Causes of losing bowel control

[karlyg]

Hi all,
I know that a lot of us have had experiences (that we don't care to remember too often) of not being able to "make it" to the bathroom in time. I am wondering if you might be willing to share, if you have an idea, what has caused those occurrences with you, or if something in particular was going on when that happened to you. I ask because I ahve recently started a new job, and, while I am (thankfully, and knockin on wood!) not in a flare right now, I've had several "almost-misses" and one recent small accident. The bathroom at my new employment is not very close to my office, so that's obviously a factor, but does stress or being over-tired ever do this to anyone else? I'm just hoping it's not a sign of a flare coming up! Thanks, and sorry to be kinda gross
~Karly

 

[kskitt]

nope, the only time that i was having accidents was before i was diagnosed with crohns.

 

[jjs16]

Hi Karly,

I have these types of episodes fairly often. I don't know what causes them but I try to listen to my body when I'm out and about. If I'm driving and the mood strikes, even if I'm two minutes from home I will pull into a fast food restaurant or gas station and take care of it. Too many times where I've said to myself "well I'll be home in a minute" only to arrive at home park the car, get out and do that little run to the bathroom as my bowels are escaping into my clothes.

I also make sure I carry extra clothes with me.

J

 

[karlyg]

that is excellent advice. i think that's what happened to me - i kept putting it off to finish what i was doing, and then when i had to take the stairs to the bathroom, well...ya know.

 

[Wiles]

After my surgery I became constipated (Worst few days of my life!). After that was done with I couldn't hold it very well. I had to wear adult diapers for about a week, because I couldn't even make it if it was just down the hall. It got better, but I was so worried about it that I didn't leave my house for about a month. That's probably the worst I've had it.

There are still days though where I try to stay home. I live 30minutes from anywhere, and some days I can't hold it that long so I just don't go out.

 

[tonya_n_ky]

My best advice is...listen to ur body, if u feel it coming go ahead and head towards the bathroom...watch the things u eat that u just "know" will cause u to have to go more..and a medication called cholestyromine...it's great to help stop the Big D. I drink it when I work the next day or 2, then skip it the day before I'm home where I can go all day, lol. It works really well. Good Luck to ya and take care !!

 

[vickyoddsocks]

I have D constantly (infact ive no memory of ever having a normal BM!) But i seem to cope ok, if it strikes i just stop what im doing and wait (with alot of clenching!lol) and after about 10 mins it seems to go away (to the point where i can make it to a loo) Obviously its very uncomfortable so i dont do that unless its an emergancy and i have no choice! I've seemed to cope ok.
However i do have a problem with, if something makes me jump (y'no 'boo' jump not like skipping) I have no control and ive had accidents like this, (even when i dont need the loo!) In January i was having my riding jumping assesments at uni (for those of you who dont know i study equine sports science) they were very important and what the year had been leading up to, i was coming into the 2nd to last jump and my horse (without warning) suddenly stopped at the jump and i went flying. As soon as i landed (on the floor) i suddenly realised id had an accident - i was mortified! Didnt know what to do, so just got up and went straight to the loo, and was in such a mess (mentally and phisically) i had to go home. Once i got home (20 min drive) i realised i couldnt move my right arm so had to go to A&E!! lol! I laugh a bit now , but it was still awfull!
And whats better, i just found out today that iv got another assesment THIS MONDAY! Really, really, really NOT looking forward to it!

 

[Cara Fusinato]

I find that it helps to NOT eat before questionable events (like when I recently took a 2 hour trailride). I went to Disneyland almost a year ago. I didn't eat for the whole day. Just water and a powerdrink. Of course, I had so much fun and food there is SOOO expensive that the meals were not missed.

 

[kpratte]

I usually have the farts that aren't farts if you know what I mean. I've had one or two at work, but luckily most of them have been at home. At work if I think it's questionable, I just go to the bathroom.

- Ken