Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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Lynnie200 03/22/2015

My husband has problems with constipation and he takes stool softeners called SEMOKOT 8.6 MG (pills) stool softeners:
APO-LACTULOSE 666.7 MG. LACTULOSE (liquid). These are prescription drugs and yet he still has problems.
When he had lung surgery recently the pharmacist at pre admissions said she'd rather see him just use the liquid because the pills would eventually cause a lazy bowel.

He says that the stool softeners give him cramps sometimes but I told him he has to continue as if you stop and start, they don't work.

He mostly complains about his stomach in the morning, but isn't that the time when our bowels usually work?

What do you guys take that works?

22Lynn 03/22/2015

Having both IBS and celiac I've read many posts about this. The most common cure posted for constipation that really works is to drink very warm prune juice each morning. You have to adjust how much depending how well it works for you. You can look on the IBS support group for all the posts on constipation. Good luck.

RJRelaxing 03/23/2015

I am sorry this is happening. I just had a colonoscopy and the gastro doctor told me that I should use the Miralax with each meal. So I take a capfull with Tang 3x per day. I also snack on dried prunes through out the day to make my body think it is getting sugar. I am going to have to try the warm prune juice in the morning. I know they say having a warm drink in the morning helps to get things moving. I also use a heating pad on my stomach if I am getting cramps, and this seems to help get things moving.

Fiber with every meal could not hurt either. I hope you find the best combination for your husband. Kinda trial and error since we all react differently to meds.

Hugs-RJ

skeeterelf 03/25/2015

I have IBS and issues with constipation and haven't really done anything except to occasionally take Colace. But just today I finally got tired of struggling with this issue and bought myself some Miralax. I can't tolerate prunes at all whether it's in liquid form or chewable form. I know that my mother (age 84) takes Miralax everyday. She mixes it with a glass of water and it has absolutely no taste as me being the curious type, I just had to try it . So I am sitting here right now drinking an 8 0z. glass of Iced Coffee and it has the Miralax mixed in with it. Hope you find something that works for your husband as we don't want him suffering from stomach cramps. Bless your heart Lynnie200 for being such a good Caregiver to your hubby and to worry so much about his comfort and well being.

Lynnie200 03/25/2015

Thanks for your replies. I bought some prunes yesterday so hopefully they work. He even ate some in the middle of the night last night lol. .

I sits around all day mostly except when he walks around for his exercise. I have to keep reminding him though.
He had lung surgery 5 weeks ago and we see the surgeon tomorrow, so I'll ask him how much he can do now.
I'll be glad when the weather gets warmer so he can walk outside.

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