Walking and bowel
Hi, I am 64 and diagnosed with MS 43 years ago. I recently joined a walking group and find the exercise is stimulating my bowel. I wear incontinence pads because of limited bladder control, but this week I experienced a full bowel movement when walking which I was unable to control. Any suggestions?
My heart goes out to you,
, Bowel dysfunction is such a difficult issue. You are far from alone, so I am a little surprised you've gotten no other responses here. Maybe my response will bump it up in the feed and result in more input. Have you discussed the problem with your doctor? Is there anything that forces a bowel movement for you that you can do before walking? I hope your group was supportive and understanding. Here are two articles about bowel dysfunction and MS that might interest you: https://multiplesclerosis.net/symptoms/bowel-dysfunction and https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/straight-poop-bowel-dysfunction. Sending lots of gentle hugs your way. - Lori (Team Member) Thanks Lori for getting back to me! I have learned to deal with the bladder but the bowel is a problem. I know that walking is a trigger, and go to the bathroom beforehand. I also have constipation issues issues with infrequent bowel movements. The urge to go cannot be avoided, there is no longer the capacity to "hold" it and I am wary of taking laxatives. Will try to figure it out.
Warmly,
Amanda
I am sorry you have to deal with that too, and I share your pain. Laxatives are too harsh for me even at the smallest dose. I take stool softeners every couple of days if there is no movement down there, but that can just make me drop dry little pellets every day. Sometimes my bowel will follow that up by completely emptying large, well-formed stools. Other times it stimulates a dry movement followed by one or more looser, larger BMs with urgency, but I am far from cleaned out. And that is most worrisome. I have an official IBS-C diagnosis, but now it is IBS-M, as it vacillates between constipation and diarrhea. The takeaway for all of that is: Monitor on a daily basis and treat as needed, keeping in mind that less is more. Ugh! And, I have NOT seen my gastro since 2016, back when she first diagnosed me. I convinced myself that she couldn't do anything to help me. But I should reach out just in case she has something up her sleeve, yes?
As far as your group walk, the only thing I could suggest is to find another way of getting exercise that is more flexible. If your bowel isn't going to adapt itself to your situation, then you might feel more confident if you give yourself an alternative time/day to walk.
As always, relating to each other is far easier than finding solutions! Cheers, Kim, moderator
thanks for reaching out. I share the "pellets" and as you know we really have no control on the day or time. I don't want to give up the walking, it provides social interaction as well as exercise! I will figure it out.
Hi,
! I wish I had some great tips to offer, but I don't. I'm sorry. I know Lori asked, but has your doctor had any helpful insight? There are some possible treatment options, ranging from noninvasive (ie; dietary changes, pelvic floor exercises, and OTC medications) to prescription medication and lastly, surgery. So, your doctor should have some ideas, especially since you know your body well and know how to work around the surprises MS throws your way. I know that since you already deal with constipation, you don't want to add anything that will upset your gastrointestinal system more than necessary. You shouldn't have to give up your walking group over this, but I totally understand that you don't want bowel incontinence to be a regular occurrence on your walks.
And, like Lori, I hope some other community members see your post and chime in here, as bowel incontinence is not an unusual issue with MS.
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.thanks for getting in touch, I appreciate your thoughtful response.
I have had problems with constipation in the past. I take a half of cap of Maylox every morning and it keeps things flowing and relatively regular.
