My mother has very advanced MS and has terrible trouble with her bowels, which then impacts her wider health. She used to use Peristeen but for administrative/insurance reasons that hasn’t been possible lately and enemas aren’t working so I’m wondering if there might be other options… Also, I’m wondering if anyone can recommend a consultant who deals with these things? NHS or private welcome… She lives in the midlands but is bedbound so someone who can work over zoom would be ideal if possible. Thanks for reading.
Have you tried a stool softener like docusate sodium, I always add milled flaxseed to my morning smoothie. Is there not a bladder and bowel clinic in your area? They’re usually attached to the community nurse team , so should be able to do a home visit. Hope your mum gets some help and relief.
Hi animali, thanks so much for your response! I don’t think she’s tried docusate sodium, at least not recently, so we will investigate that, thank you. She does have the district nurse come out to do enemas, but with very little success unfortunately, and they seem unable to offer alternatives at present. I think the issue is that the impaction is very hard so difficult to shift, even with enemas and suppositories. Anyway, thank you for responding and best wishes to you.
Can I suggest trying the docusate sodium with senna . I know MS can mess your bowel function up, I’ve had IBS for years but sine having MS as well I’ve found some days I have to take 3 stool softeners twice a day and add a senna.
If you’re dealing with impaction I’m surprised they’ve not tried picosulphate as it’s a stimulant to the bowel.
I really hope these help as know how uncomfortable it can be.
Thanks animali. She has been having sulphate enemas but even they have limited success. And she does take senna, but her GP suspects this is only working on her upper bowel and she is sometimes getting overflow diarrhea which then bypasses the impaction rather than shifting the impaction itself… We’ll try the senna and docusate together. Thanks for all your suggestions, really appreciate it.
You’re very welcome, I really hope it helps as know what a struggle it can be and the afffects impact MS symptoms which ends up putting you in a vicious cycle.
The other thing you can try is introducing foods the assist the bowel like blueberries, milled flaxseed, almonds and butternut squash.