Anne

I first experienced fecal incontinence over 12 years ago. It happened periodically, maybe once a month. I went through testing that showed it was not a muscular problem. I went to a couple different GI doctors, also went to Mayo Clinic. Same diagnosis: I need to figure out my “trigger foods”. I got one period of reprieve when I went to a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner who guided me through a very strict elimination diet and added many supplements. It seemed to help. I slowly added in my usual foods. A year or so later, the problem erupted again. I changed GI doctors. The new diagnosis was, and still is, I am constipated. I have fought that diagnosis for 5 years, how can I be constipated when I am uncontrollably messing myself? But, I am finally accepting that the pain in my upper right quadrant of my torso and the x-ray and ct scan they have done both show all the stool in my abdomen. I am now on a daily laxative to help clear my body. My doctor wants me to stay on it indefinitely, says eventually the “old poop” (a term I heard from someone else who has the same issue) will clear and the laxative will keep things moving and prevent stool from building up inside me. In the past year, I have also found specific foods, that I have eaten previously with no issue, seem to bring on the incontinence. Beans and avocado seem to really be my enemy now. I wish there was a definitive answer. I’m lactose intolerant, so don’t partake in dairy, could I have another intolerance driving it? If the stool keeps building up, why? Is it the foods I’m eating? Is there a nutrient I’m lacking? Why is my body not working right, that I need a laxative everyday? By the way, I’ve been on the laxative for two months and I’m waiting to see the improvement! So, I make sure to get up at least two hours before I have to go anywhere, to allow my body to empty. Well, it doesn’t seem to really empty. Anytime I eat something, I usually have a BM within a half hour. I wear the diapers quite frequently now (lifesaver!). Has anyone else had the diagnosis of constipation?