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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:
BrutusMcDogface · 14/03/2022 12:35

Ah, I’m glad he has a diagnosis now, OP. Wishing you both all the best Flowers

Norwegiancopice · 14/03/2022 12:50

OP I have diverticulitis and thought I had a healthy diet. I also have underactive thyroid which slows down everything, including digestion. I totally understand the need for support from here and have been in A and E on my own on numerous occasions and it can be very lonely especially when you know its serious. Not needed recently but if it happens again and I'm on my own i'll be back. Congratulations on realising that this could have been a life and death situation, and diverticulitis is definitely that if ignored, although the pain makes that unlikely!
I have been given a course of antibiotics to keep on standby in case I get a flare up which I've only needed once in the last 7 years.
I have to ensure I am always extremely hydrated but if I get a twinge in my left side drinking about 3 very large glasses of water and then another 3 as soon as I can manage it does the trick. High fibre diet is important but not during or immediately after a flare for me
There are support groups on Facebook which are extremely helpful with information and with diverticulitis you realise one size doesnt fit all. Good luck. x

TheQueenInTheNorth · 14/03/2022 14:08

@ChatterMonkey

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.

I did think it was diverticulitis as the symptoms sounded like what I went through before I got my diagnosis. They are likely to do a colonoscopy at some point to have a thorough look inside. Your husband should avoid high residue foods such as sweetcorn, peas, potato skin on jacket potatoes and eat soluble fibre foods rather than unsoluble, carrots are a good source of soluble fibre. There are support groups on Facebook, I got most of my support on them as the doctors told me next to nothing and I was not referred to a dietitian. This can be a nasty condition but it's one that can be managed, glad you and your husband got some answers Flowers

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
RhymesWithBouquet · 14/03/2022 14:08

Sorry I haven't read all of the posts on this but I saw the first one and was going to ask about diverticulitis. I spent Christmas Day unable to eat a thing and rolling around in pain and then Boxing Day in in A+E due to this a couple of years back . I was there for flipping hours, they suspected appendicitis, but I was finally diagnosed when an exceptionally unempathetic doctor poked me HARD in the lower left abdomen and I hit the ceiling, such was the pain. Turns out that the excruciating cramps that I'd been putting down to endometriosis all these years were, occasionally, actually down to diverticulitis.

When I did a bit more digging to find out the triggers, it turns out garlic is a massive one; and we'd done Christmas Eve with family in Garlic Land AKA France... Sweet peppers also, which explained why I'd always feel a bit dodgy after having a nice healthy salad or stir fry cos I love peppers (but they hate me apparently!)

Glad he got a diagnosis and hopefully he'll be able to manage it once he figgers out which foods to avoid :)

MiaBunny · 14/03/2022 15:34

Glad he got a diagnosis! Flowers

Spidey66 · 14/03/2022 16:19

Pleased he’s got a diagnosis. That’s always a relief imo, as you know what you’re dealing with and it can be treated.

sueelleker · 14/03/2022 17:53

@winnieanddaisy

I also think that it is illegal to confiscate an adults passport . If he really wants to leave he could report her to the police and they could take it off her . I doubt he will do that though .
@winnieanddaisy; I think you're on the wrong thread!
Idbemonica1 · 14/03/2022 19:11

Hope you and your husband have had a better day Op.

With constant talk of 'have you tried a laxative? Eat a prune a day! Appendicitis. And now confiscated passports this thread is in danger of making it to classics 😂.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 14/03/2022 21:16

Haha i was slightly worried about the accusations of passport stealing until I read it propperly! 😂

Today was good, still a but sore and uncomfortable but feeling a lot better. Back to the hospital tomorrow for follow up bloods, so fingers crossed it comes back ok. Also a good chance for dp to ask questions about monitoring/follow up support and advice etc so will see what they say.

OP posts:
NewYearCalavicci · 14/03/2022 21:22

I somehow think your DH would not be up for a trip abroad so they can keep his passport Grin Grin

I am glad he is feeling a bit better , hopeful the blood tests will all come back within the normal range whatever that is .

And that you both get to rest up a bit while he recuperates

me109f · 14/03/2022 21:24

Contact his doctor. If he cannot be seen straight away, take him to A&E immediately. If his gut bursts it becomes very dangerous.

BrutusMcDogface · 14/03/2022 21:28

@me109f

Contact his doctor. If he cannot be seen straight away, take him to A&E immediately. If his gut bursts it becomes very dangerous.
Great advice.

I have some for you: read the full thread!! Or at least the OP’s updates. You’re welcome.

NewYearCalavicci · 14/03/2022 21:34

@me109f

Contact his doctor. If he cannot be seen straight away, take him to A&E immediately. If his gut bursts it becomes very dangerous.
ARGH ! RTFT
HopelesslyOptimistic · 14/03/2022 21:46

Absolutely A&E, that's why we pay our NI contributions throughout our lives for the odd occasion you need help. Do not feel guilty, it is your right to seek medical help for what appears to be a serious medical issue. I truly hope he is ok. Good luck.

Copenhagenoffice · 14/03/2022 21:51

HopelesslyOptimistic

RTFT

whynotwhatknot · 14/03/2022 22:04

how does this affect you going to the toilet then-do you just not poo or theres nothing there to begin with

wildthingsinthenight · 14/03/2022 22:55

Never known a thread with so many people chipping in without reading the full thread!!!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 14/03/2022 23:10

@winnieanddaisy

I also think that it is illegal to confiscate an adults passport . If he really wants to leave he could report her to the police and they could take it off her . I doubt he will do that though .
Think you might have posted this on the wrong thread, @winnieanddaisy!
ThumbWitchesAbroad · 14/03/2022 23:14

@wildthingsinthenight

Never known a thread with so many people chipping in without reading the full thread!!!
Are you new here? Do you not remember the "cancel the cheque" thread?
uncomfortablydumb53 · 14/03/2022 23:53

Im glad DH is improving and getting some rest
Hope the hospital visit goes well tomorrow

EthelTheAardvark · 15/03/2022 08:48

I'm still curious how, if it wasn't constipation, the hospital accounted for the fact that he hadn't had a bowel movement for over a week.

wildthingsinthenight · 15/03/2022 10:29

@ThumbWitchesAbroad
Not new very old.Smile
But no I don't know that thread. But I can imagine how it went....

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 15/03/2022 10:33

Haha, yes, it went just how you imagine it.
"Cancel the cheque" became the new catchphrase for a long time, and is still in use!
It was a grabby bride and groom who had told the OP that her wedding cheque gift wasn't for enough, and that she should pay more - here, I found it for you!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/a2630932-Post-wedding-message-please-help-me-what-the-hell-do-I-say

HestersSamplerofCarrots · 15/03/2022 10:42

@EthelTheAardvark

I'm still curious how, if it wasn't constipation, the hospital accounted for the fact that he hadn't had a bowel movement for over a week.
Inflammation. If a bowel becomes inflamed (swollen) the gap for anything to pass can become narrowed which can then have the equivalent effect of a full or partial blockage, which can appear as constipation. I.e. you won’t go for a poo.
Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 15/03/2022 10:52

@etheltheaardvrk apparently its because everything is so swollen that what gets through feels like its the overflow that gets past a blockage that isnt moving. But whats actually happening is the poo is getting squished through the swollen bit, and getting through so not actually blocked, but feels like it is.

Dont quite understand where it all goes, but the ct scan has shown no blockage so will take their word for it! Still recommended to use the laxido though so i guess atm he wants it as soft as possible to get passed the inflammation?

OP posts: