Helping Those Who Care for Parkinson's Patients
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Does anyone have any ideas for helping cronic constipation. My husband is to the point where he can not go without an enema, well now that does not seem to be working. He has had pd for 16 years so I know it is only going to get worse. Any suggestions on how to handle this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. PK |
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| My husband has problems with this also. We have tried a variety of medicines and nothing seems to really work well. We just talked with his gastro a few weeks ago and he suggested Mirapex (over the counter med). He had tried this before and it didn't work, but he did again - still doesn't work for him. It might for your husband, though. The gastro said if that doesn't work that he will need to try the prescription drug - Amitiza. He is now waiting to get that drug through the mail and we will see if that helps. The gastro doc said that the meds that slow the PD shaking also stop the Paristasis (sp?) in the colon. I have also read that they now believe that it is a symptom of PD so whether it is the PD or a reaction to the meds, the result is the same. Good luck to you. Hope this suggestion helps! |
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| There is another forum that is for caregivers of patients with Lewy Body dementia. Lewy Body disease has Parkinsonism features. You can read and search posts without registering. Just this morning included in a topic on urinary incontinence there was also mention of constipation. I will say for us I give my husband two fruits such as orange and apple. He has had a problem with constipation but as long as he gets his fruit he is okay. I have also read that there is a product that you can order online - fruit-eze. Forum website:http://www.lewybodydementia.org/forum Lorraine |
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We tried everything and finally resorted to a recipe given to us by the neuro. Boil 8 bags of Senna Tea (get at health food store) in 2 quarts of water. Let steep for 20 min. Add a pkg of prunes, 2 cups of raisins, pkg of dates and 2 tblsp of lemon juice. Bring to a boil, simmer about 15 min. Blend mixture in something. Let cool and put into small jello size tupperware cups with lids. Usually makes 6 containers. Put one in the refrigerator and the rest in the freezer. They will keep for months and never truly freeze. Give 1 very large tablespoon a day. This ALWAYS worked for my husband when the prescriptions and over the counter meds did not. Caution - it is so sweat it almost gags but get it down somehow. |
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I'm going to pass AnneWood's recipe onto my mother. Currently my mother give my father 5 stewed prunes a day and this keeps him regular. If he gets irregular, she uses Miralax. She buys the prunes dried, puts them in a bowl with water to cover and microwaves them until soft. Store in the fridge. |
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Annwood I will try your recipe. I am so afraid that he may be inpacted. I called the home health nurse today and I thought she was comeing tomorrow but she came today when I was makeing a quick trip to the store. I asked my husband if she checked him out and he said yes she felt my stomach and said she will call you. So who knows he does not communicate to well at this stage of the disease. I guess I will see what tomorrow brings. PK |
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| Been awhile since I have posted. My FIL was given Sennecot which is a natural stool softener. The constipation has always been a struggle. Too much laxetive, then he has too loose of stools, too! Now that he is in a nursing home, the folks there are helping to manage. |
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| My husband's Internist told him that Sennecot is not a drug for PD pts. I do not know the rationale for that. |
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| Sounds like he is pretty severely constipated, but for what it is worth an over the counter capsule called "Colon Cleanse" by Health Plus --- spouse gets it at Walmart?? does the job for our family. Bob |
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It sounds like your husband's constipation is more severe than my fathers, but for what it's worth we can usually keep my dad regular with 2 Metamucils, 2 servings of Benefiber a day and an evening "prune shake" which consists of 4 oz. prune juice, 4 oz. half n half and 2 tsp of Benefiber heated in the microwave. You can also substitute Milk of Magnesia for the half n half. In my dad's case part of the reason for his constipation is often due to poor fluid intake. Despite my best efforts he is often slightly dehydrated. I blame his short term memory problems and his own desire to reduce problems with urinary incontinence....and his own stubborness, of course.  Constipation isn't fun for anyone....my dad's neuro explained to me that it's especially unpleasant for parkies b/c it amplifies PD symptoms. It's something to do with absorption and the gut...I didn't really understand the mechanism but I got the message. |
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My mother also has a tendency to be constipated. She has been living with Parkinson's for 27 years now. Here is what I do for her and it seems to keep her regular without being harsh, as a laxative would be: 1. Soak 1 cup of prunes in warm water for an hour or so. 2. Puree the prunes in a food processor with some of the water. 3. Stir one cup of applesauce into one cup of the pureed prunes. 4. Stir in 4 tablespoons of wheat bran and 2 tablespoons of Miralax (over-the-counter powdered laxative). 5. Serve 1/4 to 1/3 cup of this mixture to the PD patient with breakfast every morning. |
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Constipation: This is what works for my husband with PD. 1. An herbal tea called "smooth move." He takes this two or three times per week. It is available at most grocery stores in the herbal tea isle. I hesitate to mention the brand name. Don't know if I could get in trouble for that. 2. An herbal blend in a capsule he got from a local Naturapath. Also effective. Sometimes, my husband will do both. |
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Constipation: This is what works for my husband with PD. 1. An herbal tea called "smooth move." He takes this two or three times per week. It is available at most grocery stores in the herbal tea isle. I hesitate to mention the brand name. Don't know if I could get in trouble for that. 2. An herbal blend in a capsule he got from a local Naturapath. Also effective. Sometimes, my husband will do both. The working ingredient here is "Senna." You can also find over-the-counter laxatives containing senna. |