Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What the hell is wrong with my bowels??

32 replies

SconesClottedCramRaspberryJam · 19/03/2022 23:49

Not a troll post- I’m a regular poster but have namechanged for obvious reasons (Mumsnet can verify)

I’ve got some problems with my bowels and I’m confused about what is causing them. My own GP is at a loss and I’ve been referred for investigations at the hospital although it is an extremely long wait. I’ve tried googling the symptoms (worst idea, I know) but I haven’t found anything that exactly matches my symptoms. I’m really, really hoping someone reads this and has any advice for what it could be causing this.

I’ve got the most itchy, uncomfortable burning feeling at my back passage. Its EXTREMELY itchy. The only thing I could find online about this was threadworms which I definitely don’t have.

The other symptom I’ve noticed that comes along with the itching is fecal marks in my underwear. I use wet wipes or specific cleaning wipes and make sure I’m COMPLETELY clean, and I shower twice a day, but I still end up with marks in my underwear so I think it’s possibly slight incontenance. I sometimes notice blood too although this isn’t very often and it’s usually just fecal marks. It’s not just a little bit, it’s a lot and it affects the clothes and colours I can wear and I spend all day terrified of it happening.

For background, I’ve got IBS-diarrhoea. Bloods and stool samples all normal. No inflammation. I can sort of manage it by controlling my diet but it’s hard and I get random episodes of uncontrollable diarrhoea. I’ve been referred to see the consultant but it’s not an urgent referral so will be a bit of a wait, but these symptoms are absolutely destroying my confidence everyday and I haven’t found anything online that matches the symptoms.

Does anyone know what could be causing this all? Sad

OP posts:
Silvercatowner · 20/03/2022 09:08

Take an Ovex tablet. Just on general principles.

purplesequins · 20/03/2022 09:11

do/did your bedroom activities include the back entrance?

did you give birth, did you get tears?

Beachsidesunset · 20/03/2022 09:20

Overflow from constipation?

Lovemydaxie · 20/03/2022 09:21

Could your anal sphincter be weakened from childbirth and age and you are leaking diarrhoea. This would definitely irritate your back passage and cause itching. I do pelvic floor exercises, including the back passage, every day and it has made an enormous difference. I too suffer with ibsd and the exercises have stopped the leaking, but you have to do them regularly. If you Google anal sphincter exercises it will show you how to do them. I fully sympathise.

poppymaewrite · 20/03/2022 09:39

Maybe take a look at your diet. Try different things and see what works.

Spiderysummer · 20/03/2022 10:13

Meant to add to my earlier comment about bile acid malabsorption, that I had all the symptoms you described. Sounds like there are so many potential causes though.
My situation wasn't textbook bile acid malabsorption in terms of the colour but the urgent diorrhea was and was getting worse and worse, including itching and stains. A Sechat scan showed that I had a severe case. If you've had your gallbladder removed it may be worth researching a bit more as this is a common cause but it can happen spontaneously.

SconesClottedCramRaspberryJam · 20/03/2022 19:01

Wow, I didn’t expect so many replies, thank you very very much! I just want to have an answer so I know what it is and how I can fix itSad

I know a few people queried maybe the menopause or a complication of childbirth, I should have said in my original post but I’m actually 22 and I’ve never had kids.

I know a few people said about possible hygiene/cleanliness related but honestly I make sure I’m completely clean and it still happensSad I’ve had days where I haven’t even had a bowel movement and I’ve been for a bath or shower and I’m definitely completely clean, then the leaking still happens.Sad

I actually wondered about a possible reaction to the material of my underwear or even the toilet paper/ wipes themselves. I’ve tried lots of different brands of wipes and paper and I’ve got different sets of underwear with different material but it doesn’t seem to make a difference, although it could be a material that’s consistently in all the different things which is causing the reaction!

It’s so embarrassing and the embarrassment from it is completely taking over my life. I can’t wear certain clothes for fear of it happening and I’m so anxious about it when I go to work or out with my friends.

Thanks everyone for all the advice (and for not thinking I was being a troll, it wasn’t a well timed post for a Saturday night and I was so scared it would seem like a troll post but Mumsnet can verify I’m a regular poster)

X

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread