Hello,
I am new to this forum and am writing on behalf of my Dad. He is 75 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's about 10 years ago. He has a Parkinson's Dr. that he sees regularly and has kept Dad's disease under control through medication until recently. Dad contracted e.coli and had to have emergency surgery to remove his large intestine. He now has an ileostomy bag and his Parkinson's medication is not being digested through his small intestine. The nurses are finding them in his bag when they change it. His primary meds were Requip and Sinemet. Apparently they were time-release pills. They changed his medication to smaller pills that he would have to take more often, but they are finding them undigested in his bag. He is also taking medicine for diabetes, blood pressure, and colesterol, which are all being digested. They started crushing his pills and putting them in applesauce yesterday. I talked to him on the phone last night and he asked me to go on some Parkinson's forums to see if anybody might have a suggestion. He is recovering in a nursing home and doesn't have access to a computer, and probably wouldn't be able to type anyway. His tremors are so bad that he can't sleep or feed himself, and his rehab is going backwards. We thought he would be home for Christmas, but they won't release him until his medication is under control. We realize that this is probably a pretty unique situation and are hoping that someone out there has some experience or suggestions for us.
Thank You

I don't know if these would be options - IV meds, injectable, liquid meds??

Don't the Drs in charge of his case have ideas on this type of situation??

He should be treated for his P.D. by not only a neurologist but one who has a special interest in Parkinsons, often referred to as an MDS here or movement disorder specialist.
Is there a Parkinson clinic or Parkinson nurse specialist you can contact today for advice?
Apomorphine aka Apokyn is often given in advanced Parkinsons and also at times when oral medication can't be used.
It's administered subcutaneously (usually the stomach)
Please mention this to his present treating Dr ASAP as he must be feeling very unwell not only with the colostomy but the anti parkinson drugs aren't being absorbed properly so he's very symptomatic.
Good luck,
Lee

a faster solution for him would be to chew his pills on his front teeth while wetting down with a swig of water--or Switch to parcopa, which is the same as sinemet, except it is the dissolvable form. I don't think it gets much of a chance to get to the digestive system.
Good luck to you!
Diann

please ask the doctor - ie: your father's neurologist's
if perhaps a transdermal patch/pertaining PD medicine could work...
like the smokers patch etc...

Thank you for all of your responses. I clicked all of your "Thank You" buttons, but they just disappeared.
I asked Dad awhile ago if there were any other forms of medicine that he could take, and he told me that it is only available in pill form. I told him about the patch, and the Sinemet that dissolves in your mouth and he perked right up. He wasn't aware of these alternatives.
I haven't had any contact with Dad's Parkinson Doctor. Mom and Dad live 200 miles away and they have been going to see him for a long time. He had the medicine regulated very well when Dad was in the hospital. He was relaxed and didn't have any tremors, but something has changed since he went to the nursing home. It's been a couple of days since they started crushing his Sinemet into his applesauce, so it's had a couple of days to take effect. I'll find out later tonight.
I have posted this on some other forums, but haven't gotten many replies yet. I call Dad every night and he is writing the information I've given him down so he can remember what to ask the Dr. I will give him the information you have provided here. I know he will be excited to hear it. I just love help forums!
Thank You, and Merry Christmas!

Thank You for all of your replies. I told Dad about your suggestions, and he talked to the head nurse at the nursing home about them. She is well aware of the liquid Sinemet and the patch therapy because she has used both on patients. She suggested he go see a Parkinson specialist and recommended a clinic that is strictly for Parkinson's, so I'm hoping we will be taking him there when he feels better and comes home.
The crushed up Sinemet has had a few days to work, and Dad said that he was feeling better last night, but is still shaking. He had an evaluation meeting at the nursing home yesterday and is still scheduled to come home the day after Christmas. Hooray!
Again, Thank You for all of your suggestions. We were unaware of the alternatives and this has given my Dad some hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I wish you could have heard him perk up when I was telling him on the phone.
Happy Holidays to all!
Mark