Anal Sphincter Muscle & MS

[yorkieville]

Hi, Everyone.

   I am undergoing evaluation for MS. One problem I have is loss of bowel function. A proctography revealed I have no function, at all. My GI doc says I have a tight anal sphincter muscle and feels it is nerve related, and to finish my evaluation.
  Does anyone know how MS affects the anal sphincter muscle?
  I attempted to do some rectal kegel exercises, but they only make the nerves in my spine sting more.
  Thanks in advance.

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi and welcome.  I'm so sorry that this has happened to you.  I have problems with my bowels also.  I may go 2 to sometimes 3 weeks in between movements, and then that's usually with an enema.  I have no feeling and I just don't know if I need to go or not.  Also, I have problems with my kidneys.  Same thing no feeling and I don't know when I gotta go.  I just recently started wearing a foley when I go somewhere because the depends don't always protect me enough.

What really sucks is I change my grandbaby's diaper and then my own. lol  How funny is that?

Anyway you are not alone.  I know it's a horrible thing for all of us.  I'm only 42, I should'nt be wearing diapers.  You know what I mean?

I wish the best for you and God Bless You,

I'll be praying,
Carol
'
  

[Momzilla]

Hey, Girls!  Sorry, I was gone for the afternoon.  We had an Okterberfest at our church in Michigan and my two youngest boys, ages 11 and 7 were in the talent show.  

I see you've been chatting.  How nice!  I love this forum!  I really do!  

I hope you both don't mind me interrupting here.  Yorkie -- I took a medical billing course, and I really don't think you should let any more time pass before you get to the bottom of your billing problem.  They have time limits on those things, depending on what type of insurance you have.  Letting it 'go to collections' might just be within your doctor's office.  It may not actually be a collection agency they report to.  But check that, know what I mean?  If it's going on a year since your test, get moving on the appeal.  Your time limit may be running out.  Just a friendly word of advice from your friendly neighborhood medical biller*  ; )

Also, I hope they get some answers for you soon.  Gosh, how miserable you must be.  But it sounds like you've got a great family!  Isn't that the best?  

And Chris -- I was talking to you on the other thread, too--I didn't realize you were across the Pond!  Grandchildren!  We've got five boys, the oldest is in his first year in college, the youngest is 7.  We joke that we can't wait for grandchildren.  But, of course, we can!  And it better be a ways off!  Grandchildren, how lovely!  It was so sweet reading the exchange between the two of you...

I hope the two of you can find answers soon, as we all struggle along together.  Thanks again for sharing!

Chris*

[yorkieville]

I used to allow the doctors to make me think it is all in my head. But, as I have gotten older, I have come to realize, I know my body, I know when something is wrong. Yes, I told the Gyne I'd had constipation problems ever since my A & P repair. She examined me, said everything seemed fine, but tests might show otherwise, and ordered the test. I had constipation problems before the hysterectomy, things seemed better for a bit...then I needed the A & P repair. Now it appears its a nerve problem, maybe an MS symptom. So, then do you have to go back to your GP when you need a referral? Yes, I think somebody messed up. Our Insurance Benefits Rep says the doctor is responsible for the codes. My hubby has left messages for her finance person but she has not returned his calls. Maybe if I don't make any more payments on the bill, she will call. I understand how you feel, I am feeling a bit worn down at the moment. Tired myself, I will check back tomorrow.
Thanks so much for posting to me. It helps to talk with someone else going through the same thing.
XXX yorkie

[crystaly]

Yes totally agree inflated egos don't help people and often its quite intimidating when you face a professional consultant . Many just dismiss people which is horrible. You do end up thinking is it me !!! am I nuts !!! or I have anyway don't know about anyone else! Strange how your gyne arranged for test ours over here wouldn't eg if you go to your neuro with reflux problems they wouldnt refer you well mine didnt to see someone else! Maybe her secretary or the financial dept have messed up ther its certainly sounds as though they have ! Not surprised you haven't paid it all what a cheek! Don't know how they can justify it > Although if you want to see a private consultant over here its £350 to see one . I think you do actually get worn down emotionally by it all well in my case I used to be really assertive and its gone out the window a bit of late > I know thats a bit defeatest but you get a bit fed up at times ! Bit tired now so catch you tomorrow if your on the forum all thebest and take care xx chris

[yorkieville]

It was really important to my hubby & I, to make the trip to see the babies as soon as we could when they were born, because we wanted to have that memory. It was wonderful! Yes, it is a shame that docs ego's get in the way. I have had docs admit they don't know, and I have the utmost respect for them. Well, I haven't paid the entire $719.00 yet. I've contacted my insurance company and asked how this Gyne can charge me this amount, when she is in my PPO. The tech that did my evoked potentials explained to me that the Gyne has an agreement with my insurance company about what she can charge, so she said to contact my insurance company. She told me to let the bill go to collections and they will investigate the claim if I tell them why I haven't paid it. Kind of scared to do that though. What's worse is I had to cancel my follow-up appt. because I didn't want another charge like that one. Would you believe, all she did was a pelvic/rectal exam and order the proctography? Oh, boy, I am so sorry you don't have medical insurance. It's bad enough being sick, but then to have the added stress of not having the tests done that you need, makes it even worse. Yes, it is the same for many people in the States.

[crystaly]

I,m sure you will make up for it so don't worry to much !! Glad you got to spend time with them all its areally memorable thing . Nothing like having your own kids !! Totally different expereince . I agre thats what drs do when they don't know answers shame they arnt big enough to say we dont know rather than blame the patient in some way !! OMG to the $719 dollers hope you manage to get that back ! I havent got medical insurance at all Worked in alow pai job when kids were younger and my hubbys wage wasnt alot either. We have anational health service over here bit like medicaid I think its called over in the us. We dont have as many restrictions as you though. Our main problems are waiting times and the choice of who you get to see > Basically your dr gp refers you to a neuro or other specialist and then your sort of stuck with that one Tests are hard to get unless youve money to pay for them which is basically why Ive had none since the intial ones . I could go private but for the cost and get seen tomorrow. Problem being no money to do so ! Same for alot of people in the states though isnt it ?