[Feisty]

Tighten the Sphincter muscle. I never knew they could do it either, but they can. And they did on me this last May. It is not fun. I spent 12 weeks lying on one side or the other or one my back. Or standing. No bending, no squatting, no lifting, no stairs climbing, absolutely nothing until it heals. Liquid and semi-liquid diet, graduating to soft, low residue until it heals. And the stitches didn't hold where the incision was made (happens in 50% of the cases) and so I had to heal from the inside out. So, instead of having the normal female anatomy of 3 holes, I had 4 for about 3 months!!!!!!!! Sorry, don't want to offend anyone here, but I don't know how else to explain it. Incision is made just above the sphincter muscle (between anus and vagina) and it's tightened in a snail type fashion until it has an opening about the diameter of a small pinky finger.It has finally made some difference in control. A lot of nerves are damaged (not from the surgery, but before) and they don't know how much "sensation" I will get back. I can't always tell when I have to pass some BM, and other times I can, so maybe it's coming around again. Time---the name of the game. Doc said this procedure has bought me possibly 5 "good" years before I'll have to have a Colostomy. Inevitable I guess. Too much damage from having babies, bad episiotomies, hemmorrhoid surgery, colitis, etc. My Doctor said it happens to alot of women----some women never mention this type of problem to their doctor because they are embarrassed. What could be more embarrassing than bowel incontinence in a public place!!! Been there and done that and it left me housebound and that was not living. That's when I finally told my G.P. that I wasn't going to settle for him chalking it up to colitis any more. I wasn't living---I was merely existing. That's when he sent me to a very good Colon/Rectal Specialist/Surgeon who really knows his stuff!!!The Doctor also told me that there are a lot of men out there with similar problems of bowel incontinence---the reasons why may be different, but if anyone reads this and sees themselves, please, by all means---don't give up. There is a specialist somewhere that can help you. If anyone has any questions for me, I will gladly answer them the best I can.Take care.Karen------------------There is a silent strength within each soul, and that strength is multiplied for those who remember that they do not walk their path alone. Thomas J. Edwards

 

[squrts]

eww,ouch!i have 3 holes right now.its called an anal fistula.i tried to have it fixed once,so i know how bad it is.it didnt even work.bummer.my incontinence is only at night,when im sleeping,and not bad right now.have you tried placeing a gauze pad,so the spinter is slightly grasping it.it helps keep me clean.maybe we should put a warning on this topic.purty bad huh.

 

[Feisty]

Hi Denny ! No, no sensor please. Someone's got to talk about this so others know they are not alone. Yeah, I've done the gauze pad trick, too. I've also used the thinner style monthly pads and they gave me a little more confidence---at least I could sometimes manage to get to a bathroom before it turned into a real mess!! I carry a little ziploc bag with Kleenex Personal Wipes. They are a god-send for cleaning up. I have one in my car, one in my purse, and if I don't want to carry a purse, I put a few in a bag and put them in my pocket.Those anal fissures are hell. I never had one of them, but my youngest son did when he was younger. It took a long time to heal up. They had to make an incision and scrape out the infected tissue, then they put packing in for a few days for drainage, and he was on antibiotics for a long time. He had to have it opened 3 times if I remember right. And I had to keep flushing it with sterile saline solution several times a day for months. Poor guy!! He was only 18 months old at the time. His little cheek butt was so red and hard and had a fever in it! Denny, those things are nothing to fool around with. If it's still giving you trouble, it could be playing havoc with your whole system. Those things give off POISON. Have it checked, please. I'll worry about you. Karen

 

[squrts]

dont worry karen.i have it checked on a regular basis.the docs say crohns fistulas are different.what do i know,you get poop in your blood stream,you get sick.im sick alright,but not from that.iv had it for 24years,so i guess its true.i was just forceing myself to be productive.big mistake.have an accident is all,then you really dont feel good.i mean you didnt feel good to begin with,then you drop something and you can add anger to everything else.and when you dont feel good an accident is likely to happen.thanks for letting me vent.it feels good to have a place to vent at.be well.denny

 

[Guest]

Howdy, It humbles me to read of your medical troubles. It makes my CFS/FM seem mild in comparison. I agree, no sensoring, this is a support board. How could you get the support you need without "sharing it all"! A big hug for you both!!

DeeDee

 

[moldie]

Hi Feisty, My you have been through a lot! I think it is good that you posted this because it may very well help someone. That is what we are all here for- to ask for help and to give help! Good job! (I like your saying at the bottom of your post too- very appropriate!)