bowels

[NetballMagic]

hi there, my mums bowels are now very sensitive. Would anyone have any recommendations on how to help stool to be firm, rather than Imodium as I can’t imagine that can be taken on a daily basis?

[45purple]

l would ask your GP advice because Imodium can cause problems the other way.

[AnneandChris]

I'm sorry to say that bowel problems flip flop from being very constipated to loose and unpredictable. If the former, then Fibrogel or similar products are prescribed. If the latter, it is a question of working out what foods are causing the problem.Towards the latter stages of PSP, as the muscles fail to get messages from the brain, the bowels stop working.

Hope this helps.

[NetballMagic in reply to AnneandChris]

thank you. we will monitor food groups but yes, realistically it’s possibly the next stage of the cruel illness taking effect now.

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi NetballMagic!

These are our experiences hoping could be useful to you:

Episodes of constipation.

MarkJ9 point out: “The brain is unable to control the sphincter muscles. Food won't move through the system smoothly as the brain loses ability to push the food through the alimentary canal (peristalsis). That might result in constipation and also often fluid build up”.

Seleonore93 point out about the importance of following up on inconsistent bowel movement: "Patient was really trying to get a bowel movement and we were in there for 20-30 minutes and she was sweating quite a bit. Unfortunately communication has suffered tremendously from PSP. I noticed patient was having trouble, but wasn't telling me what was happening. Patient was standing up and I was asking her what was going on and patient wasn't speaking. Then eyes began to roll back and she lost control of her body and began to collapse. Patient lost consciousness and was unresponsive. We drove patient to the hospital and the doctor did a check up and determined that the collapse was because of her constipation and trying to force a bowel movement. We got a prescription for an enema and some medication to help with bowel movement. It was quite terrifying to see her lose consciousness like that."

On our case, constipation have been corrected by applying an intensive Mediterranean diet based on fruits and vegetables, abundant liquids (In particular, around 100 c.c. liquid before breakfast- always with thickeners) and helped when difficulties by the drug Duphalac (lactulose, an oral osmotic laxative), but on some patients it produces annoying internal gases. As an alternative to Duphalac we are testing "Movicol" (polietilenglicol and various salts) which is notably more active and does not produce gases. The problem is to find the right dose per day to achieve a regularity. At this time we are trying around 4g Movicol in the morning at breakfast alternating with a doce (1 gram) of “Plantaben” (seed shells of Plantago ovata- Ispaghula husk) with success (although there are some days that do nothing that lead to days to do much). (Higher doses of Movicol (6g / day, etc.) could produced too intense effects but, over time it will be necessary to increase the dose. Yogurts with pieces of plum (at lunch) have been of special help and maintenance.

Avoiding lemon juice, chocolate, bananas and rice, helps.

Keep in mind that some opioid analgesics as well as antitussives that contain codeine favor constipation.

Staying quiet favors constipation. A program of gymnastic exercises, especially walking, favor regularity. If it is not possible to walk, a walk, even in a wheelchair, always helps.

In case of not “open bowels” in 2 or 3 days, it is interesting to consider the apply a Micralax cannula (citrate / lauryl sulfoacetate) rectally or in persistent cases a lavative. Ask physician.

It is normal that when the PSP disease advances the problems with "open bowls" are more complicated.

About three months ago and after living with PSP for 8 years, we have perceived that the remedies that I have outlined in the previous paragraphs to achieve a regular "open bowles" have begun to fail. Now, two or three times a month and despite regularly providing "Movicol" or "Plantaben" periods of two days are given without evacuation. On the third day we apply "Micralax" which generally works. If in spite of everything in three days have NOT evacuated, we apply a 250 ml "Enema Casen" (rectal solution) containing 139 mg / mL and 32 mg / mL of anhydrous sodium dihydrogen phosphate / anhydrous disodium hydrogen phosphate which, so far It has resolved the situation. Ask physician.

In our case when there are cases of delays in "open bowles" that result in greater anxiety and nervousness than some alleviate with infusions of relaxants or an extra dose of CBD Oil.

It could later be the reverse too as episodes of fecal incontience.

Hug and luck.

Luis

[NetballMagic in reply to LuisRodicioRodicio]

thank you your message is very informative, however we don’t have the issue of constipation, it’s more the at the stool is extremely loose. we’re 6 year into diagnosis at the moment.