Bizi, thanks for the ideas to relieve constipation, but I have neurogenic bowel and it's like moving heaven and earth to poop most times.

Janet, I'm sorry you also have MS. Atrophy is no longer a death sentence. I'm glad you're able to exercise. I walk as much as I can and do some exercises from PT.

So, lots of MS symptoms have been getting a lot worse...

Woke to my alarm this morning and thought I must have had night sweats... until I realized I s*** the bed. This was no stray fart (it was everywhere) and I had no idea I had done it. I've crapped myself a bit 3 other times, but nothing like this. The sheets and quilt were destroyed and I cried while I spent over an hour trying to get the stain out of the mattress (I did).
I've also been having more problems with urinary incontinence and retention.

MAYBE the most troubling thing is increasing problems with my cognition. I really don't know what I'm doing from one moment to the next. My husband is frustrated because I do things like ask him the same question a minute later. I'm not retaining much information. I've noticed it for quite a while.

My balance is also worse, but I feel safer with the forearm crutch. I'm probably going to have to figure out how to use both soon.

I feel increasingly fatigued, but not like I was before I stopped Cymbalta. My tremor's a little worse.

None of these are new symptoms, just worsening. But I'm going to call my neuro in the am. I'm supposed to see her the 6th, but maybe she at least wants an MRI beforehand.

My PCP increased my neurontin and baclofen last month. I've probably been on them long enough to be used to them, but went back to the prior doses to see if my cognition improves (no results yet).
I'm also stopping trazadone. I've taken it for a couple years at night, but maybe it played a role in me shitting myself last night.

I got a copy of the Xray report on my hip. I have a "degenerative cyst" on the "femoral neck." So basically, I have some degree of osteoarthritis in my hip. My appt. is Friday.

i want to say something but not sure of what to say. you are definitely a hero. you show no self pity and continue to troop on. how precious you are.
i am sorry about the cognitive stuff along with the rest. Do you think the cognitive could be related to medications?
you are definitely hanging in there and you should be so proud of yourself.
fondly
bobby

Kay

I think you are a hero also, and a gem of a person.

Sending some hugs, and wishing I could give them in person.

Please hang in there and give yourself some slack.

Maybe part of the problem with the cognitive is your trying to hard.

That honestly was mine, and I think you maybe seeing a side effect
even though you didn't take the cymbalta long. But partially from
that. Its something that can happen.

I had a really big slide in cognitive when I had to stop my cymbalta, with
nothing to replace it with. Once I added the generic celexa, it was a
big help.

Donna

Well the mag citrate can do that to you. There is a product out there that has mag citrate in a powder form, I believe it is called calm. You mix it with water, 3 heaping teaspoons with 3-4 oz of warm water then fill up the glass and drink. have you ever tried the myalax before. it really does work.It is kinda of expensive but works $18 for a months supply I think generic.now that you are cleaned out this would be the perfect time to start taking it.
You are a brave woman, I admire you.
sorry you are dealing with all of these changes.
you are going thru so much.
((((((HUGS)))))
bizi

hi
i use the kirkland substitute for miralax. i get it from amazon and it comes in three bottles with 30day supply in each and costs 35 dollars. hope this helps.
bobby

Please- no more suggestions about bowel meds. I won't mention bowel issues again either.

I went to the ortho today and he is not concerned with the cyst, but thinks I may have a labral tear (tear around the tissue in the joint). I'll have to have a MRI with a big old contrast injection into my groin to confirm. Not scheduled yet.

Bobby, I think meds can be contributing so I'm tweaking them. Definitely cymbalta was a problem- that's gone. Now I'm thinking the baclofen (antispasmotic) may have been increased to fast.

Donna, I wish the problem was that I'm trying too hard, but that's not it.

Thanks for all your support guys.
Kay

Kay

Have a great weekend, My only suggestion is to try and drink water
That is what I do.

Donna

Dear Kay,

I wish you were doing better. I am amazed at how well you keep track of meds, symptoms, side effects, docs.

Maybe the two med changes you mentioned will help improve cognition.

M

((((Kay))))

here is something for you.



~ waves ~

I'm hanging in there, despite medical issues, but I've been battling depression since Dec.
I saw the pdoc last week and told her about the cymbalta and told her I'd had enough of the depression. She added a little zoloft at night- 25mg for 2 weeks, then 50mg.
I'm very leery of antidepressants since they tend to induce mania (and I've had plenty of that) but I'm on 200mg of lamictal and 300mg lithium in the am, 450mg in the pm and the zoloft dose is so small... but I'm still crossing my fingers.

My hip is feeling a little better, so I'm going back and forth on whether or not I'm going through with the MRI.
I'll talk to my PCP about it when I see him on Friday...

It's a follow up. I've been having near fainting spells when I'm standing up... everything starts to fade to black and I have to sit down fast, then lay down. I've missed 3 appointments because of it. The NP I saw just ran some bloodwork (my pdoc got it so I know it was all normal). I have a history with this tho. and think it's probably the same thing. Fortunately I haven't passed out. I drink 3 liters of water a day and eat well.

I saw the neurologist. I don't have to have another MRI until Sept. She's just going to follow me over time (woo-hoo!) She agrees with my decision to stay off any of the MS meds for now. Neither of us is convinced they will work. She says the bowel incontinence happens, usually infrequently. Most of the treatments are invasive and she doesn't think it's needed now. But I have to see a urologist.

So, I think that's about it.

Thank you all for your support! I hope you are all well.

Kay