Regulation, Instigation,of Constipation in My MS

Constipation affects many people with multiple sclerosis. I read all the "...most of the people..." symptoms as soon as I got my diagnosis and began my planning.

All my life I had been very regular. Up in the morning, deposit in the loo, off for a run, home for my day to begin. Even as a child, up in the morning, loo, on with day. I took it for granted. Never imagined anyone else had a problem. Then I saw a photo of my uncle Arthur sitting on the john, chin in hand and written on the back was: "The Thinker." My questions about why that was so funny led to my first understanding that for some a daily quick deposit is not so quick.

Then I read "the word" in an MS pamphlet. Next I read how to avoid this problem, just in case it struck me. I could understand how easily it might happen, since our ability to move becomes compromised. When I needed my first scooter, I experienced the big C. (Well, I DID experience Cancer at that time, but for this story that "C" is constipation.

WARNING GRAPHIC WORDS AHEAD
I no longer found the morning dump so reliable and I learned (after 40 years) that the word my mother taught me was "Grunty", NOT "Grunny." Imagine my shock and embarrassment. I had never needed to "grunt" before, but I certainly heard that a lot in my work place restroom. (I kept asking friends, "Are they SICK?" But, learned it was expected during most deposits. SHOCK) So, then I had to take action.

First I analyzed my stools. (I warned you--this is not for the meek.), and noticed they were very dark. Dark and hard as a rock. I then examined my diet. Yes, eating enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains...so I increased them all. No change. I swore Mr. Hankey was hard as iron. LIGHT BULB MOMENT! My multi-vitamin was IRON PLUS! I thought that would be good for my MS. Switched to non-iron. Started reading labels of all the cereals and food I ate "iron-enriched" UGH! I would probably explode in my next MRI!!

After a month of no extra iron, my stools returned to normal! But, moving the bowels was still not quite right. I remembered reading in Katherine Hepburn's autobiography that she had something called, "Psyllium," every day and she started her day with a bowel movement and dip in her lake. I told this to my partner, who laughed and explained that was what Metamucil was.

AH! I had seen many ads for this Metamucil stuff and although I lacked a lake, I would take it every day like my hero-actress (heroine-actor? eesch) Kate. I began. Not much happened. I called my doctor, "Could I take a higher dose?" He agreed that might do the trick.

While I didn't like the consistency or color (orangish) of my poo (I WARNED YOU) I was once again going very easily. Too easily. It would come too fast and without warning. What a messy situation for someone using a walker and unable to run to the loo. I was starting to get discouraged. Then, another light bulb---my belief was that simply drinking all the water necessary for the Metamucil dose was way more water than I'd ever drank at one time---what if I upped my water to that level and dropped the psyllium? My fiber intake had been enough for many years...

It worked. My bowels now move daily and are of perfect color and consistency. I can even control what days I might want to hold off (like for doctor appts.) and up the next days water. Such a simple fix. I still have a nervous bowel---if I am anxious about something (like a visit from strangers) all bets are off and I can't ALWAYS make it in time to the loo, now that I must use a power chair, slow moving lift chair, transfer---but I am getting better each year at knowing when to start heading for the loo.

Yes, I discussed this with my doctors. The nasty neuro I dumped, explained how MS effects the bowels and she showed me a poster on her wall that points out all the nerves there--wow! Who knew? She offered NO solutions or suggestions. My primary guy was his usual, "That is interesting." He is still learning. AND he is open to anything. He KNOWS he is not God. He also knows ME and how I experiment on myself. My current neuro just brushed me off as usual. She doesn't even see me anymore--has shoved me onto her rehab doc. (I refused to be scared by her dire predictions for me and refused her drugs of choice. She hates the sight of me.)

So...water, water, water, every other day 64oz, 32+ in between. Looking back, I really don't think this is MS related for me at all. As a child I rarely drank and got my water from food, hense, I was over-weight. When I got a handle on my weight, I began drinking water whenever I felt hungry. I was not hungry, I was thirsty. Since moving became difficult, I lowered my water intake without realizing it. (To avoid extra trips to loo.)

When people tell me they just got DX MS, I tell them to drink more water. Now, with the idea that iron is backing up across the blood-brain barrier, I wonder if that hurt me.
Too much IRON BAD.
WATER GOOD.
True for just about everyone!