Bowel issues can be a part of MS, but it can also be your diet, medication(s) and/or supplements. Let your doctor know exactly what is going on; how often this happens and what your diet and all medications are, when and if there have been recent changes to any of this and what the timing of the changes are, etc.

With MS we all try so very hard to improve every aspect of our health through self care changes. Sometimes those changes can become gastrointestinally explosive. Try not to feel too bad about it all, embarrassing as it is. Communicate it to your doctor, that is step 1... Good luck in your efforts to find the answers! Rebecca

Optic Neuritis, no problem just close one eye and keep going, tingling feet, no problem just get off of em', bowel problems....whoaaaa! Of all the "crap" that you have to deal with when you have MS this is the one that robs you of what self respect you been successful at maintaining. Occasionally, I think most of us with MS have or will deal with some form of incontinance (bladder or bowel)....wish I had some good advice for you...But,(no pun)keep your head up 'cause you aren't alone in this one...plenty of support on this front.

You can try probiotics to see if they can help balance out the bacteria in your gut. I had IBS when younger before I was ever sick. It was due to anxiety and stress. When I dealt with that it went away.

I now deal with bowel incontinence. No fun. They are firm but going to the bathroom over six times a day. Some doctors tell me to add more fiber. Are you kidding? It just makes it worse. I eat organic veggies, fruits and a lot of fiber. I do use probiotics hoping that it might help. But I started with this problem 10 years ago. Didn't know anything about MS until 2006.

I know it is embarrassing but don't be. I could tell you there always Depends but I won't because I am almost there. Maybe probiotics will help some.

I get it at random and at the worst possible times. Try throwing your underwear incognito at a major airport restroom!

Sorry you are struggling with this issue too. Unfortunately there is no easy answer. I ended up having tests & gastroscopy & colonoscopy to try to find out why but still no answers.
I had ibs diagnosed many years ago & find rich foods, spicy, acidic & even a lot of antibiotics can set it off.
I wish I could give you good news, but sorry, I use pads as protection.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17919270?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log
Conclusion of below research: "This multispecies probiotic seems to be an effective and safe option to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to stabilize the intestinal microbiota." Strains researched here were Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus Lc705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12.

Thought you may want to see this research. Probiotics are like vitamins. Different kinds do different things for you. This is why I specifically added the strains of bacteria researched. Seems to be better probiotics are refrig too.

Veggie protein added to food (ie soups) may help your large intestines reabsorb water from stool before passing it. So it helps firm up stool too.

I wish you the very best.
EP

Whoa, I no that feeling. I get that all the time. Try watching your diet. Eat clean. I found that helpd. Fast food is the one thing that really messes me up. Drink lots of water. I had loose bowells before the diagnosis of ms but its all related. Keep you head up. Hopefully your not peeing your pants as well cuz sometimes that happens.

I too had IBS before the DX. Now I use probiotics as well. Try yogurt or goto Swansons' Vitamin books- they can offer a variety to choose from. Good luck- we all go through this!

Thanks guys-I will try the probiotics. My sister also suggested having pysyllium husk.

I will also let you know how I go at the gastroenterologist.

I just think if it was my MS wouldn't I be having bladder issues as well? I am not at this point but anyway I am sure someone will be able to put me on the right track.
I will advise you all of the outcome.

Thanks again xo

Guess there's always cheese! Sorry....like we don't get constipated either... Tomato/tomah-to.....DAMN! :o)

I deal with the opposite. The big C is a struggle for me all the time. Seems the muscles of the bowel don't work on there own anymore. GI doc put me on Miralax everyday.

Soluble fiber is the best fiber for loose bowels.

Barbara Johnson says that normal is just a setting on your dryer. What is normal with MS? I don't think anyone has an answer for that apart from the lesions on the MRI. Having said that, I think that because symptoms can vary, MS patients often accept new symptoms as just part of MS when it very well could be something else that can be treated or corrected (such as bladder issues) and which, if left untreated could cause serious health issues.
The only way to make sure it is/is not MS issues, is to insist on being tested. I would think a GP would be more cooperative in this in that they are not approaching your condition from the presuppositions of a neurologist who may dismiss it altogether as something to be expected.

For the big 'C' and the big 'D'... my husband has tried everything and found one thing that works; it's a supplement called Fabulax (not the cleansing part, just the Fabulax one that helps regulate - nothing else works) - one a day keeps him happy!

Not sure if you can access it where you are, but it is available on the net.

Here's the link for it http://www.knowledgeproducts.org/products/efabulax.htm

having said that, it's the 'fabulax fiber' he gets, not the cleanser.