Yes, yes, yes..........unfortunately YES! I truly empathize with you. I have lost control over my bowels more times than I care to admit. Losing control over your bladder is one thing in public, BUT losing control of your bowels is absolutely HORRIFYING, to say the least!
It helped me to learn what some of my "triggers" are & this helps somewhat. I avoid when going out in public:
Drinking carbonated beverages, eating too rich or fatty foods, having too empty stomach or eating certain "greens". I can't drink anything with alcohol in it.
Wearing disposable underwear when out in public helps disguise this event until you make a quick exit. Losing control when a female does so while seated (like in the car) poses another problem.
"It" has nowhere to go except toward the front & hence, the opportunity for an infection!
The 2 things that I find helpful are, taking Acidophilus capsules before eating & taking Loperamide caps. You can get this by prescription, but OTC as "Immodium".
If you're aware of anything that tends to be "binding" for you, try to consume this before leaving your house!
As helpful as these things are & as strictly as I adhere to them, I can still have accidents........even at home.
I want to mention also.........I have found that taking 4-Aminopyridine (Ampyra) is stimulating to the bowels & is listed as a possible side-effect.....:>/ I figure........if/when this happens, at least I can hopefully walk faster to the toilet....lol.
Loss of Bladder/Bowel control affects the quality of life far more than is known! I hope this helps. ;>)

Hi

Yes, for some time, yrs I could not go anywhere before noon. By noon I was empty,,, lol and not.

It was horrible and don't feel ashamed to tell your dr, thats their job. You want to see a gastroenterologist, he has heard it all.

Keep us posted, alma

You are definitely not alone. Bladder and bowel issues are the bane of my existence. I'm not on any medication, but I have learned that if I'm going out to eat and shopping, I go shopping FIRST. Made the mistake once of eating and then going to a store that doesn't have a public restroom, I made it to the employee restroom in time (without permission I might add) but was thoroughly embarrassed when an employee told me that yes, she would rather mop up a pile of sh*t than have me use their restroom. If I'm at home, and my stomach doesn't feel right, I wear a disposable undergarment, especially at night.

BTW, that employee at the store doesn't work there anymore, I do believe she got fired.

My doctor recommended a daily dose of Miralax which I find strange. Miralax is something that is suppose to make you go to the bathroom, but the doctor said the fiber in it will help bulk your bm's which would prevent your unexpected visitor. Since my bowel problem comes in spurts, I only take it during that time that I am experiencing problems.

Thank you all, for helping me not feel nearly as alone in this awful aspect of our world! Thank you for the ideas, and suggestions.

May I ask what brand of disposable underwear you use? Is that the Depend's that I have heard about for years?

I truly am embarrassed in even asking about this, but, you have all helped me feel not alone in this! Thank you so much.
When this happened to me the first time, I thought "wow! something I ate?"...but, then it happened again, and again, and now once again! The last time being the worst! I was having to make a public speech, and it had happened, and I had to pretend nothing was wrong, while I knew otherwise as I stood in front of the crowd!!! Talk about a Long speech! It felt like it was forever, although the length of the speaking was less than 4 minutes!

One of you mentioned potential infections because of the accidents. I wondered about that also! I did get to a restroom as soon as I could, and I did clean up what I could, only to shower as soon as I returned home. It worried me about that factor also.

I don't drink alcohol, or dairy products, and I have a strict diet due to my bowels, but, I also wondered if part of my problem was that I am still numb on the right side of my body. (4 + years now) and I don't "feel" many things...like the functions down there. My goodness, this is embarrassing to even write about this! (blush, blush!)
So, I know this doesn't help matters either! The "losing control" subject has just really started happening over the past few months.
Thank you again, friends!

I agree with lchoppel about Miralax and the other one called metamucil. I have the opposite problem and that is severe constipation and have to take lots of fiber, etc. but when I tried metamucil, it actually made it harder to have a BM. So it can perhaps help you in slowing things down or bulking things up. I think that is what it did for me so it made it more difficult to have a movement. Since you have the opposite problem of mine, perhaps it will help. Also, there is always the possibility of a problem with your system and it might be a good idea to get it checked out anyway.

If your neuro is worth his/her salt, they will know what to do and either help you in this situation or refer you to the right specialist.

Best of luck.

The only disposable underwear I've ever tried was some store brand, which was horrible. I've just sent off for a free sample of the Depends Silhouette, which look like they will fit way better and not be so baggy.

ezone, I do understand the issue with b.m. needing fiber to help the movement also. My problem is that I sometimes have that issue, and other times I have the opposite issue!
The latest being the one I described about needing pads or protection!
Not sure how to get the happy medium. I take a BeneFiber on a semi-regular basis per my neuro's advice. (most of the time), but, this issue of "all of a sudden" bm release is making me wonder what now?!
I do watch what I eat carefully, and I do try to keep a balanced diet.
I just recently have had this "oops" issue, become more than just a one time thing. :( I do have a new Neuro appt. this month, so, I will be asking about this!

Deb727, thanks for the advice on the "get the better brand" special underwear! I am going to go look at the store and see what I can find. Hopefully I will be able to afford these. And, hopefully I won't have to wear them "all the time"!!!

Hi all -
One of the best brands of disposable briefs specifically for Women are "Silhouette" by Depends. Walmart carries them for around $10.99 for a package of 12. They also carry one called "Assurance", but I'm not sure of their quality.
Oh, I forgot to mention in my earlier post...........I also found & use sometimes "adult rubber pants", which can provide added protection worn over top the disposable panties. They are made of very soft rubber, which makes them "quiet". I think I found them at either "Harriet Carter's" or "Dr. Leonards" for about $10.00 for 3 pair.
I'm the one that mentioned possible infection, so if/when this situation happens to me, I always use a Medicated Douch as soon as possible! Is a good idea to keep a supply on hand (just in case).
I hope this helps!

Hi

Yes the silhouette from depends it's very good, but careful bringing them up, they tear easily if pulled. I love they don't feel like plastic,.

In my walker basket I have adult wipes, much better than baby wipes, a bottle of water, liquid soap or shower gel, also I fold a sanitary pad and place it so it kind of protects me from things reaching my opening.

Alma

Well, I did buy the two brands at Walmart yesterday. I thought I'd figure out if the cheaper one worked or not.
The Assurance brand. Well, they certainly don't "fit" that well. I wore one to bed, just to see how it feels.
Tonight, I will try the Silouette (Depend's) brand. It does look like it will be better. Maybe I will just use the Assurance for night-time maybes.
Wow...I never thought I'd be wearing these things until maybe I was 92 or something.
But, I am at least grateful the 'special panties' exist!
Thank you all for your helpful hints, and truthful sharing, as this is one more difficult thing to deal with in life, but it is good to know we are not alone in these things.

LOL, "special panties". I love that. I'll have to tell that one to my boyfriend. I never wear the skimpy kinda panties, they're just not comfortable to me, I'll put on a pair of the Silhouettes and ask him if he wants to see my "special panties". Thanks for the laugh, things are so much better when we can find the humor in these situations. (((((HUGS))))))

Well, today was my first day out wearing the "other brand"...the Assurance (Special) panties.
Honestly, I am looking forward to trying the Silouette ones, as this one made me recall my youth days when I once rode an elephant! ha! Bulky was all I kept thinking about! I just kept thinking, "am I still riding that old elephant?"...ha ha, hopefully the slightly more pricey Silouettes will be better to wear! :)

Again, I am totally grateful to have the protection, but, I am hoping to not feel like I am at the zoo, on the elephant! ha ha

I too have a bowel issue. I have only had two oops in all my yrs but many close calls. What i do get most days is a slight bit of stool latter in the day. At first I thought my numb hands had not done a good job, but no, I guess it is just a bit of leakage. I have been way too shy to tell my dr I do this. I feel for you

Yes me too. I don't dare eat out...I WILL not make it to a bathroom if we have to drive far to get home. I go everywhere with a "in case I shit my pants kit" fresh underwear, wipes, paper towels, small garbage bag. I too take immodium to try and prevent this but even that doesn't always work.At times I have almost made it to the toilet but was foiled by my pants...never, never wear anything with a button fly. yeesh