7 replies to this topic

[crash]

I have been out of rehab for a little over a month and I am still having bowel accidents, as well as the occasional urine accident. Do most people use suppositories? Do you eat at the same time everyday? I need some suggestions.

[Simon]

Normally accidents are through bad bowel care ie your not doing them correctly. Its usualt to do bowels every other day, I use 1 glycerine suppos and work in 1 hour or under. My wife does digital stimulation after about 20mins, then a 2nd time around 50 mins. That is normally enough for me.
Others here use enemas/suppos with laxatives. Problem with laxatives is they make you bowel lazy so it works less and less. Try dried figs or prunes, plenty of fresh green veges insyead and drink plenty at least 3ltr / day.
Simon

[itsjustme]

Hi Crash,

I think that maybe it takes a little while for our bodies to become accustomed to whatever method that we find works best and in reading some of the different posts you will find that there are several different ones.

For me it's best if I keep my lower bowel emptied every single night with a suppository. I let it work about 45 minutes and generally I don't have any difficulty emptying.

However that is in combination with 2 stool softeners each day. When I was in the hospital and rehab they had me taking one with breakfast and one with supper. Through experimentation when I got home, I found that one with lunch and one with supper worked better for some reason.

My diet doesn't seem to have any particular effect on the process but I do drink plenty of water, an average of about 3 32 oz. mugs of water throughout each day. My water intake seems to have more of an effect on it than my diet.

About the wetness, I don't know that answer. I still have accidents sometimes and there's no rhyme or reason, no way to tell. I had to give up caffiene. It irritates the bladder and causes spasms. If you drink coffee or cola that's something to think about. I read one guy's post and he has to cath every 2 hours at least to stay dry.

Keep searching the various postings and you might find some help or suggestions from others who are having the same problems.

[milosh]

there are two good teas great for detoxication and emptying bowel... coca tea and ricin tea. coca tea is the best detoxicator around. coca is not same as cocaine. in south america it's used for food, healing, ... coca tea can be bought down there easy and cheap, just around every corner. ricin tea is great too...

[SCTnurse]

Well, I really don't envy you guys, sorry to hear of your dilema!
I am a rehab nurse in the uk and I am currently doing a research degree studying trying to find the best practice for bowel management, god it's hard, there not much out there to advise you on whats right and whats wrong and it is really just a trial and error thing until you find what works for you. There are so many options to try but the research I have found all suggests that suppositories slow down the process and that those people using digital stimulation have the better effect than using chemical stimulation. The suggestion made about diet and water is a good one and you can really play around with that to find if anything is spoiling things for you, or what might help.

If you are really having problems do you not have anyone professionally who can advise, your system is so different from ours, bladder, bowels n skin is our priority (as nurses) here and we wouldn't discharge you till that was well sorted. If you are still having problems it should be properly re-assessed.

Citrus n caffine irritate the bladder as our friend has already said so avoid what you can n see if it helps


HOpe you get this sorted, it's a real ......

All the best,

[moha]

hello
what do you mean with using digital stimulation ?????/i know just chimical stimulation but i have bowel accedent!!!
can you give me some information about this??/
i am 14 years and i have compliet spinal cord injury-d8 since 18-3-2005
in september i will back to school ,but i woried of bowel accident !!!!!!!
pleas can you help me????

moha
israel

[SCTnurse]

what do you mean with using digital stimulation ?????/i know just chimical stimulation


[/quote]


Digital Stim is a practice well documented and recognised as an essential part of any bowel management plan for upper motor SCI. It involves stimulting the rectum with your digit, (finger), hence the name, Digital Rectal Stimulation, (DRS). If you are worried you need to speak to someone, part of your healthcare team if you have one. Theres loads of info on the net about DRS perhaps you could find some in yur language so that it's easier to understand. You need to be taught how to do it properly or you could injure yourself.

Good luck
Lou

[car]

Crash,
Hi, I have noticed you have listed a few topics regarding this. Everyone has been so responsive and really helpful but you have to find out what works for you and this will take time. I know it is frustrating and you want immediate results. Rehabs in the US push you out so quickly (thanks to our insurance companies) before you are ready and that is why it is soooooooo important for you to be followed by a physiatrist. You will have to look up who and where in your area where you should go. But they will follow up with you regularly and will help you and advise you. Do not just go to a general practitioner. you need a specialist. They have them in california. If you are not already seeing one you should start.