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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:
coffeecoffeecoffee90 · 12/03/2022 13:51

Morphine oral solution is low strength compared to Morphine tablets. So although 100mls seems like a large amount, it’s not. At 2.5ml his dose is only 5mg four times a day, so not a high dose at all.

Hope he starts to feel better, OP. You definitely did the right thing by going to A&E. Try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know!) ❤️

Justcallmebabs · 12/03/2022 13:54

Yep that will be oromorph and 5mg is quite a standard starter dose. Very surprised they have given it to be honest as it will constipate like you say. Seems counter intuitive? Do they think it’s just constipation at mo or have they mentioned on discharge summary any other potentials. The mass he can feel would likely be impacted stool if it is in the lower left section of the tummy. Good that they are reviewing tomorrow. Sounds like they aren’t concerned about obstruction. I would try to avoid the morphine today if possible. Buscopan is good for abdo cramping as an alternative and think you can get OTC and take with paracetamol. Warm baths will help too.

If he is still not had bowels open tomorrow when he is reviewed again and you are concerned he is not advocating for himself enough you could speak to the team on his phone to voice your concerns. Also I would ask why they prescribed the morphine??

TakeYourFinalPosition · 12/03/2022 13:54

It’ll be oramorph and 100ml is the smallest size available. It’s what they give you after a c section, too. It’s not masses but he doesn’t need to take it if he’s okay without.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
LIZS · 12/03/2022 13:55

I would not assume they had looked back at his previous notes. Many hospitals seem to have a mix of paper and computer notes which do not get tied up. Was it the same hospital?

Justcallmebabs · 12/03/2022 14:00

@ChatterMonkey

Yes he is wary about the morphine and isnt planning on taking any unless he really really needs the pain relief.

The strange thing with it is that years and years ago, dp had (completely different) abdo pain that the never found the cause of, but because he had multiple hospital visits needing iv morphine, that they started refusing to give it, i assume as they thought he was just after the morphine?

As i say, it was years and years ago, but surely would still be on his notes so strange that they waved him off with a bottle of it?

I think you are overestimating the NHS processes. They will not have gone through old notes from years ago and it will unlikely flag on any IT systems.

I say this as a nurse and complete NHS supporter

LIZS · 12/03/2022 14:03

Nor will they have accessed any gp records.

ChickpeaPie · 12/03/2022 14:17

Oramorph isn’t a controlled drug and that’s a very small dose.
Agree with above, they wouldn’t have time in A&e to trawl back through his old notes. His notes may not even be in the hospital

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 14:34

Ah maybe im just expecting too much in terms of access to previous records. It was the same hospital.

A bit more reassured about the morphine, but will obviously try to avoid it.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 12/03/2022 14:41

If he needs it then I wouldn't avoid it.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 17:27

Im slightly concerned that dp is saying he feels fluey... No obvious temperature, and a fever/infection would have surely shown in his bloods/obs at the hospital?

Pain isnt excessive just now, more like a very uncomfortable feeling, so havent used any of the morphine, Ive made him a lemsip now to try and ease the fluey feeling a bit.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 12/03/2022 17:46

Can you try to phone A and E? As he was there earlier they may be able to advise further

Candlecassie · 12/03/2022 18:04

@Sirzy

Can you try to phone A and E? As he was there earlier they may be able to advise further
May be read the thread before posting.
Lou98 · 12/03/2022 18:09

@Candlecassie I think that poster has said that because OP said her Husband is now feeling fluey and she's concerned about it. That has happened since being at A&E earlier which is why that poster suggested giving them a call.
At our hospital if you've been in and had tests etc you can phone them within 48hrs for advice/any worries before going back to A&E triage

Liamgallaghersparka · 12/03/2022 18:16

Poor bloke and poor you OP!
I hope you get some ( positive) answers tomorrow.
Please keep us updated, I hope you both have a settled night.

Sirzy · 12/03/2022 18:19

[quote Lou98]@Candlecassie I think that poster has said that because OP said her Husband is now feeling fluey and she's concerned about it. That has happened since being at A&E earlier which is why that poster suggested giving them a call.
At our hospital if you've been in and had tests etc you can phone them within 48hrs for advice/any worries before going back to A&E triage [/quote]
Exactly that!

My Mum was in a and e a few weeks back, something changed after discharge so we phoned them for advice.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 19:43

I think we have some progress... I dont want to be too tmi but this thread is my support so need to update, even if its just for my own sanity...!

Dp is feeling a bit more uncomfortable, but discomfort from things starting to move iykwim? Also is passing more gas which i take as a good sign that whatever the blockage is is softening? Hes getting to the stage where he is frequently back and forth to the toilet, which again, is progress as before he had no urge to actually go.

He had 3 sachets of laxido when he got back from the hospital, and had another 3 now so surely thats got to start working!

OP posts:
Nomad916 · 12/03/2022 19:45

It can take up to 24hrs for Laxido to work, so don't be disheartened if nothing happens right away.

Shuffleuplove · 12/03/2022 19:46

Oooo promising! Alert the coast guard? Another mound near Dogger Bank?

MrsLargeEmbodied · 12/03/2022 19:52

is a hot drink (water) useful at this stage?

Nosnogginginthekitchen · 12/03/2022 20:03

I'm slightly uncomfortable that I'm so invested in a complete stranger's bowel movements...

Bagelsandbrie · 12/03/2022 20:04

@Nosnogginginthekitchen

I'm slightly uncomfortable that I'm so invested in a complete stranger's bowel movements...
Same here. Blush

I hope he starts to feel better soon op.

QuantumHypothesis · 12/03/2022 20:09

Has he peed yet? If not ring 111.

Original poster
ChatterMonkey · 12/03/2022 20:12

Haha if it helps your uncomfortableness, its a great support for me that you are interested 😂

Hes been able to pee ok, i think just slightly uncomfortable but getting better. I think it will resolve itself tomorrow or tonight...

Is it worth taking another couple of sachets of laxido before bed, so would bring total today to 8? Or jusy stick with the 6 already taken and see what it does?

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 12/03/2022 20:14

@ChatterMonkey

Haha if it helps your uncomfortableness, its a great support for me that you are interested 😂

Hes been able to pee ok, i think just slightly uncomfortable but getting better. I think it will resolve itself tomorrow or tonight...

Is it worth taking another couple of sachets of laxido before bed, so would bring total today to 8? Or jusy stick with the 6 already taken and see what it does?

I take laxido regularly for painkiller related constipation and I think if he’s had 6 already and things are moving I wouldn’t take anymore. Once it gets working it’s a fine line between tipping it over into the other way! Especially this close to bedtime id just encourage him to drink lots and take the morphine and see how he is tomorrow.
tulips27 · 12/03/2022 20:14

Have you tried a few strong coffees (ground coffee, not instant)? It will have to wait till tomorrow now, though.