Help?! Regarding bowel problems following TBI

[wifeofsurvivor]

Hi,

My husband had a TBI on 26.12.17 following a fall ( he was pronounced brain stem dead but 12 hours later moved his foot) He has left sided weakness & is not able to walk unaided ( at present) BUT the most distressing issue for him is his inability to pass a bowel movement without a suppository. I've searched everywhere but there's no advice on this issue, he has seen a consultant who has said there's no physical reason why he can't, he's also under the local hospital nurse but still no-one is able to really provide any clear advice /help. Is/Has anyone out there had/having similar problems, I would really really appreciate any advice

Thank you in advance

[Hidden]

I can't really help as this is not a problem we have had, but a nephew had a stroke and he is now unable to have a bowel movement without a suppository. He is unable to walk and I think lack of exercise does not help - this might be part of your husband's problem too.

[cat3]

It's (as exhausedwife says) probably a result of your husband's long term sedentary situation where the normal transit of food is inhibited by inactivity. And certain drugs can be cause chronic constipation. Owing to my use of antidepressants I need Senna tablets every other day and some other meds have the same effect.

I hope your man will regain more mobility in time and, by doing so, find relief from this uncomfortable issue. Cat x

[steve55]

prunes......they work a treat, theyll have him moving in no time at all and orange juice.

also, if he feels as if he wants to go, get him on the toilet with a drink and get him to move his legs backwards and forwards, increases the movement of peristalsis........and away he blows....

[wifeofsurvivor in reply to steve55]

Tried the prunes- no joy at all, unfortunately he has left sided weakness so moving his legs fully isn't an option presently....thanks for the suggestion tho!

[Lemon-trees in reply to wifeofsurvivor]

Try Senegal gum mixed in water . Flushes out daily! Senokat can create constipation in dome I heard.

[steve55]

is your husband having physio? or do you you have any sort of help?

[wifeofsurvivor in reply to steve55]

Yes, he's still got an out patient package, but that ends in May- luckily we are able to continue with physio & hydro once a week after that, we don't have any help at present, he's had enough of stranrs coming in, but I think we'll have to as I'm worried about how we would cope if anything happened to me , are you a ' survivor'?

[steve55 in reply to wifeofsurvivor]

yes. i have weakness down my left side, a brain injury as a result, which has left me with a speech impediment ( i swear continuously, except when i write or type because i have to concentrate hard ), i have epilepsy, adhd, and a behaviour problem, im rude, dislike strangers crowds and im noise intolerant, my memory has got worse in the 7 years since my stroke.

ive been going to headways, they do a monthly group, which i enjoy, my wife comes with me, she s a darling, she s put up with a lot from me, but shes found if she strokes my wrist it keeps me calm and stops me from becoming aggressive, which obviously if shes out and someones annoying me i let go.

[DandD2]

My husband became reliant on suppositories but our GP gave good advice. He said to stop using them! He said increase the amount of laxatives each day until he goes and then use the same amount every day. It was difficult to not reach for the suppositories and just wait it out at first. And there were times when they were needed early on. I'd say it took about a month to settle down. And now I wouldn't think of using them. My husband has IBS and increasing his fibre intake was triggering flare ups. The advice to eat prunes (plums,apples, OJ) etc is good - unless you have IBS as the sorbitol they naturally contain can be a big trigger. Strong coffee stimulates the bowel too. The other point is to increase fluid intake. My husband is advised to have 3 litres by the dietician based on weight and possibly height too. Slower bowel transit (due to immobility, meds etc) causes stool to dry out and thus can lead to constipation. So you need more fluid to counteract that especially when using laxatives which will draw water into the stool. The dietician also recommended taking ground linseed as a good source of fibre though to be honest it was getting the right amount of laxative and taking it daily that was the key.

[wifeofsurvivor in reply to DandD2]

Thank you!

[steve55 in reply to DandD2]

i just tried to keep it simple.

obviously, as you said prunes etc not a great idea for someone with ibs. something i was taught when i worked with the elderly, was you could feel the build up of faeces and you could actually massage the intestine which also did the trick.