Bowel Strategy

[mike bauer]

Given my Bowels never want to give it up... I am on 600MG of stool softners, prune juice and other stuff, but still have problems. Also it is the root cause for my pain I believe. What about a Colostomy Bag. Maybe my pain will go away? ANy thoughts welcom3ed. Thanks, Mikey.

MSB.

[SCI-Nurse]

Since it involves major surgery, it is usually the last resort but certainly might be effective.

CWO

[mike bauer]

I am planning on seeing a specialist and see what he thinks. Have you heard of anyone where their bowels seem to increase frequesncy and intesity of pain... or am I the lone ranger AGAIN!!! Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

MSB.

[SCI-Nurse]

Unfortunately, you are not alone.But , it is not the most common problem.
We just had a patient this week with terrible pain and spasms of her abdomen when doing bowel program and needing cathed. She wasn't a traumatic SCI but different disease process.She also bloated up like she was pregnant with the spasms.
The Balcofen she was started on seemed to help her.She was also started on Levsin and Reglan to help keep the bowels moving.
Everyone is different.
Definitely need to be tested and make sure everything is working.

CWO



CWO

[darlagee22]

Originally posted by Mikey:

I am planning on seeing a specialist and see what he thinks. Have you heard of anyone where their bowels seem to increase frequesncy and intesity of pain... or am I the lone ranger AGAIN!!! Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

MSB.

Mikey,
I am also T-11,12 (I looked at your profile), but am "complete" although I have some sensation and movement below the sight of injury. I am 1 1/2 yrs post injury and still changing and figuring things out. I have always had burning pain in my butt and just recentely figured out that the pain increases when I have bm in the rectum and/ or the sphincter is relaxed. I have the opposite problem,though, mine are moving a bit almost everytime I eat a meal.

Question for dr. or nurse: Is there a problem with checking for bm after every meal? Also when you do your bowel program, which is easier on your body for removal of stool: mini-enema, digital or pushing? I can push those muscles, but not relax the sphincter. Thank God for a place to ask these questions!
DG

[SCI-Nurse]

The concept of the bowel program, especially daily, with use of suppository or dig stim(s) is to empty what is in the lower intestine- hopefully enough for a day, so you won't have the need to release, non purposefully, until your next bp the next day. Of course, the daily program may take more time, more than one stimulation. If you did it more frequently,after each meal, it could take less time with only one stimulation each time.
Of course, everyone's body is different and after eating a meal is the time the bowels are most stimulated to normally move. Just make sure your bowels aren't too loose.
Try to get in a rhythm of pushing, then relaxing. Sometimes, it just won't relax, or even move. Even though you are able to push you may still need the assistance of the stimulation to get it out.
So, what fits best with your schedule is the best plan.

CWO