Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) SpinaB

Nerve damage may be due to an injury or a health condition such as spina bifida can cause neurogenic bowel. Symptoms include trouble having a bowel movement, belly pain, leaking stool, and frequent bowel movement accidents.

Bowel management options for people with a neurogenic bowel include:

• Medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications to manage timing and consistency of bowel movements.
• Anal irrigation. Anal irrigation is a new conservative bowel management therapy.
• Surgical intervention.

You are entitled to a Long-term Illness Card, Medical Card, Domiciliary Care Allowance and dependent on your working situation, you can apply for carers benefit / Carers allowance as an additional financial support.

This is a community health scheme that entitles people with a specific long-term disease / disability to avail of medicines free of charge from their pharmacy.

As stated above to avail of a LTI you need to have a specific diagnosis / disability to avail of medications however with a medical card certain people can avail of health services free of charge but this card is means tested meaning you have to earn under a certain financial threshold.

This is a monthly payment that you receive to help support your child under 16 years old who has a diagnosis / disability. This allowance is given if your child requires on-going care and attention more over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested.

Standers are beneficial for all children with Spina Bifida but particularly children who are non-ambulatory or have limited ambulation. Standers are important for bone health and postural management and help maintain range of movement and prevent contractures. Standers should be used in conjunction with a stretching programme. If they are not used, an increased stretching programme should be recommended. Recommended dosage will be prescribed by your local team, average recommended time is 1 hour in a stander up to twice daily. A child can start using a stander from 1 year of age once they reach the minimum height and weight requirement.