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Bowel, Diet, And Getting On Track


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#1 bookmobile

bookmobile

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  • Spinal Injury Level / Relationship:Not Sure/Mid Chest Down

Posted 02 February 2010 - 11:18 PM

First I'm in the U.S. I've been Paraplegic since I was 11 months old. When I was younger BM was controlled through suppositories, rec-stim, and sometimes warm water enemas. When going to college in the 90s after meeting my wife, due to embarassment I got off track. I'd never do a program, and just wait for nature to happen. Not the safest or healthiest alternative. In '97 due to some medical issues, I had two bilateral above knee amputations. Following that I was put through a rehab program. Part of that was getting me on a routine using stool softeners, suppositories, and rec-stim. During this time I wasn't afraid to eat anything. After getting out, I went back to my bad behaviors.

Dietwise, I'd like to eat healthier. I know I need lots of proteins to avoid skin ulcers. However, it seems like I have to get all my proteins from Red Meats and/or Chicken Livers. I've avoided things like fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy things due to the "accidental" issues they'd cause. I'd love to get back on the healthy track. Currently, because of a skin ulcer, my wife has been doing the rec-stim, and usually that's only productive once a week. I'd like to get back on a regular track on this, while following a healthier diet. I'd also like to be able to take the responsibility back from her. While sitting on a toilet frightens me, because of the lack of legs in getting back up, bedside would be okay.

We recently switched doctors. What I'd like to find out is if there's a special in-home type nurse or something that I should request for a short period (A Week, 2 Weeks, A Month) to help get the diet and bowel program on track.

It's just been a pain because I have to avoid things a lot of times, such as Strawberry Shortcake, Beans, Corn, Apples, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Caffeine, Beer, because I don't know if it's going to hit me tomorrow morning, the morning following that, or Friday while I'm running errands. I know things inevitably will happen, but if I could enjoy whatever foods, drinks I wanted without considering later impact, and have things on track, I'd be doing okay. And my wife would have less to deal with, and it'd drop some of her stress.

So What do I need to be asking my doctor for?




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