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Original poster

Bladder and bowel probs - doctor's appointment?

198 replies

ScarletFaced · 15/08/2021 11:48

Name changed for this because I am too embarrassed!

For about the last 2 weeks I've been having big issues with bladder and bowel control. I haven't experienced this previously and at first I thought maybe I had a stomach upset, but I don't actually feel that it is.

I don't get any warning when I need to "go", have to dash to the toilet and sometimes haven't been able to make it in time.

Very occasionally I don't feel properly till it happens - like this morning, I didn't feel the urge until it was already happening Blush

I was kind of putting up with it till I realised I've been getting up in the night 5+ times to go, constantly having to run to the loo at work, etc. And it is getting me down.

Is it silly to book a doctor's appointment for this? The next one I can get is in 4 weeks anyway, so it will probably have stopped by then!

Is there something I can do? I'm so embarrassed and I feel like I can't tell anyone!

OP posts:
Rainallnight · 17/08/2021 23:51

Poor you, OP. It all sounds both hugely inconvenient and worrying. Awful combination.

Just popped on to say that my DD has a condition where she leaks wee and poo and we find good old yellow Metanium to be brilliant with pain and irritation on her bum and vulva (not sure if it’s designed for that area but hasn’t done her any harm!).

Very best of luck with it Flowers

NatriumChloride · 18/08/2021 00:00

Best of luck OP. I hope it all goes ok

HeartvsBrain · 18/08/2021 01:37

I've just found this thread OP and read through it. I'm sorry I don't have anything I can add to the excellent advice you have already been given. I do understand your distress at having bowel accidents though, as when I was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 many years ago, I was one of the few who react really badly to even the smallest amount of a drug called Metformin. It was really good at lowering my blood sugars, but it gave me the runs with barely no notice (caffeine in coffee has the same effect on me), I had an accident in an Asda store, it was horrendous, so I stopped taking the Metformin, and luckily for me that was an easy fix, but whatever you are suffering from, once they know what it is, I am sure that they will have good ways of controlling it. I hope you are fast asleep now, and have another night of uninterupted sleep. I am sending you a big hug - if you don't want it just return to sender! Good luck for Thursday, I am another one who is now thinking of you, and will be thinking of you and wishing you well on Thursday 💐

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Paranoidandroidmarvin · 18/08/2021 05:47

Also popping on to say. It may say de caffeinated tea etc etc. I’m here to tell you that even they do have an effect on your bladder. I have drunk nothing other than water for 17 years. And it made my bladder better.

YukoandHiro · 18/08/2021 06:54

Hope you're feeling a bit better today OP and good luck tomorrow.

I have IC and the diet does help. I'm much better now but if I ever have orange juice I always regret it the next day

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 18/08/2021 11:23

Hi everyone and thank you for the messages. I really appreciate it! Like I said, I'm having a difficult time opening up to people about this IRL. I worry that they will judge me, which I know is silly really, since I wouldn't judge someone else. But the support here really means a lot.

I had a better night (the desmopressin really helps, thank you @QueenStromba for that suggestion!) but this morning hasn't been great. I woke up having had a bowel accident in bed, which was horrible. And then it's been more of the same. I had ordered some different pads off Amazon Prime yesterday and they came this morning, so it is helping to "contain" things but it's still not very comfortable and I got in a bit of a state about it. I'm also just feeling very very tired and it's not making it easier to cope with!

I got worried and did call up the number I had from the hospital. They said someone will ring me back so I'm waiting for a call.

I'm very glad I decided not to go into work today!

OP posts:
peridito · 18/08/2021 11:42

Oh ,sending hugs OP . How horrible for you . There is something very debilitating and lowering about wee and poo accidents!
I have some accidents related to my bowels ( I've had surgery on my digestive system ) and I've not yet found any suitable protection .Though I do craft a sort of T shaped effort out of pads !

I'm lucky that I'm not affected at night - lying down makes the um >>>cough

Reallybadidea · 18/08/2021 11:43

Waking up to an accident must be really difficult, when you're still sleepy and having to deal with it Flowers

I hope you can chill as much as possible today.

IncessantNameChanger · 18/08/2021 11:50

It does sound like it's getting worse so you have done the right thing calling the number they gave you.

Did your MRI scan your pelvic area? I had a complete MRI of my entire nervous system. But I'm not sure how far down it went as it was 45 minutes long. The times I did open my eyes my legs never seemed to be completely in the tube. I think if they do your lower legs then that part goes in first.

But did they scan that area?

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 18/08/2021 11:53

It's just upsetting me that I can't control it. I am an adult, I feel like I should be able to decide when I go to the toilet - at least to some extent!

And I'm starting to indulge in catastrophic thinking along the lines of what if there is nothing they can do and it never gets any better?

OP posts:
Original poster
ScarletFaced · 18/08/2021 11:59

@IncessantNameChanger

It does sound like it's getting worse so you have done the right thing calling the number they gave you.

Did your MRI scan your pelvic area? I had a complete MRI of my entire nervous system. But I'm not sure how far down it went as it was 45 minutes long. The times I did open my eyes my legs never seemed to be completely in the tube. I think if they do your lower legs then that part goes in first.

But did they scan that area?

They did head and spine for me. I don't think my legs went in completely, but like you I was trying to keep my eyes closed and stay relaxed! They did do an ultrasound of my bladder, pelvic area and abdomen and apparently that didn't show anything abnormal.

I also keep getting cramps in my legs, but it probably isn't related. At this point, it would be easy to get paranoid about everything lol!

OP posts:
bigdinkydoodah · 18/08/2021 12:28

I have suffered with this for months. I plucked up the courage and spoke to my GP and he prescribed some medication, which has helped greatly. I now only get up usually 1time during the night and manage to make it to the toilet now. Please speak to your GP don't suffer I. Silence.

FinallyHere · 18/08/2021 12:28

So sorry to hear your latest experiences. Hope you don't mind, I have had lots of help with short and medium solutions from

https://www.incontinence.co.uk

There is a lot of information available, apols if any of it is not relevant and puts you off.

Hope you find what you need and it all gets sorted.

QueenStromba · 18/08/2021 12:41

Cramps in your legs could be an electrolyte imbalance from the diarrhea. Did you get any rehydration salts? A small amount of magnesium might help too - avoid anything other than magnesium malate or magnesium (bis)glycinate tough as most forms can have a laxative effect even in small doses.

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 18/08/2021 12:49

@QueenStromba

Cramps in your legs could be an electrolyte imbalance from the diarrhea. Did you get any rehydration salts? A small amount of magnesium might help too - avoid anything other than magnesium malate or magnesium (bis)glycinate tough as most forms can have a laxative effect even in small doses.
I did get some Diarolyte yesterday so I hope my electrolytes are okay! But thank you for the tip.

I just had a call with the hospital and they have asked me to go in. Because I have had a lot of episodes of diarrhoea and because I mentioned that I can't sometimes tell when I need to go to the toilet (they called it "decreased sensation"). I hope I didn't exaggerate and that I'm not making a fuss about nothing! I'm not sure what they are going to do when I go in but I am about to head there now.

OP posts:
peridito · 18/08/2021 13:01

Scarletfaced with what you are experiencing there is zero chance that you will be deemed to be making a fuss .

Something is wrong and it needs investigating .Sooner rather than later .

cricketball · 18/08/2021 13:07

You are certainly not making a fuss. I'm glad that you called. Hopefully they find some solutions soon.

Keep your head up, you're doing really well in the circumstances.

Cocolapew · 18/08/2021 13:21

My Dad can't feel when he needs to go and is soiling himself. I got him the disposal pants (like children's pull ups).
Good luck hope you get answers soon Flowers

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 18/08/2021 13:21

I just feel silly! It's not like an illness or an injury... You know what I mean.

I'm also nervous about what they will say and do at the hospital Confused

OP posts:
peridito · 18/08/2021 13:50

It islike an illness OP and you're doing the right thing asking for help .I'm sure they will be nothing but kind and helpful .
No harm in telling them how nervous you are feeling .They are generally very good at putting people at their ease .
It's another step towards getting it sorted .

Mischance · 18/08/2021 13:52

Good luck at the hospital.

IncessantNameChanger · 18/08/2021 13:57

Your not being silly, honestly no one is going to think that.

Try not to think the worse. I did a very brief Google of MS with my funny episode as it mentions pins and needles, weakness in your legs and limbs. Your issue seems to be more localised right now so try to think of that as a positive.

Have you got anyone IRL who can help you? Even just to sound everything out too?

It's good to talk as it's like blurring out the mess in your head, then once it's all out you can repack your thoughts in more order. At least that's how I feel.

Maybe write everything down if not. Then you can re read it and see if that helps?

I hope you sorted out that hospital bag. Have all your comforts with you.

Good luck. You will be ok.

Original poster
ScarletFaced · 18/08/2021 14:50

Here now with a bit of a wait, since they are "slotting me in".

A nurse came and talked me through what they are going to do. I'm going to have another assessment on the bladder and bowel issues and they may want to do some more tests, including blood tests to check electrolytes and so on.

Tomorrow (when I was actually scheduled to come in) they are going to do a more detailed neurological assessment and then the neurologist will talk me through the findings of the MRI and lumbar puncture.

I do have people to talk to IRL, the issue is at the moment that I'm not! But maybe it will be easier once I actually know what is going on.

I worry about catching Covid in the hospital too. I know it is silly!

OP posts:
PragmaticWench · 18/08/2021 15:16

It's not silly to worry! I have a monthly hospital appointment and it worries me about covid but I've found all staff and patients have been very good at keeping masks on and sanitising hands. Better than the supermarket by a long shot!

Really hope you get some answers soon.

Wandawide · 18/08/2021 15:20

Stick at it, I have had great support after being treated for something similar. My prescription for things for me is dealt with by a firm called Manfred Sauer. Good advice all round.
My Urology Dept are very careful and sympathetic.

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