It does seem to affect a lot of people with MS, but doesn't necessarily affect all of them permanantly. There are meds that help with attacks of incontinence, one such med is Amitriptyline, but it needs a prescription as it has other effects as well, just gave that name as an example BTW. Do you have access to any MS staff that can give you practical help at all?? If not, speak to your neuro about your concerns. Good Luck Poppet.
Hugs,Owlxxx

That freakin sucks I have had close calls but never any accidents. I am sorry this is happening with you. If there was a way I could do something to make it better for you I would. I wish you the best with that and if you ever need to talk about anything I am here for you.

Unfortunately incontinence can be part of ms, does not mean that everyone gets it. There are pads etc that you can use so that you dont have to worry about "accidents". There are also drugs that can help.
Dont be afraid to ask your dr for help if you are having trouble with it.
Also dont panic about it if its not happening worry about it when/if it happens. If you worry about every "maybe" you will spend your life worrying about the "what if's". Dont worry about it if it is not happening would be my advice.

Last summer for about 4-5 months I was wearing the pose pads and I was not thrilled about it at all. This was before my dignoses, I went to my Doctor and she gave me meds that did not work. So then one day, my incontience just stopped. So wearing pose pads might just help a little for you. It makes it easier and less embarrasing.

This has been a part of my MS for years. I know where every bathroom in every store in town is, I use the bathroom before I leave the house but always have to go when I get where I'm going. I'm afraid I've gotten so used to it that I don't remember what it's like to NOT have to go.

luckily this has stopped for me, I only had a problem with incontinence for a couple of weeks just before my diagnosis. When I was finally diagnosed, I was admitted to the hospital. The woman I had to share a room with was paralyzed from the waist down because of MS. Or maybe not paralyzed but her legs were too weak for her to be able to walk. She unfortunately had to wear pads and often she had trouble holding bowel movements. Just thinking about it scared me about what may be to come. Hopefully a cure comes available soon!

I also know where every bathroom is at all the places I frequent. It seems to come and go for me, just like any other symptom. When I am going to be where I know I wont have immediate bathroom access I wear protective underwear. An accident in public is very embarassing.

That is one of the symptoms I suffer. Jeanna

Well, I've managed (by pure will-power) to waddle to the head (bathroom) just in time, numerous times since the onset of symptoms. It seems like the longer it goes, the smaller my bladder gets. You have to CONSCIOUSLY limit your liquid intake and your reasonably frequent "breaks". Sorry this happened to you! Try and establish routine times (in addition to when you feel the need!) to prevent accidents. As others have suggested, learn the locations of restrooms wherever you go, so you don't have THAT concern too! Best of luck!

I really want to thank all of you for sharing that you have this problem too. It is so comforting knowing I'm not alone with this problem. I found I had the worst problems after I had a drink or two of alcohol. Not enough to be drunk or anything... It's so embarrassing! Knowing where the bathroom is at all times is definitely good advice. Even when I didn't have this problem just seeing my house on my way home, or seeing the sign outside of my work made me had to go.

It another symptoms for me as well..I use a pad.It seems when my MS acting up is worse.

Cathy

Very best thing for incontinence is an alternative medication called LDN. The drug used by many to control MS, positive results for many other symptoms.

Check it out on LDNinfo.org

im having a flare. the MD said "let me know if you are having trouble controlling your bowels or bladder." Um...wow! I guess I wasnt connecting the two. I peed the bed a few times in this flare and thought it was the meds or something.

Just because you have MS doesnt mean you cant have something else. Its time to visit the gyno or a urologist and get peeped at. There are tons of things they can do now to help.

Medication does not always work the same for everyone. Having said that LDN REALLY helped my hubby. There are rarely still issues at night but a LOT less. He started at 1.5mg for 2 weeks and then has been using 3 mg. Bellmar Pharmacy, CO is where he gets his compounded at and it is good quality. Maybe ask your doctor if you want to learn more about it.

Good luck working with a medical professional to find something that works for you,
EP

it recently is added to my very long ms sympton list. i was embarrassed to talk about it and it slowly became more unmanageable, despite fluid limits, frequent bathroom trips, pads, even not drinking before long travel time (just 1 hr but dangerous to your body). i finally 2 weeks ago saw a urologist. i need to have urodynamic studies next week, and will see what i can do to live more comfortably. do not wait, see a urologist to better determine what will help your particular problem. good luck, connie