I go from constipated to super constipated, Once a week was hoped for, with Fiber One Cereal, Benefiber, Apricots, lots of water, now I go 2x a week being very diet aware. Once I was fast and regular, every day, same time. Now, sometimes takes awhile and if I get lazy about my diet, impacted and/or huge. I take Phillips Stool softeners a couple nights before I expect it to happen. DH knows when I start singing Johnny Cash "I feel that train a'coming" to get out of my way. Usually don't need to rush so, but I do. Miralax is gentle but taking it or anything makes the opposite happen all night long. Ick.

Agreed! when I take "interventions" I am hoping to come back to center, and its such a fine balance that can tip me in the other direction, and then I am running for the whole day. I just want to be able to go potty like the rest of the world.

I have tried miralax, and phillips, and well, about 3 dozen other things, and I find that its very difficult to just keep the peace.

Why cant this disease be about an itchy finger? or a finger nail problem? Does it have to be about such personal agendas?

I had an exacerbation 3 years ago that affected both my bladder and bowel. I had to start self catheterisation, and I was going over 2 weeks at a time between BMs.

Since then things have been "normal". For my bladder that means I only have to catheterise occassionally, but have gone from unable to go, to being incontinent at times.

During that exacerbation I had my first episode of fecal incontinence as well. I didn't even know it had happened until I felt wet, as I had no sensation at all.

I go between the two extremes. At first thought it was due to my gall bladder surgery over ten years ago since some of the issues started then, until things came to a head last year. I was in major pain.

Had a CT scan, went to a gastro, had a couple of other tests - in the end all the could say was "hmmm." Put me on a couple of anti spasmatics for the digestive system, and some food suggestions. Helps with the pain, but not so much with the other stuff.

I have routines in place that keep things regular. One little misstep and I'm in trouble again. The over the counter stuff leaves me with the opposite problems, so I try to monitor diet and liquid intake to keep a good balance. I have added coconut oil to my diet and it seems to help when the going gets really rough.

I'm real good - Fiber One, apricots (Like better than prunes), diet and water then I get cocky and it's over and I get mad at myself for slipping up in a very important area.
I hate that MS is my body betraying me in so many ways. Some of this can have great impact on your plans,

I take generic metamucil at night in a large glass of water, and eat tons of fiber in the form of whole grains, fresh veggies and fruit, otherwise it would be a problem for me all the time. If I have a flare up, it can happen anyway, regardless of my diet.

Could bowel incontinence be a beginning symptom of MS?

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!