Have any questions about how to use the community? Check out the Help Discussion.

Incontinence questions

Hello everybody,

Inam to strung out to read and scroll, so please help me.

1. Does urinary incontinence always preceed bowels?

2. Can urinary incontinence appear to have dark brownish edges on the sheets?

My LO, who's terribly over extended and stressed out awoke this morning and greeted me with, " darcy, I pooped my bed. It must have been something I ate."

She was willing to check the black tights she is wearing for feces , but unwilling to shower. And is too tired to do anything and went back to bed after we changed the bedding.

She has complained of stomach issues since I've arrived and her dr. Suggested immdium is safe every day. We'd been using it a few days and her rumbling tummy, diarhea and gas disappated, to be replaced by constipation. So I stopped the immodium.

So I'm not 100 percent sure if this is a bowel or baldder situation. I am 100 percent sure I am naviagting health and sanitation issues ...lots of laundry and surface cleaning.

Any experience or ideas you can share are GREATLY appreciated. Will check back later.

Comments

  • jfkoc
    jfkoc Member Posts: 3,820
    Legacy Membership 2500 Comments 500 Likes 100 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    I as well as many others, have a gut/stomach illness right now. Dr says she has had it too and to push fluids and a bit of broth.

    I am better but this started a week ago.

  • M1
    M1 Member Posts: 6,784
    1,500 Care Reactions 1,500 Likes 5000 Comments 1,000 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    check her meds. You've been there quite a while, so if stomach issues are ongoing I'd be suspicious of a medication as oppiosed to an infection. Both memantine and donepezil (Aricept) can cause GI issues, as can a number of others. Urinary tract infection with blood in the urine could also cause the "brown edges" you are seeing. Put a waterproof mattress pad on the bed--and Chucks, which are disposable pads you can put on top of or under the sheets. And yes, urinary incontinence almost always precedes bowel incontinence.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 4,394
    Seventh Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Insightfuls Reactions 500 Likes
    Member

    In dementia, urinary incontinence typically precedes bowel. Dad was the other way around but I think that was a function of damage from radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

    Another thought could be encopresis.

    Sometimes a person can become chronically constipated which results in the involuntary passing of runny or liquid stool around the large mass of constipation. What you thought was diarrhea, could be leakage. Stomach pain and gas can be symptoms. Treating with Imodium might not be ideal.

    I'd get her in to see a doctor.

    HB

  • darcytg
    darcytg Member Posts: 94
    25 Likes 25 Care Reactions 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    HB, thank you.

    So difficult to navigate. Dr appt will be made, again.

    Recently went and was told many people live with daily intestinal distress and immodium is safe daily.

    With this disease, my desire to support my LO's well being, her unreliability as a self reporter ( sometimes, ...) and all the myriad of stressors, I feel incapable of doing what's "right".

    Will do my best in each moment...which varies greatly.

    My increase in smoking is impacting my health..greatly...plus all the stress.

    Ramble over

  • DCCEPEK
    DCCEPEK Member Posts: 94
    25 Likes 25 Care Reactions 10 Comments First Anniversary
    Member

    I'm so with you on the cleaning and washing is never done. One day at a time becomes one moment at a time. Just breathe

  • ButterflyWings
    ButterflyWings Member Posts: 1,752
    500 Likes Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments 250 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    I don't know if this is helpful, but just found it for another poster asking about incontinence. Yes, a major part of my days is spent toileting, cleaning him up, changing clothes, chucks, etc., and doing laundry. Sigh.

    https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/incontinence

  • darcytg
    darcytg Member Posts: 94
    25 Likes 25 Care Reactions 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Thanks for all the support

  • /STEVE
    /STEVE Member Posts: 15
    Second Anniversary 10 Comments 5 Insightfuls Reactions 5 Likes
    Member

    I have had daily intestinal distress all my life, I have found Metamucil, Fiber Supplement power does me a lot of good in controlling diarrhea. You mite want to run this by your Dr and see what they think.

  • ginateresa
    ginateresa Member Posts: 12
    5 Care Reactions First Comment
    Member

    I feel ya on the increase of smoking and stress......

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more