Wahab asks:
My son is sixteen years old and has severe neurological problems. He is epileptic, hypotonic, mute, and wheel-chair bound. We have to initiate bowel movement utilizing enemas almost every day, despite giving him Miralax on a daily basis. Recently he suffered a poop backup into his colon and we had to take him into an emergency room. He eats vegetables and fruits every day.
My question to you, Motherload, is what can I do to prevent this incident from occurring in the future.
I greatly appreciate your response.
Dear Wahab,
You obviously have a very complicated situation having to deal with a child afflicted with neurological disorders. Unfortunately, since these problems are most likely not going to just clear up over time with treatment, I am inclined to believe that you will be faced with many more obstacles concerning your son's health.
You should speak to his doctor about the daily use of laxatives and their side effects, since they could be doing more harm than good in the long run.
As far as the enemas are concerned, just try to make sure that the child is in the proper position to receive a good enema (usually on the left side) and that the correct amount of enema solution is being used. Forcing too much solution in can cause problems such as back-ups and even injury to the intestines if not done properly.
Even with proper medical treatment and attentive home care, a person suffering from these types of illnesses will most likely have unexpected and sometimes traumatic complications. Just be alert to any changes in your child's behavior and physical appearance and continue providing the best care that you can. Good Luck.
Thanks for asking Motherload!
Motherload is a Certified Nurse Assistant as well as an IBS sufferer, which means she knows a lot about poop. Got a question for her? Ask it here.
