Another curve ball from this miserable disease...
 

Really thought after all these years, I'd seen everything. But no, something new and different -- at least I think it's from the ms. What do you all think? For about three weeks now I haven't been able to eat very much (that could be a good thing) because as soon as I eat, the stomach cramps begin. Pretty soon they intensify into feeling like a stomach virus.......and diarrhea. :(

It's bad enough dealing with bladder incontinence, but now "bowel" incontinence too???? I'd say that's really unfair!!! :( Of course being in this "chair", it's usually too late when I get to the bathroom and.....well......you can imagine the rest. :( I must have been a really bad girl to have to live my "golden years" this way.

Do you think this is from the MS or something else? With fibromyalgia, IBS is quite common, so maybe? I'm just exhausted from living this way. Almost forgot......I also have a 'fissure', so the diarrhea gets that all stirred up too, bleeding all over the place. Then, taking warfarin (coumadin) it just makes matters worse. AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!! Enough all ready!!!!!! Wouldn't it be wonderful to be "normal" again!?!

Any help/ideas would be appreciated!! Thanks, my good friends! Hope I didn't gross out anyone. :)

Judy!

So sorry you're dealing with this :hug: I hope you find an answer soon and that you'll be feeling better!

Niko:cool:


:hug:

oh Judy! :hug: I am so sorry you are having this issue. I dont have any answers for you other than to suggest you speak to your MD. perhaps there is a med you can take or other things you can do for comfort measures. I hate this freaking disease. I just hate it! I hope you feel better soon. :hug:

((((((Judy))))))..you didn't gross me out, but you did make me cry..:(. I hate this damn disease with a passion..Grrrrrr..:mad:

What does your Doc say...anything? With all our modern medicine and techs, you shouldn't have to suffer these attacks of your body and your mind..:hug::hug::hug:

(((Judy))) Count me in that club. Well, sort of. I don't have the diarrhea or incontinence. I do however have stomach issues. Although it doesn't happen all the time, I am on what I call the 3 bite diet, 3 bites and I am full.:confused: My stomach cramps up when I eat to the point you can actually see the outline of my stomach. I also experience nausea with it as well - not sure if that is pain related or because the stomach is freaking out.

Years ago I had an EGD done and the doctor said that all the nerve endings in my stomach were very sensitive. They thought I had an ulcer. Little did we know it was the MS.

During spinal lesion flares, this becomes much worse. The only thing that I can tolerate as far as eating is "smoothies." I make all sorts of smoothies. Some with fruit, some with veggies (cucumber smoothies are awesome). These are easy on my stomach.

On a regular basis, I have learned through experience what I can eat and what I can't. Basically, I eat things that are easier to digest.

Talk to your neuro about this. There are many medications out there that can help you. (I'm not on any). Hang in there and know that you are not alone on this one.:hug::hug:

I've also had tummy troubles recently. Seems things that I once could eat with no problem are causing me pain. I never, ever used to have heartburn but I've had it several times in the past few weeks. I've also experienced things "going right through me" after I eat. That's never happened before unless I had a virus or something.

I'm trying to keep track of when it's happened and what I've eaten so I don't make the same mistake twice. So far, ice cream seems to be the culprit most of the time. :mad: I don't wanna give that up! :hissyfit:

I hope you feel better soon, Judy. I agree with the others.....I hate this stupid disease more and more each day.

Jim has stomach issues too but he's controlling them with Nexium and stool softners. The bleeding is a concern since your on blood thinners. I'd call the doctor and suggest seeing a gastro to make sure everything checks out. :hug:

Judy, please do not assume this is from the MS as many conditions can cause what you are experiencing.

I had the bleeding and bad abdominal pain when eating certain foods (or even when not) and a colonscopy determined it was Ulcerative Colitis, way back in the 1980's. Last year I was having similar-type pain, but slightly different, so my doc checked it out and determined it was my gallbladder. I had that removed late last year, and those problems went away. :)

Cherie

The first thing that came to my mind reading the first post was gall bladder. I had mine removed 3 years ago.

Thank you sooo much good friends!!!! Wish I could click on the "thanks" button, but you know my ancient webtv....blah!! You came up with many good suggestions that I'm going to check out.

Cherie -- I was supposed to have a colonoscopy a few years ago, but I chickened out. Had one back in the '80's and vowed I'd never have another. Anyway, that's when the fissure was discovered, hence the bleeding. Yes, I know I should have another c. with my age, symptoms, etc. The main reason is my mother died from rectal cancer when she was only 56, but I've decided at this point I'm trusting the Lord to not let that be added on to the many "things" I have all ready. With so much daily pain, there's no way I could endure that.

Okay, "cog fog", I can't remember who said what so I'll just wing it! My gall bladder is a gonner, around six or so years ago so can rule that out. I'm already taking Prilosec (omeprazole) daily for acid reflux. This is a different kind of pain -- lower. The reference to the nerve endings in the stomach 'flaring' is interesting. Most of my lesions are on the spine so that's why my legs are so affected. Even though I'm spms, it seems with this lousy hot, humid, rainy weather, there is somewhat of a flare. The legs are worse, fatigue, depression, etc., so the nerve ending explanation sounds like a good possibility. I'll mention it to my neuro. It does go along with the central pain syndrome that effects the nerves in my body and causes extreme 24/7 pain.

Guess it will be more 'tiny' meals for me too!! You'd think I'd lose a pound or two.......no exercise. :(

I didn't mean to make you cry, Sally. Seems like I do enough of that lately for both of us.....frustration. :( Those hugs really made me feel better!!! (((((Sally))))) back to ya.

Many hugs and thank you's to everyone who answered and also to those who read it, but didn't have the energy to post. :)

You really need to get over your fears and have a colonoscopy. It may save your life as well as tell your doctor what is wrong so he can help you.

gmi

Yes, I know, gmi. Just the thoughts of the whole process exhaust me -- not to mention the pain. Seems I remember something new about a year ago, having a MRI can take the place of a c. unless they find something at which time they go the regular route. I am planning on calling my neuro tomorrow (Wednesday) with these new symptoms. Of course I'll probably just talk with a nurse. :( Kind of have to chuckle when various MS articles tell us we have to have a good working relationship with our neuro....well, it's kind of hard to have much of anything when we only see them for about 10 minutes twice a year and even phone calls are intercepted. Funny though, the exhorbitant insurance payout goes to him. :(

If I get no information from him, I'll try my pcp. Thanks for caring!! :)

Judy,

They will knock you out when they do the colonoscopy, so there will be no pain.

Don't let the fear of pain stop you from getting one.

gmi

They won't knock you out, unless you're in a hospital....otherwise, they use Versed, and it doesn't work on everyone. My DH had versed when he had a colonoscopy and he said that the pain went up into his chest. Found out later, that he had had a heart attack..:mad:

This was at the VA and they didn't catch it. He died, in another hospital, 2 months later, from another heart attack. He was in the hospital for something else, but they could not save him.:(

MY Father died from colon cancer, but I will never have a colonoscopy, because of what happened to my Husband.....and I will never have versed again, because of his and my bad reactions to it. (my BP shot way up, at the dentist's office), obviously his did too, but instead of stopping, they went on and he had the heart attack.:mad:

Judy, an MRI sounds good..:hug:

I have had two colonoscopies and was knocked out for both. Are you saying that your husband was not out during the procedure. Both of mine were in gastro doctors place of business.

Scary!

gmi

Versed knocks most people out, but DH and I both had adverse reactions to it....so, no, neither one of us was out and we felt the pain. His was fatal, I survived.....He had HBP io begin with....mine was always normal and that made the difference, I guess..:(

I checked out the Versed and was totally amazed at the side effects. This was the first time I had heard about this stuff. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

I am very sorry about your husband. When my husband died unexpectedly that was the most horrible day of my life and I feel for others that have lived through this tragedy.


gmi

I'm so sorry to read about your hubby's terrible experience, Sally. Now you made me cry. :( And gmi, you're facing this MS challenge alone too -- we ought to start a club! Even though mine was from divorce, we are friends again for maybe two days out of the year at family get-togethers, but it sure does get lonely sometimes. Of course now I would never think of saddling anyone with a wife who had this disease.

As for the versed, it wouldn't be good for me either being I have mitral valve prolapse and now take Digoxin for atrial fibrillation. Just the process of getting dressed, having my stiff legs forced into a car....not to mention getting up on a 'table' and going through the prep, is completely exhausting. Then with fibromyalgia and central pain syndrome, enough is enough.

Of course I couldn't get through to my neuro. "Somebody" is supposed to get back to me......we'll see, but bet it won't be him.

Take care.......:)

I'm so glad I read this thread...I've also been experiencing a "fullness"-type feeling the last month or so in my stomach...I don't feel like eating because of it, but I eat anyway.
Today I have intestinal "issues"...think I've lost 5 lbs in the last hour...LOL...it's not IBS, tho...but it is like waves...
I didn't know the digestive system could be affected by MS...
I see the neuro in early Sept...I guess this should go on the discussion list, huh?
I'm grateful for all the info here...:)

I have been going to a Grief Clinic at a local hospital once a week and am finding it somewhat helpful, say 3 out of 10. One of the people in my group is going through a divorce from a wife beating druggie and I see every week the pain she is going through by getting rid of the bum. So I understand that grief occurs in divorce as well as death of loved ones.

It would be much more beneficial to me to find singles like you and me that could meet once a month for lunch and help each other out with the basics of being in a less than healthy situation and contending with a lot of issues alone.

Unfortunately I live in the Phoenix area and it seems most of the people on these boards that I am aware of live more in the midwest and eastern coast parts of the country.

To keep the post on topic, I have definitely learned not to take Versed at my next colonoscopy!!

gmi

hi judy,

i agree with the others. i'd say run some of this by your pcp. sometimes specialists don't see a bigger picture and their help is limited. also it may be easier to see your primary.

i also agree that not everything is MS related. you may not have to have the colonoscopy. but seeing a GI dr for a consult may still help you. please consider it.

i hope you will see some relief soon. it sounds like your plate is way too full.
take care.

Thanks Maryann, Judy, Debbie, gmi and anyone else I may have missed, for the encouraging words! Yes, I'm planning on speaking with my pcp too being he's local and has known me for ages. Debbie, I'm glad you found the topic interesting and hopefully helpful to you also! gmi -- It's kind of strange, my youngest daughter, (33),lives in Phoenix and just got in to Philadelphia tonight at midnight! A friend met her at the airport then she's staying until the 19th. She's freezing!!! Said it was around 122 degrees out there??? We're having a couple cooler days here, in the 60's tonight and what a difference this less hot, humid weather makes for me! I feel like a different person pain-wise. How do you deal with all that heat? Thank heaven for a/c! I've often wondered if I would feel better out there without the humidity, but then guess you have to stay inside most of the time during the summer. If you want to "IM" me, feel free!!!

Well, I've used "Activia" for eight days so far, but haven't seen much improvement yet.

Take care everyone :)