This leaflet is intended to answer some of the questions you may have about your forthcoming appointment with the nurse-led service for managing bowel problems
Who is the service for?
The service is provided for people who have functional bowel disorders. Having this disorder means that your bowel does not work properly and may include one or more of the following problems:
- Constipation
- Difficulty emptying the bowel
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Losing control of the bowel
What will happen when I come to the clinic?
Your first appointment will take up to an hour. The clinical nurse specialist will ask you about your bowel symptoms and may carry out a digital rectal examination to assess your muscles with your consent. The Nurse will then work with you to develop a management plan to improve your bowel function.
The plan will be devised specifically for you. It can include any of the following elements, depending on your particular needs:
- Dietary changes
- Medication
- Advice on lifestyle changes to improve bowel function
- Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and/or anal sphincter muscles
- Biofeedback treatment to improve the pelvic floor muscles
Subsequent appointments are scheduled every four to six weeks and take around 30 minutes. The nurse will review your progress with you, answer any questions and then modify your plan if this is required.
What are the aims of the plan?
- To improve your symptoms
- To prevent your problems from worsening
- To provide advice and information to help you understand your condition
- To help you acquire practical skills and strategies to cope effectively with your bowel problem
- To prepare you to manage your bowel so that if you later need surgery you can actively contribute to your recovery.
Will the plan improve my condition?
Most people who are referred to our service experience an improvement in their symptoms, feel they can manage their problem more effectively and can resume activities that had previously been affected by their bowel problems.
In order to achieve the best results, you will need to follow the agreed plan and put into practice the advice and exercises you have been given. We will give you all the information, exercises and advice you need to put you back in control of your bowel condition and you will then need to continue with these new habits for life. This may seem like hard work, but most people find that the effort and commitment are worthwhile as their symptoms improve and their bowel no longer controls their life.
A small proportion of people find that, despite their best efforts, they do not benefit from the plan and continue to have bowel problems which disrupt their lives. If this happens to you, the nurse will either refer you back to the consultant or to another member of the team who will explain other treatment options to you.
How often will I need to visit the clinic?
Everyone is slightly different as the plan is developed specifically for you. The actual number of appointments depends on your progress and the improvement in your symptoms.
Do I need to do anything before my first appointment?
You will be sent a bowel diary and a questionnaire with your appointment letter. Please fill in the bowel diary every time you have a bowel movement for 2 weeks before your appointment. Please complete the questionnaire and bring both the questionnaire and the bowel diary to your appointment.
You can eat and drink normally, continue with your usual medication and you do not have to have emptied your bowel before you arrive. After your appointment, you can resume your normal day.
Where will my appointment take place?
The appointment details will be on a separate letter advising of location and time. Please report to the Reception staff and then take a seat in the waiting area until you are called by the nurse specialist. To change your appointment please phone 0191 4456006.
Who will carry out this programme?
The Functional Bowel Nurse will plan and work with you throughout your whole programme.
Functional Bowel Nurse,
Colorectal Department,
Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
Sheriff Hill,
Gateshead
NE9 6SX