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?

@jinglinghellsbells thank you for that, i just feel bad for dp as he hates hospitals (does anyone actually like them...?), and hes there on his own, bored and frustrated. But i know that they are doing what they need to.

I hope that if it does go into tomorrow that they let him home, but i suppose that will depend on lots of things that i have no control over so will just have to see what happens.

He said the dye in the cannula was really strange feeling, left him feeling really sick!

How old is he @ChatterMonkey ?

You've not mentioned DCs . Are you home alone?

How can you help yourself at the moment?

Call friends or family?

Watch rubbish on TV?

Have a long lazy bath and a bit of 'me' time?

I know it's super-hard, but nothing you can at the moment will alter the outcome, whether it's nothing or something more serious.

Try to relax a bit.

phone 111

its a common COVID side effect, even if the COVID itself has gone

@j712adrian

Really?! 16 pages in and that’s your answer?!

I have problems due to having my stomach removed. I find fruit cubes from Holland and barrett are really good. But and I but dont ever take a full one, cut into 3 pieces and take a bit each day. I can handle a whole one but I've been using for ten years.
Pain killers and not moving will always bung you up, if your ill it's just inevitable

[quote Bunnyfuller]@j712adrian

Really?! 16 pages in and that’s your answer?![/quote]
oddly enough I don't spend 24 hours a day here

but I do work in in urgent care, so yes - correct - it is my answer

Just leaving this here to say I hope that your husband is okay, and sending love to you! So worrying not knowing what’s going on xx

Husband had similar symptoms. Found he had a blockage. What cannot go down comes up. Had a tube inserted via nose and stomach emptied via tube. Was on a drip for 4 days. Eventually all cleared - needed to have a poo before allowed home. Had stomach pains for a week or so after due to what had come up rather than down! Need to be very careful of diet once discharged. Clear liquids to start and slowly increase solids.

111 will probably tell you to go to A & E, but ring them first.

So he is home now and has a diagnosis... Its diverticulitis. Apparently there isnt an actual blockage of poo (sorry for those invested in a live birth thread...!) But its the inflammation thats making it feel as if there is.

Has to go back on tuesday for more bloods, crp was high, went from 35 yesterday to 88 today. I have no idea what that means but it seems quite a jump?

But other than that, lots of rest, lots of water, and lots of fruit and veg. And a bit of a wake up call to sort our diet out.

That's good news OP, I was fearful you were going to get worse news.

but I do work in in urgent care, so yes - correct - it is my answer

@j712adrian

You'd think someone working in a medical environment would understand the importance of reading all the available information before giving advice.

I don't want to alarm you but someone I know has had this. Ignored the advice about healthy diet and water etc, the inflammation got so bad they ended up having an emergency surgery and a part of their intestines removed. They now have a stoma bag.
So I would take the advice really seriously.
Hope DH feels better soon

Glad you read your update. It can be very painful (I've a couple of friends with it) but manageable. Take care.

@kittensinthekitchen

but I do work in in urgent care, so yes - correct - it is my answer

@j712adrian

You'd think someone working in a medical environment would understand the importance of reading all the available information before giving advice.

......except it's Mumsnet and not clinical information - and may save distress for others.

Cancel the cheque

I'm glad he has a diagnosis, no blockage and nothing more serious.

Pleased he is home.

That's surprising.

No poo, except he's not been for days and days?

This is a very informative website.

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/diverticular-disease/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-sy8o9PD9gIVtY1oCR0yKA_LEAAYASAAEgLC6fD_BwE#section-3

I hope he will have other appts with the gastric consultants to sort out his diet and also any meds he needs.

Is he going to have a colonoscopy- which is what the website above says is needed to diagnose?

The rise in CPR shows the level of inflammation (increasing). They will want to calm it down and check it’s under control.

I agree about food and you’ll have to experiment as to what is causing problems vs what is all fine.
I’d go and see a nutritionist tbh. Finding the right diet for diverticulitis isn’t always easy.

RTFT Folks!!!

I'd tell him to push for a colonoscopy unless you have really clear images from the scan and they are sure nothing else is there.

I'm so glad you have answers, OP, now at least they can begin to treat him for it, I hope he is back to his normal self very soon, sending you .

DV is really panful, my DH has it and has occasional flare ups, but for him it has the opposite effect in that going to the loo far too much. It runs in his family, dear MIL was told to eat 5 bananas each day, she did try and manage 3.

Ive had a look at the nhs page for diverticulitis amd it says it can be diagnosed from a ct scan, so i assume they have clear enough images. Notes on discharge letter are really detailed so guess they have good images.

Would the gp be able to arrange a dietician appointment?

So glad he is home, a relative had that same diagnosis, recovered well, good luck

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. Dieticians are those who are qualified and the OP's DH may be referred to if necessary.