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    Is it really constipation or something else?

    I just wanted to open up the discussion on so called constipation. For a long time now I have had trouble going to the bathroom. Doctors have told me it's constipation, but I've thought that it was something else. OK........it get's gross now, so for those easily grossed out, stop reading, but someone has to speak up! I tried all kinds of enemas, pills, liquids, etc, but nothing seemed to work. Finally I had to poke around for myslef , and it was right there waiting to come out, but there was no pushing movement.........didn't matter what the texture was , it did not get pushed out. MY BUTT MUSCLES JUST AREN'T WORKING...........Because of other issues of stiffness in my legs etc, I am planning of having a Baclofen pump inserted..........I think this will help those special muscles too . Anyone else hearing me out there???
    Aussie

    #2
    The word you're looking for is peristalsis.
    That's the movements that are made by muscles in your abdomen which pushes food through your digestive system.
    I've been thinking that even though these muscles are supposed to run in "automatic" mode, MS and nerve damage could effect them.
    I've asked Drs. about this, they usually ask if I want a stool softener and they seem to evade the big picture (the big picture involves a lot of surgery which you really don't want to think about).
    I've had some luck sticking with fiber and some pro-biotics. This doesn't help the basic problem but makes it a little easier to go. For some reason, it helps me if I eat veggies that might be considered "caustic". Stuff like cabbage and hot peppers , the stuff you used to avoid because it gave you the trots.
    It's also possible that it's due to one or more of the meds you take.

    So, yeah. I realize its a tough subject to discuss, but it's a little more serious than many people think.

    Comment


      #3
      Aussie, I had the opposite problem for TEN years. The fear of pooping in public kept me home, or in a state of panic when I was in public because when i had to go I HAD TO GO.

      I have a dear friend with advanced ms. She has what I can only describe as a 'paralysis' of her bowel or digestive system. She elimiminates using the 'digital' method, as you describe.

      My friend and I both realized that Neuro's don't want to deal with these problems unless it's muscle related.

      As for myself, I knew my poop shoot, (excuse my use of such higly technical medical terminology), was working ok, that whatever was causing my problem was related to bowel or digestion.

      My ms neuro performed the dreaded digital exam to determine if my muscles were the source of the problem.

      She determined muscles were ok, that i must have IBS. I wasn't convenienced of the IBS dx, and I could have told her my muscles were a-ok.

      BTW, I started a new DMD and within 3 months, my poop problems disappeared. As did my insomnia. My insomnia and bowel problems started with an exacerbation 10yrs ago, and both resolved in the first months of my new DMD.

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        #4
        Originally posted by MSW1963 View Post
        As for myself, I knew my poop shoot, (excuse my use of such higly technical medical terminology), was working ok, that whatever was causing my problem was related to bowel or digestion.
        I'm sorry, but if you're going to go all technical on us I'm going to be forced to correct your terminology. It's poop chute, not poop shoot.

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          #5
          I have had ever worsening constipation since symptoms began 12 yrs ago. Now, I will go weeks with nothing coming out. When I push it feels like the muscles aren't working properly and I am numb there. I don't have any solutions but the one thing that helped was a herb called swedish bitters. The only way I can take this liquid is in of all things Ensure. Anyway, I used to have great success at times but now rare. It is so bad I actually remember the last good BM I had. I dream of the day when this won't be a problem. Oh, and I have also had my bowel decide to go on it's own too (in my sleep) and not diarehha so I haven't figured that one out.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Sequoia View Post
            I'm sorry, but if you're going to go all technical on us I'm going to be forced to correct your terminology. It's poop chute, not poop shoot.
            Chute is entirely too technical a term to use for those not technicaly inclined as some of us.

            Comment


              #7
              I'm really into natural remedies and I started using this stuff called ~experience~ to help with constipation. I didn't have anything as intense as what you are talking about here but one of the reasons I tried it is that they said it's supposed to make your intestines work like they're supposed to instead of just irritating them like a laxative. Which makes me wonder if it might help you too. I got it from this website ~ 2day.awarenesslife.com ~ but I bet you can find it other places too. Just a thought. I hope that helps.

              Comment


                #8
                Aussie,

                Before my MS DX, at the pic of my first and only flair two and half years ago,I went trough the exact same SX and same steps all the way to the finger!!!!!!!
                If that will have not work, I was going to the ER the next day for sure.

                Since then I am eating more fibers and I take metamucil every day.

                I am back at 99%normal and don't have much of it any more.

                Really hope it won't last very long because it is pretty scary.

                Good luck and lot of fibers.

                Comment


                  #9
                  I have that EXACT same issue. (if you are grossed out STOP reading!)

                  I keep prep H on hand. I like the one with red on the box. After I think I am done, I lube up a finger, and well..go after the ones left behind. Mine is not so much that I am constipated like I don't go every 3 or 4 days. I go EVERY day, but its dry, hard, and my lower region doesn't remember how to push. Keep your nails short or wear a glove. Be on the look out for hemmorhoids, and BE GENTLE with your back door. That tissue is easily traumatized, and you can hurt yourself if you are not gentle.

                  Make sure you take something like a Colace with a senna laxative in it. They sell it over the counter as one pill, and the generic is quite low cost. This will keep the stool softer and easier to extract. If you find that you are skipping days, you can add a milk of magnesia or even add magnesium to your diet or supplemental routine. Have baby wipes! Not only will it help remove material from your finger when you are done, it will cleanse and soothe your tired back door. Keeping that area clean will prevent other issues. Dry toilet paper is ok for normal folks, but baby wipes are required for us.

                  Please know this is a VERY common issue, and I sought help as high up as a GI specialist in a huge medical center. I suffer from Gastroparesis where my tummy just doesn't push things out of my tummy or out of my back door. So, I make sure to eat proper foods, and take interventions to keep it soft enough to not have to drag thru like chunks of cement.

                  With some prevention, and good hygiene, it gets MUCH better. write me if you need to.
                  RRMS 3/26/07
                  Beta 5/17/07
                  Copaxone 8/07/07

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I've finally made an appointment with a gastroenterologist and will be having my first colonoscopy in a couple of weeks. Long before my dx, I was a once a weeker, typically large and formed, and all was good. About five years ago, I noticed a change...both in size (much reduced size) and frequency (more often) that for me was different and I developed the most horrible anal itching (as in most of the time).

                    Initially I mentioned this to both my ob/gyn who suggested that I wash after each bm to solve the itching problem and noted that I had no visible hemorrhoids. Washing (not always possible) did not change the situation. My md referred me to the gastro guy who wanted to do a colonoscopy over 2 years ago that I put off until now. Hopefully, this will answer some questions.

                    Another issue that I have that seems to have gotten worse in the past few months is that I will develop a horrible cramp from front to back down there. The only thing that relieves it is if I take a tylenol. If I don't, the pain becomes unbearable. Usually, but not always, once the cramping subsides, I have a bm. Anyone experience anything like this?

                    Comment


                      #11
                      i do get what i think may be similar too your cramping- i have no bladder control and have a suprapubic catheter, i also have poor sensation throughout the "nether regions". I have poor bowel control too, i cannot afford to get constipated and if i do actually feel the need to go i have to get to the bathroom NOW! Sometimes i get painful spasms right through that entire region and it automatically makes everything bare down, so it is an urgent rush to the bathroom, it is only then that i can find if it is a case of needing to do a BM or that my catheter has kinked off in my clothing etc. but the muscle contraction is very strong very painful and totally involuntary- i spoke to my continence nurse and she says that it is not that uncommon for front an back to be affected to some degree.

                      when she comes to change my SP i have to take baclofen and valium and she uses xylocaine gel or when she tries to remove the old catheter every thing clamps up- again very painful!

                      I have noticed too that the neuros and even my GP are fine with discussing the urinary incontinence but much less willing to talk about the bowel control issues- pretty sad as it is harder enough to raise the issue only to have it avoided

                      Comment


                        #12
                        The post that inspired me to join!

                        I have been reading msworld as a guest for some time but this post inspired me to join because I wanted to offer my experience concerning this issue.

                        I had my 3rd child on 9/9/10 and suffered a relapse that included left-sided weakness and "constipation." I reported my problems to my neurologist, although at the time I did not link my constipation to the flare.

                        Long story short, after seeing 5 different doctors ranging from GI to OB-Gyn to neurologist I had a test done called anal manometry. In this test they measure how the rectum responds to normal stimuli (yes, they stick some tubes with different electrical impulses on them up your butt. Lots of fun!) Although my test was "normal" the gi doctor casually mentioned that the report indicated that my muscles were not coordinated. So basically my colon has ataxia. Which makes sense since my flare involved a loss of coordination as well.

                        I wanted to share this with you because it is a horrible experience to have these problems and feel like everyone is blowing you off. I went to a pt for the pelvic floor to learn proper posturing to defecate (yes, there is such a thing!), did biofeedback to learn how to relax the pelvis floor and i take Miralax everyday. It works for me (keeping fingers crossed that it keeps working!)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I've had a similar problem for years...I just never have the urge to go. so I have a routine and it works for me because the muscles just don't work right.

                          first I make sure I take something everyday...used to be Miralax, then I discovered a powdered magnesium supplement you put in water, and I've tweaked the dosage so I know how much works for me.

                          Then every day I use a suppository to start things up...for some reason the suppository (the glycerin kind) does seem to work...and once things get started I get results. However if I ever had to push..that's not happening because there's no push left in my muscles.

                          I've discussed it with my urogynecologist and he says it's the MS just not getting the signal through to my muscles. I guess it's more common a problem than I had imagined.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Exit difficulty

                            Since a relapse I had a few years ago, my muscles don't work together the way they should. I was having bladder issues and went to an Urologist. He did his lovely tests (Urodynamic one was, uh, interesting) and decided I had a Neurogenic Bladder and placed me on Ditropan.
                            Which seemed to be great, until I noticed shortly after I was placed on Morphine for cancer pain, it helped the bladder but shut down the 'works' for bowel movements. The 'works' no longer moved. I discovered this myself at the hospital after choosing not to take that particular pill.

                            I know what your going through is not pleasant, I've done the same, Prep H, wipes, gloves, and I even went so far as small plastic tongs. I did this after the ER gave me an enema and sent me home with no relief.... Geez, sorry, after all this I just wanted to suggest look at what meds you're taking as well, this problem can become immense as a side effect.
                            The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Aussie,

                              I have been on various MS boards for years and have never seen this issue discussed. Thank you for being brave enough to discuss something I have been too chicken to venture into myself.

                              I am sorry you have to go dumpster diving, as it were, but please know that that this fellow MSer Oklahoman must perform the same dirty dancing every day.

                              Still, better this than unanounced, emergency evacuations.

                              Comment

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