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Original poster

Should we go to a and e?

539 replies

ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 07:49

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?

OP posts:

WhatAHexIGotInto · 13/03/2022 13:21

I agree with getting a stool to put his feel on, I was told this years ago and it's so much more comfortable even for a 'normal' bowel movement. Hope he's doing ok.

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 13:21

They were concerned about appendicitis when he arrived yesterday, because they hadnt mentioned it since then, i figured they had ruled it out, but i wonder if its still a potential cause?

Yes i am glad that they are investigating properly, i wonder if the comparison of the two bloods have showed something that they can now dial in on?

The ambulatory care ward us a day ward, what happens if delays and waiting mean hes notnfinished when the ward is closing, will they admit him or send him home again? They cant really send him home with a canula in can they?

OP posts:

BeeandG · 13/03/2022 13:22

My CT scan results took about an hour to get back to the surgical assessment ward so the wait wasn't too long. Fingers crossed all is clear soon.

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JinglingHellsBells · 13/03/2022 13:25

I agree with getting a stool to put his feel [feet] on

Interesting choice of words @WhatAHexIGotInto

If only

JinglingHellsBells · 13/03/2022 13:26

@ChatterMonkey

They were concerned about appendicitis when he arrived yesterday, because they hadnt mentioned it since then, i figured they had ruled it out, but i wonder if its still a potential cause?

Yes i am glad that they are investigating properly, i wonder if the comparison of the two bloods have showed something that they can now dial in on?

One step at a time.

This is not your problem. Wait and see.

WhackingPhoenix · 13/03/2022 13:27

@ChatterMonkey

They were concerned about appendicitis when he arrived yesterday, because they hadnt mentioned it since then, i figured they had ruled it out, but i wonder if its still a potential cause?

Yes i am glad that they are investigating properly, i wonder if the comparison of the two bloods have showed something that they can now dial in on?

Of course they won’t send him home with a cannula in. He needs to wait for his CT scan and the subsequent results before anyone will be able to tell him anything. If the CT shows a cause that requires hospitalisation, he’ll be hospitalised. If it doesn’t, he’ll be sent home to poo.

JetTail · 13/03/2022 13:27

A CT scan is a lot more detailed than say an XRAY or an ultrasound. It's rarely ordered unless there is an indication that it's necessary (expensive). It will show up a lot of thing as it's a very detailed imagery.

Mama1980 · 13/03/2022 13:29

A patient can be discharged with a cannula in place (I am often) but it is very unlikely especially as you dh doesn't have a diagnosis yet.
Have they said what the plan is regarding scans etc?

BrutusMcDogface · 13/03/2022 13:32

It must be so frustrating not being there with him!

WhackingPhoenix · 13/03/2022 13:32

@Mama1980

A patient can be discharged with a cannula in place (I am often) but it is very unlikely especially as you dh doesn't have a diagnosis yet. Have they said what the plan is regarding scans etc?

What?! You absolutely shouldn’t have been sent home with a cannula in! 😳

The only IV access anyone should be going home with is a PICC line, mid line or port.

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 13:33

@jettail thats what i was thinking about ordering the ct scan, they must suspect something. If they thought it was likely just constipation, then would they have ordered such an expensive scan or would they do something more basic and tell him to go home and have more laxido?

But glad that they are taking it seriously, just want to know what they suspect!

OP posts:

BeeandG · 13/03/2022 13:36

They may move him to another ward once they know what they are dealing with. They will soon whip a cannula out if needed. The scan should provide answers.

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 13:36

Yes its so frustrating not being there, as dp is not the best at communicating himself 😂 so he'll tell me that the nurse was talking, I'll ask him what she said, and he'll just say 'nothing really' ...!!! I dont think he understands i want to know every single word...!

OP posts:

NotSorry · 13/03/2022 13:36

I had to have a ct scan when they suspected a bowel blockage so it might be that - mine turned out to be a twisted and herniated small bowel so had to have surgery - however I was vomiting and had no bowel sounds at all - if he has bowel sounds hopefully it's something they can get moving

Birchtree4 · 13/03/2022 13:36

The CT scan will be looking for things like appendicitis, obstruction, diverticulitis - all things that can be treated and he would be admitted for. If his scan isn't concerning he will be sent home, definitely without a cannula!

Results probably won't take longer than a couple of hours depending on how busy the radiology team are.

Tiddlesthecat · 13/03/2022 13:40

They'll be looking for a blockage, where the blockage is, possible appendicitis and whether there is a twist in the bowel etc. They suspect constipation, but will just be double checking. It doesn't sound sinister to me. Stop thinking the worst about everything.

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 13:41

Im now a bit torn between being relieved they are taking it seriously, to be worried that they're taking it seriously because they suspect something serious...

OP posts:

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 13:43

Yes i know im probably overthinking every little thing, its hard not to though when i feel so detached from whats actually happening. If i were there with him I would feel a hell of a lot better.

OP posts:

Fantasea · 13/03/2022 13:45

If he needs to stay longer for further investigations they will admit him, if not they will remove the cannula and send him home. I've spent a lot of time in hospital and occasionally patients are sent home with cannulas in for the following day so it is possible, although unlikely.

ChiswickFlo · 13/03/2022 13:46

Can't he have phone on speaker when the Dr's and nurses are talking to him???

Fantasea · 13/03/2022 13:47

@ChatterMonkey

Im now a bit torn between being relieved they are taking it seriously, to be worried that they're taking it seriously because they suspect something serious...

I know this feeling all too well but once you know what you're dealing with, you will feel a lot better. Often these things are a diagnosis by exclusion so they will be ruling things out at the moment.

Original poster

ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 13:48

@fantasea yes that what i was thinking, if they did send him home with similar instructions to come back tomorow morning then we could do that no problem, and would probably better all round as not taking up a bed, and dp being more comfortable. Just wasnt sure what they would do with canula as it seems silly to take it out to put it back in again the next morning? But i suppose m getting ahead of myself thinking about that, its not even 2pm so plenty of the day left yet.

OP posts:

SailingNotSurfing · 13/03/2022 13:50

The CT scan is to rule out anything sinister and to determine the underlying cause of your poor man's constipation.

Anyone who works in healthcare will know that constipation can be indicative of other problems, not just getting bunged up because you haven't eaten enough prunes.

Wishing your husband a swift return to full health - then put branflakes, prunes and fresh orange juice on the shopping list.

alltheapples · 13/03/2022 13:51

Even some of those "serious" things are not necessarily that serious. I know a couple of people with diverticilus. It just means if they have symptoms again they have to go to GP or A and E straight away and not let it get worse. It's not necessarily a big deal. But obviously more than constipation.
CT scans are simply because they have to check out its not more serious.
I am surprised like some on here that you didn't try a suppository earlier though. I had very bad constipation once, the cgemist gave me this, and it sorted it very quickly. Laxido is a slower solution.

Hm2020 · 13/03/2022 13:52

Wow op your poor dh I really hope you find out what’s causing it soon sound horrendous.

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