Constipation: I am new to this and would... - Cure Parkinson's

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Constipation

starlite profile image
36 Replies

I am new to this and would like some help. Has anyone encountered constipation and what did they do to have regular movements.

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starlite profile image
starlite
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36 Replies

Many PwP are/have constipation issue and home remedies, like: one cup warm prune juice w/ pat of butter. You may also want to use Dulcalax and just be over it. Temporarily.

"Has anyone encountered constipation"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH oh sorry

Maybe a little , haahahah oh that still hurts

Seriously , it is one of the symptoms of PD , and a side effect of almost every PD medication but no one takes it seriously at first, but the PD medication is absorbed in the bowls not the stomach. Constipation results in less uptake when you need it.

Address it every day without fail, eat a bowl of raisin bran cereal , some raw vegetables, an apple, and two table spoons of some powder fiber with a meal, and lots of liquids EVERY DAY.

If you forget above which causes you to miss one day in your routine take a six to 10 oz glass of 100% Prune juice as directed by RoyProp followed by a hot coffee , results in 3 to 4 hrs.

No joy, then repeat juice once and walk around at home, ( don't panic yet ). Some people eventually take the prune juice everyday ( it tastes awful ) but it is the most "effective". Note that when they advertise laxatives they stress gentle relief, but that's not what we are talking about here. One does not drink prune juice and then leave the house.

Compacted , now day 4 so before going to the hospital ( well what did you expect ? ) try a liquid disposable enema purchased at the pharmacy ( might as well buy 3 or 4 now ) and more prune juice. Notice how the treatment keeps getting worse , you would not believe the hospital part, avoid if possible.

Tamarisk profile image
Tamarisk in reply to

Yes,Yes, Yes, and a good laugh as well, thank you.

BUZZ1397 profile image
BUZZ1397

We always keep fig bars in our pantry. Big boxes of them. Eat some every night.

soup profile image
soup

Starlite, you are so new to Parkinson's that you may not have been told about the range of non motor symptoms that may be experienced. The can have a more profound impact on quality of life than the motor symptoms so your neurologist should be told about them

Here is a good publication that, might help you. If you are not from Canada the drugs might need googling but it will start you thinking along the right lines.

Don't worry when you see how big the list is, they are possibilities, not inevitable.

parkinson.ca/atf/cf/%7B9ebd...

mistergadget profile image
mistergadget

I,m going for 9 years, and never troubled by constipation,I strongly believe it is due to my bowl oatmeal (very morning)topped with banana (or other fruit shavings) I take it with almond,soy or coconut milk!

Juliegrace profile image
Juliegrace

Magnesium which is good for many things PD and non-PD can also be helpful for constipation.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Hi Starlite. I have been able to successfully overcome my constipation problems in the following manner:

When I was last badly constipated I took 3 sachets of Movicol dissolved in warm water and waited for something to happen. Then, when I had a good bowel movement I made my mind up that I would get my tummy to work at the same time every day.

I found that the sphincter around my anus does not relax, when my tummy needs to work, so at the appointed time I sat on the loo and, taking six sheets of 2-ply toilet paper, folded up to half a sheet (24 ply) I held it against my rectum and put the pressure of my middle two fingers against the toilet paper, while I exerted pressure on the tummy muscles to push the stool out. Then I gently moved the toilet paper around, not causing the paper to rub against the skin but massaging it gently and the rectum opens up and I am able to defecate as normal.

Now, at the appointed time I sit down and do the same thing and nine out of ten times it works. Excuse the pun!

If I am unable to get it to work I go back to step one again and take the Movicol, but I doubt that I have to revert to that more than once every 3 months.

I hope this helps you.

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply toJohnPepper

Next time just tell us that you cured your constipation by fast walking. If​ there is any argument just send them my way.🙄😝😁

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper in reply toSerenity_finaly-1

Hi Serenity. I have never claimed to cure anything. Fast walking helps me with many other symptoms but what I passed on to you works very well! Don't knock it until you've tried t!

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply toJohnPepper

I am saying that I will stand 100% behind you just stop before you get to the point where you start to use a spoon. Sorry but my 92 year old grandfather died last year, so I am still fresh on the details so please stop before you get to the spoon.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper in reply toSerenity_finaly-1

Hi Serenity. Why would I need a spoon?

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply toJohnPepper

I believe in part of your fast walking theory. I will actually get on a treadmill and will walk, jog and practice 3 point turns, yes I do spins on the treadmill. If you are YOPD give it a shot. Just don't try it if you are concerned about hurting your self. Yes I have fallen a time or two.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper in reply toSerenity_finaly-1

Hi Serenity. I am 82 years young and certainly would not try to do any sort of turn on a treadmill. I am not fond of treadmills because walking on uneven surfaces does a lot more for the brain than a treadmill ever could. The brain is where we have a problem so the more we have to use our brains the better they become.

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply toJohnPepper

Yes when you are walking outside you are not just concerned with walking but cars, others walking, uneven surfaces, other obstacles, it is hard to push yourself. A treadmill is much easier on the legs the only thing you think about is the music the beat and how am I going to be better than the last time. Yes you will look stupid and you will fall. I don't recommend it if you are 80 but I heal pretty fast.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper in reply toSerenity_finaly-1

Hi Serenity. Yes, I do still fall, occasionally, but because of all the exercise I do my bones are strong and I have not yet broken anything, even at the age of 82. The easy way (treadmill) might sound equally as good, but it is not!

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply toJohnPepper

I was told the first movement that we loose is the ability to do a 3 point turn, sprinting and then balance. I figure if I can do all 3 I will stay ahead of most in their 50s.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper in reply toSerenity_finaly-1

Hi Serenity. The first thing that you normally lose is your sense of smell. Many other things may happen before you lose the other abilities. It is your choice what you do for exercise, but walking outdoors is far better than walking on a treadmill.

Gussilago profile image
Gussilago

I take fresh ginger grated in my morning yoghurt. Works perfectly. Manuka honey is very good as well

johntPM profile image
johntPM

For me constipation is the worst symptom of PD. I regularly go five days, sometimes up to seven days, without defecating. I think I've tried every sort of laxative and diet, but none have worked completely and reliably. I've had some success with water enemas. But, like John, if everything gets backed up I use Movicol.

John

girly49 profile image
girly49

Hi

Cereal , red seedless grapes , water and walking are things i try when constipated...it seems that some things work better for each person differently...when im really desperate ...mcdonalds french fries and a mile walk do the trick...good luck

jrg54321 profile image
jrg54321

I find this helps:

amazon.com/Organic-India-Wh...

A spoonful a day in the morning.

Coblrman profile image
Coblrman

don't forget a potty stool

Coling profile image
Coling

I was diagnosed close to a year ago now, I had had bad constipation for about 4 years leading up to my diagnosis. As soon as I was diagnosed I went on a gluten free, diary free, largely sugar-free diet plus extra exercise.

I no longer have any constipation issues but neither am I taking medication thus far. I cannot tell which of those actions have relieved my constipation, at some stage I will play around with adding and subtracting but right now I am just grateful no constipation. Hope that helps

Jeansm profile image
Jeansm

My solution to constipation is English beer (bitter), from the barrel, not the fizzy stuff in cans. Tastes a lot better than prune juice and works equally well for me. Also my physio recommending twisting exercises which help in early stages. E.g. Lie on back on floor with bent knees, arms on floor just a little lower than shoulders, keeping shoulders to the floor move knees in line towards the floor. When knees go left, turn head to right and vice versa.

dolltearsheet profile image
dolltearsheet

My mother has had terrible trouble with constipation and impactions. She now uses 2T/day of coconut oil in her coffee to great effect. She also adds Sennacot tabs to her regimen every few days.

Sadly, not enough physicians treating PD patients have the good sense to mention that constipation is a constant companion, and can be a real enemy too. My husband, who is being treated by a well-recognized neurologist/movement disorder PD specialist at a famous university teaching hospital, battled constipation for years, even before his diagnosis, eventually experiencing extreme pain and bleeding from his rectum, before connected the dots while attending a symposium hosted by our local Parkinson's Foundation: PD slows down ALL your systems, not just your limbs! Now, after incredibly painful reconstructive surgery of his rectum (which, you do NOT want to go through - the possibility alone should be enough of an incentive for you to reach for a glass of water right now...) we battle this constant companion through a high-fiber diet, drinking endless water, and a morning dose of what we've dubbed his "power drink" (prune juice, 1 tablespoon of apple sauce, a spoonful of wheat germ or flax seed, and often some other fruit juice for variety, PLUS the all-important heaping spoonful of Miralax or the equivalent generic brand of stool softener. He also downs 2-3 colace pills daily (also stool softeners) In the summer we use the blender and mix in frozen fruits like blue berries and strawberries, to make it a "power smoothie." Bottom Line: You've got to make managing constipation a DAILY habit. Check out the SquattyPotty.com also. And, scold or gently admonish your doctor if s/he has never mentioned how important this is. Yeesh. I encourage others to chime in with comments on this unfortunately not-mentioned-enough-topic, so others can learn from your experiences.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

I swear by KIWI fruit with sultana bran.

I find kiwi fruit better than prunes.

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply toHikoi

I swear by fast walking

PLEASE See Above

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

this might lead to a previous post on constipation

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to

Go ahead GymBag, you know you want to.

HAL

Serenity_finaly-1 profile image
Serenity_finaly-1 in reply to

The unicorn is calling you Hidden

youtu.be/zUnhfvGdmmw

There is a wonderful ice cream making unicorn here in my wagon, HAHA ha

Man am I weak.

youtu.be/YbYWhdLO43Q

youtu.be/AjdpCcd5UgQ

youtu.be/LqL4DRZ2EkA

NOW YOU WILL HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH 2 SQUATTY POTTY COMMERCIALS

HAL

cowgirlauren profile image
cowgirlauren

I use Senna S. it is very mild yet effective.

In2Az profile image
In2Az

This is so common and yet a difficult to discuss, but here goes a few thoughts. I will give you the recommendations I received from my doctor. Water, you must drink at least 4 20oz bottles of water a day, or more. Drink a bottle and immediately refill it...keep this going throughout the day. Eat foods which have skins, apples pears, plums, grapes ..... stop eating potatoes, rice, bread. Try eating one or two prunes a day. Your diet should change to these types of foods. Last, take a walk every day. Start with walking one block several times a week then increase a little at a time. Go 59 )3 internet for suggestions. Constipation is painful, but I know you can help your body be at peace. I do so hope these ideas will help you.

JohnPepper profile image
JohnPepper

Hi Serenity. YUK! Have you actually tried the massage with the Loo paper covered fingers at the same time pushing down with the tummy muscles? You can feel the sphincter open up and the stool move.

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