27 replies to this topic

[annec478]

hi. i wanted to introduce myself. i've been a "member" since jan but have just been hanging around listening to everyone. i feel like i know everyone already. my 1 yr anniversary is coming up june 19th. that's sorta buming me out right now.

anywho. question. are there any quads out there that do their own bowel care? and how? (getting the enema in) i use the enemeez, and can't squeeze them. they work so well though. i go everyday, rarely i'll skip a day.

sadly, i can't count on my aid. i thought i found a great one.

i've finally learned how to cath myself. now i just have to figure out the other.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

[Quad65]

Welcome to the forum! Hope we can offer some support and encouragement. As a C5-C6 incomplete, I've never been able to do my own bowel care. I've always required help. I'm sure it would be quite an accomplishment for you and give you a greater sense of independence.

From what I've learned here, even paras sometimes have a difficult time doing it with full hand/arm control. I think it's primarily a balance and finger dexterity issue. I have seen devices that help insert a suppository. Don't know about enema help, though.

[eleanorigby]

Hihi and welcome. I'm pretty new too, only found these forums maybe a month or so ago but I already love them. So much information and it means so much to talk to people who have a real understanding of my POV. I'm a c6-c7 quad, was injured in August 1997, so my 11 year anniversary is coming up. The first few times that day rolls around hit you hard, but to be honest, I tend to forget it now and a few days later I'll look back and realize, hey, that was my injury anniversary!

Anyway, back to the question at hand. I've been doing my own bowl program for a while now. It took me a long time to realize I could. I also use enemeez, but I can squeeze them. My left hand has a very strong grip fortunately. After the enemeez I do digit stimulation but I can't use my fingers so I use my thumb. I'm lucky to have a very long, slender thumb, lol. I use a regular commode chair and that's it. It might require some experimenting before you figure out a system that works. I only learned to do it because my carer aka mom was going out of town for a week and I refused to have a nurse come in and help me. I can be very stubborn and determined.

If you ever need any cheering up or just want to talk, send me a message! I know how hard those first few years can be, but I can tell you with all honesty, it does get better.

[annec478]

hi and thanks. it's good to know there is hope for these things. i usually figure things out when i'm by myself and have to. necessity is the mother of invention right?
i'd love to keep in touch. it's nice to have someone who knows what you're going through. not just someone who feels sorry for you. i hate that.

[allis53ca]

and this, is why i got my colostomy...i am so glad i know nothing about the extreme difficulty of achieving solo bp....i'm so not envious of those who are chained to a pca n a finger..its just not right

[eleanorigby]

annec478, on Jun 4 2008, 11:42 AM, said:

hi and thanks. it's good to know there is hope for these things. i usually figure things out when i'm by myself and have to. necessity is the mother of invention right?
i'd love to keep in touch. it's nice to have someone who knows what you're going through. not just someone who feels sorry for you. i hate that.

Necessity is my best friend. I come up with all sorts of dumb/brilliant things in the face of necessity. Please do keep in touch. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to message me. I don't know all of course, but I've been a quad for awhile now so I've seen quite a bit. If you don't mind me asking, how were you injured?

[qbounce]

Hi anne,
I'm still working on mine too.

I have a hand held digital stimulation device and insertion device for the suppository (2 separate things). I'm getting better, and pretty soon won't need a carer for anything . . . except to change lightbulbs-lol

2 1/2 years post has put me a little behind the ''do it yourself'' schedule bc of pressure sores. Funny how as kids we learn to do this stuff first, but as SCI's it's last!! . . . just an observation.

[annec478]

i was in a diving accident. i was at a co-workers house for a pool party, it was dark and the way the pool was shaped, i thought i was diving in the deep end. ooops. i don't like telling people that because i've had people call me stupid. i should have known better. blah blah.

gbounce, do those devices work? i've seen them in catalogues. that would be a great option. i really want to be able to do these things by myself.

[E-DOG]

annec478, on Jun 3 2008, 05:54 AM, said:

i use the enemeez, and can't squeeze them. they work so well though. i go everyday, rarely i'll skip a day.

Enemeez to the left, enemeez to the right. I'm surrounded by enemeez and I'm out of silver bullets.
What do I do?
Unhook my legbag and toss it like a grenade!
From the halls of Montezuma, E-dog's gone even further over the edge.
sorry, one time thing, won't happen again,
E

[Ian D]

Enemas to the left of me
Enemas to the right,
Here I am stuck in the middle with poo

Sorry !
Ian

[E-DOG]

Ian D, on Jun 5 2008, 11:34 PM, said:

Enemas to the left of me
Enemas to the right,
Here I am stuck in the middle with poo

Sorry !
Ian

I do believe my idiocy is rubbing off on the others here.
Let's get serious here people. No muckin' about, straighten up, fly right.
You know what the boss sez.................
E

[eleanorigby]

annec478, on Jun 5 2008, 01:26 PM, said:

i was in a diving accident. i was at a co-workers house for a pool party, it was dark and the way the pool was shaped, i thought i was diving in the deep end. ooops. i don't like telling people that because i've had people call me stupid. i should have known better. blah blah.

gbounce, do those devices work? i've seen them in catalogues. that would be a great option. i really want to be able to do these things by myself.

That's so funny! Not funny haha, just a strange coincidence because I was injured in a diving accident too. Mine is far stupider than yours I bet. I was a swimmer and I was practicing my racing dives which you do in about 4 feet of water, but two things distracted me that night: bugs and boys. I was trying to show off (for the boys, not the bugs) and there were a lot of bugs in the pool so I was trying to dive over them. Suffice it to say, it ended badly but I was rescued by a very handsome boy! So in a way, I achieved my goal, lol. Such bad jokes. Anyway, how many times has everyone done stupid things they should have known better than to do, you just got caught out on yours.

[annec478]

it just gets better. i was a competitive swimmer for 10 years! breaststroke, i was 8th in state my senior year in high school. that makes it even more frustrating, i know how to shallow dive. you're right, all the stupid things.
e-dog you crack me up. thanks

[eleanorigby]

annec478, on Jun 7 2008, 06:46 PM, said:

it just gets better. i was a competitive swimmer for 10 years! breaststroke, i was 8th in state my senior year in high school. that makes it even more frustrating, i know how to shallow dive. you're right, all the stupid things.
e-dog you crack me up. thanks

No way! Too crazy. I was backstroke and butterfly. I was 3rd in backstroke in my state division (I was only 13 at the time, so not as fierce competition) and 7th in butterfly. I was terrible at breaststroke, however! Breaststroke requires such a refined technique, I would always kick the top of the water or something. I liked the strokes that required major strength (and splashing, lol). I knew how to shallow dive too, but like I said, I miscalculated and I am also very tall which made shallow diving a little difficult. There was too much of me! Have you tried swimming again since the accident? I tried it right after mine and it was horrible, I was too traumatized, but I've been getting back in the water recently and I really enjoy it. It's weird to not be able to swim properly though. I just want to jump back in and be able to swim like I used too, but there's no chance of that. It's still fun and great exercise though.

[dolly]

eleanorigby, on Jun 9 2008, 02:26 AM, said:

annec478, on Jun 7 2008, 06:46 PM, said:

it just gets better. i was a competitive swimmer for 10 years! breaststroke, i was 8th in state my senior year in high school. that makes it even more frustrating, i know how to shallow dive. you're right, all the stupid things.
e-dog you crack me up. thanks

No way! Too crazy. I was backstroke and butterfly. I was 3rd in backstroke in my state division (I was only 13 at the time, so not as fierce competition) and 7th in butterfly. I was terrible at breaststroke, however! Breaststroke requires such a refined technique, I would always kick the top of the water or something. I liked the strokes that required major strength (and splashing, lol). I knew how to shallow dive too, but like I said, I miscalculated and I am also very tall which made shallow diving a little difficult. There was too much of me! Have you tried swimming again since the accident? I tried it right after mine and it was horrible, I was too traumatized, but I've been getting back in the water recently and I really enjoy it. It's weird to not be able to swim properly though. I just want to jump back in and be able to swim like I used too, but there's no chance of that. It's still fun and great exercise though.

Hey I was just reading your posts and my injury was very similar!! I had a diving accident 18 months ago, I was also a very strong swimmer and was shallow diving, now c6 incomplete. I have worked really hard to do everything for myself and can do all but would really like some tips on my bowel care. At the momment I have help every other day works well, never had an accident but it would be amazing if i could do it all myself, this is the last thing to learn!! I also travel alot and would love not to take someone just to help for 40mins every other day. im very independant and just started wheelchair rugby its awsome!! cheers

Dolly

Edited by dolly, 10 June 2008 - 05:09 PM.

[eleanorigby]

Lol, we should start our own club. The shallow divers or something. Dolly I will send you a private message on the other stuff you said.

[dolly]

eleanorigby, on Jun 11 2008, 01:16 AM, said:

Lol, we should start our own club. The shallow divers or something. Dolly I will send you a private message on the other stuff you said.

Thanks eleanorigby that would be great

[qbounce]

annec478, on Jun 5 2008, 01:26 PM, said:

i was in a diving accident. i was at a co-workers house for a pool party, it was dark and the way the pool was shaped, i thought i was diving in the deep end. ooops. i don't like telling people that because i've had people call me stupid. i should have known better. blah blah.

gbounce, do those devices work? i've seen them in catalogues. that would be a great option. i really want to be able to do these things by myself.

Anne,
Sorry it took soooo long to reply,

Yes, those devices really work, with patience and a try-and-try-again attitude. Nuthin's easy the first time out anymore though, right?

And, I was a diver/waterpolo swimmer in high school . . . that's what got me into MY mess, a back flip gone VERY wrong in a bounce house--hence the name q(quad)bounce(bounce house)

A Diving club member

[annec478]

i have thought about trying to swim again but i haven't yet. i don't kno how i'll feel about it. i don't think i'll be upset but you never no. that's great that you've been able to swim again.

dolly, that's awesome you're playing rugby. i honestly think i'd be too scared. but what have you got to loose right?

i know how you feel about the bowel care. i could be almost completely independent if i could do that. i want to go on vacation this summer too.

side question....... how do you deal with the heat? yesterday it was 98 here, very hot for anyone. but i was outside for not even 10 mins and i started getting light headed, dizzy, headache,
?dysreflexic?(sp). i want to go to the beach but not if i get like that.

[annec478]

qbounce, thanks. anything is worth a try.

count me in

we'll have to have regular meetings!

[dolly]

annec478, on Jun 11 2008, 05:33 PM, said:

i have thought about trying to swim again but i haven't yet. i don't kno how i'll feel about it. i don't think i'll be upset but you never no. that's great that you've been able to swim again.

dolly, that's awesome you're playing rugby. i honestly think i'd be too scared. but what have you got to loose right?

i know how you feel about the bowel care. i could be almost completely independent if i could do that. i want to go on vacation this summer too.

side question....... how do you deal with the heat? yesterday it was 98 here, very hot for anyone. but i was outside for not even 10 mins and i started getting light headed, dizzy, headache,
?dysreflexic?(sp). i want to go to the beach but not if i get like that.

hey annec478

rugby is awsome you should deffo give it a try, i also am wheelchair racing but i find rugby better for our level of injury as we all learn from each other!!

same i am 95% independant now even hve my car and go training on my own everything is getting loads easyier just damn bowel care to go haha

im not sure y but i dont suffer to much in the heat, i can stay in the sun for bout an hour then need some shade, but i drink more and carry "magicool" around to spray my face with its a cold misty spray. also if u do get hot if i put a cold flannel or icepack wrapped in cloth on the back of my neck it works really fast to cool me down.

i love going to the beach, ive been to a few with wooden slates tht u just role down wich was gd and i hoped on a sun lounger, but if there is just sand i take large cardboard boxes and my mates put them down infront of me lol:) But they like throwing my in the sea hehe

dolly

[eleanorigby]

I live in Arizona which, if you know your geography, is a desert, so I have to deal with heat a lot. In the summer, the daily temp is somewhere around 110. But just remember, it's a dry heat! Sorry, that was a bit of an inside joke I had with an ex-boy. I can overheat easily because I don't sweat normally. I make sure I always have plenty of cold water with me as well as a snack to give me a little energy boost if I need it. You might also try icepacks. Get one of those eyemasks, freeze it, then take it to the beach with you in a little lunchbox/cooler along with some water, then put it on your eyes, neck, forehead, ect. It does help a lot. Honestly, it might just take some time for your body to adjust to heat again. After my accident, I used to get dizzy and light headed in the heat too, but now I'm much more tolerant of it. Of course, in Az, we just don't go out in the day and that solves the problem fantastically, lol. I'm not even joking, no one here will go out in the day during summer unless they have too. By July, it's even scorching at night.

Dolly, you sound so outgoing! Your friends just toss you in the ocean, lol.

[dolly]

eleanorigby, on Jun 11 2008, 11:54 PM, said:

I live in Arizona which, if you know your geography, is a desert, so I have to deal with heat a lot. In the summer, the daily temp is somewhere around 110. But just remember, it's a dry heat! Sorry, that was a bit of an inside joke I had with an ex-boy. I can overheat easily because I don't sweat normally. I make sure I always have plenty of cold water with me as well as a snack to give me a little energy boost if I need it. You might also try icepacks. Get one of those eyemasks, freeze it, then take it to the beach with you in a little lunchbox/cooler along with some water, then put it on your eyes, neck, forehead, ect. It does help a lot. Honestly, it might just take some time for your body to adjust to heat again. After my accident, I used to get dizzy and light headed in the heat too, but now I'm much more tolerant of it. Of course, in Az, we just don't go out in the day and that solves the problem fantastically, lol. I'm not even joking, no one here will go out in the day during summer unless they have too. By July, it's even scorching at night.

Dolly, you sound so outgoing! Your friends just toss you in the ocean, lol.

yeah my friends are crazy, we do all sorts of things and they just give me a piggy back!! i dont weigh much atall so its easy lol

[wheelz99]

i'm C-6/7 and have been doing my own BMs for years. it happened by necessity one night and from then on i've perfected it. i had a splint for my index finger made by cutting it out of the holders that some medium sized syringes come in. it keeps my finger straight and i wear a rubber glove over it.

i use the magic bullet suppository and get on my shower chair over the toilet. then all i have to do is wait about 45 minutes and then do maybe 4-5 stimulations at 10 minute intervals. i hook my left arm under the chair's handle and lean over to the right and i can reach underneath from the side. never could see how anyone goes under from the front.

[annec478]

thanks, that sounds like a great idea. i'll have to make something myself.

[dolly]

wheelz99, on Jun 20 2008, 05:00 PM, said:

i'm C-6/7 and have been doing my own BMs for years. it happened by necessity one night and from then on i've perfected it. i had a splint for my index finger made by cutting it out of the holders that some medium sized syringes come in. it keeps my finger straight and i wear a rubber glove over it.

i use the magic bullet suppository and get on my shower chair over the toilet. then all i have to do is wait about 45 minutes and then do maybe 4-5 stimulations at 10 minute intervals. i hook my left arm under the chair's handle and lean over to the right and i can reach underneath from the side. never could see how anyone goes under from the front.

Hey
yeah thanks thts a really good idea, I think im gonna have to get brave and try these things lol

[xxm]

annec478, on Jun 3 2008, 12:54 PM, said:

hi. i wanted to introduce myself. i've been a "member" since jan but have just been hanging around listening to everyone. i feel like i know everyone already. my 1 yr anniversary is coming up june 19th. that's sorta buming me out right now.

anywho. question. are there any quads out there that do their own bowel care? and how? (getting the enema in) i use the enemeez, and can't squeeze them. they work so well though. i go everyday, rarely i'll skip a day.

sadly, i can't count on my aid. i thought i found a great one.

i've finally learned how to cath myself. now i just have to figure out the other.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

I’ve been a C6 complete for 35 years and from the very beginning I do my BP without any assistance. I do digital stimulation with my right thumb sitting on a commode without hand rests. I’ve tried the peristeen irrigation system, but I gave it up because I needed help to insert the rectal cath and I don’t want to loose my independence. For this reason I also gave up suppositories. Wish you success.

Rudy

[ghoster123]

hi all,
i have been doing my own bowel care for years, i'm a c5-6, i use a suppository inserter and aralax the uk version of magic bullet, 10-15 mins im finished, reckon you could do the same with a little practice, try out a mirror tile on the floor while you practice, hope this helps.
ghoster123