By the way...I take Keppra: For Epilepsy & Topamax For Epilepsy & Migraines & that combo seems to make me want to poop & have loose stools after taking a dose. I take one dose in the morning & one dose at night because I get both night & day seizures of all different types. It usually makes me feel this way more so in the morning time though. But then, depending on your symptoms (it's a balancing act) you eat during the day & some days, your stomach gets all crudded up during the day...even if you eat well.

So, yeah, everyone is different...but if the MS is giving you seizures/epilepsy & you have constipation from the MS or the Epilepsy even...maybe ask about the medication combo. of Keppra & Topamax. Maybe you'll get the loose bowels after you take a med. dose as well as a side effect, who knows?

There are worse side effects to get! I'll take this one when I'm all stopped up to begin with. HA!

Also, I've taken "Flexeril" & had a blackout "drop seizure" as a side effect & slammed my head through a door & left my head shaped hole in the door...so yeah, there are WAY WORSE side effects to get.

So yeah, I'll take loose stools when I am having cramping & issues in the opposite direction over THAT any day of the week.

It's a bear to have to rush to the restroom for any reason & fear not making it & sometimes not make it, but heck, I'll take that over putting my head through a door in a blackout "drop seizure"...sign me up! HA!

Take care,
Stay sane!

Well, I haven't voided bladder or bowels in public unintentionally yet, but I am glad that I got a LOT of practice "holding it" when I was on an Aircraft Carrier, the USS Nimitz, and it was a good distance to a "head" from about any place on the ship. My biggest problem now, is that when I have to go, I HAVE to GO! So I have learned to start seeking the nearest facilities, as soon as I get the slightest urge. My neuro wants me to take a "bladder measure" test, to make sure my bladder is of sufficient size, I guess that some day I will ... shrug

Best of luck, ya'll !

I know this is an issue a lot of people with ms have.
I have been through the whole run of it. With the bladder just going when it wanted to I had no control. It got to the stage that if I needed to go & stood up it was "oh oh too late" & a huge puddle as I couldnt stop it.
I went through every type of pad from the light one's (liked tena best) then ended up with the pants as they held 2000ml which is a lot & I still had to change during the day.

I would definately suggest you ask to be referred to a continence nurse & physio to get the basics checked, some exercises to help control (doesnt solve it) & also ask for a referral to a urologist. They can do a full urodynamics test that finds out what the actual issue is & can then be worked with.
I did all the recording so they knew how much I could hold & go at one time (& recording what I drank), then had the test & the dx was a Grumpy bladder! What a silly term. It meant it didnt empty properly but went when it wanted to without control.

I tried intermittent catheters & they can be good. Unfortunately they didnt work for me as my bladder spasmed when the catheter was in & then bled each time even with the finest. Not a pleasant experience for me but it does wok for a lot of people.
I ended up with a supra-pubic catheter which is one that comes from the abdomen direct from bladder. It has made life heaven & freedom again. I empty my bag regular & if not emptying enough increase water. Can tell if got an infection or not drinking enough by colour (too dark start drinking). I have it changed every 6-8 weeks & change the bags myself weekly without any hassle.
I have only had one blockage & of course it was when I was away & out on a tour for the day so that was real bad & I had no control & because bypassed tube kept wetting myself. I always carry a spare catheter so was able to get the medical centre on shop to fix it once I got back.

I had heard that infection is a big concern & co far with making sure I drink plenty of water each day & take a cranberry capsule each day have been able to manage it.

As for the bowel, have had it both ways with not making it on time - only answer was the big pad/pants & carry spare. Always had tissues in bag incase no loo paper & hand sanitiser in bag to clean up after. Constipation has been an issue since bowel surgery so now have to take movicol regular to keep it going, doesnt always work. Also take slippery elm capsules every day & this helps to soften it & makes me more regular.

Hope this helps. If you have any bladder/bowel issues please see your Dr & ask for referal to appropriate Dr.

I swear I am so glad to have found you all. It's so hard to go through this alone. So I was thinking for the longest time after my son Charlie was born that all the problems I was having were because I had a baby. I was so tired because I had just had a baby and I had bladder issues because I had just had a baby. Well as it turns out I was putting a lot of the blame on my little guy when really it was MS all along. I should probably start carrying a Kit in my purse too. I can put it in my son's diaper bag. I just hope I don't get his diapers confused with my own lol. I think the worst is when you pee your pants out in public. I have done that a few times now. At least I was wearing dark pants so no one could tell. As someone just told me MS is a very unforgiving disease.
Good Luck All

I have learned to be more environmentally friendly by going back to the old practice of "being on the rag". Except, I am not on that time of the month anymore. I use clean rags if I think that I might have a UTI coming on and I might leak unintentionally. Most of the time, it is not necessary but it does save on pads and expense. I only use the panty liners if I am going out and that is a better option. But at home, a rag really is my insurance at times and cost free. One never knows when a UTI might create a need.

this is a subject that is sensitive to those who deal with these topics. But, oh, so important that we discuss these things, so we don't feel so alone!
I don't have the exact prob you mentioned. I have the side of bladder Hesitancy. Meaning that I feel like I need to go...but, then I sit and wait and not letting 'go'!
I also deal with the constipation issue that someone else mentioned. I actually take stool softeners daily, per the recommendation of my neurologist.

I have had the occassional "oops moment" with the weak bladder issue also. Just not as often as the afore mentioned issues.

#21, sheriz, I totally understand. Hesitancy is my problem as well. That is why I self cath. That became the only way eventually that I could let it out. Plus it completely voids me. Much better feeling than sitting on the commode for ever.

when it ever get gets too problematic, try to self cath. Because there is no medicine that will relieve that problem and you don't want to even think about a surgery. Self cath really freed me. And it turns out it frees the other extreme as well. But they have meds to help on that problem.

Love this topic!!

I have had this issue as well and it is very frustrating. I have and "overactive bladder" no one knows if it is ms related or not, but I think that it is related. I have near accidents often and have had actual accidents a few times. It sucked.

I understand how you feel. I am not as young as you (34) but I have always been active and healthy, now I find myself having to make sure there is a bathroom close by all the time. It is infuriating.

I hope it gets easier for you!

I understand how you feel. I think this must be a very common problem. I have sudden urge problems but once I start I often stop before I'm done and have to wait a few minutes for the flow to start again. (The tip about standing and sitting back down sounds like it's worth a try.) I always go before I leave the house and as soon as I get where I'm going. I keep a change in my car at all times and always carry a jacket or sweater that I can tie around my waist to conceal any small accidents til I can get to my spare clothes. I've been doing these things for about ten years. It can be stressfull and embarassing but you learn to adapt.