Quix-Or anyone with bladder/bowel issues

[3boyzmom]

Qiux, quick question I have been dx'd with Neurogenic bladder, main reason I'm being sent to the Neurologist as L-spine MRI ruled out spinal stenosis, and cord compression which I think were the areas PCP checked out.

The urologist stated I've probably had a bladder problem for awhile, but now it is Neurogenic because my bladder was put back into place and I don't have the strength.  The same thing has happened with my bowel.  Previous to surgery I had mentioned constipation to one of my Gyn's and she wanted me to take Colace or Miralax.  Post surgery, I cannot remember anything definite prior to around July 15th, but I know from that day forward, I have relied on Milk of Magnesia.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have feeling, but I have no strength it seems in that area.

Does the bladder and bowel go hand in hand with the issues I'm having (does anyone else have both problems?)  I feel like I have a Neurogenic bowel now as well, if ther is such a thing.  Milk of Magnesia works, but I don't like being dependent on it.

Thank you so much, I truly appreciate the support found here.  

[Quixotic1]

There is such a thing as Neurogenic Bowel with MS, but several of the things I have read state it is unusual (not impossible) in early disease.  That it is usually seen later in more progressed disease.  The bladder and bowel are controlled mostly the autonomic nervous system.  That can be affected in MS, but is more likely in forms of Peripheral Neuropathy like CIDP.

MOM is not the best laxative to remain on.  It works by pulling water and electrolytes into your stool and can lead to electrolyte imbalances.  If you absorb too much magnesium it can cause (temporary) muscle weakness.  If the nerves that regulate your bowel are affected, you may not be able to avoid some dependence on laxatives.  Discuss this with your doctor.

I have what I think are two problems.  One is a familial tendency to have very slooooooooooooowww....bowel.  The second  I do think it is caused by my MS.  I use a combination of high fiber (20-30gms/day), 200 to 300mg of docusate sodium (brand name Colace) daily.  This acts as a stool softener without altering electrolytes.  Then my favorite, gentle stimulant is sennosides 8.6mg.  I take from 3 to 5 of these per day and the combination does very well in me.

Quix

[uk2]

Hi

I dont have both problems i had some bladder issues a few weeks back but this has eased now but i have a constant battle with my bowels i live on senna everyday (which sometimes works sometimes not) and try to keep a high fibre diet if i keep my bowel motion loose it is better for me as i feel like i have no push in this area at all. I was dx years ago with ibs but i have never had the diareah (cant spell) that often people get with ibs im not sure the dx was right, i also burp alot and bring my food back up iv had a investigative op but nothing was found.

Im sorry your having these problems at the moment but it looks like your doctors have it under controll.

Take Care

[moeck]

I'm sorry you are having problems with both bowel and bladder.  I know what you mean about the neurogenic bladder.  I had that after surgery four years ago (adhesions had glued my bladder to the abdominal wall) but it finally went away.  Now, without the benefit of surgery I have retention, hesitation and stress incontience.  I also have to keep on top of my bowels due to adhesions (again) that have wrapped around my lower intestine.  When the ER doc last week did his checks it was embarrassing because he did a "sensation check" like they due with pins on your legs, on my rectum.

[uk2]

Hi

just read your post on here have posted from a reply you gave me too. I have bowel bladder problems the bowel is all the time but the bladder has been on and off since the birth of my first child in 1998 i had to have a corrective operation done due to my bladder healing to my womb due to adhesions after my c-section. Was yours due to a c-section or something else that caused the adheions?

[moeck]

Hi..yup, my adhesions were due to two c-sections (labor with my first child actually ruptured my utereus so they wouldn't do a vback with my second).  I had my second c-section in 1985 and they didn't due the hysto until 2003.  By then the (during surgey she found endometreosis, ovarian cysts and adenomyomas)  adhesions had made a mess of everything.  Since the I've had three more surgeries, one to remove adhesions and remove my appendix, the other two were to remove remenants of an ovary that had grown back (don't ask, they don't know why, just called it ovarian remnent syndrome) and removed adhesions again.