Depends on the underlying cause...there can be mechanical reasons for incontinence...a loose sphincter or damaged sphincter muscles, a weak pelvic floor (happens to women who have had babies or from age)...in some cases, if there is no damage then you can see improvement with physiotherapy...they have some really cool exercises that you can do...tightening and holding for a few seconds and then relaxing the sphincter...the exercises are called kiegels (sp?) and you can look them up on the internet...the impovement can be spectacular if that is the problem...there are many other possible causes and I am sure the other can tell you more...
Sharon

I just found what works for me... Two Imodiums and a spoonful of citricul (as opposed to metamucil for reduced gas) before bed and boom no more incontinence... I also eat one high fiber fiber one bar in the morning... My Dr insisted the last two visits I do not have pouchitis... Just to increase my Imodium and add a fiber supplement and he was right on the money... This is what worked for me... Hopefully it helps here...

Been over a week and Advil or Advil PM is still working for me. No side effects (yet).

If it were not so darn humid (Monsoon season for us), I would try going to sleep with no Advil, but the humidity is just torture on my chronic neck pain.

And keep up on those kegels as Sharon touched on, I've been religiously doing kegels before my takedown and even though I had a small bit of incontinence... I really do believe had I not been doing those I would've had no control... So kegels, fiber, Imodium or equivalent, and thickening foods and you should see a world of difference

Les have you tried Tylenol instead of Advil? Might work the same and would be much safer

I would like to thank all who have responded. I really appreciate the time you each took and will consider each solution.

Thank You

quote:

have you tried Tylenol instead of Advil

I call them Tylenol-O'do-nothings. I need Advil for the anti-inflammatory component, not just for pain relief.

If this is night time incontinence and you are waking up having already leaked, it might be more of brain to gut nerve system not being in sync --if you are leaking during day also it might be more about strengthening pelvic floor muscles and trying to get output to be less liquid with the addition of fiber...so we have been
told by a PT specializing in pelvic floor issues.

Did not take Advil or Advil PM before bedtime last night and I woke up at 4am with a leak.

I still don't understand how I do not feel the "urge" before I leak, but I always wake up after I have leaked.

It is always a small amount, but it is so annoying and I hate having to wear underwear or anything with elastic binding.

Haven't really had an issue with leakage since about a month after my takedown. I just went to see my surgeon and he ended up dilating me there with his finger but said I had a stricture that needed to be dilated with a tool that would stretch it out more. The surgeon asked if I was having any leakage and the reason is because he noticed when he dilated me with his finger that my sphincter was moving a mile a minute. I told him yes I was having leakage and it was clear and he said it was mucus from the stricture and my shincter muscles contracting so quickly.

My leakage is mainly caused by sphincter spasming due to strictures (yes I have had surgery) and fissures, which just aggravates the spasms more.

Thank you all for your responses. I have a lot to think about and work with.

Barry