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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:
uncomfortablydumb53 · 13/03/2022 18:02

I'm glad he's home.
The raised CRP indicates inflammation
Diverticula are pockets in the lining of the bowel which can become infected
They would've seen this on his scan with the dye
I hope he feels more comfortable very soon, and you can relax knowing he has a diagnosis

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 18:08

Yes i think that the diagnosis will help being able to relax and get better. He was convinced he had cancer.

When he had the previous abdo issues they never found a cause and it sort of resolved itself so that was frustrating, he was also worried that it could be like that again this time.

But we can concentrate on getting better now, will look into seeing a dietician to get proper advice on how to manage this.

OP posts:
uncomfortablydumb53 · 13/03/2022 18:13

He will probably be given high fibre diet advice.. both soluble and insoluble fibre, trial and error to see which works best for him, but I do hope his flare settles soon

Interested in this thread?

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General health
toxic44 · 13/03/2022 18:13

If the poo is blocked it dehydrates and clings to the rectum walls, narrowing the passage so the blockage higher up worsens. I had this. A warmish, slightly soapy enema was helpful. He would have to hold it as long as he could. The whole lower body starts to shake, I assume in an attempt to loosen the stuff stuck to the walls. A&E sounds the best option.

crowisland · 13/03/2022 18:17

He should avoid small seeds like poppy, sesame, etc., that can get trapped and inflamed

JinglingHellsBells · 13/03/2022 18:27

@toxic44

If the poo is blocked it dehydrates and clings to the rectum walls, narrowing the passage so the blockage higher up worsens. I had this. A warmish, slightly soapy enema was helpful. He would have to hold it as long as he could. The whole lower body starts to shake, I assume in an attempt to loosen the stuff stuck to the walls. A&E sounds the best option.
He's been to A&E and home now @toxic44 :)
mumof1879 · 13/03/2022 18:32

So glad everything seems like it’s ok and he can focus on feeling better and managing the diverticulitis. Smile

SunshineCake1 · 13/03/2022 18:36

If someone hasn't read the whole thread, or all the OPs posts there is no point telling them to read the whole thread folks!

godmum56 · 13/03/2022 18:39

OP, this website might help to start with, its the latest reserch based information. gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/diverticular-disease/

queenrollo · 13/03/2022 18:40

@ChatterMonkey this is almost exactly what happened with my DH.
They did then try to give him a colonoscopy which was unsuccessful as he was in too much pain to tolerate it. They didn't actually know he had had a CT scan at the hospital though and the Consultant was annoyed that this information hadn't been passed on, as when they did get to review it they could see very clear pockets of disease and inflammation.
We spent weeks with my DH convinced he was dying of bowel cancer. The hospital and Consultant just told him it would calm down, but eventually our GP had enough and gave him anti-biotics. Within 3 days he was so much better.
Fingers crossed it's been a year and half and no reoccurrence. NO major changes to our diet as we already eat very healthily. The general concensus was that it was stress related and probably made worse by the decreased activity from months of working from home.

Pugwash2005 · 13/03/2022 18:41

So glad he's home now, I had a very similar experience and was diagnosed with diverticulitis. I cook mostly from scratch but find certain tomato based sauces cause it to flare up. I'm fine with passatta but say a dolmio or Lloyd Grossman Bolognese sauce for speed would cause a flare up. I was also told to avoid seeds but as I don't eat them very often I don't have ill effects from this, cucumber on the other hand I avoid or cut the seeds out. I downloaded myfitnesspal app and I do a food diary so I can easily track down the source of a flare up. I hope your husband is feeling much better soon, rest & recuperate.

JellybeansJelly · 13/03/2022 18:43

Oh OP! I am very very relieved for you both. I’ve had bowel cancer, and my diagnosis started exactly the same as your partner’s experience, so I was really scared for you. I had been following but too scared to comment as I didn’t want to worry you. So I am pleased it’s nothing sinister. Hope the diverticulitis can be managed quickly!

Magnolia2022 · 13/03/2022 18:45

Honestly it’s not worth coming on here for medical advice. You will face a long wait in a&e. When you’re that constipated you need to take a huge dose of laxido which will have you completely emptied and loose before you build back up again. I think the dose is 12 sachets for this in 24 hours with the correct amount of water mixed or it doesn’t work properly. He may also need a different type of laxative that works on the bowel getting the muscles to work and move everything through. So senna or something. And an enema too. But only the GP can advise this and you can access this out of hours which you probably already have. You will get loads of mixed messages on a forum. Most of which are not medical opinion. Call out of hours and speak to a medic for advice and if it’s a medical emergency they will see you in ED or even admit you onto a ward as GPs can call directly if they think treatment is required quickly. 111 is stretched but not as much as ED and some wait for 10 hours to be dealt with. Maybe more in some areas.

godmum56 · 13/03/2022 18:46

@Magnolia2022

Honestly it’s not worth coming on here for medical advice. You will face a long wait in a&e. When you’re that constipated you need to take a huge dose of laxido which will have you completely emptied and loose before you build back up again. I think the dose is 12 sachets for this in 24 hours with the correct amount of water mixed or it doesn’t work properly. He may also need a different type of laxative that works on the bowel getting the muscles to work and move everything through. So senna or something. And an enema too. But only the GP can advise this and you can access this out of hours which you probably already have. You will get loads of mixed messages on a forum. Most of which are not medical opinion. Call out of hours and speak to a medic for advice and if it’s a medical emergency they will see you in ED or even admit you onto a ward as GPs can call directly if they think treatment is required quickly. 111 is stretched but not as much as ED and some wait for 10 hours to be dealt with. Maybe more in some areas.
except it wasn't constipation but diverticulitis
nannykatherine · 13/03/2022 18:47

Go to A&E
They will do investigations then if needed he will be admitted to the Ward and get the help he needs ..
You are right to worry it may be serious
But also it may not be ..
Speaking from experience ..
I went to docs before Xmas
Was sent to A&E for blood tests
Got admitted to a ward
Stayed in for five day
Now I’m having cancer treatment ..
The sooner you find out the better !!!

godmum56 · 13/03/2022 18:47

@Pugwash2005

So glad he's home now, I had a very similar experience and was diagnosed with diverticulitis. I cook mostly from scratch but find certain tomato based sauces cause it to flare up. I'm fine with passatta but say a dolmio or Lloyd Grossman Bolognese sauce for speed would cause a flare up. I was also told to avoid seeds but as I don't eat them very often I don't have ill effects from this, cucumber on the other hand I avoid or cut the seeds out. I downloaded myfitnesspal app and I do a food diary so I can easily track down the source of a flare up. I hope your husband is feeling much better soon, rest & recuperate.
the avoid seeds and husks thing has been disproven, gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/diverticular-disease/
CityHigh · 13/03/2022 19:03

@nannykatherine

Go to A&E They will do investigations then if needed he will be admitted to the Ward and get the help he needs .. You are right to worry it may be serious But also it may not be .. Speaking from experience .. I went to docs before Xmas Was sent to A&E for blood tests Got admitted to a ward Stayed in for five day Now I’m having cancer treatment .. The sooner you find out the better !!!
It’s very easy to at least read all of OPs posts.
Boscoforever · 13/03/2022 19:04

I'm a nurse and work in this field.
Diverticular disease is really, really common. Some people never get any symptoms, others get frequent symptoms.
I have a relative, elderly, and they suffer quite a bit with it. The diverticulum would bleed quite a bit. It is definitely stress-related for them.
You'll figure out what foods aggravate it. It is always such a help when you get a diagnosis.
Hope your DH is feeling better soon.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 19:08

Thank you for the links and advice on diet plans, my normal go-to when im trying to lose weight is a low carb diet, but see that thats the totally wrong thing for dp now? Will need to do some proper research into what to eat moving forward.

Also, i cancelled the cheque Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 13/03/2022 19:09

And yes the diagnosis itself seems to have helped massively with dps discomfort. The relief of having a name for whats wrong with him makes such a difference

OP posts:
Londoncallingme · 13/03/2022 19:15

Hi Op
But why has he not pooped for a week?
I don’t think diverticulitis causes that?
Surely he must be blocked?
I had similar and went to A&E, they scanned me with contrast straight away (feels like you’ve peed yourself but hadn’t) and admitted me with a tube up my nose to empty stomach - I went in on Friday and they said if not clear by Monday they would operate. The doc was literally doing his rounds heading fit me when I felt a rumble in my tumble and ran for the bathroom. Oh the sweet relief!
It was at the height of Covid too. I hope he’s got some relief now.

Boscoforever · 13/03/2022 19:15

You don't really need a 'special' diet, OP. Just the usual healthy diet, and important to avoid constipation.

Boscoforever · 13/03/2022 19:16

The mind and gut/bowel are incredibly in sync with each other.

Mumdiva99 · 13/03/2022 19:23

I'm glad he had a diagnosis and is home. Hopefully the pain will lessen and you nothing get some sleep tonight

WTAFhappened123 · 13/03/2022 19:24

Utterly ridiculous that you cannot go in with DH! The NHS are taking advantage of COVID by doing this - absolutely criminal and they should be ashamed of themselves! Having worked at a vets all through C19 it shows lack of compassion and ridiculous pompous nature.