sphincters muscles

[Guest guest]

Hi All.

I have been going through tests for my bowel incontinence. I spent 2-1/2

weeks in hospital trying different bowel plans. Then didn't work. So

then it was Peristeen flush, then they discovered that my Sphincter

Muscles do not work at all. To rule out other problems, I go into

Hospital next week to make sure nothing else is going on inside my colon.

Then the option I have is Stoma surgery which I thought it would end up

being. I hope it is done very soon, as I can't make plans because I can

and do have bowel accidents any time and not know it.

Someone in the group mentioned about their feet burning. I get this, at

times I feel like screaming from the pain. I always put it down to nerve

damage. Now I no that I'm not alone. The other week my daughter lifted

my foot to do up my shoe, as soon as she picked up my foot by the ankle

with no pressure I went through the roof with pain.

I hate this so much. Being 61 and pooping pants, being in the

wheelchair, having a catheter coming out just above the pubic bone for

the bladder connected to a bag and now getting a poo bag. I'm really an

old bag now.

Cherie

[Guest guest]

Cherie,

Sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I know a little how

it feels. My third surgery paralyzed me. I self cath. Do a bowel program.

My legs and especially my feet always feel like they are on fire.

Everything is especially bad right now as I'm 36 weeks pregnant and it is

just wreaking havoc on my body - especially with my bladder. Its only

holding about 100cc and her head is on not just my bladder, but my urethra.

So with such a small volume being full, my body doesn't know to tell me its

full and I pee without notice. So I have been in depends since about month

4-5. Every time I think it can't get worse it does. Since she's on my

urethra and has been for at least the last month, now the cathing is so

painful and I get blood bc its scraping the urethra as it passes through

that narrow passage. Either they are going to have to induce me, or

possibly a Foley with a leg bag. While the Foley doesn't bother me, the

bag drives me crazy. But if I have to, ill do it. At least I know its

temporary.

Its always surprising what humans can get used to. When I see what most of

my quad friends go through daily, I'm just amazed. I think there is no way

I could do it. But we adapt. And I know in the end, I would. It just takes

time to get used to the new normal.

While bladder incontinence is a horrible pain, bowel incontinence is

another story. I think once they get it fixed ... even.if it means a

colostomy, u will be much happier. At least you will be continent and able

to go out. With my bladder now, I never want to leave the house (and only

do when I have to) because I'm peeing on myself every hour it seems. Its

hard enough to deal with at home, let alone out and about.

As far as the burning in your feet, it sounds like neuropathy. Its just a

matter of finding the right Rx to treat it that has side effects you can

tolerate. Trials take a while because most take 2 weeks to gradually

increase and reach a therapeutic blood level. And if it doesn't work, at

least a week decreasing it before you can start the process over with a new

Rx. Maybe they can do this while you are in the hospital. Seems like a

great time. Not like you are doing anything anyways ;-) there are so many

different meds. From old school abd cheap to new and $$$$. Some of the

ones that worked better for me were older ones. Depakote, tegretol

(carbamepazine), Neurontin (probably the most often used and has the

greatest success), Topamax (I took this for probably close to 10 years),

tricyclic antidepressants (also often successful), Keppra, Cymbalta... and

the list goes on. Its all just a Metternich of trying until you find tthe

one that controls your pain and has side effects you can tolerate

(unfortunately, basically they all have a crap side effect profile, its

just deciding what you can manage for pain relief).

Good luck and its great to hear from you again! Hopefully soon it will be

with happy news. Hope you are home from the hospital soon.

Jenn

> **

>

>

> Hi All.

> I have been going through tests for my bowel incontinence. I spent 2-1/2

> weeks in hospital trying different bowel plans. Then didn't work. So

> then it was Peristeen flush, then they discovered that my Sphincter

> Muscles do not work at all. To rule out other problems, I go into

> Hospital next week to make sure nothing else is going on inside my colon.

> Then the option I have is Stoma surgery which I thought it would end up

> being. I hope it is done very soon, as I can't make plans because I can

> and do have bowel accidents any time and not know it.

>

> Someone in the group mentioned about their feet burning. I get this, at

> times I feel like screaming from the pain. I always put it down to nerve

> damage. Now I no that I'm not alone. The other week my daughter lifted

> my foot to do up my shoe, as soon as she picked up my foot by the ankle

> with no pressure I went through the roof with pain.

> I hate this so much. Being 61 and pooping pants, being in the

> wheelchair, having a catheter coming out just above the pubic bone for

> the bladder connected to a bag and now getting a poo bag. I'm really an

> old bag now.

> Cherie

>

>