[silver]

I have been fortunate enough to walk after crushing T12 and my cord in an accident. I may be able to walk, but bowel and bladder are still major problems in everyday life. I think being in an upright position may exacerbate my bowel problems, gravity being the culprit. Consistant bowel programs and diet have not been enough so I am now looking into surgical solutions that may provide relief from constant bowel problems. Is there such a procedure? Any advice or direction would be appreciated.

[alyssa]

a colostomy was the first thing that came to mind. I would think that would be a last resort though.

[Susi]

Hi Silver, sorry you are having a tough time of it. I also for many years had plenty of 'accidents' with my bowel, and also went through many trials. However I did not try suggested diet as posted for quads and paras on the nutrition forum

Before that though my Dr. put me on a maintenance programme, where I drink a 250ml solution to relieve constipation, and then follow up w. 2 suppositories. This has worked wonders for me, with no 'accidents' following morning routine. However I still have a bloated stomach and this is a dietary issue. So now i will follow said nutrition guidelines as set out for us and see if it works, which I am sure it will.

Going for an op,i.e. colostomy, for me, is a last and drastic resort. I was given this option as well, but decided against inversive surgery as this brings with it other problems. I would seriously find other means to overcome this before surgery.

Good luck!

[Kev-O]

silver, on Sep 17 2007, 04:10 AM, said:

I have been fortunate enough to walk after crushing T12 and my cord in an accident. I may be able to walk, but bowel and bladder are still major problems in everyday life. I think being in an upright position may exacerbate my bowel problems, gravity being the culprit. Consistant bowel programs and diet have not been enough so I am now looking into surgical solutions that may provide relief from constant bowel problems. Is there such a procedure? Any advice or direction would be appreciated.

you mean like a mechanical butt hole? I have always wonderd why we can put some one on the moon but we cant find a way for us to use the bathroom like everyone else.

[silver]

I have seen several doctors since posting this thread. A colostomy seems like a good solution. I do not see any major draw backs, my quality of life would be much better. Does anyone have one, what is it like? Have you had problems?

[hockeydahc]

not to stray... I laughed out loud to your mechanical butt hole comment, Kev. I just imagined something similar to the opening sequence of Robot Chicken.

if it can be tweaked right, you could build pressure, flip a switch, and shoot the poop right out and be done in seconds! HAHAHA i forsee a lot of busted toilets.

as for on-topic comments... i hope whatever you decide eases your stress, silver. i would never have imagined someone eager to get a colostomy, but if it brings peace...

[percepied]

You might look at Antegrade Colonic Enema (ACE) as an alternative.

Are you sure bulking agents like Fibercon or Metamucil won't help with the bowel issues?

[edlee]

Having had two relatives with colostomies, let me emphasize that speaking to someone who has lived with the procedure for an extended period is paramount.

Both of their opinions, to me, have been quite negative. One's statement to me was," Nothing short of the need to remove the lower intestine would be a good enough reason."

But that was his opinion, and he is not sci. I have some problems, myself, at three years an counting, but don't foresee myself going under the knife unless things get DRASTICLY worse.
ed