www.incontinentsupport.org

Hi,
I have suffered from fecal incontinence for 18 months. I am having trouble coming to terms with it and knowing how to manage it.
My medical specialist is a rather unsympathetic man, and I am thinking of getting another opinion because he gives me no suggestions other than "go home and live with it."
I would be grateful for any comments, help, suggestion from anyone who suffers the same indisposition as myself. I feel I am the only one...

I do not have fecal incont, but there is one thing I can relate to: the non-caring, don't-care-about-you, just-get-away-from-me kind of doctor. Doesn't answer your valid questions, doesn't really say anything overall... Just hands in a prescription and tells you to rebook. Next appt, same deal. He was very hard to deal with, and it was really going nowhere. I ended up getting my doc to refer me to another uro that was much better - in one session, he had done more pertinent questionning/examination and also had answered all these questions I've had all along (what to expect, alternatives, surgery possible?, other treatments/medications, etc). So if I can say anything, it's don't waste your time with the one doc who doesn't want to help, it's a waste of time.

The answers I got weren't what I wish he had said, but it was realistic, and I knew what to expect/look forward to at least - instead of being left with tons of unanswered questions, and no hopes of having them answered.

You are correct, If you find that your Dr isn't helping you the way that you think they should, then its time to get another Dr.

Don't forget, 1/2 of all Dr's were in the bottom half of their class, and they are still called "Doctor".

Sooty,
You are anything but alone. I am 23 and suffering from heavy to complete Fecal Incontinence and moderate bladder incontinence due to a condition called spina bifida occulta. It has destoyed my bladder and rectal nerves. I went through alot of hard and painful testing to find this out. I have been in diapers 24/7 now for almost 3 months. This has been the most effective tool of management for me after trying all these expensive prescriptions that do little more than inconvenience me more and drain my wallet. I've been lucky though, my doctor's have at least seemed to be caring on occasion. It's an option you might want to consider, I've never felt more assurance and comfort than when i started wearing diapers. Hope this helps.

I have been wearing diapers my whole life for bowel and urinary incontinence. Growing up wearing diapers always, I never really was bothered by being wet or messy. My friends and family all knew, and I never really hid it. It was what what it was. At school their were some kids that called me names. Luckily I had good friends that it didn't matter to them and even stood up for me. I actually had a girlfriend during High School that would change me at school when I needed it. Thankfully she babysat and knew how to do it quickly....All in all I don't mind wearing diapers, and even consider myself lucky that I don't need to stand in the bathroom line at concerts, ballgames, etc.

One easy way to avoid embarasment is enemas or suppositories used before you go out or have visitors. Use these methods or have your nurse use them at that time. It will normaly severly decrease the likelyhood of having a accident at a embarassing time. My bowel system is most active early mornings. I rarely have visitors or leave my home for anything during this time. Keep track of when & what you eat and what times you have problems. Once you notice a patern try making changes and see what works. If your completly incontinent and there is not much you can do. Like me often a good quality fullsize brief (diaper ) Booster pads & bed pads is the easyist and best solution.

I also dont have fecal incon..but i can certianly relate to how u feel abut the dr.. Last month i saw the urologist about some minor urinary incon ive been having..some postvoid dribble as well as what appears to be occasional mixed OAB and stress incon..and u know what he did? Took a bladder ultrasound.. asked me a bunch of questions.. told me to take detrol for a mont..and sent me on my merry way.. Detrol i don't think is helping..im still oozing urine..and i think i might actually be urinating less than usual..which is not good.. my next appt is next week..and i hope this time i can get answers.have them run tests..and get the answers i want..as to why the hell this is happening..im only 25..i should'nt have to deal with this! I know..incon can happen at any age.. but still i dont like it

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"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

I maybe wrong, but I don't think the number of people with fecal incontinence is anywhere close to the number of people who are incontinent of just urine. Obviously, there are a lot of people that are double, or totally incontinent for a number of reasons. I've been incontinent of urine for a number of years, and I'm close to being totally incontinent. Those that experience fecal incontinence know that maintaining healthy skin and odor control is a MUST. I think acceptance of fecal incontinence is no different than anyone who is incontinent of urine.....life moves forward and being double incontinent doesn't hold me back, or bother me.