Re: bowel regime

[Guest guest]

Gloria,

You need to find a GI that is experienced in treating neurogenic bowel. It

may be that you need to do a bowel program using manual stim/removal and/or

suppository/mini enema. But only a MD that is experienced in working with

patients with neurogenic bowel can help you find a program that works (and a

little trial and error). Have you tried Miralax? That is a good, more

gentle laxative. It does take a few days to kick in, so I recommend taking

it every 3 days or every other day to see how it works. When I took it one

day and nothing happened, I took it every day and oops! Then it took that

same number of days to work it out of my system. Personally, I take 2

Pericolace every morning (I know its not good, but my bowels are already

dependent since I've been taking them for 7 years or so. It was one of the

only things that worked for me). Then I do a bowel program every other night

with manual stim and Magic bullet suppository (the Magic Bullet is designed

for people with neurogenic bowel. Same med as the OTC ones you can buy at

the store, but made to dissolve more quickly and reliably (15-30 min as

opposed to a hour or more).

Here are a couple good sites about bowel programs for neurogenic bowel.

SCI Bowel Management & Programs <http://www.sci-info-pages.com/bowel.html>

UAB SCI Bowel Management<http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=21482>

RIC Managing a Bowel

Program<http://lifecenter.ric.org/index.php?tray=content & tid=top294 & cid=511>

NWestern Bowel program<http://sci.washington.edu/info/pamphlets/bowels_1.asp>

Bowel care

story<https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true & _pa\

geLabel=healthyLiving & contentPage=healthy_living/sci_bowelcare-transcript.htm>

Shepherd Center - bowel

program<https://www.myvitalconnections.org/webmanuals.nsf/ae05066a27d4960485256a\

fb0069d063/fca24e0693d98e948525716b0071b215%21OpenDocument>

Dealing with bowel issues is never fun - especially when it is giving you

problems.

Jenn

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 7:56 PM, redduffermoon6 wrote:

>

>

> Hi, tough subject matter so here goes: I have not been able to find a good

> bowel regime, tried stool softeners (pill, liq)and all that did was make me

> work harder to expel. Gastro MD said I need a lax to stimulate peristalsis

> so try Dulcolax and that just made me stay close to the bathroom for a day

> or so and then I don't take pill if I know I have to be away from my home

> any time in a week. Should I continue my search for what's right for me with

> Gastro MD or should I tell a Neurologist since this problem stems from my

> surgery, nerve damage and medications like Elavil,Morphine.

>

> take care, gloria

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Have you tried MiraLax?

I tried everything and this really worked for me. My dad takes it also, he's on

pain meds for cancer pain. No cramps or issues with bloating. I take it every

2nd day, no taste so I just blend it in with a breakfast drink.

I was on morphine also, now on Oxy, so I completely understand.

Maybe ask if this is a TC issue. But it may just be medication, and then I'm not

sure what they could give you.

Also, maybe eat more fiber too?

>Hi, tough subject matter so here goes: I have not been able to find a good

bowel regime, tried stool softeners (pill, liq)and all that did was make me work

harder to expel. Gastro MD said I need a lax to stimulate peristalsis so try

Dulcolax and that just made me stay close to the bathroom for a day or so and

then I don't take pill if I know I have to be away from my home any time in a

week. Should I continue my search for what's right for me with Gastro MD or

should I tell a Neurologist since this problem stems from my surgery, nerve

damage and medications like Elavil,Morphine.

>

>take care, gloria

>

[Guest guest]

I meant to mention increasing your fiber intake as well. Just remember to

increase your water intake as well, otherwise you will just end up more

constipated than you started. Increasing your intake of fruit is an easy way

to accomplish this. I know when I eat more fruit, I have an easier time in

the bathroom and does keep things moving along better than without. My

success with my bowel program is also very dependent on how much I eat. I

don't tend to eat very much. When I don't eat a lot, I often have problems.

When I make sure to eat enough, I usually have an easier time.

Jenn

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 11:34 PM, Dybowski wrote:

>

>

> Have you tried MiraLax?

> I tried everything and this really worked for me. My dad takes it also,

> he's on pain meds for cancer pain. No cramps or issues with bloating. I take

> it every 2nd day, no taste so I just blend it in with a breakfast drink.

> I was on morphine also, now on Oxy, so I completely understand.

> Maybe ask if this is a TC issue. But it may just be medication, and then

> I'm not sure what they could give you.

> Also, maybe eat more fiber too?

>

>

[Guest guest]

Gloria,

I use Fiber Choice Chewable Tablets when needed. They're good-tasting and

non-cramping. It doesn't necessarily work the first day so I take them every

other day before I go to bed. Again, as needed. 

Jodi

>Hi, tough subject matter so here goes: I have not been able to find a good

bowel regime, tried stool softeners (pill, liq)and all that did was make me work

harder to expel. Gastro MD said I need a lax to stimulate peristalsis so try

Dulcolax and that just made me stay close to the bathroom for a day or so and

then I don't take pill if I know I have to be away from my home any time in a

week. Should I continue my search for what's right for me with Gastro MD or

should I tell a Neurologist since this problem stems from my surgery, nerve

damage and medications like Elavil,Morphine. 

take care, gloria