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!

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*&#.

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!

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.

I was going to add that I do the AB&Back to work my abdominal muscles. This does help and for me as my MS has progressed I have continual constipation; I no longer have attacks and have SPMS.

A word of warning: try not to look at the daily ups and downs and jump to take steroids, etc. and save these medications for the stronger, longer lasting attacks. These medications do damage to your bones, veins, etc. -- depending on what you're on.

I'm to the point that I too on top of everything I mentioned previously I take for constipation daily I must rely on Wal-Mart's generic Correctol on occasion.

I have found Wal-Mart's prices to be the cheapest here in the US for Citrucel, their generic stool softeners and MiraLax...black licorice prices are the cheapest for Twizzlers as well if you should need to rely on that for your constipation. My family doctor told me only black licorice made in the US does not increase your blood pressure.