Does Ms Cause Stomach Pain

What Are Some Bladder Management Points To Remember If I Have Multiple Sclerosis

• Adequate fluid intake is 1½-2 quarts of fluid a day. The urge to urinate comes about 1½ -2 hours after drinking something.
• Caffeine, aspartame, and alcohol are all bladder irritants.
• Smoking also is irritating to the bladder.
• Limiting fluid is harmful.
• It is not normal to leak urine, wake up more than once at night to urinate, or to have frequent urinary tract infections.
• Bladder infections in people with MS may result in an increase in MS symptoms, spasticity, and fatigue.

Plan of action

• Drink fluids all at once . If you sip, sip, sip you will feel the urge to urinate frequently. Try to go about 1½ to 2 hours after you drink.
• Stop drinking fluids about 2 hours before bedtime urinate right before bedtime.
• If you tend to get frequent bladder infections you are probably not emptying your bladder completely.
• Taking cranberry pills may keep your urine more acidic and decrease the bacteria in your urine.

How Is Gastroparesis Diagnosed

Primary care physicians and some gastroenterologists tend to underdiagnose gastroparesis, according to experts at the Cleveland Clinic. The disease is often misdiagnosed as heartburn, an allergic reaction, or an ulcer. It can take an average of five years after symptoms begin for a proper diagnosis, according to a 2017 survey conducted by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders .

Members of MyMSTeam express frustration at the delays in their diagnoses. Nobody suggested this could be a complication of MS. I recently learned of this possible connection and am still wondering why Im the first person on my MS team to be aware of it, complained one member.

Another fought with her doctors for answers. They told me I didnt have gastroparesis even as the headaches and nausea got worse, I could only tolerate water and sweets, and I lost 36 pounds. Finally, I took my health records to a surgeon who ordered an updated test and found that the gastroparesis had worsened.

Gastroparesis is typically diagnosed with a gastric emptying study. This exam involves eating a light meal that contains a small bit of radioactive material, followed by an abdominal scan that monitors the food as it leaves the stomach.

Although theres no cure for gastroparesis in MS, the disorder is treatable. Treatment options, which include dietary and lifestyle measures, medications, and surgical procedures, aim for long-term symptom management.

Other Causes For Tummy Troubles

• Stress is a well-known factor for stomach upset, so you might want to consider whether youve had to manage a crisis recently or have untreated anxiety
• People who carry extra weight are more likely to experience reflux, as well. In addition, recent studies show MS may progress and worsen in those who have a higher body-mass index.4
• Another consideration: MS is a disease that causes muscle spasms. It may be that the lesion activity unique to you is having an impact on signals between the central nervous system and the digestive system. This is known as neurogenic bowel dysfunction.5 Irritable Bowel Syndrome is another condition of the digestive system found to be more common in people with MS than in the general population.
• Sometimes you can also experience persistent hiccups, which are related to MS-linked spasms in the diaphragm that may be due to damage to the phrenic or vagus nerves.6
• Finally, medications to treat MS and its symptoms are well known to have adverse side effects that include heartburn, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.7 Other medications that can slow down the emptying of the stomach include opioids, some antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and allergy medications.8

Don’t Miss: How To Lose Your Stomach In 10 Days

When Ms Is Not The Cause

It’s important to note that a lot of people experience low back pain, regardless of whether or not they have MS. This is why it’s essential to undergo a proper diagnosis for your low back pain and not just assume it’s from your disease.

Examples of common causes of low back pain in the general population include:

• Sciatica or other lower spine nerve root compression
• Nonspecific musculoskeletal sprain/strain from trauma or injury

Much less common, but more serious causes of lower back pain include:

• Cancer that has spread to the spine

• Digestive tract problems like pancreatitis or peptic ulcer disease

How Common Are Bladder And Bowel Dysfunction With Multiple Sclerosis

Impairments in bladder function with multiple sclerosis are common and may affect up to 78 to 90 percent of patients during the course of MS. The prevalence of bowel dysfunction in MS is estimated to be about 68 percent of patients. Bladder and bowel symptoms are relatively common in MS and can be treated. Goals for bladder and bowel management include maximizing independence and preventing incontinence and complications.

Also Check: What To Give 4 Year Old For Stomach Ache

Managing Bowel Problems With Ms

It is important that you prioritise your emotional wellbeing when you have MS, as losing motivation or feeling low can cause constipation. If you feel upset, embarrassed or stressed by MS bowel problems this can also exacerbate the problem. The mind-body connection is powerful.

Managing bowel problems with MS is key in taking back control over your body and not letting it stop you from enjoying life to the fullest.

Its not easy to approach a professional about bowel issues, but your doctor, neurologist or continence advisor will be able to help. If you combine this advice with positive lifestyle changes with the OMS 7-Step Recovery Program you will be improving other MS symptoms as well.

Ms Symptoms Specific To Women

The MS symptoms that primarily affect women seem to relate to hormone levels.

Some researchers think that having lower levels of testosterone may play a role. Others think fluctuations in female hormones may be a factor.

More research is needed to determine the true causes of these symptom differences.

The main symptoms that affect women more than men include menstrual problems, pregnancy-related symptoms, and menopause issues.

Also Check: How To Shed Stomach Fat

Searching My Symptoms Online

As usual, I got online and typed my symptoms into the search box. Two things kept popping up time and again. According to the internet, its either Irritable Bowel Syndrome or cancer. Hmm. The internet does have its limitations. As a differential diagnostics expert it makes a lovely patchwork quiltand a poor substitute for a good old-fashioned doctor visit.

Before Taking And While You Take Vumerity Tell Your Healthcare Provider About All Of Your Medical Conditions Including If You:

• have liver problems

• have kidney problems

• have or have had low white blood cell counts or an infection

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if VUMERITY will harm your unborn baby

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VUMERITY passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using VUMERITY

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Also Check: How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Stomach Done

Treatment Of Pain In Ms

Exercise and physical therapy may help to decrease spasticity and soreness of muscles. Regular stretching exercises can help flexorspasms. Relaxation techniques such as progressive relaxation, meditation and deep breathing can contribute to the management of chronic pain.

Other techniques which may relieve pain include massage, ultrasound, chiropractic treatments, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, transcutaneous nerve stimulation , moist heat and ice.

Pain from damage to the nerves in the central nervous system in MS is normally not relieved by the usual analgesics . Drugs that treat seizures and antidepressants are often effective in these cases. Treatment for spasms can include baclofen, tizanidine and ibuprofen.

Causes And Their Treatments

• Other Possible Causes

Low back pain is very common in the general population, but even more so among people with multiple sclerosis . Though many with MS share this aspect of their disease experience, why they do can vary, as causes range from physical changes to practical challenges .

It’s also possible for people with MS to experience what healthcare providers call “mixed pain,” meaning more than one MS process is causing their low back discomfort.

In addition to the physical challenges of MS recent research indicates that fatigue and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are closely associated with significant pain in people with MS.

Likewise, research has shown that lifestyle factors which people with MS and those supporting them can address are also associated with pain. These include tobacco use, fatigue, and an unhealthy diet and insufficient exerciseboth of which can contribute to obesity.

The most effective course of treatment must be tailored based on what exactly is responsible for the pain. Research indicates that the percentage of people with MS who experience low back pain could be as high a 41.6%. Addressing both mental health and modifiable lifestyle factors can help to reduce or prevent pain in people with multiple sclerosis.

Don’t Miss: How To Lose Stomach Weight Overnight

Loose Clothes Or Tight Clothes

Tight clothes seem to trigger the MS hug for some people, and might make it worse when it happens. So it makes sense to try looser clothes. This could include not wearing underwired bras. Some people take off items of clothing to feel more comfortable, when the situation allows.

On the other hand, tight clothes actually help some people deal with the MS hug. This may be because the grip of the tighter clothes distracts the brain and makes the MS hug sensations less obvious. Whatever the reason, it might work for you.

How To Treat Constipation With Ms

The treatment of constipation in people with MS is largely the same as anyone else. It involves the combination of exercise, diet, and medications if needed.

Over-the-counter medications used to treat constipation include:

• Fiber supplements: Also known as bulk-forming laxatives, these include products like Metamucil and Citrucel .
• Stool softeners: These include products like Colace that add water and oil to stools.
• Lubricants: These are products like mineral oil that are taken by mouth to make stools slippery.
• Osmotic laxatives: These include laxatives like Miralax and Phillips Milk of Magnesia that keep water in the intestines.
• Stimulant laxatives: These are laxatives like Dulcolax ad Senokot that speed the contraction of the intestines.

Prescription medications used to treat constipation include:

• Amitiza : This oral drug helps increase fluid secretion in the intestines.
• Linzess : This oral drug speeds up intestinal motility and promotes fluid secretion.
• Trulance : This drug also increases intestinal contractions and increases fluid secretion.

In people with advanced MS, bowel movements may be so restricted that stools may need to be physically removed with an enema or digital disimpaction .

Read Also: What Foods Make Stomach Bloat

What Are Some Bowel Management Points To Remember If I Have Multiple Sclerosis

• The goal is a comfortable bowel movement either every day, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days. For regular bowel movements you need fluid , fiber and activity.
• One-third of a cup of Fiber One®, All-Bran® or 100% Bran Buds® gives you half the fiber you need for the day.
• Greasy foods, spicy foods, or food intolerances may cause loose stool and may result in involuntary bowel movements.

Plan of action

• Eat regularly for regular bowel habits. Plan for a bowel movement each day about ½ hour after eating or drinking something warm . Sit on the toilet about 10 minutes, and try to have a BM. You may want to gently rock back and forth on the toilet. If nothing happens, leave the bathroom and try again later.
• Use a suppository to help stimulate bowel activity. Occasionally, it might help to take milk of magnesia or citrate of magnesia to stimulate bowel activity.
• It may take two to three months to establish a regular bowel regimen.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/28/2019.

References

Understanding Most Common Side Effects

Its important to talk with your healthcare provider about the most common side effects of VUMERITY® . Flushing and stomach problems are the most common reactions, especially at the start of therapy, and may decrease over time. Read more about them below.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or indigestion.

Get tips to help manage the most common side effects

Don’t Miss: Why Take Allegra D On Empty Stomach

How To Prevent Bloating

There are a few ways to avoid this abdominal catastrophe altogether. Some are traditional, others may take a little research, a willing physician and a willing insurance company.

The first thing you should try is changing your diet. Try keeping something in your stomach to avoid acid production, avoid foods that may trigger dyspepsia and take your time eating.

The research, willing doctor and insurance company come into play with this next suggestion: a blood test that shows your bodys antibodies to foods. It measures the IgG/IgA antibodies which indicate inflammatory response to certain foods.

What Are The Different Types Of Stomach Issues You Might Experience With Cll

Stomach pain and other CLL symptoms vary depending on what part of the body is affected by leukemia. Related abdominal and gastrointestinal issues include:

• Esophagitis. You may feel pain if your esophagus is affected by CLL. This may feel like painful swallowing, chest pain, or like food is stuck in the esophagus.
• Splenomegaly. When leukemia cells collect in the spleen, they can make it expand like a balloon. You may experience slight stomach pain, feelings of fullness, rib pain, or back pain. If part of your spleen is damaged, you may experience sharp pain on the left side of your abdomen.
• Neutropenic enterocolitis. If CLL affects the small or large intestines, it can lead to a condition called neutropenic enterocolitis. This can cause severe stomach pain and other symptoms such as fever, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach swelling. You may also experience pain in the lower right side of your abdomen.
• Lymphadenopathy. Leukemia cells can accumulate in lymph nodes, making them bigger. If this happens around the stomach area, it can lead to stomach pain.

Stomach pain and other abdominal symptoms in CLL usually occur in the later stages of the disease. These symptoms typically happen when a collection of leukemia cells puts pressure on or expands your abdominal organs.

CLL-related stomach pain is usually treated by addressing underlying leukemia. Different treatment options are available to treat CLL, and you may have one or more kinds of treatment, such as:

Also Check: Can I Get Rid Of Cellulite On My Stomach

If You Need More Help With Constipation Problems

If the steps outlined above fail to address your constipation problems, your doctor will probably suggest the following remedies.

Stool softenersThese products should be used sparingly, however, as some of them may increase the side effects of other drugs, especially those taken at the same time. The use of mineral oil is not advised, because it can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and is hazardous to inhale.

Bulk supplementsNatural fibre supplements include Metamucil, which if taken daily with one or two glasses of water, help fill and moisturise the gastrointestinal tract. These bulk-forming agents are generally safe to take for long periods.

Mild oral laxativesMilk of Magnesia or epsom salts are all osmotic agents. This means they promote secretion of water into the colon and they are reasonably safe. Another mild laxative is Senokot. This is an example of a stimulant laxative, which provides a chemical irritant to the bowel, thus stimulating the passages of stool. Harsh laxatives, such as Brooklax, Dulcolax or castor oil can be highly habit-forming and are rarely recommended for MS bowel problems. The gentler laxatives usually induce bowel movements within eight to 12 hours.

EnemasEnemas should be used sparingly because the body may come to depend on them. They may be recommended as part of a therapy that includes stool-softeners, bulk supplements and mild oral laxatives.

Are There Tests To Diagnose The Cause Of Constipation With Ms

Constipation can often be diagnosed with a review of your symptoms, diet, and medical history. But, when MS is involved, it can get even more complicated given the possible causes.

If you have MS, your healthcare provider may want to do a complete physical exam. They may also order tests to evaluate your bowel function, such as:

• Anorectal manometry: This involves the insertion of a narrow tube into the rectum which is then inflated and pulled back through the anal sphincter muscles. This measures the coordination of the muscles in your bowels.
• Balloon expulsion test: Often used alongside anorectal manometry, this test measures the amount of time it takes to push a water-filled balloon out of your rectum.
• Colonic transit study: The test tracks the progression of a swallowed capsule as it moves through your digestive tract. This can identify intestinal blockage or problems with intestinal motility.

Also Check: Can Lupus Cause Stomach Issues

Links Between Ms And Gastroparesis

Research published in 2018 in Frontiers in Immunology looked at the relationship between latitude, vitamin D deficiency, melatonin levels and the digestive system as a way to better understand how MS develops.2

They found that deficiencies in melatonin and vitamin D can impact the ability of the intestines to absorb calcium. This leads to the potential for developing gastroparesis because the digestive system needs adequate amounts of calcium in order for the smooth muscles of the intestine to contract properly.

Describing The Ms Hug

People describe their MS hug in different ways. For some its uncomfortable, for others its painful. If you need to describe your MS hug, use whatever words make sense to you.

For example, is it a tingling? Some people say their ribs are painful to touch, or their skin feels like its been stung by nettles.

It can feel like its making it harder to breathe as if theres a rubber band around the chest, or a corset done up tight. People sometimes call it banding or girdling.

Some people prefer to call it the MS squeeze because its certainly not a friendly hug.

Don’t Miss: Can You Cure Stomach Ulcers