8 replies to this topic

[butterflyelvis]

Hi, I'm asking this question on behalf of my friend. He's waist down para. 1 year post injury, still not started bowel training. Right now he's waiting out a minor break in his leg, but one that requires him to be in an immobilizer that keeps him from bending it at all.

So he's in bed for at least the next two weeks. Just before this happened he was starting to do a morning suppository and then he was cleaning himself in bed as he was resisiting getting over to a bedside comode or into the bathroom....

I know it's a bit of "whatever works" but I'm wondering if there is any merit to going ahead and starting the suppositories again even though he may not be able to clean himself until all the leg brace stuff comes off.

He seems not to think that his bowels will "learn" to go at a certain time. Can someone bear with me and go over some basic bowel how to and also to let me know the following plan (that is totally made up in my head) has any merit to it and if not any suggestions how to fix it. We're not getting much help from the nursing home staff where he was and now what he's in a new one, i don't expect much better...and I say this as a CNA myself.

Right now: 2 weeks till leg brace MIGHT come off: suppositoy at same time of morning. Get clean by CNA

When leg brace comes off: continue suppository and begin to clean self.

Once transfering again with stability: continue suppository but use comode instead of staying in bed.

And how long should it take before you can see results of training?


HELP!!

[allis53ca]

some bodies work better in bed...pre-colostomy my bp was easier in bed...took forever on comode and went much faster on left side in bed...also, every day doesn't work for everyone either, m/w/f was my sched...a friend of mine does m/f...our bods all work diff...it'll be trial and error for a bit

[Tetracyclone]

Butterfly,

Can he feel any pressure when his lower intestine is full? If so, that is a good cue for suppository time. Of course bodies learn to dump at the same time every day- we been doing that for eons though, again, some prefer spontaneity.

How often have his BMs been over the past year? Start with that. You do have to go with his judgement about timing, even if you don't understand or he sounds whiny to you. He may be discouraged, so just support whatever he thinks will work and your confidence will be contagious.

He will tackle more as he has the energy. If not, refuse to help. Necessity is motivating.

[Karl187]

The bowel will learn butterflyelvis, but it takes time and practice, it won't happen in a week or even two but it will sort itself out. Personally speaking I believe the key is getting your diet and meds correct. Harsh painkillers often produce constipation, so results can be disturbed if your friend is on the strong stuff. Even some laxative meds prove counter-productive and you simply have to experiment to see what works best for the individual. Food comes next, plenty of healthy fibre is good, fruit smoothies and prune juice, all-bran etc. These help to get the bowels going but you might not need to use them all the time. If your friend is constipated try some kiwis on their own or in a smoothie with other stuff.

Then comes timing. If it is at all possible tell your friend to begin his bowel routine at the same time every day he does it. Changes in time, even slight (in my experience) can upset the routine, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. So if its 9.30 one morning, try and make it the same every time. That might not be possible in a nursing home but when your friend gets home, aim for that.

Also don't be afraid to research other techniques like digital rectal examination, different types of suppositries, micro-enemas and anal irrigation systems like Peristeen from Coloplast.

Anyway, good luck to you and your friend, I hope everything works out.

[butterflyelvis]

thanks for everyone's suggestions and encouragement. He's starting therapy at his new place and already he's gotten more than in 3 months at the other home so I'm happy about that and he seems to be more positive of late. I'll take everyone's advice into account and thank you sooooooo much!

[cstyle10]

I had constant troubles with suppositories..... I hate them... It took from anywhere to 30 min to and hour to work or maybe not work at all. I started using enemas called enemeez (http://www.drugsuppl...estion / nausea). They are a bit expensive but they regulated my bowels real quick. I also noticed that my body liked to "release" itself in the mornings but again it is all up to your body. Good luck mate!

[edlee]

You will find a wealth of info if you use the search function. And info is the basis for which this forum was made. It has become so much more, but the information is still here.

I prefer doing my bowel routine at night,, that way it doesn't interfere with my day's business when it runs long.

As was said above,, we are all different,, but a routine can be found. It takes patience,,, as does everything else about this SCI life we lead.

Get your friend to log on,,, he'll be glad he did.
ed

[qbounce]

Funny, I was just about to put in the night time thing too. Good thing I pressed the wrong button and it kicked me out! lol

I also suggest not using stool softeners to begin with. See how his body funcions first with a good diet.

I went from a daily BP, to every other day with no problem.

[butterflyelvis]

qbounce, on Jan 8 2010, 11:46 PM, said:

Funny, I was just about to put in the night time thing too. Good thing I pressed the wrong button and it kicked me out! lol

I also suggest not using stool softeners to begin with. See how his body funcions first with a good diet.

I went from a daily BP, to every other day with no problem.

thanks for everyone chiming in here. I can't wait to get him logged onto this site. he's in a NH at the moment and doesn't have access to the internet yet...it's coming though... I think this will be a hueg sorce of info and support for him. I can be as encouraging as the dickens but I'm not having to do what he's having to do and hearing from you guys and gals who are making work will mean a lot to him I'm sure.