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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:
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 08:26

@motherofcrocodiles yes a tumour is what dp is getting worried about. So im hoping at the very least that the hospital will be able to rule that out, which will ease some of the stress, which isnt helping the issue either. And if they do find something concerning, then hes in the right place if we go and get it seen now. No passing blood or anything so hoping that is unlikely, but does still need to get looked at.

OP posts:
Justcallmebabs · 12/03/2022 08:39

Yes sounds like he needs an urgent assessment. You can take up to 8 sachets in a litre of water but I have only given that in cases of drug related constipation so not common (I deal with younger people who are rubbish at drinking water!!). Concerned about the affect on passing urine and reduction in passing gas. Plus by the sounds of it this is an unusual pattern for your husband? A few potential differentials which range from easy to treat to more serious so impossible to tell over internet but enough to warrant an A&E trip and I am usually reluctant to advise anyone to go there if can be avoided! He can’t continue like this. Hope he feels better soon xx

MrsLargeEmbodied · 12/03/2022 08:39

your poor dp Flowers

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Plinkyplonkyplonk · 12/03/2022 08:41

Go on now go ....walk out the door....

Grin go, they'd rather see you and it be simple solution to not seeing you and it's more serious if you leave it.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 08:55

So we are here now but im not allowed in with him so sitting in the car.

Went to the a and e reception, they took some details and he spoke to a doctor briefly at the desk. They seemed concerned that it was his appendix? Got him some paperwork and sent him round to the ambulatory care department, how does that differ to normal a and e?

OP posts:
LIZS · 12/03/2022 09:02

It is a walk-in service to triage patients and administer urgent care.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 12/03/2022 09:02

fyi A & E normally try to admit or discharge within 4 hours, in case you werent aware.

Ponchek · 12/03/2022 09:03

@ChatterMonkey

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.
It's a medical emergency. You've tried hard but actually this isn't something you can resolve and you should take him to A & E this morning. His organs could be affected.
Ponchek · 12/03/2022 09:05

👌 well done for going and he is in real pain so has every reason to be seen

hopeishere · 12/03/2022 09:07

It just means he is able to walk himself there essentially so not acute care needed immediately.

Andacherryonthetop · 12/03/2022 09:14

Ah I hope he is ok. I’m not remotely medical trained but have a 6 year old daughter who’s been on laxido/movicol for years so I know 4 sachets isn’t much. I think at one point my daughter was on 5 a day and she was only 3 or 4 at the time. I’m sure the continence nurse said to me you can take up to ten a day (not advising you do this am just thinking 4 sachets might not be making much difference to an adult man). Keep us updated- it sounds horrible for him!

Karwomannghia · 12/03/2022 09:23

Poor man sounds horrible! Hope he is seen soon.

listsandbudgets · 12/03/2022 09:24

Go to A & E. I've never forgotten the pain when this happened to me about 18 years ago. I'd been having cramps for a few days then suddenly collased on floor writhing and sobbing in middle of the office.

Just go. Hope he feels better soon

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 09:28

So hes been seen now, theyve taken lots of bloods and told him not to eat anything. He said they seem quite concerned.

Does that sound like they think its appendicitis? The not eating anything sounds like they are preparing for possible surgery?

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 12/03/2022 09:29

@ChatterMonkey

So hes been seen now, theyve taken lots of bloods and told him not to eat anything. He said they seem quite concerned.

Does that sound like they think its appendicitis? The not eating anything sounds like they are preparing for possible surgery?

I wouldn’t panic about surgery at this point. Yes it’s a possibility if they suspect appendicitis but it could also be that they suspect there’s a blockage and they don’t want to make it worse. They’ll probably do a scan and see what’s going on. Hope you get some answers soon.
listsandbudgets · 12/03/2022 09:29

Oh sorry I see you've gone! Yes they were concerned about my appendix too and also did various other tests. They may have done an x Ray or ultrasound too but I was so miserable I don't remember..Hope he's out soon

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 09:29

@listsandbudgets that sounds horrible, what treatment did you end up needed for it?

OP posts:
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 09:38

I hate that i cant go in with him though, feel so useless sitting in the car waiting for news on texts from dp.

I was worried that he wouldnt be good at advocating for himself (hes had issues in the past that have needed medical attention and ended up needing a week long hopsital stay, but had been dissmissed at a and e) but if they are taking it seriously and have seen him this quickly he must be doing ok. I just feel a bit useless.

OP posts:
MrsLargeEmbodied · 12/03/2022 09:40

can you go home op?

MrsLargeEmbodied · 12/03/2022 09:40

are you allowed in to go to the hospital cafe?

WeAreTheHeroes · 12/03/2022 09:42

I wouldn't be unduly worried he's been told not to eat anything. That advice is given for certain scans and exploratory procedures.

Mischance · 12/03/2022 09:46

My OH had this. He finished up with an emergency doc coming round and doing a manual evacuation. Everyone took it very seriously, so I am glad your OH is getting the help he needs. He is in the right place. I am sorry that you are not able to be with him. I hope they get it sorted.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 09:49

I could go home, but dont want to yet until we have more answers to what they suspect the problem is, and how long its going to be. If they are likely to come back within the hour and say 'the bloods have come back fine, heres some laxitives, go home' then it makes more sense that I wait. But if its likely going to be at least an all day situation then i would go home. But we dont really know either way atm. Not. Sure if theres a cafe or anything in operation atm, the little shop that would normally be in the a&e waiting room is closed.

Nurse came and did a short examination, pressed his stomach etc (which was very painful) and said that gallstones would be higher, so i think she has ruled that out. When dp asked what she suspected, she wouldnt say, and said she needed to see the bloods first.

OP posts:
Sadandfedup2 · 12/03/2022 09:53

Glad he's been seen

OrlandointheWilderness · 12/03/2022 09:58

Glad he has been seen OP, best place for him to be.

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