I know that sounds funny,but it's not. I don't have a diagnosis,but one of my first symptoms was bowel issues. I had never had this problem before. After 11 months, enemas every 3 days, no appetite, & 27 lbs. lighter I was diagnosed with pelvic floor dyssynergia. After nothing making it better my GI dr. recommended removing the colon. That freaked me out. I know that this is not my only symptom, so why treat one symptom. I know they are all connected. I am afraid that it will completely shut down if I don't get answers soon. I also have fatigue,dizziness,heaviness in limbs,pain,muscle weakness,genital pain,difficulty walking & the list goes on. I am ready for some answers & was wondering if anyone had similar bowel problems.
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9/22/09 4:37pm
Hi TNT sorry to hear about your bowl problems. Also I would get an MRI done, myself I have never been regular, that should have been a red light for me. I went to a blood doctor she told me that my liver needed cleaning and that she could tell by looking at my blood that my bowls were not regular. This is gross, but I may go on a good week maybe twice a week, and I hate going then. So you know I am
FULL OF IT
! I have been told that is not good, but I am cool with it, you know if I go anymore, I would think something was wrong! If it turns out that you have MS, it is not so bad, you will have to make some life changes maybe, but it aint so bad; different but not so bad. We are really good people! sherry/smomdukes
ps keep us posted
9/21/09 1:36pm
I am an MSer for ten years,eight of them without symptoms or disability.For the last two years i have instabilty in walking, neurogenic bladder and severe constipation.I have resort to digital evacuation of rectum every three days.Laxatives and high fiber diet do not work for me.I haven't tried enemas.
9/22/09 6:28pm
tnt--am surely empathetic w/your bowel issues---i've never been regular in my life--when i had to start w/the rubber glove and vaseline i started taking daily stool softeners-which took a little while but were effective--taken w/plenty of fluids. i also have the opposite problem--when it's soft enough i can't hold it in. so i'm danged if i do and danged if i don't.
9/23/09 12:12am
Hi TNT, I was Dx with MS in Jan, 2008 but was told I've probably had it since my late 30's. I'm 59. My first symptom was the "runs", sometimes on a daily basis. I suffered for 25 years. Doctors told me it was "all in my head" because they could find nothing wrong. (their tests & examinations) I lost most of my jobs because of it. I finally found a GI doc who diagnosed me with "functional diarrhea" & prescibed a med that slowed the gut reaction. It gave my life back for a while. But one day in 1993 my small intestine just shut down, again, no explainations. 3 days later, it suddenly started working again. It was MS all along. There are so many body functions that are affected by MS that sometimes, all they can do is try to help one function at a time. For myself, I'm glad they finally figured it out even though I've had no treatment until now. At least I have an answer. Better late than never! Hang in there. You're not alone. Katkan
9/26/09 11:51am
Hello,
I just read your post and saw exactly what my 3rd GI dr just diagnosed me with. "Functional Diarrhea" I asked her what was so functional about it when it is basically running my life and also causing more problems to pop up. 5 years ago I started with the Diarrhea, it hasnt stopped since. I can eat and within 20-30 minutes it is ready to come out. I have changed diets, had tons of tests, seen 3 GI drs (the first one said its ulcers, 2nd one said its psychological and 3rd said functional diarrhea) an endocrinologist who assumed I had an eating disorder without running any tests and my primary care dr who is concerned because she is seeing many changes that are not normal. She recently discovered a new Heart murmur, echo showed mitral valve bowing. I now have restless leg syndrome, anemia, and vitamin D deficiency. I have been through all the GI meds nothing works, and I am now 20 lbs lighter than I was 3 months ago. It seemed that the 5 years of problems didnt really affect my weight but now all of a sudden I am dropping weight like nothing. I havent been eating differently, actually been eating more since I was told I am losing weight. I am under weight now, really didnt have the 20 lbs to spare anyways. I just dont know what else to do. Crazy thing is I drink tons of milk and get more than enough vitamin D yet I am still deficient.... I have a family member who has MS a second cousin, I have not been checked but seems like something I should do especially since I have headaches everyday, I am clumsy, and have tons of spasmy pain in my arms and legs.
9/28/09 12:38pm
Definetley get checked for MS. I am in the process now. It is so great to know that you are not alone. No 2 people are the same,but to hear someone going through similar stuff is nice. Talk w/ me anytime.
9/26/09 7:07pm
Hi TNT,You are the first person I've talked to the has also been told to have your colon taken out.I had the surgery.I only have the small intes.It was reattached to the rectum.I was so freaked out also but after 3 yrs of being so miserable and test after test it was the best outcome (in more ways then one).I'm so slow at typing or I would tell you more.To me that was one sickness cured.After the entire colon removed I Actually had 2 yrs of managing going Alot,now finally normal.I remember how grateful I was to the Dr that did the surgery right after having it done and I still am.
9/28/09 12:44pm
That is exactly what my GI wanted to do. I just know that my bowel issue is only one of many & I am looking for an answer for all of them. Have you been dx w/ MS? It is so great to know I am not alone. Please tell me more when you have time to type.
9/29/09 2:34pm
Hi TNT,I mentiontioned to you about me having a colectomy(colon removed)I am glad to answer any of my experience the best I can.I got referred to a colon rectal specialist after seeing gi drs and many tests later.(oh I do have MS tho I wasn't tested positve yet)I got a second opinon,same kind of dr,and the same advice.The surgeon (col rec sp) said the surgery went text book.7 hrs long.I do remember 1 of the tests done prior was to see reflex or muscle control of the rectal area.Tested good.At the time I was in so much abdomonal pain I was willing to have a colosetomy but am so grateful it all went great for me.Be glad to write back anytime.It's a scary decision,I know. boatergirl
9/29/09 9:45am
Well, I think that I am on the other end of the spectrum. I recently began to have the diarrhea. This may be TMI but I have been afraid to relieve myself of flatulence for fear of having an accident. And it is somewhat scary. I am praying that I don't have an accident in public or private, for that matter. I was diagnosed w/ MS about a month and a half ago. I am 28 years old. And to have bowel and bladder issues at this age is troubling. I have too many obligations and responsibilities to have inconsistancies with elimination. I work full time and I am very active in 2 churches. I am praying that this will resolve soon. I just will not accept that for the rest of my life I will have problems with this. My God is SOOOOO much bigger than multiple sclerosis.
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By TNT— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 09/21/09
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Thanks for replying. It is good to know others are going through similar trials,that you are not alone in this. Through research I knew that constipation was a symptom of MS,but most don't mention it because it can be embarrassing. I also found that what the GI doctor diagnosed me with(pelvic floor dyssynergia) is only caused by 3 things. One of which is, you guessed it MS. Somethings you just know in your gut & I am certain I have MS. I don't want it,but at this point to hear a doctor give it a name would feel better than not hearing anything. THANKS!!!