A Little MS TMI

An embarrassing multiple sclerosis symptom

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There are not enough words in the English language to describe something that is weird; I know, I’ve checked.

Recently I was told about this neat trick in my Microsoft program where I can type in a word and then right click on it for a list of synonyms.   So, of course I typed “weird” and all that came up was: strange, odd, bizarre, peculiar, uncanny, eerie and creepy.   These adjectives are no match for multiple sclerosis.

Since MS is a worldwide disease, maybe other countries have better words.   But since English is the only language I know, I’m not sure what those words are.

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I used to know some Portuguese but all my MS brain can remember is some swear words that may work but not exactly….

So how then do I explain to you a recent and very personal but weird, (odd, uncanny, peculiar, etc.) symptom?

Since I have started writing about my MS, I have given up on being easily embarrassed.  This symptom however, may fall under the realm of TMI (too much information.)  But it is so, well weird, I have to share it with you.  Forgive me for the graphic nature of this description.

Lately, whenever I have to use the bathroom (which is ALWAYS since one of my most minor but annoying symptoms is increased frequency and urgency of urination-yuck) when I sit on the toilet seat, my right butt cheek feels as though I have sat on something wet.

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There, I have said it.  Gross huh?

And yes, I am sure that is not the actual case. When this happens, I am not sitting in something wet.  Trust me, I have checked that too.

As I am a slight germaphobe (not quite at the Howie Mandel or Monk stage but I can see it fast approaching), I am always pretty careful about what’s going on where I am sitting.

In the cases where I have to use a public restroom (which is becoming harder and harder to avoid,) I am pretty anal (forgive the bad pun) about what I will be sitting on.  Plus, this unique situation (hey I just came up with an adjective that Microsoft didn’t include and yet I still did lousy on all those cognitive tests!), happens everywhere- at home, at my mom’s, at friend’s houses, etc.

What is this and why did it just start and why does it only occur on one side of my butt?

How can this latest symptom (indication, sign, warning sign, indicator,) make sense?

Oh right, it’s MS.

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About the only thing about multiple sclerosis that makes sense is that it doesn’t make any sense at all!

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If this seems familiar to you it may be because I have posted this one before.  And if you’re wondering, this particular symptom isn’t as prevalent as it used to be which is also weird.

And while we’re repeating things, in honor of National MS Awareness Month, I am again giving away three free copies of MS Madness!  A”Giggle More, Cry Less” Story of Multiple Sclerosis.

Sign up through Goodreads for your chance to win!  This giveaway is open to readers in the US, UK and Canada

MS Madness! Goodreads Giveaway

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Emoticon images courtesy of farconville at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sign image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Toilet image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

16 thoughts on “A Little MS TMI”

  1. Ah, yes! The wee feeling… There is also the burning skin….
    And, let’s not foget the “did I just walk through a spider web”
    Oh, the joys of MS…

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    • Thank you Floran- hope you are doing great! And ahh, yes, the spider feeling. I think I’m going to do a whole blog about THAT one!

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  2. Crazy weird 😉 I thinkI get this sometimes! I stand up all annoyed and try to wipe off seat but it is dry..back of leg/derrière..dry as well. What the heck? We should name it! Like L’hermitte’s…you discover it you get to name it. Watcha got for a name?
    Yvonudy? Lol Juvonnitis?

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    • Thank you Judy! How are you? Very interesting challenge friend. I will have to ponder that a bit…. Readers, I’m open to suggestions. What shall I name the wet butt feeling? Besides wet butt feeling of course!

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  3. Classic Overshare. One of the most prevalent yet least discussed symptoms of MS. We talk about bodily functions with strangers that most people would avoid in an analyst session.

    By the way, Yvonne, thesaurus.com is your friend. No less than 41 synonyms for weird.

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    • Great info Rick- thank you! And on the overshare, this is the type of stuff my grandmother used to love to share and it would gross me out. But honestly, this one is too weird to be believed- how could I not share it? I have officially become my grandmother!

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  4. Oh, yeah! Been there done that! Or how about an itch that you can’t scratch because it’s understand the skin! This crazy disease of ours.

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  5. poltergeist pee! That is awesome!
    And what? I am not always walking through spiderwebs? What the….? I thought I was in an Arachnidville Horror.
    And I am well Yvonne. Tired of course. Possessed of course. But working, parenting and my leg issues have abated considerably for now. Thanks for asking 🙂

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  6. You are too funny! Yep I have this at times as well – it actually has a name – referred response but now I have taken to actually standing up to pee (yes again TMI) but it doesn’t seem that I completely empty my bladder so I finish and then a minute later I have to go back again but standing up allows the bladder to empty better (Ugh you lucky men!) As for public toilets – one more lovely anal thought my late mother put in my head – “You can get a disease from public toilets so NEVER use them.” So up until I was pregnant I didn’t use them but was able to hold it until I came to my office toilet or home toilet but then came pregnancy and baby sitting on the bladder and I soon learned that public toilets can be your best friend. Then followed MS and now I don’t care where it is when I have to go I have to go so stand I do and now I find myself doing it at home. My husband thinks I am a total idiot but you know it will keep me from getting dressed again and then going right back to the bathroom I’ll stand thanks – legs straddled and holding up whatever top I have on. Now if I feel the cheeky wetness I can blame the splash up and that, as they say, is that!

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    • Referred response? That is way too boring. We have to come up with something better than that. Some things are just too crazy to be believed!!! Thank you so much Friend!

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  7. Never understood those paper toilet seat covers found in public bathrooms.
    I use one and the old pee soaks through the paper..so I’m still sitting in it. Then when you stand, the paper sticks to your ass till you peel it off.
    Sorry–too much information.
    Funny post! Keep it up!

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    • Ya! And on the paper seat covers as soon as I pull one down, the auto flusher flushes. I have barely put the paper on the seat and it gets flushed away. I can spend 20 minutes in the stall trying to get the timing right! Thank you My Odd Sock!

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