problems with bowels

[nicko]

Hi I have a horrible problem that has occured,for the record I am t4/5 complete,my problem started about 5 weeks ago with the dreaded diarrhoea,and soling my bed(really orrid) then that cleared up but now I am left with at any given time I can just evacuate my bowels,fortunately this hasn't happened anywhere else than at home,but I go to the gym several times a week and its really stressing me out,does any one have a similar problem and what have you done,I have changed ..stopped..and altered everything I normally eat and do,but no joy,my doctor said he will send me for a scan but that can take months......any help would be great...thank you.. Nick

[Andy]

Hi Nicko

welcome to the forum,

hopefully someone here will have an answer for you, usually its diet, change of medication/routine related but it seems you have ruled that out already?

regards

Andy

[Amy]

Hi Nicko

I'm not sure that this will help you, but I'll try.  I am a new T6 incomplete (I also have disc changes at C5,6 and a herniated, torn disc at L4).  The accident happened this past August, but only recently (about the past month or so) I have been having bowel changes.  Occasionally, I have explosive diahhrea...not very pleasant at all, and quite embarassing...but that seems to have resolved.  I'm thinking stress and a really poor diet (like not really eating much) had a lot to do with that.  Now, when I have to have a bowel movement, there's NO waiting...when I have one, it's soft and no effort is needed on my part to evacuate.  Just when I think I've taken care of that for the day....HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!  same thing.  Then it calms down for a little while, but I end up using the restroom at least 4 times a day. Prior to my injury, I was so regular, I could time it!!!  Once a day, over and done with!  Here's what I do (because I have the liberty to do it).  I don't plan on going anywhere till the "morning rush" is over.  Then, if I do plan on going out, I make sure I know where the restrooms are and that I will be able to get to them rather quickly.  I am able to walk, with the aid of a cane, so it is probably easier for me.  I try to eat regularly and healthy...yup, a lot of fiber and I try to keep my stress level down.  That means not stressing about my bathroom needs too.  I've sort of learned to accept this for what it is, thank goodness I have friends who understand and we find ourselves kind of laughing about it sometimes.....I hope this helps a little.  Stress does so much to our bodies that we are rarely aware of.  Take a deep breath, it'll be ok.  I'm not a proponent of meds, but perhaps there is something that your doc can suggest???

[nicko]

Thank you,my problem is that even though I would know where the toilets are I wouldn't know when it was going to happen,I had my injury six years ago and in that time I have learned a lot about bladder and bowels,I think something must be going on inside of me because I am sweating frequently above my break.Up to this happening I have been as regular as clockwork every morning without any problems.

[Amy]

Hey Nicko...

I guess I didn't realize you have no warning.  I get a reallly sharp pain that shoots down my legs...that's my warning.  I'm starting to learn a lot about thing I really never thought about before....and quite frankly, didn't really want to!  I hope you talk with your doc about the things that are going on....sometimes you need to be very persistant with them, and if they aren't responding in a manner that suits you, then change docs!!  You are in control of your health, not anyone else....they're there to help you (at least that's the way I see it).

Have a great day,

Amy