Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Comstipation - hopefully not too much TMI 😉. Sorry..it’s a bit long....

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Comstipation - hopefully not too much TMI 😉. Sorry..it’s a bit long....

    Hello friends!

    Well,l here is an update: I continue to have stomach pain but the pain has gotten less and my left leg is slowly, very slowly getting stronger. That said, I am stuck with severe constipation...so much so I ended up in the ER last week via ambulance. Let me just day it was bad and humiliating.

    I am taking Mag Citrate, colace, Metamucil, Miralax and still have been unable to pass stools except with the bad incident last week. Yesterday I added Linzess and yup, the dose must be too small as I only passed a small amount. Today....well nothing yet. I have read horror stories on the drug online and frankly I am quite scared as I am really a “no-med” kind of girl.

    After leaving my job/career due to MS and these other health issues, the feeling of isolation (not feeling well enough to do things), my fears about meds and outcomes, and really the many layers of autoimmune diseases, I am really struggling right now. It feels like a very dark time for me although I know intellectually I shouldn’t feel that way. I have so many blessings: a supportive husband and family, I can financially afford not to work for a while, my teen daughters are both doing well in relationships, self image, school/grades, etc. But yet, I feel so alone and very scared. Taking the Linzess (after reading about it online) has made me even more afraid and anxious. Next week I hope to have some answers as my gastro is doing some testing.

    I see my psyc doc today and plan on attending a chronic illness support group tonight. I am hoping this support group will be helpful as my friends are busy with their own lives and really don’t understand MS and how it affects me physically and mentally...probably because I look so good! 😉

    Thank you for letting me come here and vent and share my fears. I wish I could understand why I have been so constipated for over 6 months now....and I remain hopeful that it will be nothing too bad. Thanks everyone for listening...I am most grateful! 💕

    #2
    Hey MGM,

    Welcome back. So sorry you are experiencing such a painful and complicated issue.

    Do any of your meds have constipation as a side effect? Do you eat a high fiber diet? Do you eat foods that can contribute to constipation, things like cheese or fried foods? Some foods are binding. Do you drink lots of water? Sorry for the basic questions.

    I struggle occasionally with it and going to discuss with my PCP next OV. I know before, he told me to make sure any supplement was high in insoluble fiber, as that relieves constipation better than soluble fiber. I think I used metamucil for that reason, so you are covered there. He also told me to up my activity to try to move things along.

    I think mine may be related to an increase in bladder meds a while ago. It seems to coincide with my increase in occasional constipation.

    I am glad you are seeing a gastroenterologist next week. Hoping they can quickly get you relief, no pun intended. I can understand your concern with side effects.
    Kathy
    DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

    Comment


      #3
      I get that problem a lot. But, it's less than it used to be. One thing to watch for is a possible blockage. I had a BM the day before I was admitted to the hospital for surgery to correct a blockage. Just one day! I had years of constipation. I've been drinking green tea with honey for a few years and things seem better. Not sure if the tea or the honey has helped or if it's just something else. But constipation is nothing to ignore. Your Gastro should be able to help.

      Lots of meds are drying.. they dry your eyes, mouth, skin and your "processes". And of course, some parts of your diet might be contributing. Don't let it go on too long. Best of luck to you.
      Marti




      The only cure for insomnia is to get more sleep.

      Comment


        #4
        I'm sorry you are having trouble, MGM

        I periodically go through this and it's no fun. I am beginning to think it has to do with certain meds and also my diet (mainly eating meat, which I don't eat much of lately). I am also going gluten free which has helped.

        I'm still trying different things, but I found that taking a digestive probiotic and added magnesium help.

        And when it's gone waaaay too long, I get out the old enema bag.

        Good luck with your appt with the gastro!
        hang in there
        1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
        Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

        Comment


          #5
          MGM

          I used to get constipated and started eating prunes and all that kind of stuff then I had to do excercises for my back muscles which is lying on the bed or floor and pulling one knee at a time up to your chest and holding it for ten seconds. Do as many reps as you can but if you can only do one to start, that’s fine. I do 25 reps a day now and no longer have constipation and my back feels great.

          Good luck.

          Comment


            #6
            Severe constipation has been my constant companion for years now. I have had an extensive work-up and mine is caused by several issues. Last year, I underwent esophageal and colonic manometry testing. I was found to have a neurogenic bowel with slow gastric transit. During the testing, a couple different medications were administered to see if the intestines would contract. I happened to respond to neostigmine. I was then given mestinon(safer option but related medication) to take for the bowels and for droopy eyelids. It helped both problems but then the effect started to wear off. The dose has been increased a few times.

            The years of constipation have caused pelvic floor dysfunction, descending perineum syndrome and a rectocele. These all worsen the constipation and it becomes a vicious cycle. Pelvic floor therapy was very helpful and I still utilize the techniques I learned every day. I am on a bowel regiment that often needs tweaking so I work closely with my GI specialist.

            I have gone weeks without a bowel movement and when that happens, I am instructed to do a colonoscopy prep. I always have Go-Lytely packages at home just in case. These are a last resort if nothing else helps. Linzess worked to get things going for me but I had little control for when I would suddenly need the bathroom. After a couple near miss accidents. I decided it wasn't going to work for me. I have a job that prevents me from being able to use the restroom when I need to. The only other side effect for me was a dry mouth. I hope it gives you some relief. Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you. Enjoy your meeting tonight.

            Comment


              #7
              Thank you all for your suggestions and ideas! It isn’t diet as I eat quite well, healthy and lots of fiber in fruits and veggies. Have been gluten free for years. In pelvic floor PT so that is helping. It is basically like everything just stopped working...at all.

              The Lizness has helped (YAY!) although I have a constant grumbling stomach.

              My guess is that it is slow transit maybe due to nerves with MS....I may never know. Just trying to ride through this tough time. Working on learning on living in the moment, it getting too far ahead and letting things go. I know that things improve after dark times, but boy, when you are in the middle of it, it is really really hard.

              My scheduled hair appointment is today....a cut and color can always brighten up a girls day!

              Thank you all for responding and helping me not feel so alone in this. Very grateful!! 💕

              Comment


                #8
                Hopefully I can post this link to a pdf of Silke Greiner´s thesis on constipation in adults- there´s a section on folks with neurological issues.

                https://www.holosuniversity.org/uplo...ssertation.pdf

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Temagami View Post
                  Hopefully I can post this link to a pdf of Silke Greiner´s thesis on constipation in adults- there´s a section on folks with neurological issues.

                  https://www.holosuniversity.org/uplo...ssertation.pdf
                  Thanks Temagami! Unfortunately this link is to a private website. I tried googling too, but it didn’t work.

                  In someways it would be helpful if this constipation was neurological and not my fault, but then I think it may be harder to fix. My PT assures me that after my rectal exam next week, we will have info to put in place a plan to treat and build back strength. I am holding on to that right now.

                  Comment

                  Working...
                  X