Urgency to use the restroom

[HonnieLove]

Good morning everyone I hope all is well with you all I have an embarrassing question I haven’t even shared this with anyone yet so here I go do anyone have problems with holding their bowels? When the urge hits I have to immediately rush if not I’m in trouble 😥😥😥 oh I’m new to this platform and the MS community still trying to figure this out

[Royjr]

I totally understand what you’re talking about. When I’m out anywhere I always ask or search where the restrooms are. I don’t want to be surprised when/if the urge hit me. If I feel the slightest urge I’m going to the restroom. If I’m on the bus plane or train I’m attempting to sit close to the restroom.

[itasara in reply to Royjr]

Once or twice I had this problem. First time a long time ago, I was shopping. It was terrible.

Even today, I have bouts of constipation and loose stools. Comes and goes. Years ago I had a doctor (now retired) who said I had adult colitis which is not uncommon aging problem. At the time I did not know I had MS. Sometimes I know loose stools are linked to my lo carb ice cream which has a bit of sugar alcohol in it which does cause loose stools. I have been trying to not eat it everyday. The problem lately is that as I get older I have less feeling and do not always know even when I go on the toilet when I have finished. I usually have a brief period that lets me know I have the urge to deficate and then I don't feel when I am finished. Yes a sensitive issue but something worthy to discuss.

[Slowgoat13]

This is common apparently in multiple sclerosis. This is what my GP thought I had for 3 months. It was actually c. diff but because bowel problems or urgency are so common he over looked the issue. I hope everything turns out well for you 🤞Also I get he's not the best GP but I live in Ontario, Canada and we are lucky to get a GP and it's all I have.

[falalalala in reply to Slowgoat13]

I had my GP tell me that I had "diabetic diarrhea" and told me to follow the BRAT diet.

No tests, just a guess.

This did nothing as it turned out that I had C-diff. I no longer see Dr. !@#$%^&*.

That is beyond miserable as you know. For me, it was 7 months of misery.

Since then, I do have more of an urgency.

I did find a good gastroenterologist & she prescribed IBS pills.

Those are a huge help if I'll be away from home all day.

[NorasMom]

Mine isn't consistent (that would be too easy!), so I've just made a point of wearing Always long overnights with wings (I think #4; they're green) when I go out in public. It gives me a little bit of extra security and an extra minute when those needs hit. If it's a big occasion where I wouldn't be able to go home when I want, I use two of the pads to make sure they go farther up the back. Not a solution, but it gives me more confidence.

[itasara in reply to NorasMom]

I wear pads all the time because of Over Active Bladder, but when I have I think I flatulence and it is some loose stool, I am glad a wear them. They do sometimes irritate my skin however. The meds I take of the OAB have been helpful most of the time.

[itasara in reply to itasara]

PS, I buy these inc. underwear that some with a built in pad. They are actually good and leakage usually does not get thru. I still use the pads Always pads with those underwear. Saves laundry!!

[leking1]

Oh my, Yes! Nana Linda wears her pull-ups! I know if I eat anything while I am out, it will go straight through me. Since I was DX with Crohn's over 20+ years ago, I have learned to expect these results. It is getting progressively more active/predictable, but none of my Doctors seem to understand what this is doing to my life.

[falalalala]

It's always a race to the bathroom for me.

The biggest help for me was IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) pills when I am away from home.

Butt, when they wear off....

[lbenmaor]

i an certainly relate. I use the bathroom before I go anywhere

and find out where the bathroom is wherever I go.

Leslie

[twooldcrows]

always looking for the restrooms ...

[DM0329]

Well, I've learned to stock up on the Always Incontinence Low Rise undergarments, which are almost underwear but with lots of protection.

They come in black and in beige options. I find them necessary when I am out for a long time so if I accidentally have an accident, no one can tell! 😅🤞

[HonnieLove in reply to DM0329]

thank you for everyone being so supportive finally after 2 years I’ve found someone who understands 🥰🥰🥰

[anaishunter]

There are no embarrassing question on this forum because we're all dealing with stuff that nobody really thinks could happen but it happens to us. It's a safe place to ask anything.

[goatgal in reply to anaishunter]

Absolutely right on!

[goatgal]

Check the MS groups' websites (MSAA and NMSS) for the topics bowel and bladder issues. I wear a pad every day, all day and all night because I never know when the urgency will strike. And like almost everyone else in the MS community, I know where all the public restrooms are located when I run my errands. Though almost daily it's my bladder that says, let er go!, I have occasionally experienced the same urgency for a bowel movement. Like many others, I have had spectacular failures to reach a toilet in time for either.

Yes, this is embarrassing because we are trained in childhood not to talk about these issues. But these are normal body functions that MS affects by damaging the nerves that signal stop or go. Educate yourself, talk to your doctors, and share with us. We'll all ready to help!

[ahrogers]

There is a brand of probiotics called Visbiome that can help with IBS. It has to be kept refrigerated and is shipped cold so the probiotics inside don't die.Our supportive medicine doctors recommend it to our cancer patients. It would be worth a try to see if it helps.

[mrsmike9]

Once you are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease such as MS, it opens you to other autoimmune diseases. I also have collagenous colitis, something many doctors are not as familiar with. It is diagnosed by Colonoscapy and they take a small piece of the lining. I sometimes have remission (praises!) and then it returns to make me miserable. When I first got hit with it there was no meds that were approved by the FDA. I was in remission for 4 years and when it started up (last March) there finally was budesonide. Before I went to the doctor this time I was taking 16 Pepro Bismol a day. Now I take 3 budesonide every morning and still Pepto (down to 4/day). It is finally starting to let up. It's a misery. Get yourself checked.

[sashaming1]

I have. Bowel and bladder problems are a common issue for people with MS. See if this website offers any help.

nationalmssociety.org/Resou...

[lbenmaor]

I understand how you feel. I try to use the bathroom before I leave the house and find out where the bathroom is wherever I go.

Leslie

[MarkUpnorth]

Look at it positively! Yes I have had urgency issues for years, tried all the recommended doctors' meds, all came with issues. Solve one problem, create another, often worse than the other. On the bright side, your brain will develop and hone the accuracy of GPS skills quite well, no electronics needed.Always on, and ready to go!

[1yoyo]

I wear diapers and a pad on the diaper. Also, see what you are eating and or the time it happens every day. Maybe, you could go to the washroom everyday the same time. I do not eat anything before I go out especially in the summer heat.

[Lisa_Doggett]

There are lots of good suggestions here, but I want to add that I strongly recommend you consider Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, which can be extremely beneficial. Also, please talk to your primary care provider to make sure that your symptoms are not attributable to another cause as some have mentioned above. Your primary care provider or MS specialist can probably make a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist, if there is one in your area (hope so!).

[Squirrel1270]

I had an episode during COVID when they locked all the bathrooms, you know, because COVID hung out in bathrooms... I had a doctor's appointment and while waiting in the parking garage (because you couldn't enter the hospital anymore than 15 minutes prior to your appointment), I had an issue... let's just say, I missed my appointment. Uhg... talk about embarrassing...😳

[kycmary]

Hi lots of good info here & I can't really add anything different. I have an overactive bladder also I will add get a diaper rash cream to protect yourself it does help, I also keep a pkg of diaper cleansing pads 1 in b/r & 1 beside my bed! God bless you & hang in there is the only option. Mary

[Dan_NY]

You could ask a primary for an "IBD Blood Panel" test. If your primary is like most others, you will need to fight for it. Apologies, but I suggest very graphic details if doc questions you or gives you a hard time about giving the test....

Something similar to the below. Mine came back highly suggestive of chrons. (Note I am not dx with MS)

testdirectory.questdiagnost...