Helen’s story starts as many of ours do… she was healthy, and active in her 50’s, when an unfortunate fall started what would become a series of health challenges. Here she sets out what happened to her, and bravely shares how she managed on the road to recovery.
I was in my 50’s and very active, walking marathons and scuba diving. I worked two jobs and because the children were all older, I did an Open University degree. In 2008 whilst on holiday, I had a fall down a marble staircase and although it wasn’t too serious, I did hit my back in the lower lumbar region.
I started to get incredible leg pains
Within a year I started to get incredible leg pains; it felt like knives being dragged down the back of my legs. I went through a series or appointment to be assessed by physios, bio-mechanical specialists and podiatrists, before an MRI on my back diagnosed some stenosis around my third lumbar in my spine. This led to a laminectomy which I had in 2010 on the area but it did not fully mend the problem.
A few years later in 2014, the pains in my legs were severe. I was planning a trip to visit our daughter in Australia, and my lovely new surgeon gave me injections.
In 2015 I had a cage fusion on L3, my third lumbar vertebra, and then in 2019 I had a sideways slipped disc at my L3/4 which had to be operated on. Because of the weakened spine and leg pains I finally had a fusion at L4/5 in 2022.
A lovely ‘zip’ up my back
This was a success – I felt much better although I had long ago given up marathons and scuba diving. Stupidly one day I tried running for a bus, stumbled, and broke a facet joint at L2. A cyst developed so in 2025 I had a final tidy up of my spine – clearance of scar tissue and got rid of the cyst.
I had been an undiagnosed Coeliac
After the third operation I started getting some leakage. One day during my holiday I did a longer walk and ended up in a complete ‘poo’ mess. After operation 4 I had some faecal incontinence which I could live with – it was spasmodic.
After seeing a lovely nurse at Women’s Health we decided the spinal operations were not all to blame. I had been an undiagnosed Coeliac for many years – think loose poop followed by being ‘bunged up’ – which was causing issues. I also had three large babies…from 9.8 lbs to 10.14lbs which were all natural births and would have put a lot of strain on my abdominal muscles.
Life without leg pain is fantastic!
I met my new spinal consultant (after my first operation) I felt much more supported; it was a good hospital and mostly good physios. Life without leg pain is fantastic! My fusion worked, I gather there is a better result if stenosis results in leg rather than back pain.
Now, I don’t take any medication except paracetamol when needed. I can walk – although not my previous distances – but I do use my indoor bike up to 3 times per week and ride around 4-6 miles. I’ve done this since my first op 16 years ago.
I was told about rectal plugs by the women’s health team. I tried various kinds but I couldn’t get on with them unfortunately. I didn’t give in, however, and over the last couple of years have been supported by my local bladder and bowel service. The nurse did send me a couple of pads to try, but I decided I wasn’t bad enough or inactive enough to use them.
My daughter in law told me about the radar key
My daughter in law told me about the radar key which has been invaluable, and your website. I worked through my diet using the Fodmap exclusion diet to see what made me leakier and changed some of my eating habits. I now follow a strict gluten free diet – it’s not worth cheating! I’ve also had to be careful how much fruit I have – I love cherries etc. but know these can make me ‘leakier’.
Yesterday was a bad day but I have to be positive
If I had written this article a few days ago I would say I’m now back to faecal leakage. I know if I push walking or exercise my back starts to hurt and I’ll get a big leak. Yesterday was a bad day but I have to be positive. Probably too much lifting and walking.
The biggest problem has been what pads to use, everyone will have a personal preference. I’ve just found Flo which widens to the back…watch this space. I also invested in M&S Confidence knickers (period knickers), I need the confidence they instil and usually means I can use them at night without pads. I also prefer pads with wings when I’m not at home because unlike pee, poo seems to spread – especially sitting down. I just don’t know or feel when it is happening, which makes it really difficult to manage.
I will always be careful of my back in future
Where I’m at today – I will always be careful of my back in future, it’s now down to conservative management. Thankfully my bones are strong and I don’t have osteoporosis, and I do not have cauda equina problems which I know does lead to pee and poo problems. I know what causes any back pain. I’ve got to hope I don’t have any more stumbles – my fantastic consultant has already said I’m at the limit of what he can do.
After my bike rides I follow up with physio pilates. After 30 years of pilates I don’t have bladder leaks – hurrah! Personally that would be worse for me than what I already deal with.
I don’t look like I have a spinal problem
I don’t look like I have a spinal problem which can be difficult when I ask to sit down in a bus. I’ve installed hand controls in my van which means I can drive long distances. I finally got a blue badge for which I’m extremely grateful – and not just on bad days!
I’ve got to my mid 70’s and am still active, I volunteer once a week but they know I might not make it some weeks. I would like to go swimming, which I did with plugs. It’s hard to tell people about my faecal problem; my best friends know but I haven’t really told my children. Overall for me the hardest part to bear of faecal leakage/incontinence is that I don’t know and I can’t feel when it’s happening. My Daughter in Law understands. It’s been hard on my husband over the last 16 years, especially on bad days/faecal days – he feels helpless as to what he can do, but he’s been there to support me.
The Bladder and Bowel support group has helped
Finding the Bladder and Bowel support group has helped and I’ve written this account in the hopes it can help someone else. Although we’ve all reached bowel problems in different ways and it’s a very private complaint, knowing you’re not alone really helps.
Not long ago I read an article about faecal incontinence after childbirth – that woman has given me the confidence to write about my experience.
