bm QUESTION

SORRY, THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE I AM SURE OTHERS DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT, BUT I AM WONDERING.  I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME PASSING BM IF IT IS NOT LOSE. I JUST DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PUSH. I GO A LITTLE BIT BUT CAN NOT GET THE WHOLE JOB DONE.

I HAVE IBS AND GENERALLY HAVE VERY LOSE BM AND I HAVE TO GET TO THE BATHROOM IMMEDIATLY! BUT WHEN IT IS MORE NORMAL I CAN NOT GO! I AM NOT EVEN CONSTIPATED.

I HAVE READ THE THREADS ABOUT URINARY PROBLEMS AND I ALSO HAVE ISSUES THERE.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS BM ISSUE? I HAVE HEARD OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GO DUE TO CONSTIPATION BUT NOT WHEN IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A NORMAL BM.  SORRY!


L

[Barbie51]

No apologies necessary.  I also had/have issues and talked to my neurologist who sent me to a gastroenterologist.  The first one I saw was awful - told me that MS didn't cause problems I was talking about, but the 2nd one I saw was wonderful.  He put me on Citrucel 3x a day and Miralax 2-3 x/week.  I do not have IBS however.  This embarrasses me, but I figured out by accident that doing crosswords or Sudoku while sitting on the toilet was my best cure.  I truly think it's because I quit thinking about anything but my puzzles and things seem to happen.  I think partly because of the brain messages and partly because I'm willing to just sit there much longer.  If none of this helps, you should probably consider going to a gastroenterologist or at least speak with your neurologist.  

Barb

[LATW]

THANK YOU BARB,
TO ME IT IS LIKE MY MUSCLES IN THAT AREA DO NOT WANT TO WORK, OR GET TIRED EASILY. I CAN GET STARTED OK, BUT WEAR OUT SO FAST.

MY RIGHT FOOT IS THE SAME WAY. I CAN NOT MOVE MY TOES VERY WELL. MY MUSCLES ARE NOT RESPONDING TO WHAT MY BRAIN IS WANTING THEM TO DO. IT SEEMS LIKE A LACK OF COORDINATION TO ME.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS REALLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH TOILETING ISSUES OR NOT.  I HAVE TRIED THE FIBER AND I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH PAIN IT CAUSES ME. 95% OF THE TIME I HAVE TO GET TO THE BATHROOM RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS LOOSE.  

I HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR CROHNS AND CELIAC AND NOTHING COMES UP POSITIVE.  I AM 44 AND ONLY GAVE BIRTH TWICE. I HAVE WONDERED IF IT IS AGE RELATED BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ I MIGHT BE A BIT TOO YOUNG FOR LEAKING PROBLEMS.

L

[Momzilla]

Hey, LA~  SORRY YOU'RE SO MISERABLE, AND AS ALWAYS...NEVER ANY NEED TO APLOLGIZE FOR ANY QUESTION OR POST, NO MATTER HOW INDELICATE YOU  MAY THINK IT IS.  THIS IS A GREAT TOPIC TO BRING UP, AND IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING IT, I BET OTHERS ARE, AS WELL.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AS IT RELATES TO MS, EXCEPT THAT IF THE NERVE SIGNALS ARE MESSED UP, IT CAN BE A MISERABLE PROBLEM.  I KNOW 'CONSTIPATION' HAS BEEN LISTED AS A SYMPTOM OF MS, BUT I THINK THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS PROBABLY SENSORY.  

I KNOW THAT YORKIEVILLE (SHEILA) HAS DESCRIBED HER ISSUES WITH CONSTIPATION AS NOT BEING ABLE TO 'FEEL' TO PUSH.  EVEN WITH AS MUCH PAIN SHE HAS, SHE HAS ALSO HAD 'NUMBNESS' IN HER SPHINCTER AND LOWER BOWEL, I BELIEVE.  THAT MAKES IT HARD FOR SOMEONE TO CONTROL BOWEL MOVEMENTS, OBVIOUSLY.  IF THE NERVE SIGNALS ARE INTERRUPTED BY DEMYELINATION, THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE. (I HOPE!)

THERE COULD BE OTHER ISSUES WITH CONSTIPATION ASSOCIATED WITH MS, AND IF SOMEONE ELSE KNOWS THEM, HOPEFULLY THEY'LL SHARE...

THAT'S ABOUT ALL I KNOW/CAN GUESS!

I WOULD THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO STAY WELL-HYDRATED AND MAYBE ADD SOME BULKY FIBER TO YOUR DIET, WHICH MAY HELP A BIT.  I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER, LA, AND YOUR DOC CAN ADVISE YOU BETTER THAN I!

TAKE CARE!

ZILLA*

[LATW]

WHAT YOU DESCRIBE IS THE SAME TROUBLE I HAVE. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO TELL IF I AM SIMPLY WEARING OUT WHEN I AM PUSHING.  OR MAYBE IT IS LOSING THE SENSE OF THE URGE TO PUSH, MAYBE THAT REALLY IS IT.

IT REMINDS ME OF LOSING COORDINATION AND THE ABILITY TO MAKE SOMETHING WORK. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY NUMBNESS IN THAT AREA OF MY BODY, WELL, I TAKE THAT BACK.  I HAVE HAD A TOTAL LACK OF SENSITIVITY IN THE PRIVATE AREA. NOT REALLY NUMBNESS, BUT THE FEELING OF NOTHING.

BOY DO I HATE THE THOUGHT OF HAVING TO BRING THIS SUBJECT UP TO A DOCTOR...OR ANYONE ELSE!!

L

[ELT]

  Hi, I have one sphincter muscle which remains in spasm mostly.  The other is relaxed almost all the time.  I have to make sure my bowels are regular, or I get stopped up, and stool/gas in the bowels can cause the abdomen to distend, which causes me to 'enjoy' the ms hug that much more.  

  I find that if i eat lots of fibre, add milled flax seed to my cereals, etc.  If my usual two cups of green tea, along with an early breakfast, don't get me moving, a cup of hot water can help.

  Keeping a regular routine appears to be vital to me being comfortable.  And I do like comfort. lol

Erica

[LATW]

HI,
I UNDERSTAND THE DISCOMFORT. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE RECENTLY. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE HYSTERECTOMY I HAD THIS FALL WOULD HELP SOLVE THESE ISSUES, BUT IT HASN'T. :(


I DO OK WITH RICE, BUT CANNOT HANDLE CEREAL. IT CAUSES SO MUCH PAIN I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO PASS OUT.

I AM SUCH A MESS! IT WOULD BE SO GOOD IF ALL OF THESE WEIRD PROBLEMS COULD BE WRAPPED UP INTO ONE DX AND DEALT WITH THAT WAY.  I DON'T KNOW IF I AM COMING OR GOING!

L

[ELT]

  Hi, back.  I had my tubes tied, and endometrial ablation and endometrial tissue removed from my abdomen a year and a half ago, in the hopes of getting rid of pain.  It did, to an extent.  
  
  Went to the dentist thinking I needed dental surgery for facial pain.  If only it were that easy.  LOL I'd gladly pay the dental bill.

  One thing that REALLY clears you out is lactulose.  The nice doctor gave me some of that, it sure cleans you out, but, it can cause plenty of gas.  The audible belly rumbling stuff.  It keeps things 'running' though.

  Good luck.

Erica

[Momzilla]

I KNOW IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT YOU REALLY MUST TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THIS.  WHEN I HAD MY CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT WITH MY NEWEST NEURO, AMONG THE QUESTIONS HE ASKED WHILE TAKING MY HISTORY WAS, DO YOU HAVE ANY BLADDER OR BOWEL CHANGES, AND ASKED IF I HAD SENSATION DURING SEX.  

THESE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR HIM TO KNOW SO HE CAN GET THE BIG PICTURE FOR YOUR CASE.

DO TELL!

TAKE CARE!

ZILLA*

[LATW]

THE LAST NEURO DIDN'T ASK ANY OF THIS STUFF. I THINK IT MAY COME UP WITH MY APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK. I HAD TO FILL OUT SOME PAPER WORK AND IT DID COVER SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

I WILL BE GLAD WHEN THAT APPOINTMENT IS DONE.

L

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

AN EMBARRASSING TOPIC.  BUT CRITICAL. :)

ME TOO! ALL THE COMMENTS ABOVE SHOULD HELP.

SUDOKU IS GREAT FOR ME TOO.  PLUS, TRY USING YOUR FINGERS TO PUSH ON THE PERINEUM (THAT SOFT AREA JUST ABOVE THE ANUS - YOU'LL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO FEEL WHAT'S HAPPENING) WHEN YOU ARE GOING... THIS GIVES EXTRA FORCE FOR THE MUSCLES TO PUSH AGAINST - IT HELPS COMPLETE THE BM).

NOTHING IS TOO EMBARRASSING TO TALK ABOUT HERE!

TAKE CARE.

SALLY

[LATW]

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO GO.  GLAD YOU HAD THE RIGHT WORDS TO POST IT DELICATLY!  

IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE TO DO THAT?  

[Super_sally888]

Hi Latw,

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS EXACTLY NORMAL!!!    BUT IT'S NORMAL FOR ME!  LOL!  

AND YOU!

WHO ELSE??? OWN UP GUYS AND GALS!  SELF ASSISTED BMS!

BEEN NEEDING TO DO THAT FOR QUITE A WHILE (MORE THAN A YEAR), EVEN BEFORE ALL THIS STUFF OF MINE BECAME MORE OBVIOUS.....  AND STILL UNANSWERED....

SALLY

[LATW]

THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER TOLD MY DOCTOR. IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A MORE RECENT PROBLEM. PROBABLY IN THE PAST 2 YEARS OR SO.  

WE ARE JUST FALLING APART ALL OVER THE PLACE!

[Super_sally888]

ME TOO.  HAVEN'T TOLD A SOUL ABOUT THIS.

NEVER BEEN QUESTIONED FURTHER THAN TO ASK DO I HAVE ANY BM PROBLEMS - SAID YES, I HAVE ALTERNATING C & D, AND THAT WAS THE END OF THAT LINE OF QUESTIONING.

IF I EVER SEE A NEURO AGAIN, I GUESS IT IS SOMETHING EXCITING TO BRING UP....

S

[yorkieville]

Hi, LATW.

   I'm Yorkieville that Zilla mentioned. :)

     I've been off awhile again, not feeling well.

   But, as Zilla told you, I have this issue as well.

  I only rarely get an 'urge' and it is very faint, but, like you, cannot completely empty my bowel.

Furthermore, I can no longer feel it, when I have had a BM.

I've seen two Neuro's; neither had an answer.

One thing that I have to do is take Miralax every 3 days, to 'force' things. I also eat lots of fiber.

  I wish I had better advice for you.

Sheila

[LATW]

I AM SORRY TO HEAR YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS FRUSTATING AND UNCOMFORTABLE. TODAY WAS A DAY I HAD AN EASY TIME GOING BECAUSE THINGS WERE VERY VERY LOOSE.

YESTERDAY WAS A DAY WHEN BM WAS A NORMAL CONSISTANCY BUT HARD TO GO.  I DON'T THINK I AM EVER ACTUALLY CONSTIPATED.  IT IS A FRUSTRATING ISSUE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

MY DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE ANY STOOL SOFTENERS BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH LOOSE STOOL.  BUT THEN WHEN IT IS WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL I CAN NOT GO VERY WELL.  I JUST DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH LOWER ABDOMINAL STRENGTH I GUESS.

L

[Momzilla]

I THINK YOU NEED TO ADDRESS THIS AGAIN WITH YOUR DOCTOR, LA, AND SAY THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HARD STOOL.

LET HIM KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY SENSORY.  I'M NOT SURE HE IS UNDERSTANDING THAT.  OR PERHAPS IT IS A (AN ABDOMINAL) MUSCLE STRENGTH ISSUE.  dO YOU THINK HE IS NOT GETTING THAT?

ZILLA*

[LATW]

I THINK IT HAS BEEN MY LACK OF PUSING THE ISSUE REALLY.  I HAVE ISSUES THAT SEEMED SO ODD TO ME. I WAS AFRAID OF BEING LABEL A COMPLAINER IF I SAID TOO MUCH ABOUT IT.

I HAVE JUST TRIED TO CHANGE WHAT I COULD , LIKE DIET, AND THEN SUCK IT UP THE REST OF THE TIME.  I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT NOTHING WAS VERY CLEAR UNTIL THIS ON STARTED.  I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE.

I AM NOT GOOD AT MAKING MY NEEDS KNOWN. I TEND TO WANT TO DO EVERYTHING MYSELF.  I THINK THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME WHEN IT COMES GETTING MEDICAL HELP AT TIMES.

WHEN MY OLDEST DAUGHTER WAS BORN I HAD SEVERE POST PARDUM DEPRESSION. I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS.  THIS WAS MORE THAN 24 YEARS AGO.  THE DOCTORS KEPT TELLING ME I WAS A WORRIED FIRST TIME MOM.  PATTED ME ON THE HEAD AND SENT ME HOME.

I WAS A MESS. I COULD NOT FUNCTION. I STARTED HAVING HORRIBLE DREAMS AND BAD THOUGHTS. IT TOOK ME 6 MONTHS BEFORE I CAN OUT OF IT AND COULD ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF MY DAUGHTER.  MY MOM WAS THERE AND HELPED ME THROUGH THAT TIME. BUT THE DOCTORS THOUGHT I WAS JUST A YOUNG GIRL WHO COULD NOT HANDLE THINGS.

NOW I REALIZE WHAT I HAD WAS A VERY SEVERE FORM OF POST PARDUM.  THERE ARE TREATMENTS FOR THAT NOW.\

MORE RECENTLY I HAD BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PAIN WITH PERIODS. I KEPT DEALING WITH THAT. AGAIN I DID NOT WANT TO GO INTO THE DOCTOR JUST TO BE MADE TO FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT. I FINALLY COULDN TAKE IT ANY MORE AND COMPLAINED.  THEY DID AN ULTRA SOUND AND NOT A LOT SHOWED UP.

BUT I DECIDED TO HAVE SURGERY ANYWAY.  I ENDED UP HAVING SEVERAL DIFFERENT CONDITIONS THAT ANY ONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE BEEN A REASON TO HAVE A HYSTERECTOMY!  

THEN THIS ON ISSUE.  I WAS POO POOOED AT FIRST WHEN I WENT INTO MY EYE DOCTOR.  HE SAID O YOU ARE GETTING OLDER.....BLA BLA BLA........WAIT A MONTH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.  I COULD ONLY WAIT A WEEK AND I COULDN STAND IT ANY MORE.  SO I CALLED HIM AND ASKED TO SEE A SPECIALIST.  THE SPECIALIST GOT ME RIGHT INTO AN MRI AND THERE IT WAS....ON!  SO, I AM LEARNING TO TRUST MYSELF.  

I HAD BEEN SQUASHED DOWN LIKE A BUG IN THE PAST AND HAVE SUFFERED BECAUSE OF IT.  I LOOK HEALTHY. I AM A BIT OVER WEIGHT, MAYBE 25-30 POUNDS, BUT NOT BAD.  I LOOK OK, SO THEY BRUSH ME OFF.  IT HAS NOT BEEN FUN AND I HAVE SUFFERED BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.  I HAVE BEEN MADE TO FEEL CRAZY!!  AT LEAST NOW THEY ARE STARTING TO LISTEN TO ME.  


LA

[grannyhotwheels]

I have the problem of just being numb in the whole area.  When I do go I have to look in the stool to see if anything has happened.  Sally's suggestion sounds gross but it also sounds very logical.  I might just have to try it.  My biggest problem is constipation.  After I had my colonoscopy it was a month before I had my next bowel movement.  I'm on medication for it but nothing works until mother nature says it's time.

I'll be praying,
Carol

[yorkieville]

Carol,

  I have the same problem, (numb rectal nerves)I have to turn and look and am often surprised that I have passed anything.

I will tell you something that seems to be helping me. I am now on Valium, 2mg. 3 x a day. I take 2 teaspoons of Miralax twice a week. I eat 7 mini stewed prunes 3 times a week, and I eat a Fi Bar every evening. (They're in the cereal section in the grocery store.I have eliminated (pardon the pun)most meat, which was no problem as I was never much of a meat eater.

I'm still praying, too.

Sheila

[Momzilla]

Hi, Sheila!

I see that you're very fatigued.  Sorry you're still not feeling well and seeking answers.  You have got to catch a break soon.  I will put you in my prayers tonight, Sweetie.

Zilla*

[yorkieville]

Hi, L.

  I am sorry, as well, that you suffer with the same issue.

  Check my post above to grannyhotwheels and give my suggestions a try.

  Also, the worst thing you can do is push hard, it actually tightens up your anal sphincter muscle. Sit down, relax, give yourself some time.  Also, do some rectal kegel exercises to relax the sphincter muscle.

  I have no real urge, so my diet and medication seem to 'force' it to happen.

  But since the hysterectomy, I am even more uncomfortable when I cannot empty.

Sheila

[yorkieville]

Hi, Zilla.

  Yes, I am beyond tired, barely getting up by 8:00 in the morning, I see Dr. K again in July. In the meantime, the meds have helped a lot with the pain.

  Still fighting with U of C hospital so I know that adds to my stress level. They keep sending me the bill that the insurance company reviewed in Oct. and adjusted the "allowable amount", which I've paid. I've sent them a copy of the EOB, twice. Now they're threatening collection, so DH says let them, we have proof we don't owe them money.

  My cousin fought with another hospital for a year before it was resolved.

  Thanks for the prayers.

  Hugs,
  Sheila

  

[nanadee]

Wow! To see my very problem in print & others who have it! Should not get so excited about such things should we?? I was told over the years it was my diet, it was IBS ,Not, . Now  I know it is MS related , have found on my own some things that have worked for me. I to feel my body has just forgtten how to work or gets tierd , so I take stool softners daily, plus a product called ColenClenz, once daily. This meathod works for me after so many drugs that have not. I to have my poker game or a book & take my time.... This one of the many things we have to find what works for us whether with our Dr or without. Good luck & never feel there is anything to embarrassing to talk about here!