CT scan with dye

[Smittybear7]

Been having some problems with constipation bloating and fullness. My PCP wants me to have a CT scan with dye. Has anyone had this done? What are the risks with a die? I also understand there's quite a bit of radiation. Any suggestions further information will be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[park_bear]

Parkinson's exerts a double whammy when it comes to constipation – it dries out the GI tract and reduces peristalsis. These issues can be overcome in my experience. See discussion at:

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

I will leave it to others with relevant experience to set forth the pros and cons of the proposed diagnostic procedure.

[Smittybear7 in reply to park_bear]

Thanks for your help. What has worked in the past isn't working now. Thanks for revisiting all the previous comments.

[Smokygirl]

I Had CT scan with dye last week no problem. It is very quick.

My hubby who has Parkinson’s, is allergic to the dye and comes out in a rash which lasts for weeks! They now do his CT scans without the dye.

You have to have a go with the dye before you know!!

[Smittybear7 in reply to Smokygirl]

Thanks

[gwendolinej]

My husband recently spent 10 days in hospital while they tried everything trying to fix his constipation. He had scans, a colonoscopy, enemas and meds. He came home with the meds and after a few days of very little happening, we decided to try park_bear’s solution of high dose vitamin C. We tried 5 grams, and hey presto, he goes every day. As park_bear said, his visits to the bathroom are very short.

Gwendoline

[JustJeff in reply to gwendolinej]

Hi Gwendoline just wondered what time of the day does your husband take the Vit C for best results also any particular make of Vitamin C ?

[gwendolinej in reply to JustJeff]

Hi Jeff, we followed park_bear’s suggestion. We dissolve the vitamin Cin water in his drink bottle in the morning and he sips it during the day. The vitamin C is a powder.

[LeharLover62 in reply to gwendolinej]

Interesting! Maybe worth a try. Hubby’s not doing too badly with Macuna and b. Subtilis, but I like the idea of amping up vitamin c for his immune system too.

How are you doing otherwise? Haven’t seen posts in awhile, sounds like some stresses if he’s been in the hospital?

[Trailing in reply to LeharLover62]

Hi, I am replying because my husband also takes powdered Mucuna Pruruiens. And he adds 1,000 mg of powdered ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) with it to help with any possible nausea and of course for other health benefits. He also eats a couple of prunes with each meal to prevent constipation which use to be a problem. I believe it all works together.

[gwendolinej in reply to LeharLover62]

Yes, you are right. It’s been a torrid few months. My husband spent two months in hospital late last year. He was diagnosed with delirium. He completely closed down. It was scary. I suspect it was caused by a drug he had been put on for OAB. Mentally he is great now, but he’s having breathing problems. He is breathless all the time and can’t do much physically. We have a respiratory specialist on it and now a cardiologist has been added. There seems to be lung and heart problems. It’s early days, so we don’t know yet what’s going on.

Thanks for asking.

Gwendoline

[Smittybear7 in reply to gwendolinej]

Thanks

[Jana86]

A CT Scan with dye is much less invasive than a colonoscopy. Some people are allergic to the dye but that is well-known, and the techs will watch you closely. I have recently solved the constipation issue after a very difficult year of worsening symptoms. My integrative medecine doc put me on 18 grams of Miralax a day (restores fluid to the intestine). That turned my belly full of rocks to a belly full of sludge. My gastroenterologist added Linzess...one pill (75 mcg) first thing in the am with a full glass of water. (Increases peristalsis). I have cut back on the Miralax to two or three times a week. Daily BMS, no pain, hemmrohoids shrinking. After a month of success, I no longer put constipation on my "PC issues that bother me the most" lists! 😊

[kaypeeoh in reply to Jana86]

I want to try linzesse but so far the doc won't write the Rx. I've played with various laxatives such as bisacodyl, miralax and prunes. I've learned that if I'm congested I'm close to needing a BM. Traditional Chinese Medicine says the colon is connected to the sinuses by way of meridians. When I attempt a BM I push my fist into the lower left side of the abdomen, essentially stimulating the pelvic flexure. The resultant BM is a pile of bricks followed by a pool of greenish semi-solid material. Sorry, no photo. The bottom line is when it's time to GO, I can't put it off. If I do the end result is nasty. I've had to throw out three pair of shorts because I couldn't reach the toilet in time. Like I said...Nasty.

[Jana86 in reply to kaypeeoh]

I understand completely. I waited for an appointment with my gastroenterologist for six months...my neuro, my primary, and my integrative medecine docs all knew about Linzesse but felt they didn't know enough to prescribe it. BTW there is a new motility clinic at Standford that has created a protocol for people with PD. They have had success with the combination of Miralex and Linzesse. You can find more about their work at stanfordhealthcare.org/medi....

[Smittybear7 in reply to Jana86]

Thanks

[slimweiss in reply to Jana86]

I've posted before about Magnesium Oxide (Sundown vitamins on Amazon is cheap!) for helping with constipation. My husband takes 3-4 daily and has little trouble compared to his constipation issues prior. Cheap way to try for relief!

[Jana86 in reply to slimweiss]

Yes, I tried magnesium on the advice of a naturaapath but it wasn't helpful. Good suggestion to try first. Glad it has helped your husband.

[slimweiss in reply to Jana86]

Was it magnesium oxide though? I was told that only that form worked - none others. And my husband takes 3 kinds but not "regularly" only the oxide is daily.

[Smittybear7 in reply to kaypeeoh]

Thanks

[Smittybear7 in reply to kaypeeoh]

Thanks

[Smittybear7 in reply to kaypeeoh]

Thank you

[Smittybear7 in reply to Jana86]

Thanks

[Smittybear7 in reply to Jana86]

Thanks for your advice

[AmyLindy in reply to Jana86]

Can we DM re: Integrative Med & compare notes?

[Jana86 in reply to AmyLindy]

Happy to.

[Jana86 in reply to Jana86]

You can reach me on chat.

[Smittybear7 in reply to AmyLindy]

I'd be interested also in discussing integrative medicine.

[LAJ12345]

Hubby has been struggling recently with constipation for the first time and they put him on laxatives and he is now back to normal without them. Turned out the culprit was too much levodopa and the half sleeping pill that has been causing all the havoc with his whole system. He has reversed out all the medication changes the doctors and PD specialist nurse have made about 2 months ago and added 0.5 mg clonazapam split 1/4, 1/4 and half before bed and added 1/2 an extra tablet of rapid madopar before bed and he is back to his previous state of a few months ago movement wise, no more constipation so back off the laxatives, and feeling calmer. All despite having a bout of covid about 3 weeks ago.

[Smittybear7 in reply to LAJ12345]

Thanks

[flyboypiper]

I just had CT for similar reasons. The dye is hard on the kidneys which have to excrete it. They did a kidney function test before they gave it to me. DX diverticulosis with gall stones. My GI recommended Miralax also. With prunes and high fiber diet it comes and goes.

[Smittybear7 in reply to flyboypiper]

Thank you for your help!

[Nanismami]

We got a puppy that can trot along with me as fast as I can walk1.5 - 2.5 miles, lots of water, vitamin C amd magnesium or green juice and I now go every day.

[Smittybear7 in reply to Nanismami]

Thanks

[Todd-pw]

youtu.be/bOnkPjmnMh0smitty(Not working as expected?) bear checck this video out, one of the most useful ive sen regarding digestive issues with PD. hope it helps

[Smittybear7 in reply to Todd-pw]

Thank you but the video is not working. Please resend. Thank you

[mlsirkis]

Take a look at this

fiercebiotech.com/medtech/v...

[Smittybear7 in reply to mlsirkis]

Thanks for sharing. Pills sounds exciting

[btuma6]

I dealt with contrast media)dye) for 25 years. The risk is very low especially with the low dose the CT machines currently use. Very uncommon to even get one hive or nausea. The more nervous you are the greater chance of nausea, but that’s not the dye but nerves. If you are a diabetic let the radiologist know, but again very uncommon for anything

[Smittybear7 in reply to btuma6]

Thank you very much! Makes me feel a little more easy. Appreciate your help!

[Smittybear7 in reply to Smittybear7]

I was just told on Friday but there's a shortage of contrast . They're now going to use barium 4 the contrast. Is that better or worse? Thank you b tu m a 6. I hope you are doing well

[btuma6 in reply to Smittybear7]

The on;y problem with Barium is first the taste and you have to drink alot, but second it is hard on the lungs if it goes down the wrong tube. However, don't worry ...it will go great.

[Smittybear7 in reply to btuma6]

Thanks for your positive words! Take care of yourself.

[Smittybear7 in reply to btuma6]

They change the contrast to Barium. Is that better or worse? I hope you're doing well. Thanks again for your help

[Todd-pw]

youtu.be/bOnkPjmnMh0(Not working as expected?)

[Smittybear7 in reply to Todd-pw]

Thank you so much! That was very informative.

[389poncho]

If they are using dye, make darn sure you hydrate the heck out of yourself before you arrive and just before you go in. Otherwise, kidney damage is almost inevitable. It almost killed my wife.

[Smittybear7 in reply to 389poncho]

They ended up using barium. I've tried to hydrate since I came home. Got nauseated when I got home. Hope that's not as hard on the kidneys as the dye