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Original poster

I am not the poo troll

24 replies

Hellocatshome · 02/06/2021 21:27

I am not the poo troll I have a genuine problem with poo. For the last 7 to 8 years I have been increasingly unable to hold my poo. I dont know if it would be called fecal incontinence because I am aware of it happening but I cant do anything about it. Today for example, I woke up went to the toilet for a wee, no poo forthcoming, about 40 minutes later I set off to work (10 minute drive) half way there I go from fine to really really needing to poo. Run into work and don't quite make it. Later on at home approx 4pm have a normal poo. Then at 5:30 driving to the shops again suddenly have an urgent need to poo, run into shop again dont quite make it. The time between first realising I need to poo and pooing is about 5 minutes. Today is not an isolated incident but never been two occasions on one day before. I cant go on like this, I know I need to speak to the doctor but I just really can't face it, especially now you have to tell the whole story to the receptionist. I will do it I just need to pluck up the courage. I think I just want to know if anyone has any suggestions as to what it may be so I can google and maybe be a bit knowledgeable when speaking to the GP.

OP posts:
letitgogogo · 02/06/2021 21:53

Sorry no knowledge but if the receptionist asks just keep it general, something like bowel issues, and if they push say I'd rather discuss it with the doctor.

Hope you get sorted x

LolaSmiles · 02/06/2021 21:56

Like letitgogogo says, say it's bowel issues that you want to discuss with the doctor.
The point of giving information to the receptionist is so they direct people to the most appropriate HCP, for example many things can be seen by a nurse and doesn't require a GP. You don't need to share intimate details.

Springchickpea · 02/06/2021 22:01

Flowers you really need to discuss this with a doctor. There are many reasons why this might be happening, and almost all are easily fixable. It could be any number of things and discussing with an expert is your best bet.

LoveFall · 02/06/2021 22:06

Pluck your courage up right now. Don't delay and suffer. It could be lots of things that are fixable. Even ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease can be treated quite effectively (usually) now. I waited ages for the same reason as you and really regretted it.

What you describe is very distressing to go through. Help is there, just ask.

newtb · 02/06/2021 22:31

It can be a sign of a polyp in the intestines, or stress.

Feellikeimsinking · 02/06/2021 22:34

@letitgogogo

Sorry no knowledge but if the receptionist asks just keep it general, something like bowel issues, and if they push say I'd rather discuss it with the doctor.

Hope you get sorted x

This. Bowel issues the pharmacist is unable to assist with
Original poster
Hellocatshome · 02/06/2021 22:50

Right I am absolutely calling them in the morning. I told DH and he said 'how bad does it have to be before you think enough is enough?' and I thought well actually now enough is enough now I cant carry on like this. I'm calling them tomorrow.

OP posts:
WaltzingToWalsingham · 02/06/2021 23:17

Have you had children, OP, with vaginal birth? A degree of faecal incontinence after childbirth is more common than you might imagine (people don't tend to discuss it), due to damage to the pelvic floor muscles, and it can get worse around the time of menopause, because of falling hormone levels. There are specialist nurses who can help you with this, often with exercises, but you would need to be referred by your GP.

Springchickpea · 03/06/2021 13:02

Good luck OP. Let us know how you get on.

WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 03/06/2021 13:06

The fact that it was sudden on the way to work then normal layer makes me wonder if it's anxiety. I didn't know I had anxiety until a bunch of physical symptoms, including random bowel incontinence, came together.

SilentMigraine · 03/06/2021 13:12

Good luck lovely. It is definitely faecal incontinence and you need help x

randomkey123 · 03/06/2021 13:12

I suffer from similar mainly due to scar tissue from 2 C sections......... it's all wrapped around my bowels and uterus, and causes no effing end of issues.

Bluntness100 · 03/06/2021 13:19

Op does this only happen when going someplace? I notice you say you went normally at home. But the twice you were out it occured.

Could it be anxiety? Do you get nervous if you go out?

oishidesne · 03/06/2021 13:22

I've had this issue twice in about 3 years and have put it down to a bug or something I ate.

The urge comes in really quickly to go...

Don't have a solution but look at the food you eat... allergies?

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 03/06/2021 15:38

Thank you all for your responses. Yes it does seem to happen more when I am going places but I dont think it can be anxiety related as I love work and don't have any anxiety around going to the shops. It seems to be travelling in the car even for short journeys, I wondered about the vibrations through the car seat? So far today it hasn't happened at all the only difference today has been I didnt eat toast for breakfast Hmm. I am off work tomorrow so will call them then when I dont have people or kids around me. Also yes 2 vaginal births and the first would coincide roughly with when this started but definitely getting worse more recently.

OP posts:
LoveFall · 03/06/2021 19:25

How are you doing? Did you get an appointment?

I suppose technically it is incontinence, but IBD can cause exactly what you describe. You feel you have to go, desperately, right now. I have felt that way many times in a flare up. Luckily only a few real accidents, but plenty of close calls.

I really sympathize. I hope you find good care and soon.

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 03/06/2021 19:31

@LoveFall I'm going to call tomorrow as I couldn't get a moments peace at work today it was all hands on deck and they were shut by the time I got home. I've told DH to make me call tomorrow and he says if I dont call he will so that's an added incentive because more embarrassing than having bowel issues is your husband phoning on your behalf when you are supposed to be a fully grown adult. The imodium I took yesterday which did sod all yesterday seems to have maybe kicked in today so all good today and my 1 poo was actually firm for once. I have bought a little notebook to keep in my bag so I can start a food diary as I imagine thats one of the first things the Doctor will ask me to do.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 03/06/2021 19:33

Hmm that’s interesting about the bread. I wonder if you’ve ibs or a gluten intolerance, cut it out for a few days see what happens?

Springchickpea · 03/06/2021 19:39

You could well have coeliac OP. It’s not unusual for it to be diagnosed quite late in life.

LoveFall · 03/06/2021 19:39

I hope you don't feel pestered. I am glad the Imodium worked. But be a bit careful, as it can cause problems in some conditions. I use it very sparingly when I really need control (during a flare). Like a long bus ride on a tour.

partyatthepalace · 03/06/2021 20:02

Could be IVBs or Colitis or Crohns.

You really do need to see the GP, if it’s inflammation based it needs to be brought down or it can cause bigger problems.

Original poster
Hellocatshome · 03/06/2021 20:28

@LoveFall nondont feel pestered at all im loving the support because I have never told anyone other than my husband what has been going on. Its funny you say that because I have a long bjs journey with DS's football team coming up and its very worrying! Do you have any tips on taking imodium as a preventative measure?

OP posts:
LoveFall · 03/06/2021 21:10

That sounds like a good reason to take Imodium to me, but keep in mind I have IBD but I am no medical expert.

The other thing which you may already be doing is packing a change of clothes, baby wipes etc in case the worst happens. And a ziploc bag to seal up any soiled item. At least then you can cleanup and carry on.

I have even told the tour guide or driver that I may need a toilet quickly so they know.

I've had colitis long enough that I am no longer afraid of asking for help (usually).

Take care.

S22 · 02/06/2024 09:23

How did you get ? Going through something abit similar x

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