kd66

I have it all! Since I found this board and read some of your stories, I wanted to tell something about myself. I find it encouraging just to know there are others with similar problems, and hope that sharing stories and information might help someone (including me). After all, this isn't something we can discuss over the dinner table.

I have had a problem 'going' since I had surgery for a spinal tumor 36 years ago. In truth I had problems before then but didn't pay much attention. Immediately after the surgery I found that the best way to deal with the issue was to do nothing. Every 1-2 weeks I would have movements for a couple of days, usually becoming diarrhea and often resulting in extra laundry for my wife to take care of.

About 20 years ago I started using Dulcolax to initiate things. I will skip the details and the evolution of my routine, but the general pattern is still about the same. The main difference is that I will go 2-3 times a week. I also take a few other things to help matters along. I try to keep to a schedule so I know which days to stay home. I am up to three Dulcolax 2-3 times a week. It doesn’t always work, but eventually things happen after 7-10 days. I have little or no control when it really wants to go, so I still produce too much laundry.

I have seen a ‘motility specialist’ a few times over the past year. He tried me on some off-label prescriptions to see if they would help, but they did nothing. I am concerned that it will stop working altogether and wonder at what point surgery will be necessary.