12 replies to this topic

[eman]

hi all,

I'm getting slight bleeding with manual evacuation of my bowels. I try to be gentel but I usually have to dig quiet deep with two fingers. There are may times that I wonder to myself if this seems "excessive". But then again it's the only way I can get the job done. these couple days I had to reach a little higher and stretch a little wide to get it out. the I noticed a little bit of blood(red color). I'm wondering

A) has this happened to people who are using the manual way

does two fingers(often times I'm stretching the two fingers to relax my sphincter) seems excessive?

c) I don't use any suppository because its can make my bowel lazy, but is this a better way to go?

and lastly if theres any info abiout this I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!


E

[alyssa]

there is such thing as going to far. Digging to deep can also result in building up scar tissue that can cause problems down the road.

Quote

Digital stimulation and manual evacuation may trigger autonomic dysreflexia. The first time when both procedures are performed careful attention should be given to any symptoms suggesting autonomic dysreflexia, and appropriate measures taken if needed. Manual evacuation performed forcefully in a person with impaired sensation can be associated with injury to the anal sphincters. In some patients, this may contribute to sphincter weakness. At every stage of digital stimulation, its important to use plenty of lubricant and to be gentle. Pushing or rotating the finger too roughly can irritate or tear the rectal lining. Make sure you have short nails. Both techniques should be learned under supervision and performed by well-trained people. If then performed carefully these techniques are very efficient and not dangerous.

fore more info, try here

[russ1]

Use a suppository - it's putting things in at the top that make a bowel lazy - a suppository just stimulates the bowel to move in the same way that your fingers do but in a more gentle way.

Look at your diet too - if you need a lot of effort to get things out it's often a sign there's not enough roughage (fibre) or too little fluid in your diet.

[hockeydahc]

I was told by my doc, that a BM should be the least invasive and as little work as possible. try a supp! there are other threads that offer different approaches, check those out.

[dom]

Hi two fingers sounds excessive,i use one finger and use gentle circular motions tryig to get to the back of the stool,a little bit of pressure on the stomach also works,if you use two fingers you are in anger of damaging the bowel wall and tearing a bit of the anus, because there's no felling down there does'nt mean to say it's not delicate,please be careful and seek doctors advice if this continues,take care

[eman]

I cant seem to get the stool out with 1 finger only, so i use two....How is it possible just using 1 finger?

I'm also afraid of becoming Dependant on suppositories, what do you guys think/

[alyssa]

I'd be more worried about tearing, and damaging my rectum than becoming dependant on suppositories. But thats just me...

[quad]

gentle digital stimulation always seems to work it might take some time but it sends messages
I don't use suppository
I have been using digital stimulation
for the past few years and I have not had any problems with

[Somebody]

It's too hard!

What are you eating, drinking?

I don't understand.
You're worried about getting dependant on suppossitories.
If you did, what would you do?
What you're doing now, dig stem.

In truth the suppository is better.
Once you insert it,
your muscles contract & pushes the bowel out.
Every time this muscle works on it's own it gets stronger.
The old saying, "use it or lose it!"

When you dig stem, the muscle isn't being used.
Your finger is doing the work.
That's when you have trouble.

Plus if you're bleeding you're hurting yourself!

Your bowel is hard because you''re eating wrong.

[LuckyinKentucky]

Try not to get anxious... If it seems like not gonna drop dont try to make it! relax and lighten up on your stim. often for me it takes 10 min of light stim before things even get started... oh and also i found that every other day works better for me. Happy hunting

[Kev-O]

hockeydahc, on Dec 9 2007, 06:44 PM, said:

I was told by my doc, that a BM should be the least invasive and as little work as possible. try a supp! there are other threads that offer different approaches, check those out.

Can you use a supp while sitting on the toilet? Is it as affective? the only time i used one was in rehab laying on my side with some women i never met before looking at my butt waiting for the good.

[KimAndSophie]

alyssa, on Dec 9 2007, 10:01 PM, said:

I'd be more worried about tearing, and damaging my rectum than becoming dependant on suppositories. But thats just me...

I totally agree! I was told that becoming "dependant" on suppositories is somewhat of a myth. When you think about it if you can't "go" without either using a suppositiry or digging around in there a suppository is a lot less "invasive" and will do a lot less damage. If you keep using so much force you could even get hemroids. If you get them on the outside even if you can't feel you will most likely get AD from sitting on them. You could also do a lot of damage to your insides. I think the best suppositories out there are the Magic Bullet ones. They are water based and work faster with a lot less of them. I only use half of one every two days. If you still want to use digital stimulation why not try using only one finger and if you need to then use a suppository instead of "digging" too hard. Or maybe do digital stim. one time and the next use a suppository to give yourself a bit of a "rest".

[kewlcatkez]

hi,

I agree with what is written by KimAndSophie, Russ1 and a couple of others above,

When I was a Student RN, it was suggested to us that suppositories led to dependency of the bowel on them. However, as I progressed through my training etc, I had placements and modules which were to the contrary of that.
I think that there are some Practitioners who have gotten the wrong end of the stick. Yes, there are individuals who are using suppositories and the like to control their bowel, as opposed to help regulate it. These tend to be people who are taking them without clear indication, and inappropriately.

For example, It is common for elderly people in Nursing homes to be dosed up with Stool softeners, bulking agents and then suppositories to aid them in going to the toilet on a schedule at the convenience of some of the Care homes, not necessarily the individuals themselves. In that situation, usually, the elderly person becomes dependent on the cycle ie They take something to bulk up the stool, then something to soften it and then suppositories. In many of these folks, they have no underlying Neurological condition ( other than not drinking enough water etc!) to prevent normal evacuation ( passing) of the stool. So in this type of situation, a 'man made' issue with the bowels is orchestrated and maintained.
( of course there are some elderly who have had CVAs ( strokes) and neurological incidents, but I was referring to the 'normal' elderly person, residing there b/c they are old).

In people with Paralysis/neurological incidence etc, it is appropriate to manage the bowel by using Suppositories etc to aid in the removal of stool. In this type of situation, its the most gentle way to assist and maintain the process.

Suppositories are water based and have say Glycerin in them to help the stool to slide out easier. That has got to be a lot less invasive than reaching higher and higher into the rectum.

For what its worth, I have known individuals who have perforated their bowel ( the one guy was using something meant to assist in wiping his rear, and reaching into his bowel with it), and others who had caused perfuse bleeding and abrasions etc internally by trying too hard to get stool high up out.

If the stool is high up, gentle ( gloved and lubed) one finger digital stim can be used to sweep the anus a couple of times to 'kick start' the peristaltic action of the intestines (the squishing, kneadiing action which moves waste along the intestines to the anus).

If the stool is very high up, it may be that it is because you are relatively empty and it isn't near the anus yet. However, if you are experiencing constipation and have impaction higher in the digestive tract which is sort of 'stuck', you will need to see a dr and perhaps undertake short term medication etc, to remedy this. Then you will be able to go back to your usual routine.,

I hope this helps,

K

Edited by kewlcatkez, 27 December 2007 - 11:23 AM.