[StellaLAtella]

As much as I hate to discuss this particular topic, I need to have the general concensus as that of people in a similar boat as myself. I had a visit with the G.I. doctor this week. She said my bowel program was too infrequent. I go every other day & on the days that I do, I drink a large glass of orange juice or hot tea with a fiber additive first thing in the morning. She says I need to be doing it every day. I say no, because it just takes too damned long. 2+ hours most days!! She says that if I do it every day, it will cut the time down considerably to an hour or less. Well, I've been trying this, and needless to say, I've had accidents!

Because of the spina bifida, I have no control of the bowels or bladder and cannot feel when I need to go until it's too late. Admittedly, I am a control freak and don't like change. So far, this change has not yielded a positive result for me. I know it's been just slightly less than a week, but daily accidents are so frustrating! I had read on another thread about someone going 10-12 days between!! I thought I had a good program going for myself (& my bowels ), but the doc thinks otherwise.



~Stella

[Jackiefff]

I go every other day, at the same time, it only takes me about 30-45 min... i dig stim the whole time though.. prolly not good..?
but yeah, it works good for me! and it seems alot of people go every other days or some every 3 days. i would just go back to your regular routine if it was working for ya!

[russ1]

Yep - every other day here too, that's pretty common as I understand it and certainly in line with the advice fom the spinal unit I was on. FWIW it's 30 minutes for me, suppository and one digital stim to check towards the end.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

This post has been edited by russ1: 17 August 2008 - 11:03 AM

[qbounce]

Your GI isn't in your shoes and doesn't have a F@*KING CLUE what they're talking about. I used to go EVERY day and it took about 2hrs. Now, like you I go every other day . . . and wouldn't you know, it STILL takes about 2hrs.

You weren't exactly clear as to why you approached your GI with concerns in the first place? Were you having accidents when you did your program every other day? And then, when you changed your program to every day, you CONTINUED having accidents . . . did I get that right??

If you're having accidents with either program, try not taking any stool softeners (fiber additives). Also with my personal solution, I used to have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and my doc. suggested to not drink any milk and cut out milk based products. I went to Soy Milk and just eat less cheese products, without totally cutting it out . . . that did the trick!!

Good luck

[russ1]

Much as I hate to advertise a competing forum there's a load of info here for you

http://sci.rutgers.e...ad.php?t=103952

Just out of curiosity what's a GI ?

[fastwheels]

why dont you have the ACE Procedure - Antegrade Continence Enema im having it done at the end of the month

here is the links & info for you

http://www.asbah.org/Spina+Bifida/continen...rmation/ace.htm

http://spinabifida-i.../latesttips.htm

i hope this info is any good for you

good luck

fastwheels

StellaLAtella, on Aug 17 2008, 05:54 AM, said:

As much as I hate to discuss this particular topic, I need to have the general concensus as that of people in a similar boat as myself. I had a visit with the G.I. doctor this week. She said my bowel program was too infrequent. I go every other day & on the days that I do, I drink a large glass of orange juice or hot tea with a fiber additive first thing in the morning. She says I need to be doing it every day. I say no, because it just takes too damned long. 2+ hours most days!! She says that if I do it every day, it will cut the time down considerably to an hour or less. Well, I've been trying this, and needless to say, I've had accidents!

Because of the spina bifida, I have no control of the bowels or bladder and cannot feel when I need to go until it's too late. Admittedly, I am a control freak and don't like change. So far, this change has not yielded a positive result for me. I know it's been just slightly less than a week, but daily accidents are so frustrating! I had read on another thread about someone going 10-12 days between!! I thought I had a good program going for myself (& my bowels ), but the doc thinks otherwise.



~Stella

[Bobo1974]

For 9 years I did mine every single day. I just recently switched to every other. I didn't have any problem switching. I was nervous about having accidents during the day and all my drs said it was a bad idea. But, now I have a better routine and no accidents. I would do what you feel most comfortable with. You know your body better than anyone

[lune14]

russ1, on Aug 17 2008, 08:56 AM, said:

Just out of curiosity what's a GI ?

GI = Gastro intestinal doctor
or....
Rectal professional

[StellaLAtella]

Thanks for the info everyone! The GI was a GastroInterologist. She was very knowledgeable and helpful, but as a couple of you pointed out, nobody knows my body more than me. I have decided to do as I had originally been doing for years and that is the every other day program. It's been working fine.

The reason I went to see her is that it had been YEARS since I'd been to the GI doctor and a few weeks ago, I had a big scare. After following the normal routine I do for my morning bowel program...after taking in the normal amount of water in the enema.....nothing came back out. I had awful pain and no matter how much I tried with massaging my belly or digital stimulation, NOTHING came back out. Till seven hours later when I was sure I was dying! I first thought I had a blockage, but because I had not been to the GI in so long, I thought it was as good a time as any.

She recommends though that I come in for a proceedure (can't recall the exact name, but it's a contrasting enema of sorts). I told them I would call in at a later date to schedule that one. I think I've had enough rectal adventures for a while. The thought of my butt up in the air ...................I'd better stop here!
~Stella

[gmatthews]

I had cauda equina syndrome in 06 and had to use supposetries and digital manipulation but this left me with a hernia. I now use something called peristeen anal irrigation and its helped me no end. its like a cheap colonic! it's difficult getting used to the different feelings( i never know when I'm full) but this helps you know you are clearing yourself out. I thinks its available in all countries now so look it up.

[quadc5]

I want to know what kind of suppository you people use. I use magic bullet it works 15-45 min. Every other day never had an acident. When i use to use dulcelax suppository the suppository didnt always come out the same day thats why i switched.

[Murray]

Stella, et. al. -

Ditto on the hassles with medical "professionals" not knowing "S..T" about our bodies. Guess ya' can't blame 'em, except when they claim all knowledge and push their diagnosis/treatment. Purdy much gotta play it by ear.

I've been having some difficulty with my bowel program lately as well. First time in four years. Ordinarily do the program every other day. Been workin' fine. A few weeks back somethin' went haywire ... nothin' for four days. Got bloated, went to the ER, was given some kind of enema with only marginal results and sent on my way. Nine days later I was back in the ER. Drank a gallon of something called NuLitely. Holy S..T! Total clean out. Small and large intestines. Next few days I had squirts; wore a diaper all day and night. That settled out but my bowel program hasn't been working. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, take Senna (mild stool softener), drink water like a fish, but I'm still getting backed up. Nothing for nine days again.

Anybody out there with a neurogenic bowel/bladder at around T6 incomplete - T11 complete? And having this sort of problem?

Thanks

[Apparelyzed]

StellaLAtella, on Aug 23 2008, 04:20 AM, said:

After following the normal routine I do for my morning bowel program...after taking in the normal amount of water in the enema.....nothing came back out. I had awful pain and no matter how much I tried with massaging my belly or digital stimulation, NOTHING came back out. Till seven hours later when I was sure I was dying! I first thought I had a blockage, but because I had not been to the GI in so long, I thought it was as good a time as any.

If this was a one-off, then I'd say "wait until it happens again"!

To suggest a procedure due to a one off occurance is a bit premature. If you don't get a bowel result after three bowel routines, then you may need to go in for a dose of Picolax to get thing "moving".

The most common reasons for not having a result from your bowel routine could be due to dehydration, diet or medication.

Best regards

Simon