Problems with bowel routine, magic bullets not always working.

[Quadzila@optonline.net]

In addition to the pressure sore I posted about earlier, I'm also having problems w/ my bowels. I do my bowel routine everyday where I use 2 Magic Bullet suppositories, the whole routine lasts me approximately 3 hours and I have to do lie on my right side in order to do the routine independently. Problem is, I don't always get good results w/ the Magic Bullet suppository even though I take 3 doses (2 rounded tablespoon) of Metamucil a day (2 of those doses are mixed w/two 1/4 doses of Miralax powder). I sometimes have to use the suppository inserter to stimulate my bowels in order to have a BM. This problem started happening much more frequently during the past couple of months. Anyone else in the group experience this w/ the Magic Bullets? Where they don't always work right away? I used to get results 90% of the time I used the Magic Bullets, approximately 30 mins. after inserting them. Not So Much Anymore.

I'm wondering if it's because the magic bullets aren't as strong as the used to be or because of my worsening SCI (I have a tethered cord). Because my bowel routine has gotten much more difficult lately & because of the pressure sore (mentioned in earlier post), I'm thinking of doing the routine every other day instead of every day. FYI, I do it everyday to prevent bowel accidents. It's been many years since I've had an accident but I'm still very reluctant to switch to an every-other-day schedule. How often do you all do your bowel routine, every day or every other day? More? If you use magic bullets, have you noticed they haven't been working as well lately?

Also, to make the bowel routine less of a hassle, and to switch to a every other day schedule, I was thinking of drinking a meal replacement drink such as Ensure Plus for my dinner rather than the wrap sandwich I usually have. Anyone else in the group use meal replacement drink? Are there any you can recommend?

Any other advice you can give on how to make the bowel routine easier? FYI, my current diet is listed below. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

morning snack@8 AM: half sliced apple, 2-3 dried prunes & half cup dry Cheerios.
Breakfast@11 AM: 2 frozen waffles or pancakes w/2 breakfast sausage. 1 cup coffee.
Lunch@noon: 12 oz cup of water w/2 tblspns of Metamucil.
Also, late afternoon snack of oatmeal cookie or a few bites of ice cream.
Dinner,@5 PM: Wrap sandwich of salami & cheese w/mustard or turkey breast & cheese along w/a side of baked beans, sweet peas or some canned vegetable.

Dan G.

[SCI-Nurse]

There can be changes in bowels and is not unusual. Do not change to every other day. I don't prescribe any bulk laxative such as Metamucil unless your bowels are loose because of the need for high intake of water and majority have slow transit time which results in a harder stool. I would continue using the Miralax and you might consider using Enemeez ( mini-enema) instead of the Magic Bullet. It is 5 mls. ( 1 tsp) of a more natural product. It does not cause chemical irritation which is how the Magic Bullet works. You can get free samples by contacting Enemeez on website www.enemeez.com.Some say it works so much faster than the magic bullet. And of course make sure you drinking enough water and fiber in diet.

CWO

[SCI-Nurse]

Keep skin on apple? Apple is good but with the skin on even better fiber- just like potatoes. I would recommend some green on your sandwich- Dark green lettuce, if possible or a variety of lettuce, or fresh spinach. Cabbage slaw is a substitution but may cause gas. I love a couple of leaves of fresh spinach on my salami and cheese sandwich with mustard of course. I also like spinach on pizza. And I hate(d ) spinach.
CWO

[JeffH]

In the past couple of years I've added lots of nuts to my diet and it has helped my BP tremendously.

I now buy several trail mixes from Costco (lots cheaper) as well as different types of nuts.

Peanuts work well
Walnuts almost work too well so i've learned to limit them somewhat.

I went from a 4-5 day frequency to every other day or two.

Jeff

[KyleP2112]

I definitely need help improving my bowel routine which at the moment is not going well. I need to improve this aspect of my life because this will be my 26 year of having a spinal cord injury so problems will start to catch up to me.

Quadzilla I used the magic bullet a lot a while back but found that the enemeez seems to work much better at least for me. I like seeing that you have apples every day I need to start doing that again to help with my bowel movements.

I do the bowel program every third day, use enemeez and that usually takes two hours or so depending on the day. I also take two Colace a day but I’m thinking I should increase because I didn’t poop any during the last scheduled time. I usually do a cup of MiraLAX the night before a movement which does seem to help but I’d like to stay away from laxatives.

what would be the best approach to having a bowel movement every other day?

[SCI-Nurse]

I would suggest that you "start over" - in some aspects. Start with keeping a bowel diary. Write down what you eat, when, how much you drink, meds you take and when and then the specifics of the bowel program. Do this for about a week. Then, start with changing one thing - if you notice that you need more fiber in your diet, add that and see what happens over the next two or three days. Keep in mind your ultimate goal and make sure that the changes you make are pushing you in that direction.

Let me know if you need more information or if this is enough to get you started (no pun intended).

ckf

[NW-Will]

I started using the Enemeez a month ago, really easy to get the free sample. Would definitely recommend giving the Enemeez a try, I'm totally converted at this point.

[Tim C.]

One free sample does not a bowel program make

[NW-Will]

They send out 10. if you can't figure if it works for you after 10, I'm pretty sure they'll be happy to send you another 10.

One free sample does not a bowel program make

[SCI-Nurse]

I recommend trying Enemeez. Get samples by contacting www.Enemeez.com. Every day-gave to clear stool in the rectum first so it will be absorbed. It is not a chemical irritant abd you won’t have mucus. CWO.

[chairDroid]

I started using the Enemeez a month ago, really easy to get the free sample. Would definitely recommend giving the Enemeez a try, I'm totally converted at this point.

I'm also looking into Enemeez - C5 complete quad here. Can you elaborate on why you feel it is better than Magic Bullet?

[badjefft]

I'm a C6. How do you squeeze the tube?

[vjls]

ok this is a bit odd nuts.com get a bag of the diet carmel corn you will go it even says on the back caution. lol is it true 1 cup wow i gave to my ab friends less than 1 hr they were in bathroom

[SCI-Nurse]

The artificial sweetener maltose is notorious for causing diarrhea when eaten in large amounts. Likely to cause a bowel accident in someone with SCI. (KLD)

[Hawk]

same problem but have gastroparesis so can't have a high fiber diet what should I do?

[SCI-Nurse]

Are you on medication (like Reglan) for your gastroparesis? Do you stand daily? The latter can increase your rate of peristalsis and improve bowel function in many with SCI.

(KLD)

[SCI-Nurse]

While you can't add a lot of fiber, you can try to increase your activity level and increase fluids. Also stay away from constipation causing foods. ee if addng a cup of something warm before your bowel program helps - it doesn' t have to be coffee - may also help a little.
ckf