Bowel Incontinence

Hi,

I am a female, age 61.

Over the years I have been having some bowel incontinence which has progressed from very minor to at times somewhat major.

Originally (a few years ago) I would just feel a little burning due to some fluid escaping from the bowel. This was an intermittent problem, more frequent at some times than at others.

This has progressed to one of two scenarios: (1) I feel a little fecal matter come out or (2) more distressing, I feel nothing and there is a fair amount that has escaped, which I discover much to my surprise only when I go to the bathroom to urinate.

The problem is intermittent and seems to be stress-related. I can have periods of several days with no problem at all; then there can be a day where it feels like I have no control at all. Stuff just slides out on an ongoing basis. Luckily these days do not occur very often!

Both my husband and I are unemployed, and health insurance is an ongoing issue. I've also had many years of going to doctors for various issues (not always with good results) and am now somewhat doctor and medication-averse.

I would very much like to find some alternative or natural solutions for this problem. I would prefer to exhaust all alternative options before consulting a doctor.

I do have colonoscopies when advised to by my primary care physician, and to date these have indicated no problems. I actually mentioned this problem (when it was in its early stages) to the specialist when I had my last colonoscopy, and he didn't seem very interested.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Uma