Constipation

[Chris123]

Hey everybody,

I have been in a wheelchair (a T3 paraplegic) for nearly two years now and recently I have had a lot of bowl trouble.

I basically find it hard to pass excrement and have been suffering from constipation.

I was just wondering if anybody could could offer up any tips or medication for relief as it is becoming quite a pain (in more ways than one  )

I look forward to hearing from you all

Many thanks.

Chris.

[Gary Anderson]

Chris

My cure is bran flakes, prunes, liquiorice allsorts - all normally work with me.

[grego]

Fiber, Fiber, and more Fiber!!!

Apricots work well for me.

[chrisarnold]

Chris,

Thought I'd just cracked it. Settled now, but only 2 years in a chair! Liquiorice is great but I think it may raise blood pressure, (if that's an issue for you).

Fruit and fibre is great, but exercise also helps. An upper body workout is good, though not as effective as walking - where I think many bowel problems for the paralysed begin.

[Jane]

My daughter Phoebe (now aged 12 and C1-C3 complete) uses Movicol powder - prescribed by doctor.  1 sachet twice a day.  It keeps everything nice and soft so that there is less chance of constipation preventing her bladder emptying.  She has been on it for 5 years now and says it doesn't taste too bad.  She also has plenty of fruit and veg in her diet and has porridge for breakfast.

Hope this helps 

[ghoster]

hi jane,
drink plenty of water, if you are taking movicol drink extra liquids.
make sure you are not impacted, easy to tell by stool colour and type (bristol stool chart 4, you can find a stool chart on the net).
eat plain foods for 2 weeks to see if it settles down.
what are you using in the other end, if you are using just glycerin you may need a stimulant suppository like Aralax which has bisacodyl in it.
normally with constipation its not enough liquids, not enough fibre and fruit.
ghoster