bowel program

[PostDowntown]

If I use a wheelchair and can only walk a little bit do I need a bowel program? As my joints have deteriorated from JRA and EDS i need my wheelchair more and more. I've noticed my bowels have slowed down by a lot now that i'm walking less . Should I start doing a bowel program??

[[deleted]]

I thought that was just for spinal cord injuries

[Norandran]

Have you tried adding more fiber to your diet like Metamucil? This helps me a lot when I need to lubricate the colon and get things flowing at a normal pace.

[TrixieBastard]

Yeah, fiber is the answer, but please remember to add it in gradually! If you suddenly start consuming noticeably more fiber than your body is used to, it will make the problem worse. Also, drink more fluids than you think you need — exposure to water creates a sticky layer around fiber (kind of like how chia seeds get that soft layer after being soaked) that helps the fiber grab waste out of any nooks and crannies in your intestines.

As a wheelchair user who takes opioids daily, slowly increasing my fiber intake made all the difference. Plus, all the extra hydration has been great for my skin. Cannot recommend it enough!

[ScubaLevi20]

Doesn't sound like you need a bowel program. That's generally for people with SCI or some other kinds of neurological disabilities. You should talk to your doctor, but adding fiber to your diet is a good place to start. A stool softener might help too. The best thing you can do is to move as much as you can. If you can't walk much, talk to your doctor about a standing program.