Does MS cause the opposite of constipation?
 

Okay, I was constipated for 6 months, trying various fiber supplements, diet, etc. I just figured it was MS.

Then, on the way home from Hawaii, the opposite began, and I've been having that problem for over a week now.

Question: Does MS also cause diarrhea? Like this long?

Is it diarrhea or just loose stools? There's a big difference. I get the latter problem quite often.

MS can do one or both sometimes in the same day! its versitile, yes?

Its so hard to find a nice balance. You could have picked up a tummy bug, or maybe its just from stress. I find stress can trigger me into the other direction.

Diarrhea for over a week might be worth a call to the doc, wouldn't you say? From what I've read, MS can disrupt bowel function in many ways, but if you just returned from a trip, and it's not your "normal", it could be many other things. Hope it resolves quickly!!

Never ignore digestive system symptoms, as they may be totally unrelated to MS and a sign it is time for a visit with your doctor.

I have extremes of both, but more commonly I'm bound up and have to increase my fibre/magnesium and drink a LOT of water to compensate for this. I know this is due to my medications (drying side effect), but the other end of the spectrum is totally stress/nervous reaction in the gut and bowel for me.

I agree with what some of the others have said. While it may be MS, it is worth checking with your dr. You may have come down with a stomach bug or something or it could be stress.

I have neurogenic bowel and bladder issues related to MS. While I opted not to do the medication route as I am not bad enough, bowel issues are not fun. I can fluctuate some but rarely have diarrhea, I just get a little "loose." And, under stress, I am always loose.

I hope things are getting better for you.:hug:

Same here, Trish.:(

MS can cause either...
 

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...ion/index.aspx

Click on the above and it talks about MS causing either; constipation or diarrhea. I've read too that a bowel obstruction can eventually cause diarrhea.

Take care.

i was just going to say the same thing til i got to B 2 Y's response.

i would make sure you check with your dr. and if you can pick up a small plastic container get a stool sample and take it to your dr. keep it in a bag in the refrig with the date.

you might be able to get one from a pharmacy or a free standing labwork place.

Seems to have returned to some sense of normalcy while I was away in AZ...we'll see if this stays. If not, then I think it might be the stress of family at home here...
Thanks for all of the advice...

Hey there Debbie!

When I was first diagnosed I experienced the bladder dysfunction on multiple occasions, especially in a flare.

In my last flare (3/2011), out of nowhere, I had to go to the bathroom and didn't have enough time to get there. It was so fast and abrupt. I hadn't had a tummy ache or anything it just came. It wasn't diarrhea, more on the loose side, but there was no control in keeping it in. I called the neuro and they said that was most definitely bowl dysfunction. You might have had an area worked on that has affected those muscles. :( ms is really mean and lame. I did ACTHAR gel for that flare. Steroids are never fun. Still to this day have sensory issues in my hands (can't feel them and they seem very stiff), but I have luckily not experienced anymore bowl dysfunction.

I hope things get better for!! :hug:

I have Ulcerative Colitis (which caused my b12 and nerve damage etc but whatever blah blah) and any abnormal persisting bowel issues need to be checked.

I don't have MS and just stopped by to read but I do have intestinal damage from UC and am very familiar with loose bowels either intermittent or persistant. Since UC has no cure I still deal with it but the point is if this persists get it checked.

Just because you have MS doesn't mean you cannot develop another disease like I have or something else. be wary and pay attention to your bowels they tell you lots.