Crappy subject, but ....

I have both Ulcerative Colitis and MS to contend with, so if it has not been one problem to the extreme, it is the other.

I have gone as long as 5 weeks without a b/m on one occasion. I tried EVERYTHING under the sun for about 35 yrs (even before I knew I had MS), and not one thing made a pinch of difference.

When it comes to the constipation, I think that when it gets "hung up" in transit for a period of time, like Dejibo mentioned ... the longer it takes, the 'harder' it becomes (yeah, I'm blushing too). It becomes like a ever-accumulating cork, and everything backs up behind it. When the dam finally breaks, the backed up 'stream' flows uncontrolably.

So, the trick is to not let the dam accumulate, of course.

Like I said, I tried EVERYTHING there was; exercise, water, fruit, fiber, laxitives, suppositories, metamucil .... nothing worked. My doc kept telling me to try BENEFIBER, but I was so fed up with "trying" things, I put it off for a couple of years.

BENEFIBER works for me though, at a much smaller dosage than is recommended. It calls for a tsp 3X a day, and I take a MAX of 3/4 tsp ONCE, and everything works within 24 hours, WITHOUT FAIL. It usually keeps me regular for about a week after that too.

I am still slack sometimes, and leave things too long ... I should use it a every week at least, but I am quite used to not worrying about it till I have to. The good news is BENEFIBRE works whenever I need it to.

Cherie

Wow, I am so relieved to know that so many of you understand what I am talking about. Normal folks hear about my problem and scratch their heads, and tell me to just eat more prunes, or take product XYX. It explained so much when the MD told me its an MS thing. just like not being able to raise or control the muscle in leg that causes the drop foot, I am not having much luck with muscle contractions in my gut. Its such a relief to know that I dont stand alone. I am sorry that anyone else has to endure it, but I felt plain old weird, and just backwards for so long.

Does anyone else use a stool, or something to put their feet up on when on the potty? I had a friend reccomend that I put my feet up on a lil step when on the potty, and it places the body in a more normal position for pooping. It has been an awesome tool. I know I am on the short side, and my feet dangle off the edge of most couches, and chairs, so having something to rest my feet on when I sit is a comfort.

Dang! I just got back from the store and forgot miralax! I do use benefiber. its good stuff. I dont get too gassy from it either.

Thanks for showing me I dont walk alone.

Thanks for starting this thread I too am glad I'm not alone.

A lot of great advice everyone! I'll add benefiber to my list. Miralax hasn't helped, so think I'll try that. Stubborn digestive track.

Took me a while to find this link again but . . .


Abdominal Massage Shown To Benefit Constipation In MS
Article Date: 14 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

Trail results have highlighted the benefit of abdominal massage in the management of constipation - a common symptom in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). . . .

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157369.php

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The day after sex (internal massage- like) I seem to have an easier BM. When messaging, what direction where looking. Me looking out of my stomach Say clockwise versus you looking in, saying counter-clockwise.

I am not sure. I googled "abdominal massage" and got all sorts of results, some with videos, but just read a quick one and thanks to MS cog fog I didn't understand what I read. I'll read it again in the a.m. when I am more alert. LOL

My bowels just don't want to behave- it's like the whole process is totally uncoordinated now.

When things started to slow down, I started taking 200mg colace every morning... when that wasn't cutting it, I took miralax... then dulcolax... and an enema... and still ended up in the ER after 8 days with no action. They prescribed magnesium citrate, eventually resulting in 2 days of liquid diarrhea.

I started taking benefiber on the recommendation of my MS specialist and LE44, but I still can't move my bowels (4 days now) and now I've got abdominal pain.

I saw my PCP this afternoon, resulting in this combo of meds:
benefiber, 200mg colace, and a tbsp of lactulose up to 3 times a day

I just feel SO sexy.

-Kay

As part of a routine, every morning when DH gives me coffee, he has stirred 1 tsp. Benefiber in, Everyday. Tasteless? I can taste it, but coffee so strong flavored I don't notice it. After nap I take my Amantadine with Pomagranite,Cranberry juice, cold from frig, stir another tsp Benefiber in. Every three days at least eat Fiber One (Which DH calls Fire One!). When I get lazy and have a hard time scare (like other day) I eat Apricots constantly through day. Hope to be on track next time. 2x a week is my goal (sure beats 1x a week), am lucky, abdominal never bad, like getting a period or easier. Sometimes it'd hard and huge, sometimes softer and almost normal. Never know what will happen.
Redid our bathroom, bought nice attractive toilet but it was way to big for me, only my toes could touch floor. I'm really short, DH built me little stool to elevate legs, you can even buy, plastic and much lighter!. Mine was beautiful but way too heavy for me as I have lost mobility and strength. Despite cost of having already bought this toilet, bought one I researched (I now know more about short people and toilets than I care to discuss) got a new one 2 1/2 inches lower and paid again but it's worth it!!. It's the one they put in grade schools!!! I am short. Last time DD and I shared shoes she was in 2nd grade, I'm small, she's big. We bought this house from a coupld with a Tall husband. Bathrooms were tailored to his height, all Toilets over our 9 years here have been replaced now.

OMG!!! Dejibo! Thanks to your thread I've been hyper vigilant and for the 2nd time this week this week sang about that freight train coming and in less than 15 minutes it pulled in!!!!! Going to eat an apricot again right now to help next time!!!

I'm so excited about this. I really need a life, don't I?