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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think there is something wrong with my bowels?

104 replies

WildPoo · 13/06/2026 19:09

In times when the world seems to be falling apart this may seem trivial, but it’s becoming an important issue for me! Have name changed for obvious reasons.

For the last maybe 18 months or so, every time I go to the supermarket, or any large shop eg IKEA or B&Q, within minutes of getting there I feel like I’m about to shit myself. It’s an urge that comes on suddenly and strongly, and I have to waddle off to the nearest toilet with a great degree of urgency. It’s not like I’m worried about it happening because I genuinely get taken by surprise by it each time, and it’s not like I find shopping a stressful experience. TMI warning - when I do get to the toilet, by god it’s Quite The Event, consistency is solid/normal, but when I walk out I must be about a stone lighter.

Anyway, that’s been a bit curious and annoying for a while, but easy enough to manage as there’s usually a toilet nearby. However, this seems to have extended to when I’m out walking. 3 times in the last 4 days, I’ve ended up having to have a wild poo when out with the dogs, which isn’t as handy as the supermarket thing as you can imagine. Similar feeling, comes out of nowhere and then within a few minutes it’s critical. This is more of a problem, because I’m out walking A LOT.

The shame of posting this on the World Wide Web, but I thought I’d see if anyone has any advice, do I need to see a doctor or is nearly shitting yourself on an almost daily basis just something that is part and parcel of middle age?

OP posts:
MidnightMusing5 · 14/06/2026 09:03

Do you have anything before you go to the shops? I drink coffee before I go out and I find similar to what you’re saying however I wait at home until it’s out. I have hypothyroidism so idk if that’s got something to do with it or my liquid iron 🤔

DierdreDaphne · 14/06/2026 09:18

DierdreDaphne · 14/06/2026 07:45

I get something like this - not so dramatically, but for me it's a pelvic floor issue (a small amount of prolapse).

Possibly not relevant to you but fwiw because for me it's 'mechanical' its most noticeable running downhill. I do run, so I have taken to picking a route with a loo about 10-15 minutes in towards the bottom of a slope (I have a couple of options!)

But I also used to get it talking on the phone, decades ago when the phone was 'tethered' by its cable and I used to stand looking out of the window to talk ... pre kids so no prolapse in those days, just very chatty family.

Just to add, this all got more noticeable after a bout of constipation (brought on by dehydration) -havent been the same since 😬😅

WildPoo · 14/06/2026 09:58

Some interesting theories - I have wondered about a prolapse (although hadn’t linked it to the bowel issue), as things just feel a bit different during sex now, and there is a history of it in my family, my DM had to have a designer vagina when she was in her 50s, although she had more kids than I had, and I don’t know if it’s likely to be a genetic issue.

Also I have been eating a lot more dairy than usual since I’ve been low carbing, so maybe that’s not helping? I hope it’s not gluten or dairy, because god knows what I’ll be able to eat then!

OP posts:
WildPoo · 14/06/2026 10:00

And a poster asked if I can hold on if I have to…in a nutshell, no. I have a very limited time to get to a toilet if there’s one available.

OP posts:
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