Warning: Healthy Bowels!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am still amazed at how often I get calls from family and friends to let me know thier Bowels are in prefect working order! My bf had gall bladder surgery last year and still reports the size, form and amount with each setting. Seriously, what is it about nurses and bowels??? People see a nurse and think BM?? I don't get it, I sometimes think it's funny, and sometimes wonder why I've been told this information. Please Somebody, Make It Stop before I Lose My Mind!!! Any ideas??

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Specializes in LTC.

And here I thought it was just old people who are obsessed with their bowels...

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I love bowel protocal (sp?) Love giving dulc's love giving soap suds enemas, love it all, and live for it! It is the reason I went into nursing :}

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

When my mom was a little girl, she lived next door to a doctor. Every time she'd be there to visit (I forget why she went), he would ask her if she had a bowel movement. She had no idea what that was, but responded yes. Thinking back, she wonders what would have happened if she said 'no'.

Maybe some people just feel the need to know?

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One of the reasons I went into psych.....

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Working in acute rehab, we frequently get patients who haven't gone in upwards of two weeks!!! So we are always happy when the plumbing starts working again...

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Although some of the psych meds are rather constipating.....Our friends for the plumbing department are:

Docusate,

Water/exercise

psyllium powder

miralax....

Thankfully no enemas (yet...)

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Specializes in NICU.

Sometimes they go into such great detail that all I can say is, "Wow, you are a lot more observant than I am"...:rolleyes:

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The only one who drives me nuts with bowels is my husband. He's obsessed, he tells me that even the butt-blasting remedies from the nursing home don't keep him regular, and I'm really sorry that he never has a good dump but honestly, I'd just like it if he didn't bogart the bowl for an hour at a time and then get annoyed that I need to micturate.

My dream is my own bathroom that he can't funk up.

And I can't imagine how he does what he does to his drawers. How many ladies ever had skid marks?

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Specializes in CVICU, Burns, Trauma, BMT, Infection control.

If they are a repeat customer of this unasked for description I smile and gently tell them that I'm off duty while shaking my head. Be prepared for them to laugh at "duty". Sigh...:lol_hitti

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Specializes in LTC.

Smile sweetly and then discribe your own last bowel movement or lack of bowel movement (make it up to make it interesting) Maybe after a bit they'll get a clue.

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Apparently I am truly blessed: the only people who discuss their bowels with me are my patients. Not a single friend or family member does this! Frankly, if one of them did start in on it (beyond the real "I think I'm in trouble" kind of thing), I'm quite sure I'd change the subject. Fast.

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