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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:
Fantasea · 13/03/2022 13:59

[quote ChatterMonkey]@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.[/quote]
Even if DP is allowed home and then has to return in the morning for a procedure requiring a cannula, they are far more likely to remove this one and then do another tomorrow.

To the posters asking why OP didn't try a suppository, it may have been that the part of the bowel that the medics think the blockage is may be too 'high up'. With my appalling chemo constipation, I had a suppository and it did nothing! I persevered with the Laxido and eventually had success.

queenrollo · 13/03/2022 14:08

When my DH had similar problems he was given a CT scan which showed diverticulitis.
Likewise this was during restrictions and I couldn't go in with him. The final time we went I insisted on being with him as he was in so much pain he could barely speak. It was only then that they took it seriously, and we discovered the medication that had kept sending him home with was the worst thing for him to be taking.
I completely understand your frustration at not being with him. As the patient it can be very hard to advocate for yourself and ask the right questions.

katepilar · 13/03/2022 14:17

I think the canula has a bit that can stay in your arm and the needles can come in and go.

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General health
EuripidesTrousers · 13/03/2022 14:18

Keeping my fingers crossed that all is well, OP.

Sapphireskies · 13/03/2022 14:18

I don't understand that basically all the restrictions are nearly gone, yet people can't have someone in with them in a hospital.

drawingpad · 13/03/2022 14:21

@Sapphireskies

I don't understand that basically all the restrictions are nearly gone, yet people can't have someone in with them in a hospital.

Presumably because the risk to people in hospital is higher than it is to healthy people going about their day. I don't disagree that it's shit but I can absolutely see why.

Sapphireskies · 13/03/2022 14:21

Fingers crossed OP try to distract yourself watch some crap telly or read a mag

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 14:22

Yes i was surprised at how restrictive it still was in the hospital. They never mentioned covid once, and did no tests to test for it so obviously cant be separating negative and positive cases. But still not allowed one person in with him to ask questions when he is in pain. Its such a vulnerable place to be in without your own personal support.

OP posts:
Sapphireskies · 13/03/2022 14:22

@drawingpad Covid is never going away though, and surely patients would prefer someone in with them rather than the risk of catching it, same in nursing homes

drawingpad · 13/03/2022 14:23

[quote Sapphireskies]@drawingpad Covid is never going away though, and surely patients would prefer someone in with them rather than the risk of catching it, same in nursing homes [/quote]

I'm not arguing, was just saying that is why.

Branleuse · 13/03/2022 14:23

@Sapphireskies

I don't understand that basically all the restrictions are nearly gone, yet people can't have someone in with them in a hospital.
healthcare facilities and hospitals still very much have covid restrictions in place.

I hope you manage to find out why it has blocked OP. The CT scan should show up whether its an obstruction that can be softened and passed or not.
Its absolutely appropriate to go to A&e for severe constipation like that. Ill never forget looking after an elderly patient who had such severe constipation that was backed so far up that she was vomiting faeces.

drawingpad · 13/03/2022 14:25

And I would absolutely prefer to have someone with me if I was admitted. I'm autistic and can't always advocate for myself. I have non verbal episodes in times of extreme stress so I would always want someone with me.

Mischance · 13/03/2022 14:26

I am having a theatre procedure on 22nd in hospital as a day case. I am having to socially distance for two weeks and have a negative PCR 3 days before admission. Seems a bit of overkill really as the PCR should be sufficient I would have thought. But hospitals are taking it very seriously still. My village is heaving with it at present.

poodlepoop · 13/03/2022 14:27

I've been home with a cannula when I needed twice a day antibiotics at the height of covid our trust lets a person in to accompany depending on the reason- my eldest has asd high functioning but definitely doesn't cope with medical situations so was allowed a chaperone- they're in their 20's

DaisyDreaming · 13/03/2022 14:29

Passing gas is a fantastic sign as is the fact he hasn’t started vomiting. I hope they are able to shift it today and he feels a lot better. It happens to me a few times a year and is utterly miserable. You would think it would just be painful but it effects everything in me from my heart rate to giving me a fever. Really hope it passes soon, as I say a positive sign he’s now passing wind. Glad he is being seen

LethargeMarg · 13/03/2022 14:33

@drawingpad

And I would absolutely prefer to have someone with me if I was admitted. I'm autistic and can't always advocate for myself. I have non verbal episodes in times of extreme stress so I would always want someone with me.
You would be able to have someone with you in this case I'm sure. My mum was allowed in with my dad as his carer. Hope your dh is ok op
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 14:35

Yes agree its good that hes not vomitted at all. Particularly for dp as with his previous abdo issues, vomitting would trigger cyclical vomitting, dehydration, dangerously low potassium levels etc etc. So very relieved that we havent thrown all that into the mix this time. Still no word from him so not sure if hes gone for the scan yet.

OP posts:
SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 13/03/2022 14:37

I'd never cope with a CT scan on my own again. I was so, so sick after the last one - I had to drink a very high calorie drink (2 bottles of it) before and during the procedure which made me, on top of everything else, vomit profusely for a very long time.

I could barely speak or advocate for myself at the time and was simply left on my own in a hospital corridor to find my way out of the CT area and the hospital, vomiting into a cardboard bowl I found on a trolley. I rang DP and he somehow managed to find me and half-carry me to the car.

#MakingMemories

TatianaBis · 13/03/2022 14:39

If they thought it was appendicitis they wouldn’t have let him go home. I’ve had it, they kept me in overnight and operated the next morning. You can’t hang around as they can burst.

They may be checking more for IBD, cancer etc.

TheQueenInTheNorth · 13/03/2022 14:40

@ChatterMonkey

So the plot thickens.... A nurse has just been to put a cannula thingy in his arm. But still no explanation as to why. Apparentlt hes told the nurse she needs to go and get a doctor to tell him whats going on.

Just as i typed the above dp messaged saying that apparently hes going for a ct scan and the canula is for dye... What would this be looking for?

I had a CT scan with dye when I was admitted during the first lockdown, they suspected appendicitis but discovered it was diverticulitis. I then had to stay in a week on strong antibiotics, I was also nil by mouth for the first few days. Hope you both have some answers soon Flowers
Iamkmackered1979 · 13/03/2022 14:41

@katepilar the only needle is the one that guides the straw part of the cannula in needle is removed and just syringes or lines connected to it for meds/fluids. People can go home with them in, paeds anyway as I used to give meds via it at home or had kids coming in to get iv antibiotics every day so they could be at home - they are carefully monitored and covered mind you.

Anyway op, I hope things move soon. It can be very slow in hospital at weekends with staffing and drs could be tied up with emergencies. But once his CT IS back and read hopefully you’ll know more. I had a hospital admission in the summer in Norwich and was on my own in absolute agony for hours waiting in a&e then another area it was not fun!! Ct scan also, ruined holiday but everyone was really nice except the nurse who told me off for not being able to take soluble paracetamol- makes me throw up. Seemed a hassle to get 2 tablets.
Anyway take care and I hope for good news and your dh home soon

herecomesthehotsteppa · 13/03/2022 14:42

It's a real shame you can't be with him. I attended every one of my husbands appointments when he was diagnosed with cancer last year. The only ones I wasn't allowed in were the actual chemo sessions! I guess it varies by area but I would be just like you - I want to know every single detail!

snapple21 · 13/03/2022 14:44

How's he feeling within himself op? Pain wise etc

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 14:48

I think the pain is about the same, not feeling great and pretty uncomfortable. Hes not mentioned if hes been to the toilet much today.

OP posts:
Arghhconfused · 13/03/2022 14:48

Hope you get some news soon