Possible colon removal

Until your earlier post, I'd never heard the expression, "...if you don't have constipation you don't have MS." I still maintain there is what I call "true" constipation -- hard stool, painful to evacuate -- and "sluggish bowels", where the stool eventually passes, often formed, but softer, and in an uncontrolled manner. And many with MS have the "sluggish bowels", not necessarily constipation.

Anyway...I'm really sorry you have to even consider having colon surgery! That has to be way scary. I've not heard of anyone else with MS who has needed that, if that is your question?

Hi Michelle.  I am also suffering from constipation.  It is so painful sometimes but fortunately with medicine and diet I eventually go at this point.  My Neuro and I have discussed this many times and indeed the culprit is MS as I never had this problem until my MS was officially active.  Here are a couple of sites that were informative.  Again, my case is not as severe as yours but I felt it would provide you some info and perhaps affirm that this is MS related in your case as well.

Best,

Christine

http://www.msif.org/en/symptoms_treatments/ms_by_topic/continence/articles/bowel_symptoms.html

http://www.msaa.com/publications/managing_symptoms/p_05_surgery.html

Thanks to all of you for your support!  MS can cause constipation different in each person.  Mine is due to "gastroparesis" as Gracie's mom said.  The lesions are in a specific place not allowing the nerve impulses to get to the muscles in my gut.  I think it effects my whole colon but mainly the lower.  I never have soft bm's nor diarrea. (sorry!) All is very hard and not enough gets through.

 

I have tried glycolax and all of the other over the counter meds. + zelnorm and amitiza.  They do not work for me and alot of them make me very nauseous.  This is not new to me, even though I've only been diagnosed for a year, the constipation has been with me for 3-4 years, it has just gotten progressively worst over the last 18 mos.  Also, my diet is not the culprit nor lack of exercise or water.

 

Lysha, unfortunately Walmart does not have that effect on me...wish it would!  LOL! !  I'll keep you all posted, hopefully I'll have an appt. or something by next week.

Michelle,

Did the GI Doctor mention Ulcertaive Colitis at all??? Because that is what I ended up having after all the testing. This is a good opportunity to make sure that people realize that NOT all things that are wrong with you are MS. Sometimes you may have other conditions, at the end mine are MS, Ulcerative Colitis, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis and Degenerative Bulging disc disease.

When it comes to my stomach, I get no hunger signals, I get no "normal gastric sounds", I can't really pass gas and I have never been able to burp. I finally figured that my colon was so swollen that passing of anything not solid was nearly impossible. I ended up in the ER with internal bleeding after many visits where I was just told, it was nothing or was just gas. They also found out I had a gallblader chuck full of rocks and that was eventually taken out, which releived my vomiting of about 10 years.

I tried all of the medications for UC, after a sudden divorce I couldn't get medication for 3 months and I found out my UC was actually a lot better than it use to be and now I am on Colazal. I learned to meditate and control a lot of my stress through yoga and different natural methods, nice warm bath, etc. One thing that I do to stay regular is have a cup of coffee, I found out it helps with my constant headaches and keeps my bowels moving failry normally.

It never got to the point for me that I would have to have my colon removed, my UC is in the upper colon so that meant a colostomy bag and I can think of worst end results and at that point I would have done anything for relief. I believe my gastric muscles are probably in a constant spasm and currently i am taking morphine and balophen via a an internal pump.

I have now learned to listen to my body, give it what it asks. I stay away from food that is too rich, too friend and too spicy. Otherwise my diet is whatever I crave, the more freedom I had the more I craved salads and healthy food, go figure!!! I was even off chocolate for 2 years. This year was a year of comfort foods so I fell back into some bad habits but I am starting to stabilize and things are getting better.

Stress plays a major role in all of our symptoms, if you find this is true, you need to learn either biofeedback or meditation, trust me, it will truly help!

Michelle, best of luck with your ulcer, I hope that you can solve it without major surgery! And to everyone else, try to relieve the stressors in your life, stress is killing us!!!

Happy new year to all!!~

CC

Yes ending up at the ER is no fun, especially when everyone tells you you are nuts!!!! I know we have a lot of MS side effects that affect out gut, I hope whatever it is you find fast relief.

CC

Julette,

Welcome to HW!  I'm very sorry your daughter has ms but I'm glad she has a supportive mom.  I am on Avonex too.  You have to be really careful about natural "alternative" therapies and ms because if you take products that build up the immune system etc.. it can nullify the avonex and also can provoke a flare. 

 

 The low platlets should come back up in due time.  I had low white counts and low red counts for quite a while and at the moment they are beginning to rebound.   Has your daughter asked her neurologist about all this?  There are drugs to help with the fatigue, provigil is the most popular one.

 

I will have to look into colonics since I am not familiar with them.  Thanks!  Take care. Please keep us posted on your daughter and she is welcome to ask questions/post herself!