopy to rule microscopic colitis.

Been advised to take Imodium twice a day in the meantime but still anxious.

[WellySam]

I sympathise. You are far from alone. I've messed myself when out a couple of times. Knowing your triggers helps, eg particular food, alcohol, stress etc.

My IBS-D is mostly stress triggered but I have to avoid a few foods as well. It's important to take precautions as this reduces the triggering anxiety.

If it flares up, I avoid going too far from home. Better to risk minor annoyance by cancelling than messing myself in public !

When I'm going to be away from home for a while, I eat only a little and douche. I wear Tena pull ups and take wipes and spare pull ups.

It's pretty bad right now so I'm wearing diapers for travelling, but I wear pull ups for going out it hanging around with mates as they're discreet.

The diapers can cope with a full messing if I'm travelling. Pull ups make me feel a bit more assured. They'll keep things contained until I can get to a toilet,

Hope that helps

Nothing to be embarrassed about. I've had poo dribbling down my leg! I laugh now but I cried at the time.

Maybe tell the people you spend most time with about your IBS so you have an ally if it flares up.

[Sparrow58]

You are not alone . It's one of the worse things about IBS. I have had a couple of accidents myself. Luckily I was on my own. If you see your brother in law alot you may want to tell him you have IBS. You can also get a toilet spray if you are worried about the smell. I watch my diet for a couple of days before going out and stick to my 'safe foods'. I also take immodium if going somewhere I am not sure of. Take care x

[JanetJAM]

oh I know how you feel this happened to me a few times and it’s upset me so much I just wanted to stay at home. I have now cut out gluten and wheat and have oat milk and it has helped me a lot it may not work for you but worth a try. Hope your better soon.

[Andann]

Good advice from people already. I have experieñced this after eating dahl and chick peas the night before....and dark chocolate another time. You might find you have triggers like this.

[MellowYel]

Hi, I lost all control of my bowels in 2019 in a hotel. I managed to get to the to toilet but soiled my trousers & had to wait until someone came in to get help. Fortunately my Mother in law was at the hotel & I had a change of clothes. This completely knocked my confidence & was extremely worried to go out anywhere. It’s taken 2 & a half years to virtually completely get my confidence back. Past accident I’d go out when I could (stomach was constantly unsettled, crampy & IBS D every day) but would always bring instant diarrhoea tablets & a change of clothes. 6 months ago my consultant put me on Amitripyline. These have transformed my life. I now go out a few times a day & life is back to normality. I still carry tablets & a change of clothes but my stomach doesn’t feel unsettled or cramping. If it does I’m not constantly worried. I tell myself if I soil myself, so be it but realistically it’s probably not going to happen. Good luck with your recovery & try these tablets.