My dh has for a while now had accidents where he needs to wash out his undies. He never tells me about this, I just find the undies. I asked him about this today and he said he's been having problems with loose stools lately. I was wondering if there is something I can give him to help with this problem. He's just not there yet, where he can no longer control his bowels or bladder. He's always had difficulty "holding" it, even long before he had AD, but now I'm seeing this problem more often. Any suggestions would be so appreciated.
My Dr. recommended Imodium for me (generic at Target cheaper). My problem is a gluten sensitivity. I would suggest you have him checked by his PCP to find the underlying problem. Could be something bacterial or an allergy to some food but often they can't find the cause.
My husband tended to swing back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Taking a half dose of Miralax every day has helped. If constipation is not a problem at all then Miralax doesn't make sense but fiber might help. But be aware that there can be leakage of liquid associated with severe constipation.
He does not have constipation, just intermittent loose stools (that I know of, he tries to keep this from me because I think he's a bit embarrassed). In questioning him this morning and going back over my journal, I do believe his gastrointestinal stuff began with his taking Aricept. As Aricept has made living with him so much more palatable, I am not willing to remove that from his daily supplementation. So, I guess I just have to find ways to mitigate the diarhea. Gastrointestinal problems are very common with this drug so I'm guessing many others have had to deal with this problem as well. I think I'll ask this question again and be more specific about the Aricept; hopefully, I'll get more response.
My dh was not incontinent but he had "wet farts" that worried him to no end. I bought extra long ladies mini pads and would position 2 of them in his briefs. I had larger incontinent pads on hand but seldom used them. Also had Depends on hand for an occasional car trip. Some days would be no problem. Our pcp seemed to consider this a form of incontinence.
yes immodium was our choice of meds to help control this. alot of the AD meds can tend to either cause constipation in some or the reverse in others. i found every other day of immodium or even 2 days worked - as some find daily dose of immodium may be too much. find what works for you if you decide to go this route. bulk foods with lots of fiber is also a good choice and more natural. i found the kellogg or other brands of those granola bars works really well to help clog the bowels.:) plus DH ate them like candy.
My dh is incontenent both ways. Now what I see happening is very loose bowels after sitting for long periods of time and then getting up (wham a loose bm). At night just before bed, I clean him really well ( and the bm) and get him all ready with clean disposables, lotions, rash ointments or whatever, and wham another loose bm comes out. Anyone else with this?
brindle try adding more fiber and bulk to DH meals. bananas, granola bars, fiber cereals. it can help digestion and regulate the BM. my experience is that the colon tends to 'move' after any inactivity once they move shift positions or any slight exercise movements. ie if you move them from sitting to the bed, the walking gets the colon moving and by the time you change him it may trigger another bm. if you can move him during the day more frequently /or exercise his legs etc, and or add bulk foods to his diet it may help. many of us have added a bi tof immodium like marsh suggests to help get them on a more regulated schedule/ if you use immodium start at the very lowest dose to see how they do, can adjust accordingly. i am now having the reverse in mid stage 7, the inactivity and loss of exercise has produced a sluggish colon and now we are having to resort to laxative or enema and foods that help move the colon like prunes. haha, i swear from one extreme to another! divvi
That's where we are too, divvi. He'll be on the commode, stand up and start to go. Over and over. Thank heavens for Andrew's patience. Immodium, then laxative, then diarrhea, then immodium...
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I called the market to find out if they carry the Archway macaroons and was told Archway is no longer in business. I was surprised. Do you think putting coconut in the oatmeal would do the trick? I keep the High Fibre Quaker Oats on hand but thought it would only be good for no bm. I do give banana in the morning and he likes kidney beans, string beans, carrots, etc. So I thought he was getting the fibre and maybe too much. For warned is for armed regarding the movement. I do take him out almost every day so he can use his legs although he is still sitting in the wheelchair. I have him use his legs in the house as well when he is in the wheelchair. I guess waiting for the bm won't work. As a side, we had a person come in to bathe dh today. Funny but he was more cooperative than normal. Guess he really likes the attention and pampering.
briegull, its the pits huh friend?? from one extreme to the other. ha. thank goodness you have andrew.. i am my own andrew. :( but i am used to after my reigning poop crown. heres looking to stage 7 friends! while options change its still doable to have them home, we adjust to new circumstances the best we can! brindle glad you have a new bather! divvi
If Archway cookies work why wouldn't a Mounds candy bar do the same thing? My DH has taken 2 Citrucel caplets for many years. You can also buy this as a powder to mix with water (taste like Tang) If he misses a couple of days I give him a dose of MiraLax and that takes care of it. Citrucel is fiber for regularity that doesn't cause excess gas so they claim.
divvi. The bather is very temporary - 3 visits from Kaiser as we had Home HealthCare here to do an evaluation. We had this about 6 months ago and the person in charge was surprised my dh was not walking anymore. So we had a visit from Social Services as well. All very temporary until next time when we request another evaluation.