WARNING: This post contains frank descriptions of poop. Do not read this post while operating machinery (except maybe a manure spreader).

It’s been two and a half years since this blog last addressed constipation. During that time, my own constipation has very gradually worsened. Mannitol, which used to be highly effective at “opening up the pipes”, no longer helps. My poo has become hard, large, and angry (I have opted not to include photographic evidence) to the point where it takes a LOT of straining to get the poo through, and there is almost always some bleeding.

About two months ago, I brought this up during a regularly scheduled follow-up appointment at the Parkinson’s Specialist Place. They recommended trying an over-the-counter stool softener containing docusate. At first, I thought my ears were malfunctioning, because I was pretty sure Docusate was the name of a word processing application in the late 1980s. A visit to my pharmacy of choice soon revealed that the ingredient I was looking for is more fully known as “docusate sodium”. The label on the store brand I bought says to take 2 – 4 tablets (the tablets are 50 mg each) at bedtime. I have been taking two each night for a few weeks now. Results have been good, but not perfect. Now instead of one angry poo each day, I get one ornery poo every two or three days. There is still a little pain, along with a little bleeding, though neither is as bad as before. I’m thinking I’ll increase the dose to three and maybe four tablets at some point over the next few weeks.

Completely Unexpected (by me, anyway) BONUS: the docusate seems to be providing some relief from Urinary Urgency, which had also gotten gradually worse over time.