Re: surgery and a neurogenic bowel

[Guest guest]

I am asking is I have a bowel movement every 4 or 5 weeks since

my tcs surgery. This

Even before my TCS surgery, and now after my tcs surgery, i only have a BM every 3-4 days or so.

as always...

Jenn

SBO @ L2 w/TCS and diastematomyelia, Sx 4/5/00, retethered

[Guest guest]

Sorry,

I must have missed the definition when it went around.The reason

I am asking is I have a bowel movement every 4 or 5 weeks since

my tcs surgery. This is normal now for me but my primary care doc

wants x-rays just to be on the safe side. Any input from you guys

would be greatly appreciated. Or did I just describe a

nereurogenic bowel.

Thanks ahead of time to you wonderful people who help me through life

Ardie "

S. McWha " wrote:

>

> Part 1.1 Type: Plain Text (text/plain)

> Encoding: quoted-printable

> At 09:19 AM 2/15/2002 -0800, SueW wrote:

>

> I had a " colossal " headache if I tried to lift my

> head up off the pillow for 3 days following my last

> untethering. Tylenol (which doesn't help me with

> headaches) was all they would give me. Didn't you

> have any problems with that?

>

> That is called a 'spinal headache' caused from lack of spinal fluid in dura

causing the cord to pull on the brain. No I did not have them, I understand

most people do though. Apparently I can produce lots of spinal fluid rapidly as

my drain bag accumulated 450-500 cc per day. ( I took notes).

>

>

> They rushed me through pre-op the day

> before, and no one advised me on bowel issues. Having

> a neurogenic bowel, I definitely should have had

> something to clean out my system the night before the

> operation.

>

[Guest guest]

We all, including just the General Population of

People, have different BM Schedules. Just

because you have a Neurological Problem and

have a different BM Schedule, doesn't necessarily

mean you have a Neurogenic Bowel.

However, in saying that........I would have to say

that having only 1 BM in 4-5 Weeks is somewhat

odd. I would get it checked out, if I were you.

Do you move around alot, or are you pretty stationary?

I know for me, once I started Working, because of

the increased Activity, I became more regular. Even

though I only took something once a Week before

that, which was considered normal, it is definately a

better situation now.

Me

mymocha@...

>

> I must have missed the definition when it went around.The reason

> I am asking is I have a bowel movement every 4 or 5 weeks since

> my tcs surgery. This is normal now for me but my primary care doc

> wants x-rays just to be on the safe side. Any input from you guys

> would be greatly appreciated. Or did I just describe a

> nereurogenic bowel.

>

---

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[Guest guest]

--- Ardie wrote:

> Sorry,

>

> I must have missed the definition when it went

> around.The reason

> I am asking is I have a bowel movement every 4 or 5

> weeks since

> my tcs surgery. This is normal now for me but my

> primary care doc

> wants x-rays just to be on the safe side. Any input

> from you guys

> would be greatly appreciated. Or did I just describe

> a

> nereurogenic bowel.

> >

>

>Hi Ardie,

I agree with Brande that having a neurological problem

doesn't necessarily mean having a neurogenic bowel,

but, spinal injury or tethered cords /

myelomeningoceles " can " cause complications with

normal peristaltic function in part or all of the

small and/or large bowel because of loss of nerve

supply to that area. I think that 4 to 5 weeks

between bowel movements is a long time. A " bowel

management " nurse at the clinic who was helping me

after surgery (where was she when I needed her

" before " the surgery?!) told me that in 5 to 7 days, a

lot of stool can accumulate and stretch the bowel, and

that I should use something to get things moving

along. Bulking agents eg. bran,psyllium, etc. act

slowly and gently & are safest to promote elimination.

It's important to drink sufficient liquid with them.

Lot's of water!

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

> but, spinal injury or tethered cords /

> myelomeningoceles " can " cause complications with

> normal peristaltic function in part or all of the

> small and/or large bowel because of loss of nerve

> supply to that area.

Does this happen before, after, or during surgery? Is it a gradual thing? I

had two children w/ a mild form of tc (fatty filum). One of them had one

episode of constipation pre-surgery. The other child had none. Both of them

developed severe constipation 3.5 months post op. Enemas didn't fix it and a

bowel cleanout w/ golytlely was necessary. Now, we are trying to figure out how

to keep them out of the hospital w/out causing them to develop a dependency on

laxatives that is life long. I assume that if the peristalsis is slow, it is a

life long problem. Any more information on this topic would be greatly

appreciated.

Thanks,

karen (mom to 3 kids under 6 w/ tc and a baby due memorial day)

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the tip. I don't suppose you have found this in chewable or liquid

form. I have young kids. Also, do you have any info (web sites, articles,

etc.) that describe the link between magnesium citrate and constipation?

Thanks again,

Lynne3@... wrote:

>

> ,

>

> while I was researching calcium

> supplements, and what was needed for proper absorption of the calcium, I

> discovered by accident that magnesium citrate (taken orally in supplement

> form) really helps me manage my constipation. I believe it helps by

> stimulating peristalsis.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mag citrate is used for bowel clean outs, too. It comes in a liquid,

cherry or lemon-lime flavors, and is an over- the- counter drug found at

almost any drug store. You can play with the dosage until you find one

that works.

After miralax did nothing for me, mag citrate was the next thing

suggested - once a week.

.

--

Life is change ... Growth is optional ...

Choose wisely.

Kaiser

[Guest guest]

I believe a Neurogenic Bowel can happen all 3

of those ways. However, I don't believe it happens

gradually, but I am not quite sure about that.

Me

mymocha@...

> Does this happen before, after, or during surgery? Is it a gradual thing?

---

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