Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support

I'm on an iPad -- I'll look for my link tomorrow. My primary referred me to a gastroenterologist but they didn't take my insurance so it would have been cash pay -- no way! Gotta love USA healthcare. Not. In my case, this becomes a medical emergency.

I've developed autonomic dysreflexia secondary to the MS & key spinal lesions. My BP rises to dangerous levels in response to noxious stimuli elbow these spinal lesions. I've had my BP go as high as 204/114! I could easily stroke out, among other things. I have ways of dealing with it (mainly taking a prn clonidine) but it's essential I get control of the thing that causes most of the elevations -- my bowels. So I'm embarking on my own bowel retraining program, which I'll fill you in on if you're interested. It's well researched & sound. Te one I chose was consistent with those recommended by most hospitals/rehab hospitals -- this one is from a rehab program I'm very familiar with at M. D. Anderson (I used to work in physical medicine & rehab.). In my case, I'm trying to save my life here so I'm highly motivated to stick to a program!


ETA I tried daily Miralax and it didn't work for me. It left me very gassy but not a whole lot less constipated, which made the BP problem worse.