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[D1010]

I was diagnosed Jan 2012. Caught early ..so I am told .. :)  quick question ..does anyone else experience constipation, heart burn and see things flash in your eye sight? I have been afraid of these forums because I know we all have variety of issues and I am scared to get spooked.....but I think its time... I just turned 40. I am a single mom of a 3 yr old. I work in a professional office as a recruiter and I am a veteran of the US Air Force...and yes..I am still afraid.  :)

[SarahL2491]

count me in too, some things we just deal with, not to be frightening.  We deal with many of these odd things that people just don't see.  As they say, MS offers many symptoms that arn't seen and people don't realize that even tho we look "good" we are having problems on the inside.

I think each of us take something different or what works for them with constipation.  I know making sure you get enough fiber is important, and exercise.  Be sure and discuss it with your doctor, so they are aware of it.

Welcome to our forum and thank you for your service, it is appreciated!

Sarah

[Maks322]

I am 3 for 3 or is it now 5 for 5.  I take prescription Prilosec (same as over the counter, but cheaper with the co-pay), for heartburn.  I take a senokot every morning and every night.  My gastroentologist wanted me to try Miralax but it made my stomach gurgle all day.  My MS specialist says a lot of her patients take something daily for constipation.  The off balance, lights flashing, losing train of thought, they are always there to some degree, meaning sometimes (especially during relapses or more stressful times at work, they are worse than others).
Maureen

[HVAC]

Constipation is tough for me. I take magnesium glycinate that helps.


Alex

[supermum_ms]

I don't find my sense of smell or my hearing is more acute, same old same old there but I first lost my balance with my big bang in 09, it's never been the same since. In the months before it all changed, i was still doing handstands and cartwheels, balancing on top of walls etc with the kids. lol I'm an ex-gymnast and  my balance was still abnormally good, during my big bang it felt like I was walking in one of those blow up bouncy castles. After, the surface I was standing on had to be solid or my brain didn't know where I was in space (Proprioception).

Stepping onto anything like grass, sand, wonky pavers, flexible decking etc and my brain didn't have a clue what was going on, i'd end up looking like I was surfing, but I was doing anything i could just trying to stay on my feet lol Its been awhile since that's happened (yeah!) I still have the invisible man for kicks and giggles suddenly shoving me over though, no predictability to it at all, it just happens when it happens. ROFL I still have better balance than hubbie and son, I call them vertically challenged lol

Cheers.........JJ

[D1010]

I think my senses are heightened ..the eye thing..super smell ..and everything seems louder..lol maybe I am a super hero... just kidding. .maybe I am just paying better attention to things.  I feel fine most days..but I lose my balance from time to time and my train of thought too. Is this just me? Btw u all are great. Thanks so much

[carrieblackwell77]

I sort of have 3 out of 3, I have always been a constipator all my life but during and since my last realapse, for the past 18mo I have diarrhea off and on all the time.  I also have the heartburn and lights thing sometimes.  I see the lights flash when I first wake up then it goes away this only happens sometimes though.  My doctor wasn't impressed by any of these, just told me to use over the counter stuff when I needed it and wouldn't even attribute it to the MS so I guess it isn't too serious of an issue.  Some one correct me if I'm wrong.

Kyle, you can take the Miralax every day, my 20mo old baby has to take it every day, the pediatrician said she could take it all her life if she has to, it's safe for long term daily use.  FYI.

[maxthecat43]

I get three out of three.  I'm pretty sure that the scotomas (what my doctor calls the flashes of light) are related to MS.  The other two have been with me for so long, that I don't think they could be related to MS in my case.

[D1010]

Thank you all...

[kwarendorf]

Put me in the 2/3 category as well :-) Constipation is one of my 24/7/365 MS symptoms. I've tried everything; more fiber, less fiber, Dulcolax stool softener...

I switched my fiber from flax seed meal to chia seeds and switched from Dulcolax to to Miralax and things seem to have improved dramatically. I was told by my PCP that I could take the Dulcolax version of stool softener every day. I haven't checked the Miralax with her yet. I'm afraid she's gonna say no :-)

I get "floaties" in my vision from time to time. At first I though they were bugs and I would try and swat them. I don;t get them often and just ignore them.

Kyle

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community, glad you found the courage to reach out, knowledge is often empowering but the unknown is more likely to generate fears, so welcome :o)

I'm a 2/3 too, constipation and I have had flashing things a few times, lol more like those cartoon stars floating in my vision. When it first happened i was expecting the dizzy feeling but i don't feel light headed or dizzy, so weird but my vision is generally weird lol Only times i've ever had heart burn was when pregnant, my mother and mother in law both have it and take medication, but its not an issue i've ever had to deal with.      

Cheers.........JJ

[aspen2]

I have 2/3 of those things.  Constipation is pretty much continual, although not constant.  Flashing things -- I've had two one week episodes of that kind of visual disturbance.  No heart burn though.