[Toni]

My 17 year old son suffered a TBI 1 and 1/2 years ago. He is home and doing pretty well. Short term memory is a huge issue. The biggest problem we have at this point in time has to with going to the bathroom. He feels like he needs to have a bowel movement all the time. He will sit on the toilet for a while and then use digital stimulation to make himself go. This is causing a problem at school and everywhere else of course. The school asked me to come and take him home and have him home schooled until this problem is resolved.

No one can tell me what to do here!! I have asked every doctor he has as well as his therapists!!

He does not have GI issues but I am taking him to see one anyway. They can't get him in until 3/28. This issue is causing everyone so much stress.

Should I let him just sit there? He knows it is wrong and acknowledges digital stimulation is gross and disgusting unless you are someone who has to use it.

How should I react to this???

[Mark in Idaho]

Did he possible injure his neck with the concussion? I have an injury at C-6, C-7, T-1 and T-2 that cause my bowels to dysfunction. Sort of a TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) It is called paralytic ileum. My physical therapist can help me get things working by manually manipulating the ileo-cecal valve (externally). When it is acting up, I am like a moose with droppings rather than a single large bowel movement. It can be real annoying.

A chiropractor can sometimes help get these nerves working better. It depends on the skill of the chiro. No all chiros are created equal.

Maybe a physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor) would be better to see. I would think they deal with this more often.

Either way, sounds like he needs some help.

My best to you.

[Kenjhee]

Yes, I'm familiar with that "sensation" and it's been an on and off situation (though no digital stuff). It does feel like you have to go all the time. Annoying as hell. I do a half-torso twist with my upper body (while I'm on the facility, obviously) which is usually enough to get things going with a force-evacuation.

Have also battled IBS since the accident. Don't know how else to help you or me. It has lessened considerably over the past couple years, no idea why, so there is hope.

[Toni]

He does not have a neck injury. It is possible he has IBS. We have seen the Phys Med docs and Physch docs about this. They can't seem to help me. They are stumped.

Thanks for your help. At least I know he isn't the only one.

[Mark in Idaho]

My bowel problems were diagnosed by a Physiatrist who had some x-rays taken looking for cervical ribs associated with my cervical vertebra. I have them. They are congenital and only some people have them. They can cause an inflammation when they get traumatized and cause interruption of the nerve signals to the stomach and bowels.

He sent me to a Physical Therapist who did some manipulation and myofacial release techniques. My bowel started moving properly within a hour. It took 6 months to get stability.

It gets inflamed from time to time requiring treatment. I had such a relapse last week. When it happens, I also get some numbness/tingling in my left arm and hand.

I also have some recurring issues with T-1 to T-4 that may impact these problems.

I understand his frustration with the feeling of a need to empty his bowels. I have even come up with a ditty about it based on an old ditty about pay toilets. "Here I sit broken hearted, dropped my pants, only farted."

When I am symptomatic, I can have these 'dry runs' 8 or 10 times a day.

The old ditty was 'paid my dime' instead of 'dropped my pants.'
Luckily, we no longer have pay toilets.

The bloated bowels with the difficulty emptying can be uncomfortable. My heart goes out to him. I used a spasmodic acting (stimulant) laxative for almost a year. The peristaltic muscles needed exercise to strengthen.

My best to him.