Fecal incontinence - "Old Poop"

[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?   

[Valentinesstuff]

On 5/4/2026 at 12:54 PM, Anne said:

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?   

Yes and no. The initial diagnosis was due to muscle weakness. Later Constipation was added, with the explanation that new poop builds behind the constipation and eventually squeezes past uncontrollably. My GI Doctor mentioned stool softeners, which I am now taking. While they haven't seemed to have helped the incontinence, they do seem to have helped with regularly going.

[Slomo]

On 5/4/2026 at 1:54 PM, Anne said:

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?   

We can develop various food issues, or even issue from not eating the right foods. Anything processed or oily will give me the runs. And not enough vegetables will give me constipation. But even just generally bad eating can induce constipation that presents as diarrhea. 

This is because severe constipation can cause a partial blockage, which only lets loose stool pass. This presents as occasional or even constant diarrhea. And taking a stool softener (like Miralax) will help make things more consistent. Literally eliminating the diarrhea by eliminating the constipation. Though as you've found it also "breaks the dam" and lets everything pass through in a hurry.

This is just something that can happen to people as they age. Our bodies aren't as resiliant as they used to be. It also happens to anyone who needs to take opiot pain killers, especially for chronic pain (like me).

I do know you can offset it from happening by drinking more water. And also by taking in the right anount of fiber. The obvious vegies are best, but even just a couple of fiber pills will help too. Or conversely, if you get too much fiber (or red meat), then reballance your diet accordingly.

And that daily low dose of laxative? It just makes sure everything keeps moving as it should. And once you get past any initial blockage, a low dose shouldn't affect you as much. Only enough to make sure it doesn't keep getting blocked. But if you do keep getting constipated, and the laxative keeps causing a case of the runs, then again you need to reballance your diet. If that's the case, keep taking the laxative and go back to your nutritionist.