bowel questions

[W. Justin Martin]

I have been sci for about 4 years now, so I have fallen into a decent routine and don't have "accidents" per se.

What I have started having an issue with is that since I had my gall bladder removed about a year ago, my program has gotten weird. No matter how much fiber I intake- via laxitives or diet- I cannot regulate a "normal" schedule, i.e., daily bowel movements. What is happening is my body will usually wait about three days between bowel movements, and that movement ends up being rather violent, usually ending with diarrhea. This is a concern to me, and I am wondering what I should try to do to regulate my program. I should probably increase exercise, but I have so much work to do with school and outside research that I don't have much time for anything.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Hensley-Martin Management

[Scorpion]

Have you ever tried an every other day program instead of every day? Most people I know with SCI don't do it every day. Some do it every 3rd day, but I think every other day is most common.

~Rus

[Shaun]

As long as its not runnin down your legs and your sittin on the can whats the problem? I take acrap every second day and i'll tell ya brother most days its an absolute explosion more like a waterfall than anything else,but i havnt had any accidents in a couple years either so i say to your violence.LET ER RIP...

[SCI-Nurse]

Justin: There is no reason I am aware of why the surgery should have changed your bowel care pattern, but it obviously has. Scorpion's suggestion that you try doing bowel care every other day is a good one - see if it helps any. Increasing your exercise would be likely to help, but it doesn't sound as if you can do that right now. Make sure you are drinking enough water. (jah)