Ok, I can't embarass myself more than that, so did I ever tell you the story about ........... :p


*****
Jeez, good thing we all use aliases.

I am on calcium and heard Dr. Oz. (you know him from Oprah) to take Magnesium 3 daily. 3 is too much for me so I take 2 a day, I can't believe the difference it has made. I have always been constipated since diagnosed.

What form is that magnesium in - pill or liquid?

Dejibo,
Thank you for opening up this subject. The more I'm aware, the better I do, And I do like knowing it's not just me.

Hi Dejibo --

I have been constipated for years! It's the worst. I started taking 2 Magnesium Citrate pills a day and probiotics. Both helped tremendously...I actually started going to the bathroom every day (well almost every day). I was surprised at the difference. For awhile I did probiotics alone but then I had to add magnesium. The only problem is that only one brand of probiotics works for me and it is expensive. But it is so worth it!!! It is called "MegaFlora" made by a company called MegaFood. It has 14 strains of the good bacteria plus 20 Billion per capsule. I take 2 a day.

Here is a link http://www.megafood.com/products/dai.../megaflora.php

And I use a small bench in front of the toilet to put my feet up on as well. That posture/angle helps. Another thing you can try is massaging an acupuncture point called Large Intestine #4 (called LI4) while you are trying to go. It is between the thumb and first finger--sort of in the web area close to your thumb. If you do press on it/massage while you are trying to have a BM sometimes it helps create peristalsis so things begin to move. Here is a link showing where the point is.

http://www.irufa.com/eng/magnetic/Acupuncture/LI4.jpg

Hope this helps!
Natalie

I'm excited to report that I've had a regular BM 3 days in a row!!!

I want to send my PCP a thank you card cuz this is a record!

benefiber + colace + lactulose = Woo-Hoo!!!

What strength Magnesium do you take Natalie? I take 500mg tablets for cramp, but I still have constipated stools. Do I need to increase the dose?

Don't apologize for the poopy thread!
 

I have almost constant constipation and I can't not feel when I need to go. Not until it is making it's way out. On occassion I will get diareah (sp) and can't feel that coming on either. So during those times I stay very close to bathrooma and wear depends.

Between the two, I much prefer the constipation. It is a nuisance to have to help it out, but I've learned to do that in such a way to not be a mess. I go through a lot of wet wipes.

It's just part of the ms for me. I don't worry about it. My life is just "different" now in a lot of ways. And this is one of them.

Thank you for the thread.

I have quit being embarassed or ashamed of having to help the poopies out! I'm not saying you are, but I use to be. I have to do this on a daily bases. It is easier to help it out and not have to be in such discomfort.

The way I do it is double up a wet wipes and wrap in around my longest fnger. Then it is easier to help guide it out. It's not messy at all. And the moistness of the towelette does the trick.

I am glad for this thread because other people reading this who are just learning they have ms, or who are just now have this problem, it is good for them to know others are going through it.

Thanks again for the thread!

Oh Friend.... I understand exactly what you're saying! I get that feeling too ..... or should I say I don't get the feeling either? :confused:

I'm so pleased that some-one has opened up this subject for discussion. Let's face it....... it's not the sort of thing you put on the agenda for discussion at a dinner party, is it?

Oh, I'm the opposite. No matter what my diet is like (and it is shamefully bad), i never have a formed stool. Regular as clockwork but never seems that I've got it right. :mad:

I have talked to many MS patients that swing the other way, and have diarrhea, or constant loose stools. A friend of mine has a quick trigger. By the time she says "uh oh, gotta go." she is dashing to the potty, and its running down her leg. She has taken to wearing depends on days that she knows she is gonna be gone long. She has told me how embarrassing it is to be perfectly comfy and then BOOM! she doesnt make the potty. Always has a spare pair of panties in her bag, and a box of baby wipes. I always wondered why her hand bag was the size of a satchel.

I was concerned about my own INability to push as if my intestine was paralyzed or simply forgot how to do its job. I thought I was plain old weird. Its been of great comfort to come and find out that I am not the only one who has had to go in and remove contents that may have shifted during transport.

This thread brought me great comfort and relief from some embarrassment that I had carried with me for a couple of years now. While I would certainly not like the quick trigger of my friend, and if I had to pick one side of the other, would pick this lane, I still long for the day that I make it through the day with something normal occuring.

Hey, how about I give you a list of what I eat, you try it, and see how you go???
Must admit I eat a lot of liquorice. and sweets, and junk.

and always seems worse the morning after a beta shot.

actually I have a pretty clean diet. I dont eat anything that is processed, or packaged if I can help it. I do have yummy things like mac and cheese, but not from a box, its home made. I try to eat as much local produce, meat, eggs, milks, and other stuff as possible, and feel better for it. Every now and again, we have something processed, and the husband goes nuts! I am not sure I would survive a sugar filled or processed life now that I have been weaned off of all the chemicals in most diets. No MSG or high frutose corn syrup, or soy.

The daughter has celiac and we led a gluten free existance until she left for college. We added whole wheat breads, and such back in after she left, and YUMMY! I did miss breads.

You always make me smile. thanks! :hug:

double post for me sorry.

I am going to try that massage thing on the spot between my thumb and forefinger.

I do admit that I have frequently used the prep H on my finger, and have gone hunting for the rocks. it is cause for a celebration in my house if I actually sit on the potty, and have a "normal" movement. I think one of the issues is that it stays inside so long, and turns into rocks, and dry hard stuff is harder to wiggle through. if I can get some normal movements going, they are soft, and slide on through. If its rocks, I tend to have to "help" it along.

I never thought in my wildest dream I would share that I have to go rescue the rocks. It saves me MUCH discomfort, and has saved me from having to go to the ER to have a pro do the exact same thing, only without as much privacy, and dignity that I can provide at home. IF you decide to rescue your own make sure you have some sort of lube on your fingers. hemmorhoid tissue is delicate, and you can injure it. you DONT want to create hemmorhoids or cause a clot in a hemmorhoid. Many things can be used. Prep H, KY, baby oil, or a wet baby wipe may provide enough lube to get the job done. The step stool at my feet, also helps place me in a good postion for the rescue as well. The step stool some times is enough, as it bends your body into a squat position, even though you are sitting.

I thought for a long time that it may have been from my old spinal fx, but when my MD told me its a common MS symptom, I knew I had to come here and take a poll.

Thank you for all that have chimed in, and spoke up, and thanks to those who voted, even if you didnt want to share your story. This has given me so much anxiety relief to know I am so not alone. Thanks! :hug:

Dejibo,
Re: cheese and mac - isn't cheese a binder? If not, pass me the cheese and mac!!!!!! (and whine to go with that cheese - shoot, just pass the wine)

I loved the book and rest of series (All Creatures, Great and Small". The vet/1st person/author when having a difficult calf delivery found pushing into cow made system push out and calf out. Found some success using this on my compacted "thing". Pushed out when I pushed in, helped peristaltic push out.. Could I deliver a calf? That I don't know. (not me personally, but helping a cow)

Could bowel incontinence be a beginning symptom of MS?

Hi Koala, I just checked my bottle. The brand is Bluebonnet. I take two capsules and it looks like each capsule is 200 mg. One thing I will also say (slightly off the topic of constipation) is that the magnesium has gotten rid of my twitching and calmed down the tremors in my hands. I was thinking of maybe going up to 600 mg.

I dont know if its the begining of MS, but it sure is a common theme. We tend to swing one way or the other.

I for years had IBS and would have to rush to a potty when the urge hit. As a paramedic on the streets, that wasnt always easy. As the years progressed, I swung too far in the other direction.

Its a good question to ask though.

I have been doing the tummy massage two or three times daily, and am happy to report that it appears to be helping. I do clockwise, then counter clockwise, then clock wise. I am trying to rub deep and firm. I have been happy that I went several times in the last few days, and while some had to be rescued, it was considered a huge improvement for me. Thanks!

I can't believe there are 60 posts on this thread:).

i know! its been a wild ride. I expected it to be a one or two day post that a handful would come say they were constipated, and the majority would come say they are not.

I have found loads of love and support on this poopy thread.

Thanks! :hug:

Wow, look at the statistics at the top. Roughly 75% have problems with constipation outside of exacerbations!!!!!!!!!!! It seems to be the untalked about MS symptom. Has anyone had a doctor ask you if you were constipated?? Although maybe it's caused by some drugs?

This is important s*&#.:cool:

This got many more hits than lack of sex thread!!!!!

The only reason I brought it up, was a lil college girl was doing a study on MS symptoms and testing MS patients to see how quickly they could spot a relapse, and how severe they thought each relapse symptom was. One scenario that she presented was a 24 year old woman, who was experiencing constipation for the last 2 days, and a tingle in her right foot that had not stopped for a full day. I said it was a relapse because of the foot tingle. She said "what about the constipation?" I was kinda stunned. I said "I didnt know constipation was a sx of a flare of MS." she went on to explain that constipation is a frequently overlooked symptom of MS. I was stunned.

I went on to explain my own sx to her of the not feeling like I could push stuff out. she said AHA! that is a strong sx of MS. I have had MDs ask about constipation, but not one ever explained it to me that it could be a sx of MS or a sign of a relapse. I guess I had become so used to my constipated life style, that I never tied the two together, and would have never considered it a sign that would be worthy of a call to the MD for a possible relapse sx.

Its clear after this poll that many of us suffer in silence with the same symptoms. I am thrilled that I have found I dont sit and wait alone. I expected others would say they are only constipated by meds, or rarely. I was shocked when the numbers started racking up that so many have the same "cant push it out" as a sx. I truly never ever thought someone else would admit to "rescue" of stuck poopies. You have all made me feel so much more normal and better about myself.

Thanks for that! :hug:

btw, the ab massage seems to be helping! give it a try.

Dej - I am glad to hear that the ab massages are working for you. While I am not having this symptom right now, I will keep it in mind for when it hits again. Thanks for reporting back on that. Did you find out how to do it via the web? I never went back to check those articles I was reading and trying to interpret. LOL

I did not find out how to do it on the web, but have just sort of taken it upon myself to push, rub, and deeply massage my tummy. I go clockwise, and counterclockwise, and up, and down, and round and round. I find that I must do this everyday in order to have any relief, and the relief isnt as dramatic as taking a laxative, or a stool softener, but its helping.

I have made more of an effort to do things that get my tummy girdle moving. twists, stretches, and yoga stuff. I have also been trying some belly dancing moves. I am clunky and slow at it, but I think getting my tummy muscles moving is helping.

I have been full of anxiety and stress lately, so I am hoping these measures have also helped to reduce some of that anxiety.

Has anyone else tried rubbing their tummy? I push kinda deeply on mine.

Dejibo & others with constipation...
 

Well I gonna chime right in., I just saw this thread. Dejibo, your problem is also my problem , I have no push and I can't tell when I need to go anymore. I usually go everyday (varying amounts and consistancy), but not without manual assist. ( I was a GI nurse, and I can't tell u how many patients I have manually disimpacted--never thought I'd be doing it to myself). Yes the tummy massage works well,good for moving trapped gas too.

I have gotten into the habit for the past few years of pacing for about 1 1/2 hours each morning after my coffee, to see if I feel anything shaking. ( I would die if anyone saw my morning routine). I pace with my cane, and I don't think I could go now without doing that. If I just sit with my coffee (like pre MS day) I feel no urge. I live alone, so no one sees my mad behavior of pacing from room to room.

I lived on Donnagel-PG pre MS for my IBS diarrhea. Never thought I would have to put up with constipation, but then who knew I was gonna get MS. Personally, I would take diarrhea over constipation anyday. I just take stool softeners, and eat very high fiber diet with lots of fruits, and pace. Whatever it takes !! But it might be one of the most frustrating problems of MS, and like the thread says, under reported and undertreated.

Thanks for starting this thread, I don't feel so alone now. Has any one tried plum smart juice? Prune juice works for me , but I can't stand the cramps and gas!! I bought a bottle of plum smart, but haven't had the nerve to try it yet.

Bluenurse
 

I have tried the plum juice, and it did not work for me.

This thread has lifted my shame, and helped me to see I am not alone. I would have never dared tell anyone what happens when I close that door. My husband asked once "why do you buy so much Prep H?" he wanted to know if my hemmorhoids were bad enough that maybe I should ask for help. I explained that "its a lady thing, and trust me, you dont want to know." he blushed and hasnt asked again. I just thought I was weird, and or some sort of rarity that i have to rescue myself from my own poop. I would just die if my friends could see me now. most people are horribly grossed out if a peice of poop touches them, and here I am in search of it. As a nurse/medic I got used to gross things a long time ago.

It truly is a very under reported sx of MS. I was shocked when the study girl pointed out that constipation lasting for more than 24 hours can be considered a relapse sx. I would have never drawn that line.

btw, I rarely if ever allow steroids. I save it for visual stuff or Optic Neuritis. most flares if mild will go away on their own, and I dont see the need to punish my poor body with IV steroids any more frequently than I have to.

I just owe each of you a great big hug. :hug: I have gone from being embarrassed and hiding my issue to being able to discuss it, and seeing that I am really not so rare. Thanks!

Sorry I didn't back sooner, On the magnesium, I take Spring Valley magnesuim with Chelated Zinc, 400 mg magnesium and 15 mg of zinc. I love reading this thread, I have so many of the same problems.

pear juice with milk or yogurt
 

these are tricks that I find help for me...maybe you could try them out too. At night, before I go to bed (i drink pear juice and add some milk) - I enjoy it very cold so I add ice to the mixer and I drink it, I find the morning after it helps me. Unfortunately, you have to work on it, sit for a little while and concentrate. I know it is annoying, but unfortuntely, we have no choice.

I also find that yogurt helps me too.

please let me know how it works out for you guys.... :)