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thanks jimmylegs and cure i will get some magnesium oxide and see how i go.But do i still take my magnesium chelated ?

hi there, yep still keep taking the chelated one regularly, for your best chance at absorption.
take the oxide periodically, to move things on out

I have to caution on that capsaicin MUST be consumed with food. I have found that it has made my bowel EXCEPTIONALLY loose. It has also improved my spasticity and bladder control. TAKE NO MORE but up to 2.4g of capsaicin WITH FOOD!

Rob and gang...
Before MS (or BMS), Jeff lived on diet Dr. Pepper, beef jerky, coffee and adrenaline. He was overstressed from work, never slept well, and pooped once a week. Yeah, I tried nagging, but it didn't help.

After MS, Jeff decided it was time to clean up his diet and calm down his life. No more artificial sweetners, no more red meat. He's eating Swank, and taking daily magnesium. He likes Natural Calm (mag citrate) as his evening beverage. He also takes a probiotic to balance intestinal flora. Daily bms now. He's a pooping machine.

Will this new routine stop his MS progression? Who knows? I realize that you can do everything right (diet, exercise, positive thoughts) and still end up really sick. Nobody blames anyone for getting MS, or getting worse.

It's still worth trying the mag. and the probiotic to move things along. It should work for everyone.
(like the mineral/city water hypothesis, JL. I grew up with well water, Jeff with city water. Wonder how the mineral depletion might play into MS? chlorinated water and the hygiene hypothesis?)
wishing all smooth sailing-
AC

I told my neuro that i had constipation when I saw him for the first time in may and he didn't comment on it. It seems to go in cycles for me but I definitely go less than I used to and do get constipated for a few days and am then ok for a few days.

I eat a very healthy, fruit, veg & pulse based diet as I am trrying to lose weight. I eat probitic yoghurt every day and I try natural foods to start to shift things but wont take laxitives as I used to have bulimia and would rather not mess with what is settled!

Is it worth trying the magnesium?

Hi Mrs. George!
Definitely try the magnesium...it's good for you on many levels. Neuros tend to focus on what they know, and don't really care about the rest of the body. But it's all related. Healthy intestines mean less toxins in the bloodstream.

Also, women's GI tracts are affected by hormones. Lots of us are constipated when progesterone is high mid-cycle and it causes a relaxation of the smooth muscles. Then progesterone drops with the onset of menses, and it's easier to go. You can bump up the mg dosage after the ovulation part of your cycle.

Good luck with the new eating habits, and hang in there! The probiotic yogurt is a great idea.
best,
AC

MG, i agree with cheer. good ideas re: dietary intakes, and the mag is also worth trying to help deal with slow metabolism. keep in mind though, that although magnesium is important, the oxide form used against constipation is, in essence, a laxative - although potentially a healthier one than some others.

the other day, i tried the regular "natural calm" (magnesium citrate powder) that cheer's hubby jeff uses these days. maybe it was my two consecutive early mornings, in part, but "calm" i certainly became!

i also pondered the difference between swallowing a pill, which is what i've done previously (where the magnesium has to contend with other reactions trying to reach the lower intestines for absorption) and between drinking it in a liquid where it has a greater chance of absorbing straight into the blood stream via the tissues inside the mouth, similar to a sublingual b12.

last night my friend gave me a dose of lorna van-der-somebody's MagSense, which has other ingredients besides magnesium citrate. it's also a somewhat flavoured product. maybe i wasn't as tired when had the mug of that, but i think i preferred the flavour of natural calm. and i also felt more calmed by NC compared to magsense. perhaps it was the b vitamins in magsense that give energy, while the mag is calming, and they cancel each other out?

either way, i think personally i will switch to magnesium powder in liquid once i'm done my current batch of pills. tonight maybe i'll empty a capsule or two into a cup and see what that's like.

just thoughts,
JL

Its also really important to maintain a decent fluid intake to help with constipation. I know from personal experience the delicate balancing act between enough water and too much for my system and constant dashes to the loo - the MS affects my bladder function enough as it is.
Having said that i have been seeing a physio to help in this area and have been concentrating on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles - guys you have them too. It has made a real difference to me. It helps with control both going and retaining! Front and back bottom. Sorry to be so blunt - but these things have really helped me.
muu

No particular diet helps me. All fiber, fruits, veggies, ect.... NOTHING!!!! However, I ran across this website (friend recommended). I talked to several people before taking the plunge!
I finally went ahead and ordered it, its all natural stuff, nothing synthetic. Now I usually go 10-12 days between "eliminations". (another ) So I started the kit last week. I am here to tell you, I am a changed person. At first, it was five times a day, nice and smooth....(wow, that's TMI) anyrate now I am down to once a day, and it is a "pleseant" experience (LOL!!!!) I feel incredible! More energy, weight loss (cause I was full of you know what) Being regular and CLEAN is wonderful. Never in a million years did I think I would be having this thought 20 years ago! If you are interested, the website is www.drnatura.com and they have testimonials and (believe it or not) a photo gallery! I can personally attest that what you see in the pictures is 100% true.

I tried mag and also Natural Calm which elimination took too long. Then I tried Epson Salt....Oh what a relief it was

Cheap too

peekaboo wrote: Then I tried Epson Salt....Oh what a relief it was

Cheap too

Just "How" do you use the epson salt? Not trying to be funny, but after my colon detox, I may give that a try!

Bubba -

all it takes is one - two tbs. of epson salts in a mug of hot water (to dissolve) horrible taste but i do not sip it I try to jug it as much as I can.
it is worth it.....

WHEW thank goodness I was picturing something else that I couldnt do!!!

I will be on this like white on rice. I have had this problem, with no results from natural calm or anything else. I eat like a horse (nothing but fiber, fruits and veggies for days sometimes) and it is still screwed up. Dulcolax works, but you can't use that stuff all the time. I am glad to hear you found something dude. I can't wait to get back and try it! But first things first, I go to look at my veins first thing in the morning.

Awesome! Did you look at the website? It aint no joke. I now sleep great, have 10x the energy. Let me know how it works for ya! I had tried everyting including a bottle of magnesium citrate, and that didnt even work. This stuff, BAM!