This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello. I was recently diagnosed this past Friday (still waiting on 1/2 of the spinal fluid results) with MS.

Are nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite symptoms from MS? It seems since my first attack on Thursday every time I've had a bowel movement I've just had the worst diarrhea. Since returning home the diarrhea has remain and joined by just nausea and intestinal uneasyness.

I've read that bowel control can be an issue but nothing about diarrhea.

I was instructed to contact my neurologist as soon as his office opens up this coming Wednesday to schedule a time to discuss/start drug therapy. So of course I'll tell him then, but I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks,
-Chris

My guess is that you have gotten a flu or flu like illness. Most of the problems with bowels and MS seem to be constipation, not diarrhea.

gwa

I was thinking it may be a touch of the flu...but who knows, I'm new to this.

How about the loss of appetite? It's like my stomach is hungry but I have no real appeal to eat anything. Food taste's good, but I don't want to eat it.

-Chris

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One more thing...I was reading other posts on here (especially the one about "Getting Better to Quickly").

I've been thinking about the past year and symptoms I may have had and not thought anything of. About urinary issues....it seems like I have to urinate a LOT. I mean I drink a lot, but not enough to have to urinate so much. I actually got tested for diabetes about 2 yrs ago because of this issue (and b/c I'm fat..lol) - no diabetes. Somtimes I have to go (especially when I'm about to sleep) and only just a tiny bit comes out. Sometimes I have to go and it's hard to get started. Other times things work normally. The men in my family have a history of prostate issues...so I've thought maybe it was that. Is this an issue anyone has had?

Chris,

I would see a urologist. It sounds on the surface like over active bladder, but do not take my word for it. Bladder issues are really nothing to mess with as having a good bladder infection makes the flu seem like fun.

I have had similar appetite issues as you describe them. They come and go, but the one thing that I always end up doing is eating 'cold' food instead of hot meals. I have no idea why that even comes in to play, but when I'm like that I eat a lot of fruit and cereal and cold, hard boiled eggs. For some reason, I seem to be able to force myself to eat cold food when I'm not hungry but know I need it. And to give another opinion as to the cause, I have never heard of it as MS related. However, it could be a secondary symptom from being dizzy. That's what the hunger issue is for me. Like you said, your stomach is growling, you know you need to eat, but you have no appetite

I have no clue if that will help, but if you know you aren't taking in enough calories, that's not good either, so do what it takes to keep you caloric intake up enough so you have good energy. I hope you feel better!

Thanks for the info. I never really got dizzy, except when my symptoms first started (maybe about 30sec or so). My symptoms at the time (and now to a lesser extent) were left side facial drooping, left arm coldness, tingling in my hand/fingers, difficulty thinking of/saying words and an increase in my normal stutter (which I've had since birth).

I realized the urinary issues a while ago, but I think purposely ignored it until now. I'm 27 and shouldn't have these problems. However, last Thursday everything changed....sooo....

The diarrhea and loss of appetite could be from nerves. I know I get that when I get REAL nervous, as I would from something like being diagnosed with MS.

Maybe you're right on the money there. Although I've tried to remain calm (and think I have), I don't know what to expect next...and I don't like suprises.

I went back to work today (I work in healthcare - Nuclear Medicine specificly). I don't really feel like being here but I wanted to try resume some normal back to my life. We'll see how that works out.

I wish to respond to Loobie's comment,

Is it the stomach or could it be gurgling on the left side, above the waist, such as I have and think is the pancreas? Excess insulin, anyone?

I also never have an appetite--for a good 10 years now. I have recently heard that insulin acts in the brain to reduce appetite. I need to look into this further--wish I were an endocrinologist!

Once again, I urge those with such symptoms to request a "fasting serum insulin test"--not a test for glucose, but INSULIN. Your family doctor or internist can order this, you don't need a specialist. Mine is elevated at 12, I would guess yours is too.

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LOL!


Well they checked everything lab wise while I was in the hospital...pancreas, spleen, liver, heart, kidneys, blood everything was in order....except for elevated mylein in my spinal fluid and my choletestrol is high (for which I started Zocor).

.

Bob,

Well thinking back the past couple days....maybe the urinary issues that I talked about above....I've been tired a lot lately (which i attributed to recent weight gain and not going to the gym)....and not being able to remember people's names/names of objects/words. I actually made a comment to one of my coworkers that I was scared I might get early Alzheimers or something because I just can't think like I use to be able to. Not to brag, but I was always in advanced, gifted and AP classes in school....college and med school came easy for me. But in the last 6 months or so it seems like my brain just hasn't worked right. My friend's swear I'll agree to do things and I don't remember agreeing to them or I made a comment that I don't remember making.

Those are the only real things that I can think pre-my first attack last Thursday, that I could maybe relate to MS.

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BTW, our lead radiologist (whom I work with on a daily basis) stopped me in the hall at work today (suprised to see me back) and talked with me about the MRI and everything. He said that although the MRI is very suggestive of MS...it's still a very mild case of MS. That made me feel a lot better. Hopefully he wasn't trying to smooth things over. He's generally upfront with everything and values my/our opinions and feedback with reading studies. So I'd hope he be honest with me.