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Original poster

Wwyd? Obstructed bowel

81 replies

SillyFood · 23/09/2022 18:58

I’ve had gastric problems for several years and had several stomach ulcers. For the last few months I keep getting intermittent cramping, stomach bloating and diarrhoea. This has been really bad for the last week but I’ve also had vomiting and watery diarrhoea and unable to keep any food down.

I went to my consultant today and a ct scan showed I have a bowel obstruction. She gave me some laxatives and said 72 hour liquid only diet and to call again on Monday if not shifted. I got home 3 hours ago and have been almost nonstop vomiting to the point I’m setting myself 😭. I’m in so much pain I can’t stand up straight, I have a fever and the cramps are getting so bad it feels like labour.

I’ve called 111 to see if I could get advice but they just said as I’d seen the consultant today I just need to stick out the 72 hours liquid diet before going to hospital. Should I go to hospital? She didn’t mention what to do if symptoms got worse/ I got a fever as she seemed really confident the laxatives would do it. I’m guessing I’ve thrown those up along with everything else though.

OP posts:
Corrosive · 25/09/2022 09:08

That's sounds terrible. I hope you feel better soon.

pinkfanta · 25/09/2022 09:10

Sorry you've had such a rough time OP! Please do not take any painkillers without the approval of your team though. Solpadeine can be very constipating.

endofthelinefinally · 25/09/2022 09:10

Any excess pressure in the bowel is felt as pain. Getting rid of the blockage will relieve the pain, pain killers are not much use anyway. It sounds horrendous, but they need to explain to you what/ why/ how so you can prevent recurrence.

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endofthelinefinally · 25/09/2022 09:24

Google the poo nurses and watch their video. It is aimed at parents of children with impaction, but the advice is equally good for adults.

Sniffypete · 25/09/2022 09:27

Nooooo don't take Solpadeine!!! It will make constipation worse.

WhoopItUp · 25/09/2022 09:28

OP this sounds awful, I hope you’re feeling a bit stronger later today.
please don’t ignore what the doctor prescribed - solpadeine is NOT the right medication to take.

endofthelinefinally · 25/09/2022 09:34

Reading your op again, it looks as if you have impaction with overflow. This can take weeks to treat and then you need to stay on a maintenance programme for months, possibly years. It sounds as if the hospital staff haven't explained this very well.

JustDanceAddict · 25/09/2022 09:48

Just to add if it’s impaction, my DD was terribly constipated as a toddler/young child and was on movicol for about 2 years - even had the odd bad episode years later (is a young adult now and fine) so there needs to be some type of management.

Novum · 25/09/2022 10:28

Did your mum ask the chemist about taking solpadeine after impaction? I suspect they would have said you absolutely shouldn't.

1fluffydoodle · 25/09/2022 10:42

You definitely can't take any painkillers containing Codeine as they will cause constipation which will make the situation worse.....so please don't take the solpadeine

jay55 · 25/09/2022 10:45

I'm sorry that you were treated with such indignity.
Hope you recover quickly.

GobbolinoTheWitchesCat · 25/09/2022 10:49

I'm amazed and appalled that they're sending you home!

Where in the country are you?

I've had a number of serious obstructions and the pain is indescribable, they're a very serious medical emergency. Morphine has always need offered to me.

If you're suffering with terrible cramping pains then ask for iv buscopan, it relaxes the bowel and helps it to rest.

Stay away from codeine.

I'm astonished that you're being discharged before your bowel has been rested and they've monitored you eating safely again. You ought to be nil by mouth for now.

Do you have close friends or relatives who can advocate for you? You need someone to make a fuss about this.

GobbolinoTheWitchesCat · 25/09/2022 10:51

Ps not medically trained myself. You could contact the colorectal nursing team based at the hospital, who should be able to give you lots of help

PinkStickleBrick · 25/09/2022 10:52

Gosh this sounds horrendous

Stomacharmeleon · 25/09/2022 11:13

I have just had a huge bowel operation. Codeine is really not the answer. It will bung you up and you need that not to happen.
I was on iv Paracetamol in hospital for three weeks and morphine by driver. I was then moved to slow release morphine and oromorph when I came home.
I would not be moving until you have seen either the surgeons or gastro team. And you can ask to see pain specialists.

justforthisnow · 25/09/2022 11:22

Stomacharmeleon · 25/09/2022 11:13

I have just had a huge bowel operation. Codeine is really not the answer. It will bung you up and you need that not to happen.
I was on iv Paracetamol in hospital for three weeks and morphine by driver. I was then moved to slow release morphine and oromorph when I came home.
I would not be moving until you have seen either the surgeons or gastro team. And you can ask to see pain specialists.

Came on to say IV paracetomol! Magical stuff and not that widely used, more scarcity I think than deliberate. But its magic.
OP, hope you are feeling better and deffo get a management plan/consult with Gastro docs going forward.

justforthisnow · 25/09/2022 11:23

Beseen22 · 24/09/2022 06:33

This is bizarre, I've never seen a bowel obstruction not taken incredibly seriously, even ones that aren't particularly symptomatic. I wonder if it was only partially obstructed? Did they say what was causing the obstruction? You absolutely did the right thing going to ED and I hope you get treated soon. Cannot believe you weren't admitted this morning.

Also agree with all of this, bowel obstruction taken very seriously always.

CharlotteRose90 · 25/09/2022 11:25

Oh bless you. I’ve had countless Bowel obstructions thanks to having IBD. The pain is out of this world. Make sure you see gastro before you leave. You need to find out what’s caused it.

dontgobaconmyheart · 25/09/2022 11:30

Don't take the solpadeine OP, good lord.

They have done what they've done for a reason and codeine is very well known for slowing down the movement of the bowel which is exactly the opposite of what you need or you will end up in the same situation again. It will do none of your gastric symptoms any favours and needs to be avoided.

Whilst it sounds like an awful experience, you don't want to make it worse and you are likely to be sore for a day or so, which is normal and it will get better. Try to rest, take what you have been prescribed only and look to things like hot water bottles or warm baths for relief. You need to adapt your diet so that your gastric system can heal- surprised you weren't given advice on this and I would check any paperwork you left with or call your GP for advice, or look online. I would be sticking to liquids, focusing on hydrating well and starchy plain foods for a day or so (very small portions) until my GP gave other advice

RaininginDarling · 25/09/2022 11:43

I'm so sorry to hear of your experiences, OP. It's shit, isn't it? Literally.

As others have said: be careful what painkillers you take and chase up to find the info you need - the squeaky wheels gets the oil, sadly.

I had major open surgery last summer (I'm a Crohn's patient) after my bowel was blocked by a massive ovarian cyst. The pain was unbelievable and I'm still not fully recovered. (Long story short: two more A&E visits followed, a colonoscopy, an MRI - the latter showing further blockage in the small intestine)

Follow your Bum Doc's advice, drink lots of water and the very best of luck.

Sunnidaze · 25/09/2022 12:08

It sounds like you need a family member or a friend to advocate for you OP, can your mum help you with that? At the very least, you need to leave hospital with a plan to manage your condition and for follow up with a specialist.

catfunk · 25/09/2022 12:36

I'm so glad you got treated.
Agree with the no coedine - bungs you right up, in fact I've been prescribed it for a diaorrhea hug before !

catfunk · 25/09/2022 12:36

*bug

Namechange58 · 25/09/2022 12:53

A&E 100% get someone to take you if you can rather than call an ambulance.

Flowersintheattic57 · 25/09/2022 13:39

Would a warm enema not be helpful and soothing?