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Bad constipation with 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.

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southwest | @southwest | May 6 7:54am
In reply to @bmfoster "@southwest For me the maintenance dose is 17 gm nightly ( one capful in 8 oz..." + (show)
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@southwest
For me the maintenance dose is 17 gm nightly ( one capful in 8 oz of water). Standard dose - but this can be cut if half if necessary. The key is consistency and keeping up with daily fluid intake of 4 to 5 - 8oz glasses of water daily too.

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@bmfoster
Thank you.
Is Miralax a stool softener only, or does it assist with peristalsis also?

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1 reply
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bmfoster | @bmfoster | May 6 7:21am
In reply to @southwest "@bmfoster and others, what would be a "maintenance dose" of miralax, to take each day? I..." + (show)
Profile picture for southwest @southwest

@bmfoster and others,
what would be a "maintenance dose" of miralax, to take each day?
I currently take 100mg docusate at breakfast daily, it works but seems to cause some bowel cramping too

Jump to this post

@southwest
For me the maintenance dose is 17 gm nightly ( one capful in 8 oz of water). Standard dose - but this can be cut if half if necessary. The key is consistency and keeping up with daily fluid intake of 4 to 5 - 8oz glasses of water daily too.

REPLY
1 reply
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bmfoster | @bmfoster | May 6 7:17am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@bmfoster Your list of all the ways you have found to deal with constipation are great!..." + (show)
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@bmfoster

Your list of all the ways you have found to deal with constipation are great! This list is valuable as it points out the need to have a variety of remedies and not just rely on one product or one activity.

I would add abdominal massage to the list. It can help when your digestive tract is slow and sluggish. Methods for abdominal massage can be viewed on YouTube.

Have you tried that?

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@hopeful33250
Yes - I find it helpful especially with bad bouts of bloating. I agree that multiple remedies and some consistency in approach are the key. I remember a speaker at a conference on this topic saying something I always try to follow: "Respect the urge" - go when you feel the urge and don't put it off if possible.

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 5 9:16pm
In reply to @bmfoster "This is one of the most uncomfortable aspects of PD and autonomic nervous system dysfunction and..." + (show)
Profile picture for bmfoster @bmfoster

This is one of the most uncomfortable aspects of PD and autonomic nervous system dysfunction and a chronic problem. Through much trial and error I have come up with a plan that works for me - and makes things better overall (not perfect, but better).
1) Miralax (polyethlene glycol) 17 gm nightly (gentle and can be used long term) The key is regular use
2) Align probiotic daily
3) Omeprazole 20 - 40 mg daily for GERD
4) Smoothie daily with: 1 cup coconut milk, 1 cup yogurt, 1 cup frozen fruit and greens, 1 tbsp peanut butter. Mix thoroughly to break down the frozen fruit/greens - keeps the bloating controlled by doing the digestion for you. Serves as a meal for me daily or every other day.
Vitamix blender works great.
5) Drinking at least 4 to 5 eight oz glasses of water daily.
6) Stay active - no couch potato - just get up and move.
7) Smooth Move Senna Tea 1 to 2 bags per cup if all else fails.
Be careful with strong laxatives - they can deplete your intravascular fluid volume and lead to problems maintaining your BP (orthostatic hypotension).
Hope you feel better.

Jump to this post

@bmfoster

Your list of all the ways you have found to deal with constipation are great! This list is valuable as it points out the need to have a variety of remedies and not just rely on one product or one activity.

I would add abdominal massage to the list. It can help when your digestive tract is slow and sluggish. Methods for abdominal massage can be viewed on YouTube.

Have you tried that?

REPLY
1 reply
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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 5 3:05pm
In reply to @southwest "@bmfoster and others, what would be a "maintenance dose" of miralax, to take each day? I..." + (show)
Profile picture for southwest @southwest

@bmfoster and others,
what would be a "maintenance dose" of miralax, to take each day?
I currently take 100mg docusate at breakfast daily, it works but seems to cause some bowel cramping too

Jump to this post

@southwest You might consider taking the docustate at bedtime rather than with breakfast and see if that helps with the cramping.

I can't speak for everyone (and we are all different in how we respond to medications), but for me, a 1/2 dose of Miralax at night would be a maintenance dose.

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southwest | @southwest | May 5 7:38am
In reply to @bmfoster "@hld1975 Miralax has been part of my nightly routine since 2017 and has made life more..." + (show)
Profile picture for bmfoster @bmfoster

@hld1975
Miralax has been part of my nightly routine since 2017 and has made life more tolerable indeed.

Jump to this post

@bmfoster and others,
what would be a "maintenance dose" of miralax, to take each day?
I currently take 100mg docusate at breakfast daily, it works but seems to cause some bowel cramping too

REPLY
2 replies
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Chris | @chrissymc | May 4 5:16pm

I use MiraLAX in the morning in my cup of coffee. You can’t taste it at all, and it usually works that day for me if not very soon after.

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bmfoster | @bmfoster | May 4 7:23am
In reply to @hld1975 "My PD doctor recommended MiraLax, and I find it very reliable. Before I go to bed..." + (show)
Profile picture for hld1975 @hld1975

My PD doctor recommended MiraLax, and I find it very reliable. Before I go to bed each night, I drink 8 oz of warm water mixed with a capful of MiraLax powder. Three days after starting, I started to get a good BM in the morning. To make it work well, you will need to stay hydrated and active. Walking promotes good BM. I guess I'll be on ML for good.

Jump to this post

@hld1975
Miralax has been part of my nightly routine since 2017 and has made life more tolerable indeed.

REPLY
1 reply
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hld1975 | @hld1975 | May 3 6:23pm

My PD doctor recommended MiraLax, and I find it very reliable. Before I go to bed each night, I drink 8 oz of warm water mixed with a capful of MiraLax powder. Three days after starting, I started to get a good BM in the morning. To make it work well, you will need to stay hydrated and active. Walking promotes good BM. I guess I'll be on ML for good.

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1 reply
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barryl | @barryl | May 2 7:33am

I had a simular experience and finally have a mix of the Rx meds plus OTC softeners that have me fairly regular. I adjust the OTC softeners as needed.

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