Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I can relate. I don't have very much sphincter control since I had a paralysis as a child. This in combination with IBS-D is no fun.

The first question for you is, is this only related to episodes of D? Even people with normal sphincter function can have a hard time making it to the bathroom in time during episodes of D.

Number one thing to do about incontinence problems is to try to have regular habits when it comes to meals and BM and to try and keep the stool firm. (Which isn't the easiest thing all the time when you have IBS of course.)

For people with incontinence who don't have IBS the first hand treatment is regular habits, a SFS, and/or if your main problem is not being able to hold back loose stool to use Imodium at an appropriate dose.

If you turn out to have problems with the sphincter and/or rectum too, they can do several tests to check what's wrong. I have just been through 3 of these tests. They do a rectal ultrasound, where they look at the sphincters to see if there is any damage there. They can also do an EMG where they see if the nerves work the way they should. And they can do a manometry where they measure how much you can squeeze the sphincter to hold back a BM and they can also see how big a volume your rectum can hold. None of these tests was hard to go through for me.

If you have minor problems you can get help with incontinence products like pads and there is also a "plug" which works like a tampon.

You can also go through a training program where they help you to train the muscle control and strength through biofeedback.

If you have more severe problems and you have a damaged sphincter there are several surgical techniques to repair it. If the muscle is intact there is also a possibility to use the Interstim technique where they put in a pacemaker to control the sphincter.

Talk to a doctor about this. There are a lot of things they can do these days.

I'm waiting to hear from the doctor now (she will contact me in 1.5 weeks) to hear what the best treatment is for me.

/Ulrika, IBS-D

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