Three Years Out and Still Having "Accidents"

Chris - I appreciate your candor!  I am 1.33 mos. out of XRT.  I do not go far from a bathroom so I have not had public accidents.  However, I often have 5 sec. warnings in which case I make a beeline to the BR.  For me it usually can be attributed to the vegetables I ate the day prior.  My suggestion is to make a diary & avoid the foods that cause you problems prior to going anywhere that is not easily accessible to a BR.  Best wishes!

Nic

Well, since I'm an "old-timer" here, you know I remember you!  I'm sorry you are dealing with incontinence issues.  I went through a bout of that a few months ago and never did figure out why it started happening all of a sudden.  I am almost 6 1/2 years out of treatment and had been getting along without that side effect until it hit me.  Strangely enough, it lasted only a couple of weeks and has now resolved on its own--why, I don't know.  My best guess is that it was food related.  I do know for a fact that I have problems digesting greasy/fried foods.  I suggest keeping a food journal for awhile to see if you can pinpoint problem foods.  Then you'll know what to avoid. 

You might check out this website and see if this product would be worth trying.  Obviously, these pads are meant to protect against bowel "leakage" and not full blown bowel movements or diarrhea, but they might offer enough protection, at least until you can make it to the nearest men's room.  https://www.butterfly.com/butterfly-men/

I do not want you to feel like the Lone Ranger here--I think many of us have had these incidents, including me, and male or female, it doesn't matter, they are embarrassing.  I hope you can tweek the diet enough to avoid them.  If not, try the Imodium on a routine basis, perhaps starting with 1/2 tablet per day to see if it helps, and increasing dosage if necessary.

Good luck to you, my friend!

Martha 

i am 5.5 yrs after tx.... and still have accidents...some small,,some large... i can not always feel when i need to go.....the radiation does a horrible thing to our vagina and perianal area..... makes everything hurt so badly even with lubrication....have tried them all including coconut oil.... with this much pain it is hard to have intercourse and my hubby feels badly hurting me....so what  a mess..... others after tx seem to do just fine.....i have done the dilators and etc...but still painful.....just to let you know that you are not alone.......sephie

mp327 said:

HI Chris

Well, since I'm an "old-timer" here, you know I remember you!  I'm sorry you are dealing with incontinence issues.  I went through a bout of that a few months ago and never did figure out why it started happening all of a sudden.  I am almost 6 1/2 years out of treatment and had been getting along without that side effect until it hit me.  Strangely enough, it lasted only a couple of weeks and has now resolved on its own--why, I don't know.  My best guess is that it was food related.  I do know for a fact that I have problems digesting greasy/fried foods.  I suggest keeping a food journal for awhile to see if you can pinpoint problem foods.  Then you'll know what to avoid. 

You might check out this website and see if this product would be worth trying.  Obviously, these pads are meant to protect against bowel "leakage" and not full blown bowel movements or diarrhea, but they might offer enough protection, at least until you can make it to the nearest men's room.  https://www.butterfly.com/butterfly-men/

I do not want you to feel like the Lone Ranger here--I think many of us have had these incidents, including me, and male or female, it doesn't matter, they are embarrassing.  I hope you can tweek the diet enough to avoid them.  If not, try the Imodium on a routine basis, perhaps starting with 1/2 tablet per day to see if it helps, and increasing dosage if necessary.

Good luck to you, my friend!

Martha 

"If not, try the Imodium on a routine basis, perhaps starting with 1/2 tablet per day to see if it helps, and increasing dosage if necessary."

I use Immodium liquid as it's much easier to titrate fractional doses, like 1/3 of a dose or 1-1/3 of a dose. However, I find that it tastes icky - keep something handy, like a hard candy, to take away the taste!

they beat my beloved Seahawks! But anyway, people keep telling me that Depends are getting more advanced and look more like real underwear now. (none I ever wore)  My plan is to use them when I know I'm going to be away from a bathroom for a long time and panty liners the rest of the time. I've had a few accidents and fortunately, I was with kind and  understanding people when they occured. 

Hello everyone,

It has been 3 weeks since chemo and radiation therapies ended.  Reading your posts are disturbing.

I am wondering if doing kegel excercises will help.  Just a thought.

I appreciate the many topics and posts on the CSN.

Blessings to everyone

mp327 said:

RaleighMusicGuy

I know it can be discouraging, but I truly believe things will get better for you as time goes on.  Watch your diet closely, as too much fiber, fresh fruit and veggies can all cause issues for some people.  Your intestinal tract has been damaged by the radiation, but in time, it will repair itself.  You may have lingering side effects that will remain, but I think things will improve greatly for you if you are patient, eat the right kind of diet, and perhaps take Imodium routinely, which my rad onc said was perfectly safe to do.Trying to get all of these things in sync takes some trial and error.  I think most of us have been there, at least to a degree.  I wish you all the very best in your recovery.

Martha

My morning cup of coffee sends me running to the nearest restroom, no ifs ands or buts, gotta go!  I'm only 2 years out and sure do hope this changes.  I get the occassional light spot or near accident when I'm out shopping, too.

RaleighMusicGuy said:

Wow! This is disconcerting

Hello everyone,

It has been 3 weeks since chemo and radiation therapies ended.  Reading your posts are disturbing.

I am wondering if doing kegel excercises will help.  Just a thought.

 

I appreciate the many topics and posts on the CSN.

 

Blessings to everyone

But for the most part it sounds worse than it really is, at least in my case.  Yes, there are side effects of treatment but they are managable.  It is scary & frustrating at times but this board is very helpful.  Being able to compare notes and offer each other suggestions & support makes it much easier.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

P.S.  There is pelvic floor therapy available.  I have not tried it but I believe there are others on this board who have and had success with it.