I have found since my stroke last July I suffer with chronic constipation no matter eating healthily leads to Laxido, then at times to the occasional diarrhoea then a cycle to a urinary infection and repeat….i do get up and walk around as best I can with my walker even if walking on the spot….drink lots of water eat fruit and veg…stay off fatty and spicy foods plus bulky carbs….is it just me?
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I do get similar bowl symptoms though not the urinary infections. This is due to low kidney function, which can be expected considering my age and the medications I’m on. My doctor is aware this and keeps a close eye, but he’s not unduly concerned…at this time.
It could also be that for you. But have you been tested for diabetes at all? Prior to being diagnosed myself, some 15yrs ago, I was getting very frequent bouts of urinary tract infections and this raised a flag for my doctor so had me tested for it. UTI’s are are one of the main symptoms with untreated diabetes.
And thirdly, have a read of your medication leaflets to see if any of your symptoms are a side effect to them.
Do see your GP and get this checked out, it’s just a matter of a full blood and Urine sample to be tested. So for the sake of peace of mind it’s well worth making that appointment 
Lorraine
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Sue - well done for reaching out for help on the forum. Sometimes we should not feel embarrassed or worry about what people might think, though I appreciate this might be easier said than done.
From what you are saying, it seems the constipation issue has arisen post-stroke.
If this is the case, you may well want to check the medications you are on to see if there is a medication that has this as a side effect.
I note you are doing your best to address the issue i.e. eat healthy, include fibre etc., drink plenty of fluids and exercise/move. All this is good, but if this is not enough, perhaps as has been suggested by Lorraine @EmeraldEyes it would be a good idea to consult with the GP to see what they have to say.
I assume you are not using a catheter to help you wee - I mention this because, my Mum was fitted with a catheter post-stroke and there came a point when this became a problem for her as she kept getting UTIs. She also had bouts of constipation and diarrhoea, but these have pretty much gone since the catheter was removed.
Mum also needs help with personal hygiene and sometimes this is also problematic if the carers who help her don’t do a “proper” job which again leads to UTIs.
When she struggled with Bowel movements, her GP prescribed Docusate sodium to be taken as needed. Luckily, this was also only a short-term requirement.
Please do not hesitate to consult with your GP or your local pharmacist if you have any problems. It is far better to get it seen to than to carry on struggling.
I hope this helps.
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I had a similar experience, but refused medical help.
This is my own point of view. It might not work well for you.
You understand, I hope, that this is not advice just me speaking out about my experience.
I prefer when possible to ‘let nature take its course’. eventually despite nurses trying to persuade me to take laxatives I did manage to leave something in a bed pan.
The ‘delivery’ its size and weight was being remarked upon and carried around and displayed to staff, patients and even visitors. There was much amusement on that day. There were even photographs taken.
It was the event of the day, but from that time forward things settled at a more normal pace.
I tend to fight shy of quick medication when dealing with those discomforts like insomnia, pain, worry and so on. I feel that one can too easily become reliant upon chemical stimulation. One does have natural processes that will kick in eventually.
This is a preferential choice. I am not saying it is good for everyone.
One thing I do feel is good for us all. It is to feel comfortable when seeking answers for what confronts us and to be able to say it as it is.
There is relief to be had simply speaking our truth and discovering one is not alone in all this.
Wishing you a bright tomorrow.
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Thank you Lorraine, I’ve just had a full blood count taken yesterday funnily enough, awaiting results now. I am diabetic 2 and controlled by metformin, and they tested my sugar level yesterday it was 4. Something or other lol….i had a raised blood test on my liver so they said it sometimes happens so retesting it, they’ve fast tracked it so hopefully will hear in a couple of days. Thank you for your reply x
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Yes, I see what you mean I had a similar experience in hospital after not going for a week and they get so excited, I felt quite embarrassed when they were yelling everyone to look down the toilet at what just came out of my body! I thought they were going to throw a party! Pooing and drinking is 2 of the highest priorities I found brought favourable responses…I did well and was a good girl:thinking:
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@Sue1958 this is a big issue for me. I had occasional issues pre stroke & they are worse post stroke. I take daily laxatives as the alternative is too painful…one enema in a lifetime was enough for me.
I have tried staying off the laxatives to see if my bowel will work on its own but so far it just stops working instantly & can stay that way for 2 weeks at which point I won’t wait any longer & start laxatives again. Even on the laxatives I sometimes can’t go.
I do agree with Bobbi re natural processes etc & I do think sometimes that my bowel has come dependent on them but needs must.
I eat plenty of fruit, veg etc & drink more water now than I ever have. I don’t exercise as mush as I need to as I work at a desk in the day but I do get up and down frequently to ensure I get some exercise.
I’d talk to your GP if it is a big issue for you. You may just need something to kick start your bowel again.
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I got my results today for my annual check and my HbA1c is climbing so I’m back on 4 metformin a day 
I’d reduced it a few years ago because I was losing way too much weight and metformin takes away appetite so you never feel hungry. Not a good idea for newly stroked mind, because I wasn’t eating I was having hypo’s. Anyway, I’m more mentally prepared for it now so I’ll see how it goes.
Good luck with your blood results, I hope they can get to the bottom of this for you and put your mind to rest
Lorraine
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Oh Bobbi, you’ve just reminded of the time I was in hospital on bed rest for a week with foot permanently elevate after having metalwork removed to rid infection.
Didn’t have much bowl movement in that time. And after a week, when they said I couldn’t go home until I’d at least 1 bowl movement, well, that turned into a double commode jobby to complete it 
And oh yes, the nurse wanted to know where the heck I’d been keeping all that and proceeded to regale it all to the other staff 
I think I should have got a badge for that one, a sticker at the very least
Lorraine
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So funny! I had a motion while sat on the toilet in hospital so long and so thick (as long as a snake ! ) that the thing would not flush away until a nurse had to chop it with a knife 
everyone was lining up to see it I was mortified 
goodness knows how much crap we can hoard huh!
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Sorry to hear about your HbA1c creeping up 
Not something I’d want to be dealing with on top of having to deal with effects of stroke.
Good to know you are more mentally prepared, another year older, another year wiser 
Take care.
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Oh I’m not too concerned about that. As per the norm each year, they’re checking it again in 3 months and it will be down again.
They always call me for this check around my birthday. Trouble is I’ve usually celebrated several birthdays within that 3 month measure for HBa1c, mine being the last. And naturally there’s the naughty but nice food around and birthday cake, so of course my numbers are going to be up a bit, I’m no saint 
It’s just bad timing on their part 
Lorraine
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Are you on medication to Lowe it, I may have missed something?
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Yes, I take Metformin and Sitagliptin and its the Metformin they’re increasing.
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Oh sorry I missed that bit I’m on metephormine too
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I had a stroke just over 3 years ago and I too went from constipation to diarrhoea but I’ve been better this last year. So, it might be a few years before your digestive system sorts itself out.
What I say is: If one side of your body is affected by a stroke, you would notice if your arm or leg didn’t move properly but you can’t see what’s going on inside. I’m 66 and before my stroke I used to sleep 8 hours and not wake to go to the toilet but now I wake 5 or 6 times during the night for a toilet break. Also, I now sleep 12 hours every day (10 at night and then a much needed 2 hour siesta in the afternoon)
Make sure you get out of your chair regularly and walk, even just for 5 minutes but don’t sit for lengthy periods. Best wishes,
Chris
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Chris - this is excellent advice. Everyone should do this. No matter what your state of health, the more you move the better you will feel. Even if it is only for a minute at a time, it makes a huge difference.
Someone who has had a severe stroke and who is constrained can do something for a very short period of time, a couple of minutes of standing, but to them this is the equivalent of running the London marathon. Do not underestimate the importance of regular physical activity. Just sit up and sit down if that is all you can do, but for you that is something
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