I've had a very large bowel all my life. It was discovered when I was 8 that my large intestine was the size of an adults.
My feces were so large that I often tore fissures in my anus and would have bleeds when opening my bowels. Another problem is constipation. I never get diarrhea unless I am dying. I don't know when I need to go until it's urgent and I sit on the toilet straining anywhere up to an hour. I try to use the loo and pass something at least every other day with frequent fluids, fruit and movicol. I also have a herna between my stomach and esophagus which I am medicated with reflux stuff. I don't want surgery.
It's not fun and I have blocked tiolets. People think it's funny and have said that if I need to open my bowels, to go to the local shops or whatever and make it their problem. It's not funny. It's embarrassing. Especially when you're blamed for plumping issues at home or you occupy the tiolet or use a lot of tiolet paper to clean up.
I had an accident tonight in the car a million miles away from a tiolet. I also couldn't think of anything worse than going into Coles for clean knickers then the bathroom smelling the wall I do and being obviously incontinent. I drove all the way home. 30 minutes, crying and fighting the discomfort.
Then when I got home I had to explain why I was late. Thankfully no jokes as I raced to the sanctuary of the tiolet and noticing how bad I soiled myself and straining to keep some in then having to strain to get it out. I'm in agony and tears again. I dred wiping because of the burning and blood.
There is absolutely no fun or dignity in having IBS, and there was a lady who wrote an article about how she had an accident, raced into the disabled tiolets and got criticized by someone unhelpful. I feel her pain and I'm sorry if this offends but things happen.
I wish people would be a bit more kind to others and not assume that the person sprinting to the tiolet wants to cut in front of you. I have had to call security to purchase underpants before. I don't enjoy making you uncomfortable but this isn't easy for me either.
:-(
6 Replies
Big hugs to you x
Oh sweet heart you poor thing!!! I can't even imagine what that would be like for you. Surly with all our new age technology they would be able to do something to help and fix you?
Oh my goodness. I can't imagine the pain, physically and mentally you must go through everyday. Thank you for sharing your story and raising awareness to this condition. I really do wish there was more they could do to help you. Big hugs to you. You are amazing to share this story and explain the struggles that many other battle with as well. I hope the medical professionals can help you with some solutions ASAP. <3
Can I suggest daily doses of liquid parrafin. My daughter had medically diagnosed constipation which enlarged her bowel which caused leakage accidents and blocked toilets. Liqid parrafin, or the more expensive parachoc causes the faeces to move out fairly easily. You need to use it daily for at least a year. It lets the bowel muscles lesrn to work, and keeping the bowel empty by using this enables it to shrink. Very good luck xx
I absolutely feel your pain. I am sorry your ibs is so unmanageable.
I swapped to a vegan diet, which has helped. I was d &c and could clear a city block if i passed wind. My son is a quadriplegic so was severely constipated the first 6 years of his life, wilsons wash outs worked for him, he is now on just dulcolax.
I also use suppositories at home to help as a lubricant, dulocolax is a good stimulant.
Please search for a doctor who could possibly help with the pain or to help you achieve more frequent movements. Have you seen a continence nurse for support/funding for products/ a different perspective other than a dr. Big hugs you are doing a brilliant job.
First off big hugs.
Secondly I know you may have tried it but wheat ( not gluten WHEAT) and anything very fatty sets my IBS off.
My father found fatty foods set him off.
Worth trying if you haven't already.