Last year I had a bowel rupture. Almost died, don't get one! Had I kept up on regular enemas, I think I would have been ok, but unfortunately, I did not. However, once they do the surgeries (partial removal of colon, rectum, etc.), there's a nasty post surgery set of events made up of sometimes uncontrollable diarrhea, inability to hold feces, occasional constipation. It's well known, and people with Severe LAR may have as many as 20 bowel movements a day, which cannot be timed. They just happen, willy nilly.(AAAggh!). Fortunately, I am somewhat in control of my situation with timed eating, changes in diet, etc. However, I really am fairly housebound. Not much fun for an inveterate cyclist, weightlifter, and outdoors enthusiast. My bowel movements are sometimes fairly normal, sometimes liquid plus solids, sometimes completely liquid, and there's no telling how it's going to come out (sorry...). I'm fine with it, since I survived and still get to live most of my life. However, there are management protocols to help with quality of life. One of them (and probably the best) is "Transanal Irrigation." This is essentially an enema, and the medical supplies providers have (of course) developed a much higher tech (read, "more expensive") device. These are manufactured by Coloplast (colostomy supplies) Qufora (don't know what else they make), and a couple other companies, so the docs have actually been paying attention. Transanal irrigation is said to reduce trips to the toilet to daily, or sometimes even every other day. I have the mild version of LARS, and on a bad day, I may "go" as much as five times, but more often it's twice, and the predictability is a bit confusing. Imagine having diarrhea and you don't know when it will strike, except it could be every day, or you might be constipated...if it sounds fun, it's not. Anyway, if anyone on the site either has (or has a relative, loved one, friend) who has this problem, it would be very helpful if you wrote how your friend (You, Partner, loved one) solved this. I am contemplating a daily enema (not tiny, but not huge--probably 1.5-2liters) to resolve this. It's basically going to be a lifelong problem, and I'm feeling I must do something. The usual prescription is drugs, fiber, and "the right diet." I'm always a contrarian, so I put myself on an extremely low carb diet at the beginning of the year. The main reason was weight loss (it works!), but I've found a great diminution in the number and unpleasantness of my bowel movements. That's part of my issue cured. I now have 1-3 bowel movements daily, and they are usually pretty liquid. If any of you have PERSONAL or close friend experience, I would consider it a great favor if you told me your solution (no pun intended), and how it's working for you. If you have equipment recommendations beyond standard enema equipment, those would also be helpful.
Thanks in Advance...