[Findingreason]

I've been having issues with my GI tract for a long time. Constipation, diarrhea, alternating. Abdominal pain that is sudden and urgency to use restroom. Well, it's been getting worse over time. I have had "accidents" at least 6 times this year. And right now I discovered I was having bowel leakage earlier without even realizing it was happening. It was highly stressful to realize it in the restroom. It's embarrassing and scary for me as I can't control it. I see a nurse at the health centre tomorrow morning and I plan on trying to get to the bottom of it. Also I had urine leakage in my sleep recently. I am sure the two are related. The only major medical change recently was switch from Abilify pills to injections.

I fear being caught in a truly embarrassing situation in public. I know it's possible at the moment and it terrifies me.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by Findingreason

I've been having issues with my GI tract for a long time. Constipation, diarrhea, alternating. Abdominal pain that is sudden and urgency to use restroom. Well, it's been getting worse over time. I have had "accidents" at least 6 times this year. And right now I discovered I was having bowel leakage earlier without even realizing it was happening. It was highly stressful to realize it in the restroom. It's embarrassing and scary for me as I can't control it. I see a nurse at the health centre tomorrow morning and I plan on trying to get to the bottom of it. Also I had urine leakage in my sleep recently. I am sure the two are related. The only major medical change recently was switch from Abilify pills to injections.

I fear being caught in a truly embarrassing situation in public. I know it's possible at the moment and it terrifies me.

First sorry this is happening to you. I’m wondering if you are on metformin or anything like that...it’s notorious for causing diarrhea.

[*Beth*]

I'm so sorry you're going through such a stressful health issue. Odd that we all have bodies that are human bodies, yet there is embarrassment when we discuss stuff about our GI symptoms.

Of course I have no way of knowing for sure, but my bet is on the Abilify change. Years ago I was started on a medication that caused me to pee in the bed during sleep. It was horrible.

I hope your problem can be easily worked out.

[Lilly2]

Originally Posted by Findingreason

I've been having issues with my GI tract for a long time. Constipation, diarrhea, alternating. Abdominal pain that is sudden and urgency to use restroom. Well, it's been getting worse over time. I have had "accidents" at least 6 times this year. And right now I discovered I was having bowel leakage earlier without even realizing it was happening. It was highly stressful to realize it in the restroom. It's embarrassing and scary for me as I can't control it. I see a nurse at the health centre tomorrow morning and I plan on trying to get to the bottom of it. Also I had urine leakage in my sleep recently. I am sure the two are related. The only major medical change recently was switch from Abilify pills to injections.

I fear being caught in a truly embarrassing situation in public. I know it's possible at the moment and it terrifies me.

Can you ask your doc if it is C-diff? Or some other GI issue? I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.

(((safe hugs)))

[happysobercrafter]

I hear you, that sounds awful! Did you see the nurse?

[LilyMop]

I’m so sorry! That is very stressful not to mention uncomfortable and painful. I hope you are able to figure out the cause and hopefully you can get help with getting it under control.

[possum220]

I tried Abilify pills. It made me incontinent. Stopped them problem went away. I know of others who have had this issue with Abilify.

[Findingreason]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

First sorry this is happening to you. I’m wondering if you are on metformin or anything like that...it’s notorious for causing diarrhea.

Nope...no metformin. The only thing that changed was abilify pills to injections.

Originally Posted by BethRags

I'm so sorry you're going through such a stressful health issue. Odd that we all have bodies that are human bodies, yet there is embarrassment when we discuss stuff about our GI symptoms.

Of course I have no way of knowing for sure, but my bet is on the Abilify change. Years ago I was started on a medication that caused me to pee in the bed during sleep. It was horrible.

I hope your problem can be easily worked out.

Yeah, I agree. I need to talk to my pdoc about this.

Originally Posted by Lilly2

Can you ask your doc if it is C-diff? Or some other GI issue? I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.

(((safe hugs)))

Well I'm in the process of figuring out what's going wrong, no infections has been confirmed, so all is good there.

Originally Posted by LilyMop

I’m so sorry! That is very stressful not to mention uncomfortable and painful. I hope you are able to figure out the cause and hopefully you can get help with getting it under control.

Thank you! I hope so too. It's definitely stressful and I have pain a fair bit lately.

Originally Posted by possum220

I tried Abilify pills. It made me incontinent. Stopped them problem went away. I know of others who have had this issue with Abilify.

Oh wow, so I'm not alone in this. Funny that the pills didn't cause any of these problems to my knowledge...was it okay to ask if it was bladder, bowel, or both?

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

I hear you, that sounds awful! Did you see the nurse?

I did! I also saw a doctor. We're investigating things now.



I just got back from an ultrasound this morning for gallstones. No problems there. So they're gonna run more tests soon, not sure what yet. Cause even if Abilify is making me incontinent, it does not explain the issues I have with constantly alternating constipation, diarrhea, and such. I also have issues with straining even with soft stools. I wonder if I have issues with my pelvic floor muscles. I want to exercise them but need to get clearance medically before that.

[Findingreason]

I am being tested for inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as Celiac disease. Have another appointment in December to go over the results.

[possum220]

Oh wow, so I'm not alone in this. Funny that the pills didn't cause any of these problems to my knowledge...was it okay to ask if it was bladder, bowel, or both?

@Findingreason Abilify Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term - Drugs.com
Although incontinence is rare it does happen. Mine was bladder related. If you look on the overdose section of this link you will find that Abilify can affect the bowel. Maybe the change from pills to injections was enough for your bladder to react.

Your body could be highly sensitive to this med. Did your bowel incontinence happen around the time you started on the Abilify? It could be that you are one of the unlucky ones. Also have a look at the gastrointestinal side effects. Has to make you wonder.

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by Findingreason

I am being tested for inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as Celiac disease. Have another appointment in December to go over the results.

@Findingreason

Bless your heart!! Did they give you ideas on managing this in the meanwhile? I am glad you are being seen and they are running tests. Hopefully, you'll find out soon and can get yourself back to your normal. You're in my prayers! xoxox

[Findingreason]

Originally Posted by Pamela Parker

If you are taking any medicine for long period of time, sometimes it causes side effect. Immediately consult with your doctor. Morphine is a very potent pain killer which works by blocking the transmission of pain signals between the body and brain. Did you ever take any painkiller as you had 6 accident?

May be you have IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)

Not really, no painkillers at any point. We suspect IBS but are ruling out everything else medically to find out.

Originally Posted by possum220

Oh wow, so I'm not alone in this. Funny that the pills didn't cause any of these problems to my knowledge...was it okay to ask if it was bladder, bowel, or both?

@Findingreason Abilify Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term - Drugs.com
Although incontinence is rare it does happen. Mine was bladder related. If you look on the overdose section of this link you will find that Abilify can affect the bowel. Maybe the change from pills to injections was enough for your bladder to react.

Your body could be highly sensitive to this med. Did your bowel incontinence happen around the time you started on the Abilify? It could be that you are one of the unlucky ones. Also have a look at the gastrointestinal side effects. Has to make you wonder.

It was both for me so far. I just had to change garments and pants cause I noticed a funky smell and wetness and such and it all went away after. I've been wearing protective garments in the process as I figure this out. I will ask my pdoc about this next week when she is in. Perhaps it is the strong dose of the switch to injections and a slight overlap of taking pills per doctor's orders and then discontinuation of them after two weeks into the injection. That was about a week ago.

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

@Findingreason

Bless your heart!! Did they give you ideas on managing this in the meanwhile? I am glad you are being seen and they are running tests. Hopefully, you'll find out soon and can get yourself back to your normal. You're in my prayers! xoxox

I haven't had a chance to really tell them about the incontinence yet but plan to when I get a change this week or next. Thank you for your prayers. <3

[Findingreason]

Okay my therapist talked to the doctor. They will discontinue the abilify injections and go back to pills to see if the problem alleviates. If it does, we know the cause then. If not, the investigation continues.

[happysobercrafter]

Excellent!!! How often do you get the shots?

[Findingreason]

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

Excellent!!! How often do you get the shots?

Every 4 weeks. It’s been 3 weeks since the last shot. So I assume it’ll take a little longer for the effect of the Abilify injection to wear off as we go back to pills.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Hope this solves it for you....

[possum220]

Good luck with this. It is not a very nice thing to experience.

[Findingreason]

Thankfully the switch off injections seems to have ended this problem. I’ve been good for 4 days now with nothing.

[happysobercrafter]

@Findingreason

Excellent!!!!! You must be relieved and thrilled!! Congratulations!!!!!

[Findingreason]

This isn’t over I had wet the bed last night, and have had small issues sometimes while awake. Guess I need to continue investigating...

[happysobercrafter]

Oh, no! I hope you find answers soon. What's your plan?

[Findingreason]

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

Oh, no! I hope you find answers soon. What's your plan?

Not sure yet. I’m going to be wearing protective undergarments for bed which is tough but I guess there’s nothing wrong with that because it is what is needed until I figure this out. I see the doctor on Jan 20th so I will bring it up with her then.

[Calypso2632]

When I was on abilify, + another know for incontinence I was wetting the bed at night and had extreme urgency that I couldn't get to the bathroom in time. The other med went and it helped but didn't stop the problem. As far as bowels, I have ibs mixed. Diarrhea and constipation. So won't go for days then it won't stop. It's pretty miserable. My doctor has ruled out crohn's celiac diverticulitis. So unhappy guts is what I got.

[Findingreason]

I think I am gonna have to get used to this, incontinence. Since starting Clozapine, my urinary incontinence has gotten far worse. The medication does so much good for me though, like in terms of my mental stability and freedom. But the incontinence could be a long term issue for me. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed by this, having to wear diapers to preserve my dignity and prevent public embarrassment. I guess it is what it is. T_T :’(

[ARaven0137]

I'm so sorry that you are going through that. I've had GI issues for years and it's a mystery. Mostly bad cramps and sensitivity to some foods. The current guess is EPI. The last one was SIBO. I have started a regimen of herbal supplements from my naturopath and it has helped a fair degree, but not 100%.

I wish you good luck and good health.