Question
I AM A C4-C5 QUAD.  FOR THE FIRST 6 YEARS MY BOWEL PROGRAM WORKED WELL 4 DAYS A WEEK.  I USE MAGIC BULLETS AND DIGITAL STIMULATION.  OVER THE LAST YEAR THINGS HAVE GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.  MY PROGRAM HAS STOPPED WORKING.
TWICE I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MY BOWELS BLOCKED.  BOTH TIMES I WAS GIVEN THE 'GO-LIGHTLY 'DRINK TO CLEAR ME OUT.  AS I'M SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND, THIS IS NOT VERY CONVENIENT OR COMFORTABLE.  MY PROGRAM WORKS FOR AWHILE THEN STOPS.  I TAKE MIRALAX, CITRACEL, AND EAT WELL.  I DRINK 8 LARGE GLASSES OF WATER A DAY AND EXERCISE DAILY.
I CAN'T STAND THIS MUCH LONGER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.  THANK YOU.

Answer
hi barbara

wow that's a drag! i think my least favorite thing about living with sci is that it's so nearly impossible to tell what is causing what, if you understand what i mean? it's like living a science experiment..

the best advice I can give is to keep a really regular 'diary'. It's a hassle to be sure, but alot of times it's hard to see a pattern otherwise. I know as i've gotten older i realize i get way more UTIs in the week before my period, for example. why? not sure, but at least i can try to head it off at the pass these days

it sounds like you're treating yourself well, so the only other thing i can think of would be to have a colonoscopy- perhaps there's something happening in your GI tract that builds up over time?

very sorry i don't have any easy answers- i wish you good luck
leslie

ps you might try the forums at newmobility.com   free and, at least when i was there alot, the people seemed happy to help as they'd been in the same boat..