Bowel and bladder symptoms

[DeclanIreland]

I have some brutal symptoms including bowel and bladder its so so difficult. My whole body is shaking and it's hard to stick with it at times.

just wondering has anyone these symptoms with FND?

[Loveliferegardless]

I have constipation and bladder urgency. The constipation I manage with diet and benefiber. For bad flare ups I use everything from suppositories to proctofoam which is a steroid foam for hemorrhoids. I use a squatty potty for every bowel movement and hemorrhoids wipes - no toilet paper.The bladder urgency is harder to manage. I’ve tried two medications which did not help. My doctor has offered Botox which I’m not willing to try. I go to a pelvic floor therapist weekly and that has been huge help. I used to pee 40 times a day, and body would shake even in the toilet. The therapy has helped me relax my pelvic floor muscles when I pee so my bladder now empties more. I do deep breathing too and that relaxes me. I now pee about 15-20 times a day. But I still go several times a night.

Im also on cymbalta and gabapentin and klonopin which have hugely helped my primary FND symptoms, and as a side effect also help my secondary symptoms like bladder urgency.

Hope any of this information helps.

[cocoferraro]

HiI have colitis, which basically means that I cannot tolerate some foods. even when I avoid them I still have symptoms. I have to eat lots of raw veggies to keep going, and if I have a take away , the next day Iam bloated and constipated. I do think that there is a link between functional neurological disorder and bowel dissorders.

Please take care x

[Brokendeer]

Hi I think a lot of FND sufferers are not informed very well about the condition. I was told that functional symptoms happen because the brain is overloaded with too many nervous system signals and cannot prioritise them well, causing abnormal physical symptoms.

So if you base FND on this medical theory, then potentially ANY system which relies on the nervous system which is not an `automatic' function in the body can be affected.

Of course, that includes the Bowel & Bladder to a certain extent -which are both a little under our control i.e we decide what to drink & eat, quantity and frequency.

Have you seen a medical Dietician about these symptoms? Often they can advise on what foods might suit your situation best. If you do not want to go down that route, why not try a FODmap elimination diet - I found it online and tried it out, very useful for finding out which foods I was sensitive too and it has calmed down my bowel issues quite a bit. Although I cannot stress enough, how stress and anxiety itself can mess up the whole digestive system- slower pacing, calm thoughts (mindfulness) and a little singing or meditation breathing to relax the body in general all helps.

As for the bladder, in some ways I have the reverse problem to you, retention. So I tend to once a month; have a mug of hot water/honey & fresh lemon juice - just to clear through the Urine Tract system naturally. Does not hurt with boosting the Vitamin C either!

Look for the calm in the Storm!

[Kathleen88]

Hi DecPretty new to this... I've got a few health problems plus FND I've been incont of urine for the past 10 months (so embarrassing) I am under urology but nothing is working I got told it could be linked to FND which I'm hoping and praying its not. I'm under the specialist incontinence group which help with pads, it's just devastating and embarrassing and it does get you down.

[Butterfly1315]

Hi, I was really suffering 12 months ago and am in no way 'back to normal' but have improved. If I look at my darkest days 12 months ago to where I am now I have actually come a long way. Here are the things which have helped me improve...

1) Pelvic floor rehabilitation from a specialist physio

2) Medication - I take antidepressants Citalopram 15mg and 5 drops of Clonazepam

3) Meditation and Yoga - In particularly practicing 'mindfulness', lying still, focusing on deep breathing, acknowledging the shaking but letting it exist, almost as if it's there alongside you, it isn't you but it's something that's there, like a noise in the background. This gets easier and more effective the more than you do it

4) Breathing is key - deep breaths into your diaphragm filling your chest, count on inhale and exhale and focus on breath. This calms your nervous system down and should be practiced as much as possible

5) If you can do sport. I noticed an improvement when I did 20 mins each day. It can be a walk, yoga, swimming, whatever but something to get your heart pumping and body working together with your brain.

6) Eat well, make sure you're getting all of your vitamins from your diet

7) Have someone you can talk to. Be that a therapist, good friend, family member. If you can get a therapist I would recommend it, it's just a shame that they are so expensive.

Wishing you all the very best xx