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    Constipation!

    I honestly NEVER imagined how much Pain this problem could cause. I thought that I would have to go to the emergency room after trying so many different things to resolve this problem on my own.

    I feel like I experience labor AND delivery, funny, NOT FUNNY at all. The only thing that kept me out of the hospital was being mortified by the condition that I would have gone and shear willpower.

    OMG, I can't be the only one!! What helps? I know the regular stuff, eating well, exercise (haven't been getting much the last couple days) water, but what else? Took miralax, ate watermelon, (usually works) other fruits and veggies, coffee.

    What are your remedies? I am still in pain and not out of the woods yet. Help??

    I'm thinking about olive oil, but afraid it may work for the top, but not the bottom half. (no pun intended)

    This is traumatic!

    #2
    Tia - I feel really bad for you! You are not alone as many of us MSers have this problem too. Different medications can cause constipation, so you might want to read the prescribing information regarding the side effects and work with your PCP.

    Here is another thread addressing constipation that you might find helpful with the myriad suggestions- http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthr...2-Constipation

    Have you tried an enema yet? When things get really drastic for me after all I've done to alleviate the problem, this is my go-to place. I only do this very rarely tho.

    My suggestion for you at this time is to go the ER if things don't work out. You could have bowel blockage which can lead to some serious consequences! I've had to go once and as embarrassed I was initially, it did help!

    Hope things work out for you and you feel better soon
    1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
    Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

    Comment


      #3
      I used what amounted to half an enema and it didn't help. That is one of the reason the i thought I might end up in the hospital, I had an urge, but could not go.

      Trust me, when I say it was it was a terrible situation. PAINFUL!!!

      I have tried more miralax, olive oil, lots o fluid. I know that I need to go have no choice (bathroom) but after my experience earlier, I'm pretty nervous.

      Thanks for the link, I'm going to check it out.

      Comment


        #4
        I understand

        Tia1 years and years ago before I was ever diagnosed with MS, I had chronic constipation (was actually worse than that), an my GI had tried everything at that time. He ended up sending me to a different specialist in another town, after nothing working.

        Well come to find out, my large intestine was just not working. Lots of things went on, and started going through test to see if I was a candidate for removing my colon, and just using my small intestine. Mind you, I was being treated for the condition per say, but no one ever stopped to think why a younger person without any other reason, would just have the colon stop functioning.

        Trying to be brief here sorry. While I was waiting on some other results, that Dr had me start taking milk of magnesium during our waiting period, along with a muscle relaxer because I had a rectal hernia as well.

        After all the drugs we had tried previously, that otc MOM actually worked (but at higher doses), and it was the cheapest, most available, and safest of all that I had taken.

        I had to take it for years, every day. I had no sensation in my gut to go. At some point for some reason I stopped to see what would happen (long time ago), and I did start going on my own some. I'm so glad we didn't remove my colon, as I have sensation back now when I need to go, but I do still have a LOT of trouble.

        What you do really depends on the reason for the constipation. My mom was on me ALL the time to eat finer lol....that last Dr said no, that will only bulk up because your colon is not working.

        These days there are more meds to increase the working of the gut, back then there wasn't. However the newer ones are usually more costly. For me I will use dulcolax occasionally, to keep from getting so bad, and it doesn't make me cramp touch. I'm trying a different right now as well, but it didn't work from last night. For quick relief, you might try the dulcolax suppositories.

        Hope this helps, and may God bless

        Comment


          #5
          Thanks TexasBlue for the information and sharing your experience, somehow it helps me feel more in control when I know others have been down a similar road. I have tried in the past Mom, it seems that most things that have worked, are not working for me at the moment.

          I'm sorry that you had to go through the pain and discomfort and I'm glad that you did not have your colon removed.

          I'm guessing that you don't know why things started working again, was it a flare that resolved on it own? Thank God that it did!

          My problem seemed to be that the lower half was not working! Like the muscles just stopped and I had major cramping at the top.

          I feel better today, but something is not right. sigh!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Tia1 View Post
            Thanks TexasBlue for the information and sharing your experience, somehow it helps me feel more in control when I know others have been down a similar road. I have tried in the past Mom, it seems that most things that have worked, are not working for me at the moment.

            I'm sorry that you had to go through the pain and discomfort and I'm glad that you did not have your colon removed.

            I'm guessing that you don't know why things started working again, was it a flare that resolved on it own? Thank God that it did!

            My problem seemed to be that the lower half was not working! Like the muscles just stopped and I had major cramping at the top.

            I feel better today, but something is not right. sigh!

            The doctor in urgentcare told me to take probiotic10 and benefiber everyday and also greek yogurt and I have been fine for the last six months. Maybe that will help you . Good Luck, I know how horrible it is!

            Comment


              #7
              Me too Tia1

              Tia1, I have know idea why or how it started again, I just know looking back now, it had to be MS (that no one considered). I'm thankful as well, that we didn't tho through with the removal of my colon, and he had even worried, that the same thing could happen someday with my small intestine phew.

              I had the same thing happen with my bladder a few years later, again no one checked into why. I had a catheter for 10 days, very miserable with trying to work etc. The urologist put me on a med that is for men with prostate problems, just to try. He removed the Cath and told me if my bladder didn't start working again, they would have to teach me to self Cath.

              Don't know if the prostate meds helped or not, hard to say, but my bladders started working again, thank God.

              It was years after all this when I changed PCPs, and she listened and saw my history. She said no one has ever tested you for MS?? Nope, sure hadn't, but a Dr did think I had lupus at one time. That was back before there were even lupus panels lol.

              Thank God for that new Dr sending me to a neurologist, and taking the feeling away of me thinking I was crazy.

              It's kind of trial and error with the bowels unfortunately, and I can tell you I have chronic constipation, not like most with an occasional bout. I've have different times that I was sent home to do a second prep because they still couldn't do a scope on me after one prep....Ugh

              Anyway I hear you, understand and I'm here anytime.

              Get better and may God bless

              Comment


                #8
                I have major issues with constipation and the main thing I have found that REALLY helps is to eat SUNFLOWER KERNELS several times every day!!! I also take fiber gummies at bedtime but if I miss the sunflower kernels, I can tell!!
                MS - diagnosed 2/05/2013

                Comment


                  #9
                  Steel cut oats with raisins.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Take colace everyday. On bad days, take two colace. I think that will prevent constipation.
                    good luck

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Temagami View Post
                      Steel cut oats with raisins.
                      This sounds good.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Tia1

                        I do not have MS, my wife does and I do not have any good ideas to keep you regular but when it’s gets to the point you so vividly describe may I suggest you follow the instructions as if you were doing a prep for a colonoscopy. I can’t imagine if you take two or three colace and drink the gallon of medicine that you won’t have a bowel movement. It ain’t pretty but better then the emergency room.

                        Good luck.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by robert152 View Post
                          I do not have MS, my wife does and I do not have any good ideas to keep you regular but when it’s gets to the point you so vividly describe may I suggest you follow the instructions as if you were doing a prep for a colonoscopy. I can’t imagine if you take two or three colace and drink the gallon of medicine that you won’t have a bowel movement. It ain’t pretty but better then the emergency room.

                          Good luck.
                          I have ever present constipation issues and I have 2 or 3 strategies that I use, and even after years, I can't say I have a sure fire method to get things moving again (especially after surgeries, etc.)

                          One is Miralax...I take a double dose of their regular dose (i.e. 2 capfuls a day) until things move (they say right in the label it can take 3 days to work. Another method was given to me by my NP, and also was given the same "recipe" by a nurse at my physiatrist office. Take Milk of Magnesia (the concentrated dose) mixed with 4 oz of prune juice and then heat it in the microwave. Once you've gotten that warm prune juice cocktail down (I guess if you love prune juice it would be an effort, but for me, I shudder every time I think about it, yet I do it and have never thrown up after feeling like I might) , follow with an eight ounce glass of warm water. I've tried every kind of fibrous food/fruit/vegetable/nut or grain that are considered fiber, and I can't say any of that works consistently (pears...supposedly highest fiber fruit; figs, dates, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, sprouted bread, bran, etc.) I'm sure they may help a little, just not by themselves as a relief producer.

                          I've had my share of surgeries over the years and several surgeons I've had told me if the constipation is not easing post surgery, buy a bottle of Magnesium Citrate at the drug store and drink it. It's what they used to use as prep before a colonoscopy. I have found that with MS, every solution you use still takes longer than what the directions say it will take. But the Magnesium Citrate is the fastest, but the most extreme and will clean you out just like a colonoscopy prep. That's not what I want for my bowel issues, but it is nice to know it will work if I'm not being successful with any other method. It also has a strong flavor...the lemon isn't so bad, the grape sort of tastes like grape soda we used to drink when I was a kid, just with a good amount of salt in it. (I just did a quick google search, and a bottle of the magnesium citrate is 99 cents at Target, so not a strain on your income if you choose to try it.)

                          They now have a double strength colace (stool softener) and also a stronger strength of Milk of
                          Magnesia for sale to the public, no need for a prescription. Same for the bottle of Magnesium Citrate you can buy it any drug store, no prescription necessary. But as someone else mentioned up the thread, you shouldn't hesitate to go to an ER if nothing is happening because you could have a bowel blockage. Also if vomiting starts occurring definitely go to the ER. Don't be embarrassed it might be something that would warrant surgery, and the sooner you get that ruled out, then
                          the easier it gets (emotionally.)

                          It sure is frustrating to have to try so many different methods or medicines to do something that
                          should be, and used to be, so natural.

                          I think the official info on constipation and MS says that 68% of people with MS experience bowel issues and 78 - 90% have bladder issues of one sort or the other. I don't think they've come far on any prescription remedy for the problem. There was a drug called Linzess that was mentioned for awhile as relief for constipation, but if you read the fine print, it's specifically for people with Idiopathic Constipation, and folks with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. MS patients constipation isn't idiopathic, we know why the bowel isn't working it's because the signal between the brain and the bowel is messed up. They know what causes it, it's a neurological disease, they don't know how to stop it.

                          Much of the times it's more than just our bowels moving slowly through our intestines. It's that our "pushing muscles" are not working right so even if your bowel movement gets to the rectum, we don't have the muscle strength to force it out. This actually happens on a fairly regular basis, even with "healthy" elderly patients (over 80) who lose muscle tone/strength in that area as they age, can experience bowel incontinence or constipation (learned this when our parents got older and we were looking after them.) I have neuromuscular scoliosis, and there is also idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic usually is seen in young people, and the MS caused scoliosis happens usually with MS have had it for many years. The muscles on one side of your body give up the fight, and allow the spine to move into a giant C curve. It's not unknown what causes it, they just can't fix it (well some folks have it fixed by surgery) but the surgery and rehab is brutal and almost impossible if MS has taken away your core muscles that it takes in order to rehab after surgery.

                          So we muddle on, trying to find something that works for us. I've yet to come up with a good
                          solution, and the doctor's don't have any more advice, so as in most things with
                          MS we become our own best advocate and do the "try it and see if it might work" technique.

                          I know this is an old thread, but I'm sure a lot of people that see constipation will take a peek in this thread because you all described things so well and "talked" about a problem that a lot of people feel embarrassed to discuss with you dr. or neuro.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RDMC

                            So much good information. Thank you

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Although this is an old thread, it appears that there is still info on here that may be used to others.
                              ~ Faith
                              MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
                              (now a Mimibug)

                              Symptoms began in JAN02
                              - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
                              - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08
                              .

                              - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
                              - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

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