[poochie]

What do you do about constipation? I have always had a problem since MS, but the older I get the worse it gets. I take a lot, (a lot) of fiber, use stool softeners, but nothing seems to work any more without using a laxative or something that will make me go. I don't know what else to do. The fiber just gives me lots of gas and doesn't help. I drink lots of water. What else can I do. Help.

[SallyC]

Sorry, Poochie. I have always had to fight constipation. If I go once or twice a week, thats good for me. I sometimes do an old fashion enema if it goes too long. A laxative is a last resort for me, because they can be addctive.

And then I have the oposite problem..My anxiety cause me to have Diahria, now and then. Maybe it all evens out, in the end?

Warm prune juice also works, sometimes.

Good luck..

[grandma]

Originally Posted by poochie

What do you do about constipation? I have always had a problem since MS, but the older I get the worse it gets. I take a lot, (a lot) of fiber, use stool softeners, but nothing seems to work any more without using a laxative or something that will make me go. I don't know what else to do. The fiber just gives me lots of gas and doesn't help. I drink lots of water. What else can I do. Help.

i have the same problem and it has gotten worse as i got older. the old fashion enema twice a week is what i do. and it works out for me but it is a hassel. good luck to you

[4boysmom]

I found consistent use of Citrucel in powder form really helps regulate without the gassiness of Metamucel. I'm in a good spot right now so I can take one citrucel pill a day and that works good enough.

[Dejibo]

I have found increasing fruits that are full of fiber helps, like apples and such. If you can, try to talk a walk, this really does help give the peristalsys a leg up. Try to get on a schedule. If a cup of coffee helps, then aim for the AM. Go sit on the potty, and give yourself a chance to relax, and let it happen. Make sure you are well hydrated.

The upper part of the intestine is all about adding water to your stools. makes it mushy, and it can draw all the nutrients out of it, the lower part is all about taking the water away. make it dry, and recycle that fluid. The better your hydration, the easier it is to push. Dry stools are hard to push, and the longer its in there, the drier it gets.

Miralax has helped many, but makes the opposite a problem for me. I use colace with a vegetable additive that really helps when I need it.

Even if you can only sit in your chair, and pump your legs, or do simple bends forward, and lean back, forward and lean back, it does help get those muscles going.

feel better.

[NurseNancy]

sorry, i know what you're going thru.
i just increased by stool softner to 2 a nite from 1 and that really helped.
you don't have to buy a brand name. it's expensive.
the active ingredient in stool softners is Docusate Sodium.
you can buy it over the counter in the grocery store or walgreens.

however, if you're to the point of needing laxatives i think you should discuss this with your dr. you might even benefit from a GI consult.

i'm also on a lot of meds that cause constipation. so that plus the MS does a # on me.

[lady_express_44]

I was put on Carnitor by my neurologist, which is a natural product often recommended/rx'd for MS weakness. It did seem to help my leg strength, but it really worked best as a laxative.

I have always had bowel troubles, even as a child. The longest I've ever gone is 5 weeks without a BM, and even laxatives didn't work.

I tried metamucle, change in diet, exercise, more water, laxative . . . you name it!, and nothing helped.

My doc recommended Benefibre for the last couple of years, but I thought it was just another "waste of time" . Eventually I bought some though, and it actually worked!!

The best remedy I've found though is having my gallbladder removed. Don't have any idea what that has to do with the bowels, but I am fairly regular for the first time since I can remember.

Cherie

[Dejibo]

I have that problem. I cant push sometimes. no matter how full the vault, I simply cant get the stimulus to push! That leads to the stool contuning to be robbed of water, and then becomes quite dry, and even harder to push. Now and again, I have to lube up a finger with prep H or something and help it find its way out. I was told this IS an MS thing.

I agree, please speak to your MD about this. If its a once in a while thing, its not a biggie, but alla the time needs to be documented.

[Aarcyn]

I went to a gastro doc just to make sure there was no other reason for my problem.

Long story short, I drink Miralax (sp) every night. It is just a powder in water, no taste. He said I could be on it forever.

Takes a few days and no more problems at all. I use lots of other medications so one more makes no difference.

Works like a charm.

[kicker]

Very constipated but going from 1 to 2 to 3 doses of Benefiber seems good, take stool softeners, Took Miralax once, but once it moved the problem, had diarria 3-4 times. Found that worse, never got to toilet on time. Too much clean-up!!!