So sorry to hear about your severe stomach problems. The balancing of medication and eating is a frustrating challenge for me, too, and I don't have the complicating factors you do.

MikeNova, since your nausea is a lot more complicated than that experienced by others with PD who don't have ulcers, I'm not sure my advice will help any.

When my mother first started taking carbidopa/levodopa 25/100 eight years ago, she had terrible nausea. Eating two or three Saltines before taking this medication helped a lot and, after all these years, she still maintains this practice, and it still helps as before. Her nausea isn't as bad anymore, but it's still there if it's been a while since she's had a meal or even when she's not eaten enough at the last meal.

I hope you're feeling better soon!

Mike, sorry to hear about your stomach problems!!! I have been plagued with constipation years before being diagnosed with PD and with the diagnoses realized it was the PD. I am going to my gastroenterologist today to a followup on my colonoscopy. This time 5 years ago before being diagnosed with PD I was driving my gastro crazy trying to get him to find the cause of my constipation but he could not. I had given up on the gastro and the beginning of April in 2010 I had switched to my gyno looking for female problems for the bloating. And she was telling me that it was not a female problem the pain was in the area of my intestines and suggested it as an intestine problem, but she ordered the tests. At the end of April 2010 because I had tremoring in my left arm it was recommended by my PC dr. to go to neurologist and I was diagnosed with PD. I looked up Gastroparesis today and it is definitely a problem as the result of PD. Thanks for sharing because I have not seen my gastro since my last colonoscopy 5 years ago and when I told him in the OR that I had been diagnosed with PD he told me he wanted me to come into his office. If I don't take Miralax I can go weeks with no action and the meds and food sit in my stomach as well. No one has told me that - but it has got to be there - right? If it isn't coming out . . . . lol I went on WebMD and there was a lot of good info on Gastroparesis. After reading WebMD can I diagnose you? - lol You have Gastroparesis even w/o the testing. Have you read up on it yet? The ulcers are caused by the build up in your stomach of bacteria as the result of the buildup of food and meds in your stomach and intestines. But I think the prognosis is very good. lol I think now they can treat the ulcers and in WebMD site there are actions you can take to help the situation. I am going to write Gastroparesis down so I will remember to speak with my dr. about this. Please keep us updated!!!! WebMD says there is help or you!!!!

Another good spot is the National Parkinson's Foundation in the Forum section they have a nutritionist who will answer questions within a day or so and is very knowledgeable about stomach problems caused by PD.

Thank you again!!! I'll let you know if I get any info from my gastro today.

Thank you Deb. I would definitely be interested in any thing your gastro has to say in regards to this problem. The strange thing about this is my daughter is permanently disability from this condition because her Vagus Nerve was cut during surgery causing the muscles in her stomach to be paralyzed (gastroparesis). Unfortunately I have become very knowledgeable about this condition over the last 19 years. I certainly hope your diagnosis is something other than this.

The stomach bacteria responsible for ulcers could also play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease according to research presented May 22 at the 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Common Bacterium Related to Parkinsons Disease

- Apr 05 2012

A common bacterial infection may contribute to Parkinsons disease (PD) risk, according to new research published in the European Journal of Neurology. The study is the first to link the bacterium to Parkinsons in a large population.

The bacterium, called Helicobacter pylori (HP), is more commonly associated with stomach problems, including ulcers and rarely, stomach cancer. But researchers have long been puzzled as to why many people with Parkinsons have a history of stomach problems, such as ulcers, prior to developing Parkinsons. Some research has even shown that eliminating H. pylori infections helped with the symptoms of Parkinsons. Yet no researchers had done an epidemiological study in a large group in order to statistically link H. pylori to Parkinsons. (Parkinsons Disease Foundation)

The bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers have been linked to Parkinson's disease, according to researchers in the US.(BBC News Report)


knowledge is power! Hang tough!
Brer T

Thanks for the info, terrapins. When I had my latest endoscopy 5 weeks ago they biopsied the ulcers and it tested negative for H. Pylori

Thanks Mike, I went to the Drs. and he didn't say too much except he would take good care of me when I mentioned the gastroparesis but he was going to have to perform the colonoscopy again and he sent me a prescription and I have to have an endoscopy as well. He usually gives me both anyway. I thought he would just be happy with the blood work. We will see what he says. Thanks again for sharing - did you get diagnosed yet?

Yes, I had a stomach emptying study done yesterday and it showed that I have gastroparesis. My GI doctor told me that it is very difficult to treat someone with PD for this condition because it interferes with PD medications. I am going to give my GI a call tomorrow to see if he has a short term plan to get rid of the nausea. I will keep you informed.

heads up--- short version---

you are like a plugged disposal-- you must lighten the burden--- I must eat no animal protein-- or muscle pain goes wild. FEW solids and more of the right kids of fiber because all are not equal. Otherwise you will back up until you smell stool--poop---feces-- on your breath my friend said. After 6-8 weeks of no solids the x ray still showed a back up-- no laughing matter

Thank you MikeNova for the correct term -- Gastroparesis

After skimming some of the articles I see I did a really good job of
describing what this is. I should know--my body has been doing this for a LONG time and I truthfully have had only maybe 2 or 3 or 4 plates of food, as in a real meal in about 5 years. One day I felt so well I forgot I wasn't and ate mashed potatoes / meatloaf and broccoli and then stood up. OH OH OH OH. THEN I Remembered. Felt like a cinder block in my gut. And it sat there.

Erythromycin can sometimes help but it didn't. The suffering is just not good and the potential complications of having your food just sit there and not move???? Not good. So have a plan of action in mind in case this condition overtakes you. When I say I ate no solids for 8 weeks, we're not talking blending real food with a blender, as that will not move much easier, we're talking fudgescicles that melt into nothingness etc. NUTRITION AT THAT POINT IS NOT NOT NOT YOUR MAIN CONCERN. You can survive a LONG WHILE on less than great nutrition.