After years of complaining to assorted physicians, an episode of fecal regurgitation in 2009 made me insistent with my then physicians. A GI examination, repeated in 2012, indicated that I had a paralyzed GI system, which was causing abdominal pain, regurgitation and fecal leakage. My GI system was developing blockages, with time between BMs running five or six days; diarrhea would seep around the blockage and leak out. Without much advice or support, I discovered stool softener, ducosate sodium, which I began using with every meal. My current gastroenterologist does not like stool softeners, and told me to begin using Benefiber instead. But Benefiber, even with massive doses, does not prevent blockages for me. I went several days between BMs; abdominal pain and fecal leakage were returning, so I added ducosate sodium, in small doses, to the Benefiber regimen. So far, this seems to be working. I am grateful for diapers.
The point of this is to urge us all, especially fecal incontinents, to be insistent with our health care providers, wear protection (diapers) at all times, and be flexible in managing our incontinence.
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