Bowel/Bathroom stuff

[photomama]

Hey all! Thank you all for you replies. It really is so nice to know I am not alone.

I have my follow up GI appt next week and will let you know how that goes, but it looks like all my tests are "normal" so the reason for my GI issues are most likely due to the neuro stuff. We pretty much knew that, but hey, good to check off all the other bad stuff.

As far as my fiber (citrucel is what she recommends) & Milk of Magnesia regimen is going- it really does work, but if I miss a day, etc... then it takes a while to get me back to normal. Also- my doc gave me a pamphlet on how much fiber is in what, and really, it is hard to get the amount of fiber needed per day with just food (especially because I eat so little right now).

Anyway- my GI doc said there are prescription meds out there that we can use if this regimen isn't working. I think it is working fine- it is just making sure I don't miss a day of the regimen. She also said I may never be what others consider "normal" because of the neuro stuff. LOL Well, I've never been normal in any other way, so why should I be with this either.

Don't hesitate to talk to your docs or a GI specialist ladies. It really does help! I didn't realize how miserable I felt until I started to get a handle on this. It isn't a pleasant topic, but you aren't alone.

Thank you!!!!!!

[tlrosbach]

Do not be surprised if the GI doc really doesn't help you that much. In January, when this flare started my bowel spasmed and stayed like that for four months. I could not have a bowel movement at all. I saw 4 different stomach specialists. I had two colonoscopies and tried enough Miralax, Dulcolax, and prescription meds to kill a horse..I really just about went out of my mind with it. The only way I could have a bowel movement was to have "colonics"...fancy enema one time per week. I stopped taking ALL meds...and actually if you want to know what really worked and contines to work the best.... High dose Vitamin C. 6,000 mg per day. No problems going to bathroom now... Good luck.

[shaypay20]

help

I am so sick of getting up so early in the morning to get things going.. what suggestions do you have to get going quick in the morning...

[SweetT]

So happy to see this post

I went back to work last year, after resigning from my long-term, high-paying position. I work in an environment where my restroom breaks are monitored (we are not expected to get up except for breaks). Needless to say, I have many near misses.

In addition, I have crazy menstrual periods where the flow can suddenly become like water flowing from a tap. My supervisor swears I'm "disappearing".

I have tried to tell her that I am in the restroom, but no one in that office can relate. Plus, my disadvantage is that I'm 40 but look 28-33, so it just seems like I'm a young girl who can't sit still.

Today, after holding it for 2.25 hours, until my morning break, I literally almost ran a coworker over rushing to the restroom. It doesn't help that the restroom is sooo far away.

And yes, I've requested ADA accommodations, and they are a joke to HR, I guess. Plus, I work in county government, so the government doesn't fine the government over sick employees--only human services not making the numbers and therefore not getting the incentives.

[LindaT5761]

Miralax

It seems to be helping. I will ask nurse & try to come up with plan for how to use it.

[photomama]

I am so sick of getting up so early in the morning to get things going.. what suggestions do you have to get going quick in the morning...

My GI has me doing 4 Citrucel tablets every morning and then 2-4 Milk of Magnesia tablets every morning also. That seems to be helping a lot (well, I am no longer only going every 2-3 weeks, lol).

You need to work up to 4 of the fiber pills if you aren't doing fiber right now. Hope that helps!

[LindaT5761]

Miralax

My problem/history, which I've posted about before, is weeks without a bm & then it comes out only with great difficulty.

I've tried Miralax sometimes & found it to be helpful, & I think other posters have too.

I've been considering how I might use it to cope with the problem.

I read the Miralax instructions carefully. It says once a day for no more than 7 days.

I don't think there's any reason not to try it once a week & see it that helps. I'll let you know how it goes.

[LindaT5761]

Miralax worked after 3 days

I think I'm going to try it once a week, see how it goes.

[jumpinjiminy]

I am so sick of getting up so early in the morning to get things going.. what suggestions do you have to get going quick in the morning...

Stimulant suppository. Within 20 minutes or less, like clockwork. It's not something you can use everyday for an extended period of time, but when combined with MOM or miralax (my preference was the MOM) every other day makes a big difference. It got me through six weeks or more of what seemed like a complete bowel shut down. After that, things finally started working on their own.

[LindaT5761]

Miralax

The last time I used Miralax it worked after 3 days.

I did not ask the nurse, I just read the bottle carefully. It says "once a day, not to exceed 7 days." I'm going to try it once a week, see how that goes. Will keep you posted.

[Guzzy]

Bowel problems were one of my first and most persistant MS problems - RRMS diagnosed 1998 but I probably had it since 1991 or even earlier. I found that no amount of stool-softeners, fibre, water, exercise or fruit would help me at all. The people who suggested them generally found them effective, but my bowel did not respond!

Now I go every morning. I do not vary my routine at ALL - ever. I drink 2 mugs of strong black coffee with my breakfast. After my breakfast I drink a pint of water with 1000mg Vitamin C in it. About 15 mins later I go.
At night I take 4 x high-dose acidophilous tablets (from the health-food store). The combination of these 3 things: coffee/vitamin c/acidophilous routine is brilliant and I need to allow an hour for it all to work.
Hope that helps.

[DianeD]

Be cautious

I don't mean to frighten anyone; just from my personal experience.

My mother did not have MS, but she dealt with constipation over her entire lifetime. When she was little there were all kinds of 'home' remedies she remembers.

As mom aged she was diagnosed with IBD (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and she suffered greatly with Bowel troubles. She saw many specialists, even saw a psychiatrist. The docs gave her so many laxitive products and did many colonoscopys to no avail.

The bad part is that my mom's colon became so accustomed to the laxitives it became non responsive. Eventually mom had a ruptured colon and ended up with sepsis. It's a long sad story.

My only intent here is too urge everyone to take it easy with the laxative type meds. Try to use the most natural product that works.

My mom has passed on, so her suffering is past, but the experience of taking care of her has made me so aware of the importance of being well informed.

Reading through the posts here makes me think most everyone is doing their best to be regular in a good way.

Good Luck to all..

Diane

[reeskis]

Hi all
Constipation has been one of my worst symptoms. I have had to use suppositories to go ever since the ms started. I lived in silence with this for many years. Stupid.

I have had times when using a suppository didnt work. Then just recently used 4 enemas didnt work. I have been completely traumatized by this. Then I took 4 doses of miralax and was finally able to get it out. I knew this was ok to do cause the colorectal dr uses it to clean you out before a colonoscopy. Works great, he has you put it in gatorade, way better than that prescription stuff.

. This dr told me to up my fiber, I upped it to 25 and day and it gave me alot of gas but didnt help Then I went to the gi, and he said take 3 stool softeners, and a dose of miralax every other day. This worked. And yea, you can continue it, its not habit forming like a laxative.

I swear I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy, its a nightmare, and I actually have bathroom nightmares now.

[laura g]

My problem is a little bit different . I do go every day but never feel like I have completely finished when my "rear"just seems to close up and stop. Does anyone ever have a problem like this ?

[techie]

Try Prunes or raisons

I cook a handful of raisons in with my cereal each morning. My Husband eats 2 - 3 prunes every day. That plus exercise seems to keep us both 'moving'
techie