Constipation/Severe stomach pain

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi Ya'll,
I know we have discussed this issue a million times but I'm almost doubled over with my stomach right now and I need some quick suggestions... First of all I have dealt with constipation for 17 years... I had a hysterectomy after my son was born and ended up spending an extra week in the hospital because my bowels would not "wake up"...

From that moment on I have had severe constipation... Most of the time I have 1 bowel movement per month and 2 if it's a good month... Believe it or not I've never really suffered with it up until the last 3 or so months... My stomach didn't bloat up and I didn't have cramps... The only thing was the 1 to 2 bowel movements a month...

For the last 3 or 4 months now it's been horrible... My stomach stays bloated, I have horrible cramping and my stomach is as hard as a brick... The strange thing is that most of my pain is up high... I do have low cramps that generate around to my back but the bad, bad pain is right in the middle up high... I had my gallbladder out a few years ago...

I take stool softeners, laxatives, and enemas... I've tried drinking that other stuff but I just throw it back up... My doctor has me on Amitiza for IBS and at first I felt like it did help some but it doesn't even make a difference any more... I'm just hoping that someone out there has any home remedies or something else I might try...

My husband is very insistent on me going to my PCP but I'm pretty sure he will say the same thing he always says and that's that it's due to my MS... Blah... I really get tired of hearing that for every little thing... I will probably go ahead and call for an appointment tomorrow but I would sure take some help tonight... Thanks in advance...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[Sparkysarah]

I sure hope that you have made that appointment. I expect over the years you have tried most things to help get things moving but i find dried apricots (and prunes are supposed to be good also) are very effective. I really feel for you and will also say a big prayer for you. It is so frustrating when we have so little control over parts of our body.

with love Sarah x

[Sumanadevii]

Hey Carol, I just spent a month in the hospital.  It had nothing to do with my bowels but when the top neuro asked me about them and I answered about every two weeks I was surprised by his reaction.  I then said I thought it was normal with MS his reply was, "Yes it is normal but it has to be treated".

So during my stay I  began a bowel retraining program.  He said yes I had MS but my body is reacting to it like a spinal cord injury.  Thus some of the things I learned where much like someone that has injured their spine.

I won't go into the training.  He had said better here at the hospital than at home.  He was so right.  I would never want my family to go thru that mess.

Yes it works.  I go almost daily or by the following day for sure.

[twopack]

What did you ever find out about this Carol?  Have you been able to find a long term solution?  Sure hope you are feeling better.

Mary

[jensequitur]

Wow... I thought I had it bad!  Turns out I'm not even in the ballpark.  You've already tried all the stuff that I'm just about to try.  Sounds like you need something better than OTC.  Good luck!

[HVAC]

I had this problem badly until I went on a gastro paresis diet. Now I am doing well. I rarely have problems and that is when I go off it,

When things get bad I go to fruit smoothies only for a couple of days and that helps.

I sure hate the bloating thing.

Alex

[grannyhotwheels]

Thank you all so much for your comments and suggestions... I have tried some of them but I haven't tried the suppository yet... I'll see about that... My husband told me I have til 4 today to make an appointment or he will make it for me...haha... I love that man... So I guess I'm calling...

I think I'm going to tell him that if he can't do anything for me then lets send me to someone that can help... He's always been great at doing that any way so we shall see... Thank you all and GOD bless...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[twopack]

Regularity (as commercials refer to it) doesn't have to be a once every day thing.  It should definitely be more than a once every 2-4 weeks thing.  Not having your bowels move seldom seems like a problem until the consequences show up.  It's like any other aspect of your health.  You don't have to worry but, when possible, it is usually better to take care of things that aren't quite right before they get real bad.

Carol you told us:
It has been like this for 17 yrs (when did your first MS symptoms appear-not diagnosis?)
You have a history of poor return of bowel function after surgery.
You've had zero to few symptoms in the past to match your few movements.
You've had no cramps in the past but plenty now.
You take softeners, laxatives and enemas.
You are doubled over now with symptoms high in the GI tract (with no gall bladder).
Didn't you have some extensive surgery involving your gut in the past year?

Waste has to be eliminated or stored.  An intestinal tract that has held onto weeks worth of waste at a time without symptoms is one that is used to stretching out to contain it.  Since this has been the norm for many years and isn't responding to usual OTC remedies, you should see a doctor familiar with treating this condition.

A physiatrist (physical medicine specialist) used to treating people with spinal cord injuries may be able to help with establishing a bowel routine.

You still have the high bloating and pain that may or may not be directly related to constipation.  These things are never as simple as we would like to make them and end up with a cascade effect even if they don't start there.  It would be just too nice if one thing went wrong and could be fixed in isolation from the rest of the body's structure and function.

An experienced gastroenterologist should be able to test and treat whatever is going on.  If you can't get in to a specialist soon enough, go to the ER and start your quest for relief and to determine the true state of your GI system.

Sumana is right that there is sometimes a problem with the sending or receiving of the message that a full rectum needs emptied, or in getting our voluntary muscles to do that, and a suppository can help.  

Sure, a slow bowel can be expected when you have MS.  It may never cause a total blockage but it shouldn't cause so much back up that you feel sick all the way up to your tonsils for days on end either.  I believe you are dealing with something more than MS slug gut and to ignore it as needless worry is potentially dangerous.

It's been like this for months?  Make appointment(s) today Carol.  Don't enter another week-end without moving toward a solution.

Mary

[Sumanadevii]

I don't think it is unusual to have so few bowel movements.  As long as you stay on softeners it won't block you up.  I think our bowels are just slow like the rest of our body.  I take the stool softeners, drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet and just don't worry about it.  Once I got over the fear of a fecal impaction and realized this was just my new normal, I haven't spent any energy thinking about it.

And the suggestion from tingletingle  on using glycerin suppository is excellent.  Sometimes it is sitting in the lower bowel and we are not receiving the message it is time to do our business.

I hope things get better for you.

[twopack]

No doubt some is your IBS, some is your MS, some is a chronic state and some is a consequence of the medications you take every day to control your pain.  Your doctor should never think his job is over once he determines the root cause of a problem.  He is responbile for finding a solution too!!

I have IBS (probably related to the MS) too.  It took me years to find a routine that worked for me.  About three years ago I started taking ground flax seed in yogurt every day.  That, with a twice a day softener and occasional laxative has done very nicely until recently.

In May, I had a flare and IVSM, increased my baclofen, decreased my activity and started forgetting some of my daily flax doses.  Something in that combo has been deadly and I am now bloating on very small meals, nauseated, constipated, swelling up and desperate for a solution.  

Yesterday, my new PCP ordered a drug he hopes will help by stopping the contracting of the muscles of the GI tract (his words).  I think that's what moves things along in he gut so I'm not convinced this is a good idea.  Besides, side effects are nausea, vomiting, constipation, and a bloated feeling.  What's better about that?

I doubt this helps you any tonight.  There is a Rx liquid called laxtulose that may help you.  Maybe he will order it for you.  I think Alex started us all off on this gastroparesis parade several weeks back.  She seems to have it controlled with diet alone now.  I hope we find our solutions soon too.

Mary

[figuerpa]

I agree with drinking lots of water. All the suplements you are taking can have a negative reaction if there is not enough fluid intake. My daughter suffered with severe constipation when she was going through puberty and they put her on stool softeners and told her to make sure she drinks lots and lots of water because it could make it worse if she didn't.

I just eat lots of fruits, green veggies and drink plenty of water. That seems to help for the most part, I have on occasion taken a laxitive but that is only when it is real bad. I also take a fiber supplement to help me. I usually have the opposite of constipation, I do get constipated but mine is more leaning toward the incontinence area if I am not careful.

Wishing you well and hoping you call the doctor tomorrow to get some relief


Paula

[jen673]

I am so sorry to hear about this.  It must be awful.  Have you had a colonoscopy done?  I would think your doctor would have some way of helping you what you have tried before doesn't work.  

I was just reading that you might have RSD.  My neighbor has RSD.  She is lots of pain, has trouble sleeping, and uses a arm crutch.  She says it is affecting her body - like her kidneys, heart, etc.  Could it be possible that your RSD is affecting your colon?  I don't know much about this disease.  It was just a thought.  I may be way off track here.  

I will also say an extra prayer for ya Granny!

Jeny

[tingletingle]

Carol,
I really feel for you. We males have many problems but this is not generally one of them. However, from my observation and experience here are my best tips:

Drink warm water and have your partner gently massage your tummy

Glycerine suppository - when I was in hospital recently and couldn't feel my backside and this worked a treat for me.

Exercise bike leg peddaling to stimulate things - sorry, this one is not the best for MS and given your title has hotwheels in it then this may be completely inappropriate for your physical condition

Anyway, best I can think of at present. Just know that I am thinking of you and yes, I'll even say a little prayer for you.

Blessings
Alex