Bowel/Bathroom stuff

[boosmom]

Ladies - I HAVE FOUND THE SOLUTION!

The solution is "Fruits & Fibres". I stumbled onto it in Ireland (we go regularly to visit my in-laws). I purchased at the local pharmacy. It is a food supplement that "supports regular intestinal transit'. It consists of figs, rhubarb, dates and comes in a compressed chewy cube. Not the best taste but when needed I take half a cube (or whole) with a glass of water. The next day - after a light breakfast - tada!

The only problem is that I have searched local health food stores and the internet - you need to order from England - but it is SOOOOO worth it.

After experiencing two very embarrassing accidents at work - it is great to have this control again.

The name is Fruits & Fibres and the brand is ORTIS - I ordered on line and received my order within 2 weeks!

Kathy

[babygirlamy]

So glad I saw this thread. OMG constipation is one of the things I have to deal with and it's HORRIBLE! Sometimes I do go 7 or 8 days w/o going to the bathroom! It hurts soooo bad! I am definately going to have to find something that works for me. I have read all the comments above and they seem to be working for everyone else. I need to find something that works for me. This is a terrible feeling

[palmtree]

I wrote a little bit about this in the "depression" thread but I'll talk about about my recent bowel disaster. I've been constipated my whole life. I think it was one of the first words I learned.

While I was recently in the hospital, I was so constipated that I was in screaming pain. They asked me how long it had been since I had a bowel movement. I said "2 weeks". I lied. I had been 2 months.

They put 2 suppositories in and I fell asleep. I woke up in a pile of "you know what".

It has been a week and and my bowel still lets go when I sleep or try to pass gas. I'm so scared. I know my MS has affected that part of my body because my bladder has no sensation and I have to cath. I am fecaly incontinent!

Does anyone have any experience with this? Could it be temporary or am I going to have wear diapers for the rest of my life?

Please give me hope.

[photomama]

Palmtree,

I hope it is just temporary because of the suppository! But I am glad I'm not the only that it happens to while sleeping.

Have you seen a Gastro for your problems? I know- another specialist, but they really know their stuff when it comes to this (way better than a regular doc) and can help sift through to exactly what helps and doesn't.

For me- we've pinpointed my severe constipation issues to my spasticity. So I need to get my spasticity meds during the day figured out (I take Zanaflex at night, but Baclofen only occasionally during the day and it doesn't help ).

The fiber helps me a lot, but we've had to increase it. I take the Citrucel tablets and my GI says I can take up to 8 of them (!!!) in order to get to a "regular" way of being. The dose on the label is 2-4, so I'd never have known I could take that much without talking to my GI. We're doing it slowly (I'm up to 6 now) and I haven't had any tummy problems (like gas or bloating).

We've decided to make the Milk of Magnesia a last resort for me because I lose control when I sleep (so only if I haven't gone in a couple days).

***For anyone suffering with bathroom stuff on a regular basis, I strongly suggest bringing it up with your neuro and/or seeing a Gastro. I tried to "manage" mine on my own and it just kept getting worse and worse.

I now have a place to go to that understands & deals with stuff like this everyday, so if there is ever an emergency with this, I know who to call. I know it is embarrassing and gross. But my doc makes it way less so. ***

Hope this helps!!

[palmtree]

Photomama, Thanks for all of your suggestions. I've been dry the past 2 nights. Yea! I hope this means it was temporary.

[Thinkimjob]

I hate to say this, but there's nothing like a morning cigarette to keep you regular.
Yes, yes, I know. Nicotine lozenges work just as well.

[mc_smile]

How common is it for your muscles not working as the problem? My neuro said spasticity. I am new here and am probable ms. Does that get worse?

[LindaT5761]

Activia

Just wanted to add I think Activia yogurt, as advertised by Jamie Lee Curtis, may be helping.

When I first saw the commercials I thought "yeah right, like that's really gonna work on me!" However I love yogurt & you don't really need to twist my arm to get me to try a new brand.

I like it because it's blended but also has pieces of fruit in it. Best of both worlds.

But I think maybe I need to use Miralax less since I started eating Activia for breakfast. It's worth a try, especially if you like yogurt.

[Alyms79]

Your not alone at all!! My problem has been frequent Diarrhea! With many accidents! It is so embarrassing,and annoying! I try and fix it with diet, fiber,water,pepto chewables,and exercise! Till the last week it has not helped a whole lot. Then bam,I go to not going to the bathroom for a week,after dealing with this for over a year!! Which is a huge relief for me! But when I do go,it is normal,no constipation at all!