1. < Parkinson's Disease

Constipation and Parkinson’s.

Posted by susan62 @susan62, Aug 25, 2019

Hi everyone. Been awhile since I’ve been involved. My Parkinson’s has been doing pretty well for 2/3 of a year now with the exception of REALLY, REALLY bad constipation!!! I have been drinking a lot of water(60 oz a day), walking 5 days a week(3-4 miles each day), and trying to eat high fiber foods. Nothing seems to work much. I have taken Magnesium Citrate on a couple of occasions and tried an enema on a number of occasions too. These work for a short time, but then it is the same old, same old thing. I’ve tried Ducolax and a number of other stimulant laxatives. Same result. Not much. Last week I took the Magnesium Citrate again and this time when I drank it I had a horrible burning feeling in my upper GI tract. Had to go to ER. Did CT scan and could find nothing. Saw a GI doctor at the Mayo a few months ago and he had me do some tests and determined that I most likely have Bowl Evacuation Disorder. He ordered evaluation to see if I am a candidate for therapy. I haven’t scheduled that yet. I plan on calling his office tomorrow and request to see him again. I just feel so awful. Constipated most of the time, nausea, bloated, especially in am, and cramping. I wake up every morning feeling very bloated with considerable cramping. This is NOT normal!!! So that is my sob story. Am I going crazy? I am sincerely starting to think so. Has anyone had or have a similar experience? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 27, 2019

Here is another video from the Davis Phinney Foundation about non-motor symptoms of PD which include sleep problems, GI tract problems, etc.

The Parkinson's You Don't See: Cognitive and Non-motor Symptoms

REPLY
januaryjane | @januaryjane | Dec 22, 2019

Have you ever been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction? I have a combo of this with stc. Might be something to look at. You can try therapy for it. The only thing that gets me to have bm is coffee/caffeine, stool stimulants, enema or suppository. Sometimes if i drink mag citrate. But will still have all the discomforts, gas, bloating, cramping. Ive tried most of the pills without luck, all the mixes. Though dr thinks miralax twice a day and low fodmap diet are the best.

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2 replies
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 23, 2019
In reply to @januaryjane "Have you ever been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction? I have a combo of this with..." + (show)
@januaryjane

Have you ever been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction? I have a combo of this with stc. Might be something to look at. You can try therapy for it. The only thing that gets me to have bm is coffee/caffeine, stool stimulants, enema or suppository. Sometimes if i drink mag citrate. But will still have all the discomforts, gas, bloating, cramping. Ive tried most of the pills without luck, all the mixes. Though dr thinks miralax twice a day and low fodmap diet are the best.

Jump to this post

Thanks for these tips, @januaryjane.

I believe from what you've mentioned elsewhere on Connect you are wondering about the possibility you could have Parkinson's or something else neurological? Is that correct?

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1 reply
oronogo | @oronogo | Dec 23, 2019

My Mayo doctor told me to use warm prune. I warm it in a cup in the microwave, just like you warm coffee. It must be warm.

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3 replies
januaryjane | @januaryjane | Dec 23, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Thanks for these tips, @januaryjane. I believe from what you've mentioned elsewhere on Connect you are..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Thanks for these tips, @januaryjane.

I believe from what you've mentioned elsewhere on Connect you are wondering about the possibility you could have Parkinson's or something else neurological? Is that correct?

Jump to this post

Yes, maybe neurological. I dont think its Parkinson's, but was referred to their page because I had mentioned experiencing inner tremors recently, at least that is what they sound like to me. I have raynauds, pins,needles, cramping or numbness in feet and hands on and off. This year started experiencing heavy hypnagogic hallucinations.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 24, 2019
In reply to @oronogo "My Mayo doctor told me to use warm prune. I warm it in a cup in..." + (show)
@oronogo

My Mayo doctor told me to use warm prune. I warm it in a cup in the microwave, just like you warm coffee. It must be warm.

Jump to this post

HI, @oronogo - did your doctor happen to mention why he or she suggested prune juice that is warmed, specifically?

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susan62 | @susan62 | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @januaryjane "Have you ever been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction? I have a combo of this with..." + (show)
@januaryjane

Have you ever been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction? I have a combo of this with stc. Might be something to look at. You can try therapy for it. The only thing that gets me to have bm is coffee/caffeine, stool stimulants, enema or suppository. Sometimes if i drink mag citrate. But will still have all the discomforts, gas, bloating, cramping. Ive tried most of the pills without luck, all the mixes. Though dr thinks miralax twice a day and low fodmap diet are the best.

Jump to this post

Hi January Jane. WOW! I am blown away by your post. Everything you say you experience with the constipation and the things you do to cope with it are dead on with me. As I say, ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto again. Yes, I was just recently diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction and am getting set up to have the therapy. Both my doctor and therapy nurse say I am a really good candidate. I am willing to try anything. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

REPLY
1 reply
susan62 | @susan62 | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @oronogo "My Mayo doctor told me to use warm prune. I warm it in a cup in..." + (show)
@oronogo

My Mayo doctor told me to use warm prune. I warm it in a cup in the microwave, just like you warm coffee. It must be warm.

Jump to this post

Thx Oronogo for your advise. I do eat prunes from time to time, but never warm. My pelvic floor therapist recommended a warm beverage in the am. Warm prune juice might help. Thx again.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @susan62 "Thx Oronogo for your advise. I do eat prunes from time to time, but never warm...." + (show)
@susan62

Thx Oronogo for your advise. I do eat prunes from time to time, but never warm. My pelvic floor therapist recommended a warm beverage in the am. Warm prune juice might help. Thx again.

Jump to this post

Hello @susan62 and @oronogo

I have found that warm foods/liquids work much better for constipation than cold foods or beverages. When I take Miralax I mix it in coffee or cocoa. I also purchased pureed prunes (baby food containers) and warm them before having them at bedtime. It takes a lot of different treatments to keep constipation at-bay when you have Parkinson's. Hope some of these ideas help.

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1 reply
januaryjane | @januaryjane | Dec 27, 2019
In reply to @susan62 "Hi January Jane. WOW! I am blown away by your post. Everything you say you experience..." + (show)
@susan62

Hi January Jane. WOW! I am blown away by your post. Everything you say you experience with the constipation and the things you do to cope with it are dead on with me. As I say, ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto again. Yes, I was just recently diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction and am getting set up to have the therapy. Both my doctor and therapy nurse say I am a really good candidate. I am willing to try anything. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Jump to this post

Nice to meet you, sorry we are in the same boat! Good luck with pelvic floor therapy. I also did some physical therapy, to help with breathing. Apparently you need to breath right! Some think its not fun, but i didnt mind my pft. Im still going, about a year, on and off.

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