This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I have been having Bowel problems, constipation in simpler terms, lately. Dulcolax has helped. I have noticed lately that I will choke on simple things like water. Thankfully, Food has not been an issue.

I am not sure if this has anything to do with MS. Is this that the MS is getting worst?
Sorry for these questions, Im too new to this.


Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated

Thank u




I have noticed lately that I will choke on simle things like water. Thank fully Food has not been an issue. Is this that the MS is getting worst? Sorry for these questions, Im too new to this.
Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated

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Mars

Mars, I wouldn't say that these are signs that your MS is getting worse, just symptoms that we can have. I too have noticed that occasionally I choke on water. I just chalk it up to "going down the wrong pipe". I am aware that choking and swallowing problems and bowel problems can occur but I guess I'm of the mindset that if it isn't preventing me from living a fairly normal life, I'm not going to worry about it. I know it seems like I'm avoiding the issue and maybe I am but it keeps me sane. The truth is that every little thing that I feel I could attribute to my MS but how do I really know for sure? I know there are things that I will have to deal with and live with but I'm not going to stress about them until I need to. If it becomes serious or goes on for a long time, I would talk with my doctor but sometimes it really doesn't have anything to do with MS. I think we just become paranoid and don't know what is and isn't a symptom. The uncertainty of this disease is what stresses me out the most. Just hang in there and try to keep a positive attitude.

oo

There have been times when i have "choked" on my own salivia. It has come and gone. Personally, I am pretty confident it was a symptom of my MS, as it was usually around the time of a relapse. And it faded as the other worsened symptoms faded.

I have become very paranois of all the unanswered questions to this. You guys are wonderful and offer me great support. I know No one w/ MS. Thank you.
I am not sure what would be the best treatment for constipation, any suggestions?

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Mars

One of my symptoms has been constipation. I have learned to live with the pain and stomach bloating that comes along with it. I find that if I take Metamucil twice a day it does a good job. At first it can make your bloating worse but if you stay with it, it does get better. The label directions say to mix a teaspoon with at least 8 ounces of water. That never worked for me but a tablespoon in more water does. Make sure you check your meds to see if fiber supplements are ok. Some fiber supplements can slow down the absorbtion of some meds.

Hi there
For the constipation problem, I would suggest trying to drink lots of water, increasing your fiber intake and walking first if you don't want to use medications to see if you can get rid of this problem. I am not sure if you are able to walk lots or not but I would suggest that first. Walking helps get peristalsis going. If that doesn't work I would take either Senna or Colace as directed on the package. I am not sure if you need a prescription for that where you live. If that doesn't work, I would say you need to see your Dr. because you may need prescription for bowel motility medications. Hope this helps.
NN

only thing that's got me bunged up is my iron pills - jeeez u can't win eh! better put peaches on my shopping list

I have found that taking my "25billion good bacteria" tablets helps with regularity too.

I, too, have found Colace to help every once in a while. It used to be a prescription drug but is now over-the-counter and really seems to help overnight.
Lori

The only thing that i find helps is staying really close to a washroom at all times. rob

i love how popular this topic is hehehe

Personally, I have been fighting constipation for a year now. However, I have been taking fiber every morning along with an occasional Surqolax (over the counter), and I have had less problems as of late. This was the suggestion of my doctor.

okay folks, here's the answer to constipation. start taking 100mg of magnesium a day, at a different time from all your other supplements.

then, ramp the dose up by 100mg per day until you find you've hit the clearly definitive point when constipation is no longer your problem!!!! lol!

for me, 400mg (not counting the stuff that goes in at the same time as my vitamin D3) did it. i had to cut back on the magnesium, or face a lot of time in the W/C.

good luck!

Constipation is one of those things that can have a real impact on your quality of life because it makes you feel like… well, er… shit, but I bet most non disabled people don't even consider how disability can affect such a basic, important function.
The others have listed some of the causes like inactivity, low fluid intake, (many people with MS restrict this to avoid having to run to the toilet every few minutes), not enough fibre etc., Some of which you might be able to do something about, some not.
There are different forms of constipation, and laxatives work in several different ways to deal with them, (grisly details coming up):
If you have plenty of push but the damn thing feels dry and hard, and it's like trying to force a pineapple backwards up a hosepipe, you may benefit from a bulk forming laxative like Metamucil which makes the stool softer and easier to pass or a lubricant like some suppositories or mineral oil. If the stool is OK, but you lack the urge or the ability to push, (a nurse once said to me, " after all, your insides have got MS too"), you may need a stimulant such as Senna. Saline laxatives like Milk Of Magnesia help to draw water into the colon and thus soften the stool, and may be mildly stimulatory.
Don't forget that some laxatives can interact with some medications or prevent them from being absorbed, so you may want to try a different tack. There is a small machine available which provides a colonic massage – it sits on your lap with a strap running round your back, and two arms gently manipulate your stomach area. With daily use it is apparently very effective and my sister, who is a nurse, says that in the old days they used to do this massage manually with great success.

Jimmylegs, am I right in thinking you found magnesium helped with your swallowing difficulty? If so, it might help with both problems for Tiramisu,

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Dom