I've been suffering AF for years. Usually it'd come for a week and then go away for a couple of weeks. Though in the past 6-9 months, it's been much more persistent. I've got a pretty good diet and drink lots of water, enough fiber etc, but am now considering surgery (LIS). I failed NTG and nifedipine. Never tried botox but I'm not bothering with it because, in my view, I've managed to heal well enough in the past, but it just keeps coming back so why do something that is temporary and meant only to heal.
My CRS seems reasonably confident, but he seems less able to talk to me about continence. I know there may be some leakage postop for a couple of months, but generally doesn't seem to a problem long term.
My questions are:
1: What happens when you really have a strong, sudden urge to move your bowel. I'm talking about the maybe-twice-a-year event when you eat something that doesn't agree with you when you're out, and all of the sudden you need to have explosive diarrhea. I pride myself on being able to hold that in for a reasonable amount of time until I can get to a toilet. How have those of you who have had LIS found your ability to "hold it" has been once you're healed postoperatively? How does it compare to pre-surgery?
2: How about for regular BMs? I usually go regularly in the morning, but sometimes I'll have the urge later at work. Will I have time to wait to use the restroom for a regular urge, or am I going to be in trouble?
3: There's little long term data on continence. I'm in my early 30's. Will having LIS make me incontinent in my 60's? I doubt anyone will be able to answer this question reliably.
Thanks so much for any help! This is such a terrible "disease!"
Thanks to everyone who has posted -- a wealth of knowledge exists here!