Thanks Paddy - I have been prescribed oxybutynin hydroxide - another anticholinergic but as I'm in the middle of adding L Dopa to my current agonist regime I have given them a good trial. Maybe its also because I'm wary of anti cholinergics having seen the effect of Cogentine (benzotropine) on a friend's memory.

For people able to tolerate a small amount of gluten, barley water can work miracles to soothe acute constipation (C) and/or diarrhea (D). And for anyone suffering from bowel spasticity in conjunction with either C or D, topical magnesium oil may relieve the spasticity better than an oral mag supplement.

Caution: People with gluten intolerance and/or celiac probably shouldn’t try barley water. People with diabetes should allow for the carbs in barley water when planning their food intake. (I can’t tell you how many grams of carb are in barley water, I apologize.) And people with impaired renal function shouldn’t try magnesium oil or any other magnesium supplement without talking to a doctor first.

In the past, my husband, who has PD, had bouts of alternating C and D. The main and ongoing symptom was C, which we understand was due to PD. We would try a laxative or senna, and it would halt the C but would send him into D. We would resolve the D with an antidiarrheal, and the C would start again. However, his bowel remained spastic, and he would continue to run to the bathroom as often as every 10 minutes but would pass nothing. He was exhausted with this cycle. We opted to try barley water and topical magnesium oil, and they resolved both problems completely. The barley water worked within a few hours; the magnesium oil worked to stop the spasticity of the bowel within 10 minutes. Yes, that’s not a typo, 10 minutes! By the time he was able to be seen by a doctor several days later, the doctor said, "I'm not seeing ANY problem here."

Barley water recipe: Soak some whole-grain barley in water overnight and throw the water away in the morning. Put the soaked grains in a saucepan and add plenty of fresh water (it's called "barley water" because it has a high water content). Exact amounts aren't important, but I cook about 1/2 cup of barley grains (measured when dry) with 6-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, turn the heat down to the lowest setting and cover it. It’s important to cook it slowly and gently, not to vigorously boil it. Simmer covered for 45 minutes and remove from heat. Allow it to cool, covered, for another 45 minutes; it will thicken during this time. Stir well and refrigerate. Gently re-warm it one serving at a time. Serve in a bowl lightly salted. We like to add fresh lemon juice and olive oil; it makes a tasty soup. Give up to 3 times a day for up to 2 days or until it runs out.

Magnesium oil recipe: Mix a cup of Zechstein magnesium chloride crystals and a cup of water until dissolved and place the liquid in a spray bottle. After a shower, spray a few squirts of mag oil into your hand and massage it into your skin. Apply wherever you can easily reach – arms, legs, torso. We use about 20 squirts total, but the exact amount isn’t important. Beware of getting the liquid on your clothing, because it will leave a bleach spot (that’s the chloride in it). After massaging it in and letting it dry, then get dressed. If you find that your skin is too sensitive to use the mag oil full strength, you can dilute it with up to an equal amount of water.

Other helpful measures: After this last bout of colitis, we started drinking a half-glass of kefir for probiotic support each day, and each morning drinking a cup of hot herbal tea to which the juice of 1/4 fresh lemon has been added. The tea was the suggestion of a herbalist. For us it doesn't matter which herbal tea is used; we like lemon balm or sage or rosemary. Plain hot water with lemon juice works equally well but isn't as interesting (in our opinion). This strategy relieved my husband's long-standing C. If we forget our tea with lemon for a couple of days in a row ... the C returns.

Having some success with C drinking a cup of herbal tea in the morning as well and taking a probiotic with it.....Acidophilus with Lactis, 1 billion.....

I've had constipation issues for years before starting Parkinson's Medications.

I get best results by eating shredded wheat (no sugar) and yogurt for breakfast daily. Lots of water (do not let yourself become dehydrated!). Aim for "clear/light yellow" pee. If not drink more water. Caveat, with Comtan It is always darker.

Colace & Senekot are my "go to" meds if I haven't had a bowel movement in two days.

Dehydrated.... pull skin on the back of your hand. As you release is will flow back into your hand. If a "tent remains" you are dehydrated. Do not let yourself get dehydrated, use extreme caution with summer heat.