Can you have bowel issues without new lesions?

[mikeysmom1995]

Hello everyone,
In the past I've posted about my constipation issues but things have gotten worse. I lost function and feeling in my rectum.
I went for brain,cspine,thoracic MRI that showed no new lesions so my Neuro said its not your MS.
In the past she said my constipation and bladder issues were symptoms of my MS and upon my original dx MRI I had 1 lesion on my c spine.
I asked her could this be the MS getting worse? She said no and sent me for a lumbar MRI. I have been waiting to hear back since last week, and today I got a copy of the MRI report that means nothing when I read it.  I have been pretty much a prisoner to the bathroom as passing gass is usually accompanied by a bowel movement and I don't even feel it.
There are not too many ms specialist here in Michigan so I have been trying to make it work.  After this I just don't know.
Then my family doc who I adore thinks if I take my tecfidera then I shouldn't have any symptoms. I've had MS for 34 years and I'm very thankful that most of that was symptom free, but that's not how it works. Her sister in law has it and is much younger than me and after being dx'd bounced back completely. I say what a blessing.
I need my doctors to take care of me.
Do I need a GI doctor?  
I would so appreciate any advice. I can't take much more of this.
Regards barb

[mikeysmom1995]

Thanks so much Laura.
Sometimes I feel so isolated with all of this.
My family is happy to listen  and I love them for it but, it's not the same as talking here with people that are walking in your shoes.
Thanks for listening

[mikeysmom1995]

Hi aspen2,
Thank you for your reply and I'm so sorry for what your going through.
As I told the others I am going to see a gastro asap.  I'm also looking for a new Neuro because she constantly contradicts herself so I feel like I'm always trying to figure out what is going on myself.
This bowel issue has got me so worried and scared and it seems she is not too concerned. I am so down and  the longer you wait the more chances of it becoming permanent.
I will keep you in my prayers and send caring HUGS.
Barb

[mikeysmom1995]

Thank you  aspen 2!
I'm sorry for what your going through. Constipation and motility issues are miserable and so difficult to deal with. Why so much waiting?
It seems I went from one aspect to another. I found a gastro that I'm going to try and get into asap as I can't be too far from the bathroom.
I see why ms can get you down.
My Neuro has been so unreliable. She has had my lumbar MRI results since last Thursday. Why not call me with the results since she doesn't think my bowel issues are MS related. Grrrrrrr
Again I'm sorry for the run around you've gotten. Hopefully the GI doc will be able to turn the motility issues around.
HUGS and prayers. Barb

[aspen2]

I now fully understand why those with ms get cranky ... :P.  It seems to never end sometimes ...

[mikeysmom1995]

Thank you Alex, Dennis, and Dogmum,
I really appreciate your advice.
I have found a gastro that I'm going to try to get in to see.
I also found a  MS clinic at Wayne state university so I am working on that too. I am familiar with one of the neurologist s names  as I think a family member sees him for MS.
Thank you Dogmum as my doctor is notorious for telling me one thing one visit then the complete opposite the next. My husband has noticed it too.
It's hard to know which way is up when she is talking in circles.
I am usually an upbeat person and this has been going on for almost 2 months and its got me so down.
Thanks for listening and I will let you know how things turn out.
HUGS to you all
Barb

[dogmum]

(((Hugs))) to you, Barb... I know these symptoms can be really hard to deal with.  If you would like someone to talk to about it, feel free to send me a message.  

-Laura

[aspen2]

I had a relapse in March that involved both legs buzzing, bladder incontinence and my bowels/gi system just stopped moving.  I saw my neuro after the worst was over (although I'm medded to the max for the gi immobility) and he said definitely relapse.

However, my 1.5 T seven weeks later showed no new lesion.

He still refers to it as a relapse, but I'm not sure.  Anyway, i do have a gastroenterologist referrel pending for this, and unfortunately, since it wasn't treated promptly, a surgical consult and referral to PT.

[dogmum]

My physiatrist also suggested putting a stool under my feet at the toilet for constipation.  Incontinence is no picnic, to be sure, but there are things that can be done for that as well.   I wouldn't know which specialist to recommend since I'm in a remote area where things are handled a bit differently from the rest of the healthcare world.  My MS-specialized physiatrist is the one to recommend different specialists and treatements like this.  If your neuro won't help, a gastroenterologist would make sense.  They may or may not have much experience with neurogenic bowel, but should be able to help.  

As to new symptoms and no new lesions... I'm sure there are many others who can answer this better than I can, but here are my two cents.  I don't have a "from the books" answer, but I am highly involved in my local MS society chapter/clinic and in contact with a lot of pwMS there.  Over and over, I hear that people have no new lesions on their latest MRI, but they're coming in for PT because they have new symptoms.  One of my friends has gone from walking to wheelchair without any new lesion activity over the past two years, but her spinal cord shows some thinning.  I wouldn't be quick to rule out MS as a cause, BUT I'd also want to make sure there was nothing else causing new symptoms either.

Hope this is helpful. <3

[Sailorsong]

Barb,
I have both bowel and bladder problems. The bladder problems are due to my MS for sure, but the bowel problems could be from either MS or PTSD, or even both. But both of these problems are being dealt with by doctors other than my MS Neuro.

So like Alex suggested I would seek help with this problem from a doctor that handles these problems. They are more equipped to sort out something to help as that is their area of expertise.

Dennis

[HVAC]

You might need a gastroentrologist that deals with motility ( poop moving) They put leads in my rectum and had it hooked to bio feedback computer. I had a pt work with me with the leads. They also had me put a step stool to raise my feet when I had a movement. Each case is different and can be several things. Part of mine is medication, part is having had part of my rectum removed and part is permanent bowel obstruction and the MS slowing my motility.It can take a week or more. I have certain food like popcorn I can not eat. I reduced my morphin and that helped. Everyone was professional and did not make me feel weird about it. There is only one motility guy in our area. I