Apologies in advance for the content if this post! I just experienced an extremely painful episode and was curious as to whether its likely to be an MS thing, or completely unconnected. I started getting sharp stomach cramps, and knew I had an upset stomach. However when I tried to go I couldn’t because I was constipated. It took about 20 minutes for things to clear, and once I got past the constipation part, I did indeed have diarrhoea. During the waiting, the cramps were coming in waves and I thought I’d pass out or at least throw up from the pain. It’s taken me 15 minutes to stop shaking and for the nausea to pass. I know that bowel problems are common with MS, but is it usual to get a combination of constipation and diarrhoea at the same time?! Kaz xx
Absolutely, I had a bout a couple of months ago, tummy looking like I was about to give birth! Really bad cramps, then the loose stuff but it didn’t clear. Phoned the GP but he insisted that I phone MS nurse. Was told that it was constipation and that the loose stuff was the overflow. Had meds to clear stomach, and now take it regularly to stop getting bunged up. Hope this helps.
Thank you 
If it happens again I’ll get in touch with my GP xx
Hi, from what Ive learned after years of constipation, rather than diarrohea, when Ive gone as many as 7 days without relief, and have added more and more laxido, figs, bran and lots of water, once the plug of impacted stools releases, it is followed by very loose diarrohea like liquid.
The stomach cramps you mention could be trapped wind, which does cause awful pain. I have lost the muscular action in my bowels, so they need help to get moving. Bowels can becom lazy when we have to urge them on all the time.
Try to avoid becoming constipated by drinking lots of water and eating hi fibre foods. make sure you keep well hydrated this way.
pollx
Thank you Poll I do use Senna from time to time but fortunately I don’t need it all the time. The pain was shocking! xxxx
Hi again, senna do absolutely zich for me!
I find a second laxido shifts a stubborn load!
pollx
hi kaz
you’ve already had good advice but like billpat said it feels like you’re about to give birth.
certainly could do with some gas and air!
carole x
It’s funny you should say that… I’ve had two Cesarians but said to a friend last night that if this what giving birth felt like then you could keep itt! xxx
Kaz, I think giving birth was easier than this at least at the end you knew the pain was over and you had a really special person in your life (Well when they’re not being a pain in the a–!)ha,ha.
Ha ha ha! True xx