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Uncontrollable diarrhea when shopping in a food store/general store. How to avoid? (not a frequent event)

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Thanks to all of you for sharing. My husband passed away on Nov. 1st. We had this issue with him for years. Had to stop socializing and dinner out with friends because of it. It is not something that you care to discuss openly and we have had some emergencies over the years. It really is life changing. The Gastro tells you to be careful what you eat out and take the imodium pills (2) a few hours before going out. I had Cdiff (Horrible) and have also had many anxious moments due to this situation. Bananas are binding so is rice, Also taking Lactose pills helps before eating any dairy. I know others who carry a change of clothing just in case! Be like the Boy Scouts be prepared. After all we are all only human. Bless all of you taking care of Mom and Dad. Remember there but for the grace of G-d go I!
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I have been suffering with these kinds of issues since I was in my late 20s, after my son was born. I am now 48. Usually I can make it to the bathroom in time with few accidents. One time I had an accident and didn't even know I had to go! That was about maybe a month or two after my son was born. Thankfully I was in the kitchen doing dishes because all of a sudden some liquidy stuff hit the floor! I am grateful nothing like that happened again or I'd have to wear a diaper. It comes and goes- sometimes I'll have problems after eating rich foods, sometimes after dairy which includes just a yogurt for breakfast, or sometimes it will happen when I've had nothing at all to eat!! I've noticed that stress makes the situation worse. It's so frustrating, especially when you have to be at work and no one understands when you have to get up suddenly and leave a meeting. Not good. We have frequent meetings too where I am. To prepare, I usually watch very closely what I eat and sometimes hold off lunch until after the meeting. If I think I will still have problems I will take an Immodium (I like the multi symptom one). One doctor said it seems I am having gallbladder issues which I agree. It could also be a little IBS-D and lactose intolerance too. I know I should get a colon test. One thing I noticed a few years ago when I lost 50 pounds the issue all but disappeared. I was on a regular workout regimen and ate almost the same thing every day for breakfast and lunch. Supper was light as well as a snack, which was usually fruit. I had a Fiber One every mid-morning and lots of water throughout the day. I didn't suffer again until the weight came back. I hope some of these things help you. It is also a good idea to keep at least one diaper with you, wipes and a change of underwear, socks and pants.
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My mom had chronic, explosive D for years. Imagine being a child and having to go into the gas station to ask for the restroom key for mom. It happened all the time. I hated it, so embarrassing!

I became caregiver when mom's dementia required it and stepdad was in rehab following a hip replacement. Mom had tried many methods to solve the problem over the years. In desperation, thinking anything would be fruitless, asked her doc about trying to control it. He suggested adding an OTC probiotic. Guess what! It worked and what a relief for me. To think the years that mom suffered with this!

The probiotic that I got for mom was Walgreens Super Probiotic. It worked so well, that I had to take her to the ER a few times to get her flushed out. But, the problem was not constipation, there was really no reason she should have had problems because of consistency of BM. Instead, I think her problem was that because of the chronic D for many years she did not know how to have a movement.
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See your gastroenterologist. She or He may want to up your protocol for routine scans, e.g. colonoscopy. Then your specialist may put you on probiotics. You may want to carry with you Immodium, wear sanitary pads and carry extra supplies. Always know where the bathroom is located at the grocery store. This story COULD HAVE been me, had I not seen my gastroenterologist.
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Wear good diapers. I would suggest the Medline Extended Wear ones. Yes, they are like little blankets and there's no hiding that you are wearing diapers unless you have a skirt on. But they soak stuff up really well. When grandma went through her liquid poop phase, they wicked that up no problems. They are also very good at controlling odor leakage.
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The profile reads like an advertisement.
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My mom developed chronic diarrhea a few months ago, her Dr said to take OTC pills for it,, not really helping.. we have addressed it 2x with him, but she is on so many meds and 89 so he is sort of stuck. We have begun wearing diapers all the time. Her problem is mostly in the morning and so we have not had any accidents in public,, but she worries. Good luck with this.
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Oh yes, this was a stage my husband went through, too. It was not fun. I never figured out what caused it! A lot was going on including getting diabetes under control, recovering from a stroke, and starting dialysis. Everywhere we went, I always knew where the bathroom was. I also had a bag in the car with wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Since he was weak it made things worse. once we were on the highway, and I pulled into a camping area to find him a restroom. The only one they had was up two steps. Tough getting him up, but he somehow held it until he was there. Then, there were no grab bars. I’m afraid to say we broke the toilet paper holder trying to get him up. We left it a mess. I still feel guilty. I was so grateful when he stopped having explosive diarrhea.
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The Kratom may be part of the problem as well. Since you suffer from chronic pain, have you considered seeing a pain management specialist? Might be better than taking a supplement.
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Is it possible that you have irritable bowel syndrome? It's a condition characterized by irregular movement of the bowel resulting in bouts of constipation,diarrhea or both. It needs to be diagnosed by a gastrenerologist. In my opinion, uncontrollable diarrhea is not a senior moment. It is something that needs to be evaluated(and soon) by a physician. If you have not had a colonoscopy lately or ever, it could be time to schedule one.
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cherokeewaha Jan 2020
This is so true. I've suffered from IBSD for years then a year ago, it got so bad I was sent to a gastrenerologist for a severe hemrrhoid that was causing spasms the pain was so bad. He scheduled a colonoscopy and endoscophy. I had surgery while I was sedated for these because the hemrrhoid wasn't causing the pain but a tear in the large colon was. They repaired it, removed 20 polyps and hit a huge mass and couldn't go any further. I ended up back in the hospital 2 days after Christmas and had nearly all of my large colon removed. There were 2 masses and over 100 polyps. One of the masses was cancer. He got it all and meds were taken afterward to finish it off. But, the diarrehea is worse. I take 3 different meds in the morning, at noon and at night. This doesn't include prescription strength immodium or a stomach med along with tums, zantac and gasX. It is rough to be away from the house.
I wish the best to your mom.
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I was in 'Whole Foods' and 'it' hit like a flood!  I made it to the bathroom but the toilet seat had pee all over it so I just squatted and 'let go''.  It went all over the commode and my legs and clothes.  thank god there were plenty of paper towels in the cubical with me and a sink too.  I had a mess cleaning off the commode and myself and then there were customers banging on the door to use it.  I tucked my top into me pants because there was 'mess on the hem and I'm glad I had on black pants.  I know the cubical smelled, but there was nothing to do about it. 
A few weeks later I was in our local bookstore bathroom and heard a woman crying in one of the stalls.  I asked if I could help and she had done the same thing that happened to me except her pants, socks and shoes were covered.  She had called her neighbor to bring her some clothes and I kept giving her wet paper towels to clean up with and pulled the plastic liner out of the trash can for her to put the dirty clothes and shoes in.   The neighbor finally got there and she was so glad some one helped her. I told the staff there had been an accident in the stall.
I now carry a zip lock bag with at least five wet cloths and a pair of underwear and a plastic bag for any 'mess'.  I do wear extra large urinary pads when I go out just in case.
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For me I have made sure I know my grandmothers bathroom schedule. But there is those moments when things just happen. So I have a bag that I have made up with extra clothes and pads and bags. It goes everywhere we do. It has been very helpful. They can’t help it and feel really bad. The more I’m prepared and feel ready for what might happen the better I can help here.
Dawn 😀
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You probably have "leaky gut"Go on line and consult with "GundyM.D."
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Echo Tacy

according to the Mayo Clinic, more than 130 people in 38 states have been sent to hospital with Kratom induced salmonella and more than 30 died

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171
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People are right, it happens to the best of us...It brings back memories of a time I had food poisoning. A couple actually. Totally unexpected and unprepared. One time worked in a mall at one anchor store...got off work, ate in food court having what I later realized was display piece of cheesecake. On an empty stomach...by time I reached other anchor store minutes later I had to run to the restroom and began to wonder if I would be able to leave before the store closed, much less to the other side of the mall where my car was! Just to add that a bag company called baggalini makes some light weight nylon handbags/totes some might feel good for stashing/carrying all the needs. Unfortunately they stopped making the "Only" bag style which was very useful and roomy, more tote like. I've communicated they should bring it back
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My MIL will take some Immodium a couple hours before going out. Uncontrollable diarrhea can also be a side effect of cancer treatment with radiation in the abdominal area, even many years after treatment.
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Uncontrollable diarrhea can be a symptom of some digestive or autoimmune issues (e.g. ulcerative colitis), especially if you have other autoimmune issues. These are far more treatable today, thanks to new meds. It might be worth seeing the doctor. I’m so sorry you experienced that, and I wish you the best.
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If I had this situation happen to me only once, I would no longer leave the house without wearing very reliable and absorbent disposable undies, including antiseptic and personal wipes, a ziploc bag (to contain the messed undies in a sanitary and merciful way, and extra disposable undies and change of outerwear. Sounds like a lot of fuss, but think if you needed it and didn't have it. Maybe keep it in the car so you don't have to haul it all around.
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Dollie1974 Jan 2020
Hi Geaton777!

my mother has diarrhea or mostly soft Bowel movements, mostly in the morning (sorry to be so gross) So I usually don’t go out with her early in the morning, I’ve learned my lessons well! She does eat a lot of fiber, but meds like metformin sometimes does that. In certain cases, I give her an Immodium, and a banana for snack the night before, it helps a lot.

I too carry baby wipes, disposable gloves, depends, roll of toilet paper and paper towels, ziplock bags and an extra pair of socks (yes socks) cause one time it got that far...and of course pants. Just like a new mom carries a diaper bag I am also prepared with mom:)

thanks for sharing:)
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I was going to say the same thing as Joy. Can happen to anyone. Same thing with vomiting 🤮 !

I agree. Watch your diet. Obviously, it can happen out of the blue but don’t risk going out if you realize that you are not feeling up to par.
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This happens to everyone, regardless of age. If one is planning on an outing, it stands to reason to be careful of what we eat immediately or even the day before. If certain foods ,like spicy ones have proven to cause issues previously, don’t eat them. If one gets the feeling that one needs to use the restroom, don’t put off the visit hoping it will go away. Pack flushable wipes and extra underwear just for the confidence of having them. If fear of accidents becomes an anxiety issue, speak with a doctor to see if a mild anti-diarrheal might work.
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