www.incontinentsupport.org

I have heard that some people are able to retrain their bowels. Does anyone know how this works or if it is possible? I went 11 days without an accident and last night I had 2 accidents. I knew it would happen, I had to get up 5 times before falling asleep to use the bathroom. I guess this will never go away.

~Becky~

I have always been told that having a strict bowel program is essential with bowel incon. emptying the bowel at set times each day and having a good diet is essential. but, and i think there is always a but.. i think from personal experience, no matter how good your routine is,it doesnt work 'all' the time.

I lost all 'feedback' senses from most of my body due to nerve damage (progressive) and that includes bowel sensations, so i would have to say it depends on whether you can sense 'fullness' of the bowel or not. even then, i make a point of using the toilet before bed, and still wake sometimes in the morning with a full nappy, both wet and soiled.

but i have heard for some it does work, but like most things in life, it doesnt work for everybody.

Mike

The general advice on bowels for those with paralysis (i.e. no sensation) is to settle on a regular routine of bowel emptying designed to empty out the lower bowel so there is nothing else left to empty. This can be achieved with -

Suppositories - inserted into the rectum which stimulate the bowel and get a bowel motion

Mini-Enemas - do much the same but are squirted into the anus. Forget anything you knew about enemas - these are very small (about a couple of teaspoons full) and work very efficiently as the suppositories above.

Bowel washouts using a newish device called Peristeen [url]http://www.us.coloplast.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/pdf/datasheet.pdf]url here[/url] which is something I have heard good reports of. It works by stimulating the bowel with water and can effectively empty the whole of the lower bowel so that it will be hours before it refills.

Coloplast also do an Anal Plug which works by blocking the outlet and will keep one clean for a longish period and might be worth a try after emptying the bowel as above.

I have spent most of the last 27 years in a wheelchair and manage the bowel like this with very few 'leaks' as long as I miss out a few foods that cause 'problems'. It is worth while working out a routine, though, as keeping clean is worth the time. maybe you could ask a continence nurse about some of these ideas too and get some help.