A Delicate Function Question...
 

I seem to recall that some MSers experience constipation...

I've suddenly developed this problem since Oct. 23rd...fiber powder and stool softener aren't doing anything...I'm trying to keep well hydrated too...

Is this something I need to tell the neuro about when I see him in 8 days?:confused:

Debbie.....I've found that eating "ACTIVIA" seems to help my digestive system in keeping things regular. Don't know if it helps everyone. Just a suggestion........Good luck! :)

Activia did not help me. I had the UTI from hell (It would not go away), neurologist referred me to a urologist, we talked constipation too. He had me experiment with Miralax a little more each morning (I take it in my coffee) until it was just right for me, about every 4-5 days, fudgies told me I was taking too much. Got a well-formed, easily exited product that flushed easily.

The urinary problem got better too. I was retaining a little, so a little sat and stewed, now it empties better. Doing OK now almost a year later.

YES, constipation can be a sign of a relapse, but there are some things you can do to move it along.

After much trial and error I have found a happy balance. Activia did nothing for me, and I HATE yogurt. Miralax swung me too far in the other direction, and it takes 2 or 3 days to work. Harsh laxatives and enemas were too harsh and only compounded the issues.

I take a colace that has a senna laxative mixed in the same pill. its 100 mg. then I take 2 phillips milk of magnesia tablets at night. This has kept me on the regular track. if I start to slow up, I add one MOM tab. if I get too soft, I take one away for a few days. its been a miracle! When I first started I took 4 tabs of MOM and 2 tabs of colace for 3 days, and then back off to the above routine.

many things can cause constipation, from dehydration to medications and lack of exercise. please bring it up to your MD and know that you dont have to live like that. its miserable to be backed up.

I also hear folks love warm prune juice, but I simply cant stomach it.

Thanks everyone...unfortunately, my body found a way to take care of the problem in the form of a gastrointestinal virus...it wasn't a good night, to say the least.
On the bright side, DH said, "Bet you lost a lot of weight overnight...":rolleyes:

I've been taking magnesium 250 mg, which helps a lot, sometimes I have to skip a day, because it can upset my stomach and missing a day helps that problem. It's helped me more than anything else.

Hope you're feeling better, Debbie. :hug:

Debbie,
 

Glad you are doing some better...hope it continues! :)

Me too, Deb...love the stuff. It helps where nothing else has, and I'm a poster child for constipation.:eek::D

I take Cesamet which dries the mouth on listed side effects, but I'm certain it's drying out EVERYTHING. I knew it was bad when I reach the week mark and no movement.

My coworker with MS went 3 weeks once :eek:. That's not healthy!

I asked my doctor today about this. I eat yogurt almost daily. I eat prunes every night. I read labels and find things with higher fibre content to consume. That alone doesn't help.

I tried stool softener, which I think is most beneficial when it's been a long time since you've passed. Metamucil seems to be the money shot for me, it keeps me going regularly. I take 5 capsules daily and drink a litre of water after them.

I actually just asked my doctor today, again (different doc than last time) if a dependency could happen (warning labels indicate this). She assured me that both softener and Metamucil are okay to take long term (as the other doc did), however my doc stressed that Metamucil, problems or not, is an excellent product to take regularly (I didn't tell her the product that had the most benefit, I wanted to hear her opinion).

It definitely can be a MS problem. The only thing that works for me is miralax. I use it almost every day. I also take two benefiber. My doctors have ensured me that it is safe. My neuro asks me at every visit if I am experiencing any bladder or bowel problems.

I'm a lot better this evening...phew! I hate vomiting...and will do almost anything to prevent it. And the other...well, at least it took care of my problem.

Now my restless leg syndrome has had a sever uptick. I actually noticed that my med wasn't preventing the legs from fidgeting as well, so have been taking it 2 hrs early.

anyway, by about 3 pm this afternoon, I was going crazy with the involuntary movement/cramping of my legs. I finally listened to DH and called the neuro. he called back 2 hrs later and told me to drop the requip and take neurontin until I see him next week.

he was actually kind of snarky on the phone...told me to take the neurontin like I was supposed to in August..."If you actually did take it.":mad: One thing I do with this doc is follow orders...I don't like docs as a breed, but I respect this guy. But I was kind of teed off after I hung up the phone.

whatever...I'm kind of sensitive anyway...

Doctors and their "holier than thou" attitudes. :rolleyes: I've become so unimpressed with the lot of them........I never used to be this way till I was dx with MS. ;)

wow....I learn something new everyday. I too suffer from constipation, but had no idea it could be related to my MS.

I hear ya Kitty...I need a coach, not a white knight swooping me up to save me...

I had an awful night last night...the RLS was treating my legs like I had Parkinson's...full up twitching of the leg from a tightening of the quads that would make my leg raise up. I tried to fight it but it's impossible.
I had to get up and walk, couldn't even sit on a chair. I was awake til 3 am. I should call the neuro and ask if I should take more neurontin, but now I'm so peeved I don't want to...:mad:

Isn't this a fun topic. I tried everything everyone has talked about - Activia did worked for me but wasn't really in the mood to eat yogurt every single day.

What has worked for me and everyone I have recommended it to (all Loved its effects too) is Fiber Choice. Works like a dream and you wont believe how regular you will become.

Plus its a chewable with fruity flavors - yummy.

My understanding for the constipation is that when fatigued or in a flare the messages are not being received down there plus there could be inflammation.

So, as I go into a flare and know my body system is slowing downwards to SLUG land I then increase the fiber more in my diet and take a fiber choice AM and PM. It has dramatically improved bowel function regularly.

I usually only take one every AM except during flare up periods.

You'll feel like you are five years old again doing a quicky in the bathroom.

My friends and I call it "the Perfect BM!!"

TRY IT - YOU'LL LIKE IT!

Magnesium also keeps me regular. I have to have a lot, at least 800 mg a day, prescribed by neurologist for spasm and jerks. This automatically removed my years of constipation.
In fact, sometimes must eat blackberries to slow it down (blackberries are only fruit that does this, to my knowledge).

On the other hand, the food which I find is most helpful in removing constipation is canned pears. I don't know about fresh pears. Canned ones I have used on those rare
occasions when I have constipation now. I had a blocked bowel several times in the years before magnesium, so I know what it is! Took medical intervention a few times.