Should we go to a and e?

[ChatterMonkey]

Dp has been feeling rubbish for a week now, with pain caused by constipation. He hasnt had a bowel movement for a week now. The pain is constant, with waves of agonising pain.

Hes struggling to be able to medicate it, as hes not allowed to have anti inflammatory medication for seperate issues, and is wary about codeine based medicine as that causes constipation. Paracetomol isnt touching the sides of the pain.

The plan was to get a doctor appointment on monday, but the pain was really severe last night, im not sure we should wait till monday. He mentioned yesterday that the blockage is starting to affect his ability to pee properly which i think is worrying?

Hes alsp worrying now that the constipation is a side effect of something more serious, as theres nothing we can think thats triggered it. Hes worried about gallstones, or bowel cancer.

Is it worth going to a and e, are they likely going to he able to do anything, even if its just investigate and rule out some of the more scary possibilities thats worrying dp? Or would we likely be waiting ages and then sent away with a box of laxido?

Yes. Go to A&E. He could be impacted.

If it’s affecting his ability to pee that’s a medical emergency!

Why have you done so far to try and clear the constipation ?

And yes, I’d be going to A&E.

Try glycerin suppository, max dose of laxido (can buy over the counter), 2 x senna and plenty of warm drinks.

Yes go to A&E

Yes to the glycerin suppository. I used these when pregnant because I had horrendous constipation. Acts really quickly and an incredible relief. Available over the counter at pharmacies

Hes been eating better foods, drinking lots of water, and having 3 sachets of laxido every day for the last 4 days. Its worse today than its been before. We've ran out of laxido now though so would need to get more.

Yes, he needs to be seen.

Yes, go to A&E. Went through something similar with my Dad last year. Pack an overnight bag.

Call 111. My mum had severe impacted bowel after an operation in November and had to go to hospital.. its a medical emergency as it starts to effect other organs. Her kidney function was rapidly decreasing. They will likely prescribe him suppositories initially and see how they work.

Yes, A&E

Yes, especially as you have tried laxido.

Go!

You can take up to 6 laxido per day, lots of water, if he has rectal pain glycerol suppository.
Red flags, vomiting, not passing wind and distended abdomen.

When he’s got this shifted, I’d advise him having prunes every day. They really do help.

Just go to A&E!! Before it becomes even more serious.

He mentioned issues with wind, hes not passing wind, unless hes on the toilet trying to have a bowel movement. So not sure if that counts as not passing wind or not. Hes also very gassy in terms of burping lots.

Yes A&E this morning. It could be an obstruction, they will be able to do a ct scan. He is right not to take codeine as this will cause further constipation.

Please do go, and pack a bag just in case

Seeing as you’ve been trying laxido for several days now and he’s in severe pain I think you need to go.

Thank you for the responses, as the nhs is under such stress at the moment i was worried about going up and wasting their time, but im glad that people agree that we shouldnt be waiting till Monday for this.

Will get ready now and head up. Are they likely to keep him in? Or will it be giving us more medication and sending us home?

The thing is we don't know if he has bowel sounds or faeces in his rectum. At my job I deal with constipation a lot. 4 sachets of Laxido isn't much to get constipation moving. If there's faeces in his rectum it might be a suppository or enema he needs on top of this to get rid of the plug of hard faeces.
Very difficult to give advice on the internet without knowing and seeing these things.
He may have an obstruction or he may get sent away with laxido

Take a small bag in case. Let us know how he is.

A and e or at least 111 who will probably send you to a and W. It could be a twisted bowel or (hopefully not) a tumour, both present as described

@coreytaylorishot its been 3 sachets a day for the last 4 days, so 12 in total over the last 4 days. Is that quite a small dose? I had thought it was quite a lot but have no real point of reference so not sure.

Dp is worried they'll turn us away as its 'only' constipation, so reassuring to know that it does get taken seriously, and if theres more they can advise tbat we try from home, thats a positive as well, as I thought we had reached the limit to what we can do at home.

Glad to hear you're going to a and e, you can't mess around with symptoms like this, good luck x

Make sure you tell them that it’s affecting his ability to wee. They won’t turn him away.