Poop question - yes I know
 

Ok tonight was very weird - only medicine I took was one naproxen earlier this morning. Well 20 minutes ago, I used the bathroom. And yes it was #2 - but I hate to explain this but I've never seen it before. It felt very thick coming out, but easy - and then when I started wiping, I felt it to be very weird. Well when I looked, it was like greyish color with very thick texture - I've never had this before. I know you're probably saying this kid is crazy, but sorry I have to ask if its never happened to me before. I feel fine, a bit nauseous but easy. Not sure why this is.

Gray stool is NOT normal! Please see your doctor as soon as possible. Are you still having stomach troubles as you were before? I know I suggested it before but now I'm being more firm. Please, please see a GI dr. Gray stool can indicate an problem with your liver, gallstones, pancreas, or a blockage of your bile ducts, etc., all of which can be serious. There can be other reasons for it including medications but since you have been complaining of chest pains and digestive issues you need to be soon ASAP!!

I've never had this problem before. Yesterday I think I ate some cereal, and a ham sandwich - which I drink a lot of water everyday. I took maybe 30mg of balcofen and some Tylenol. I did take Pepto last night because I was feeling nauseous instead of the phenergen to see if it would help. Which I didn't go to bed until 5am Wednesday morning, then slept until 1130am.

Today I only ate some pringles, and took a naproxen earlier in the day. Then took about 2 hours ago the Gabapentin (bottle says 2 pills at bedtime - 600mg total). But the bowel movement happened only 30 mins after I took them.

I've been feeling very nauseous right now since then, and stomach hurting. I've been back to the bathroom twice since the first, and only pooped a little bit. I felt like I needed to poop more, but it simply won't come out. Its like 112am here, so I can't call my doctor and I definately do not want to go to the ER again.

I am going to the MS Center Monday, should I wait till then?

No. Please don't wait until Monday. And, this does sound like a GI issue. And, I would go to the ER. This time it will be different as you are not going in for what you think is an MS thing. You are going in with symptoms of a serious illness - nausea, constipation, gray stools, etc. This needs to be checked out as soon as possible, please. Explain to them the symptoms you have been experiencing such as the nausea, chest pains, vomiting, stool color, etc. They'll do blood work there and possibly radiological tests to see what is going on. If you wait for the dr., either it will take a while to get the tests scheduled and the results in or, as the dr. should, he'll just send you to the ER.

:( I've been to the ER 4 times since April, the last two times they didn't help at all with the chest pains, with the last dr telling me to just deal with it.

I'm still really nauseous and constipated, stomach still hurts...I'm not in excrutating pain, I'll just have to wait in the morning to call my dr to see what I need to do. I've already got thousands of dollars in medical bills :(

I've read about Pepto, but to be honest I've took it before and it didn't do this to me.

What part of your stomach hurts? And, is there any area that is more tender when you push on it a little?

Also, Pepto can turn the stool a blackish color but not gray.

Yes my stomach is very tender when I pushed, esp in the middle behind my belly button I can feel it tender, not so much hurting but very tender like and it does ache. The color was dark grey - I hate to say this, but it felt like mud when I wiped. Never had this happen before.

Ok. So it's not gray as in light gray? A dark gray could be from the Pepto. However, I still feel that you have some GI issues (unrelated to MS) going on that need to be checked out. Do you have any antacids other than Pepto? Something like Tums, Zantac, Prilosec?

I have the offbrand of Tums, and its dark gray and thick

You can try taking some Tums to see if that helps your stomach. Since it's not a light gray I feel a little better at hearing that. I was a little worried. However, again, I still think you need to see a GI dr. and get things checked out. You can talk to your PCP about prescribing a stronger antacid (histamine 2 blockers like Zantac or a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec). Both of those you can get OTC but sometimes a prescription is cheaper. Wal-Mart and Target used to have a prescription program where you only pay $4 or $5 for common medicines as long as there is a generic for it. Walgreens also has a program where you pay like $25 for their prescription drug plan and you get the medicines at a huge discount.

If your abdominal pain increases or their are other changes, don't hesitate to go to the ER. Don't let what happened last time stop you. Don't say much about the MS, may be just that you have, but focus more on the stomach issues. If you wait, call your dr in the morning and discuss the issues you are having with him, then go from there. Ask him about GERD, gastritis, gallbladder, etc. and about getting something to help with the symptoms. The nausea you are experiencing may be from acid in your stomach and can be resolved with something as simple as Zantac.

I still have trouble sleeping too - like I only got 5 hours of sleep yesterday, and its 348am now - I keep going to the bathroom, but only a little comes out. Plus I pee a lot (its clear though).

I took tums earlier. I think I'm just going to call my doc in the morning. The stomach ache is aching some, but its not as squeezing as before. That comes and goes. My butt feels like something is right there, but won't come out I guess is a way to say it. It doesn't hurt or anything, just pressure

"Gray stool can indicate an problem with your liver, gallstones, pancreas, or a blockage of your bile ducts, etc., all of which can be serious."

Trish is right, absolutely get this checked out ASAP.

As one who has a long history of GI problems, better safe than sorry. It might very well be from all the medications that you were/are taking but either way, it is best to get the digestive issue back on track as soon as you can. Using stool softeners and some laxitives (especially in combination) can cause the most recent symptom you describe of having pressure but not being able to evacuate the bowel. An enema will usually clear it but you would need to get the go ahead from the docs on that, only after they check it out.

Please go in to see your PCP or a walk in clinic today. The ER might not be the best place to go for this.

With love, Erika

ok I didn't call the doctor or anything today. Mostly stayed in the house. When I went to use the bathroom this morning, it was still a little bit grayish brown now and a few minutes ago, it was dark brown. Not sure if it was the Pepto or what. But tonight I can feel my blood pumping, esp when I walk. Weird sensation. I can feel it in my forehead, my chest, my arms and legs in certain spots.

I feel real groggy, and drowsy all day too, but I slept from 5am to 2pm today. Monday needs to get here quicker...

You may be dehydrated. Make sure you are drinking some water with perhaps some electrolytes. Gaterade might be an idea. With dehydration caused from frequent bowel movements it is usually low potasium that gets the circulatory system in a snit; so orange or tomato juice are good quick sources for that.

With love, Erika

lol I drink 1-2 gallons of water a day! I always have a cup of water with me

How about the electolytes? Drinking too much water without those can actually make you more dehydrated as the minerals are required for the body to hang onto the water.

With love, Erika

You can overdo the water. Like Erika said, you need the electrolytes. There are some recipes for home made drinks that will help that, so you don't have to drink that sugar-ladden Gatorade. Here is one:
http://www.earthmamasworld.com/homem...-for-kids-you/

Just type in electrolyte drink recipes and you'll see a ton. Most of the time you can just add some lemon, sugar and pinch of salt to water and that's good enough, but there are a lot of variations you can choose from.