Tagged As: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Question:
I have not been diagnosed with MS, but I have many of the symptoms. I also have had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, mostly in the form of severe daily intestinal cramping, for five years. I'm wondering if there is a connection between the two. I have read that there are bowel problems associated with MS, but up until now I assumed that incontinence was the problem referred to. Now I'm starting to wonder if my excruciating cramps (under control with daily Librax and Levsinex) are related to MS. Feedback, anyone?
Answer:
I have MS and was diagnosed with IBS in my mid-twenties (20 years before my MS dx). I've had many tests done on me and nothing could be found as the cause. I was on Librax for many years, but it only helped to a certain point. My GP told me I had the worst case of IBS he had ever seen. One of my MS symptoms is bowel illious(sp) - a small paralyzed section. That in turn increases the constipation and causes additional back pain and stiffness. I hope you find some relief and answers soon. You could visit these sites to learn of the relationship between diet, IBS, MS and other autoimmune disorders. http://www.cadvision.com/embrya/ http://www.nutramed.com/zeno/ibs.htm The latter is a commercial site but it gives valid info nonetheless. Thanks for the info, everyone. I don't see a clear connection between IBS and MS. Apparently they are two different animals. Well, there's IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), which is what I have - ulcerative colitis. MS & IBD are both autoimmune diseases in that the body is attacking itself. Irritable bowel syndrome is much less serious and rarely involves bleeding. I have IBS and MS, too. To my knowledge, IBS doesn't necessarily go hand-in-hand with MS; however, IBS IS one of the symptoms of FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome). Many of us suffer from FMS with our MS, as they seem linked, somehow. It's kinda hard to explain, but I will give it a shot. (For you home players of Linkorama, feel free to join in. [j/k]) Fibromyalgia Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that tends to team up with other autoimmune syndromes/disorders. Some people with Fibro also have MS, Lupus, Raynaud's phenomenon, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Scleroderma, Wegener's Granulomatosis, etc. There seems to be a trend that indicates Fibromyalgia is accompanied by one or more of these other autoimmune problems. IBS is considered a stress-related disorder, so it's connection with any of these autoimmune disorders is certainly viable. It is difficult to get any doctor to commit to diagnosing anything or identifying its connection to another problem. In my case, I was diagnosed with IBS in 1989. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia & Hypothyroidism in 1994 In 1997, I was diagnosed with MS. Physicians tend to want to tackle one problem at a time, which is terribly frustrating from the patient's perspective. WE know that they are all connected, somehow. Seems to me that doctors get quite overwhelmed by all these symptoms and feel the need to simplify. So, they treat the irritable bowel syndrome without recognizing the cause or related syndromes. I connect my IBS with Fibromyalgia rather than MS, but it may be connected with MS, somehow. The doctors seem to be more interested in referring me to yet another specialist, hoping that the dead ends will frustrate me to the point of surrender. In any case, I have IBS, nothing seems to help, and I have surrendered to it. I actually have my IBS under control most of the time. I take Librax and LevsinEX daily, in addition to calcium carbonate, iron, and probiotics. If I take all of these faithfully AND watch what I eat and drink, I rarely have any problems. It's taken me five years to get to this point, though. I know of some good IBS resources. Feel free to write me at d...@mail.icongrp.com to talk more about it. I may not be able to get back to you right away this week because I'm trying to give final exams and turn in my grades early in the week before my Weds. appointment with my neuro.
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