When would you go to A&E?

[Usedphone]

I suffer from chronic constipation, I've been to the GP in the past and they just have me tons of laxido and senna to use "sparingly/when needed" but that was it.

The hematologist mentioned it was related to my iron malabsorption (by not dieting it, it sediments in my colon and causes blockages). He also said there was nothing that could be done, and it had never been mentioned again.

So I've been suffering from a blockage for the last 3 weeks I still go, so I get some relief, but this time the laxatives have stopped working which made me go to the pharmacy. There the very kind pharmacist gave me like 20 mins of his time because he was shocked that after 4 senna tablets NOTHING has moved. I took them in one go btw. He then told me the next step was A&E because there was not much more tablets could do.

So then he told me to take 8 sachets of laxido and that if still nothing had moved it was hospital time.

So here I am 12 hours after I took the first 2 sachets, and about 6 since I took the last 2 (8 total) and still nothing! I just have pain but that's it.

Given that I'm not a priority case, would it make more sense to wait it out another day (and take 8 more sachets)? I'm thinking of popping in after my 9am meeting hoping that they see me before the school run, and if they don't, I just walk back home. The only thing is that for the past 5 days it has become super painful, especially my lower back.

💯 try the suppositories - they work differently to the drinkable stuff and better (according to my sister in law who had to use them recently after trying other oral stuff)

Quite. Follow the medical advice. Don't listen to the it's neither an accident nor an emergency / give it time / drink more water / disimpact yourself!

WTF: just read your update!

Ooops

@Usedphone - I was admitted to hospital as an emergency for something seemingly not dissimilar (GP called an ambulance). My small bowel or something or other had adhered to something else leading to distension, lack of appetite and nausea. Basically, nothing came out and what went in came back up. Two emergency laparatomies and three weeks in hospital. They wouldn't discharge me the second time until I could far and poo for England!

Have you tried a glycerin suppository from the other end?
You need to drink tons of water with laxido to expand the gel
I would try both of those before seeking further advice

Once you are back to your normal OP it might be worth considering Kefir & also chia seeds as both of those can keep you regular - I also personally find Dorset Cereals work for me too but no science behind that one.

Ah I've just seen you've gone to A&E
As you've been unable to eat then absolutely the right call.
I hope you get some relief very soon

Op were you examined rectally ? Is there faeces in your rectum? if so .. get to boots or any chemist asap and buy some glycerin suppositories. Insert two as one won’t do much abc lid on your side until you cannot fight the urge to go , you may have to repeat this but if there is poo in your rectum you need to get this blockage out
if there isn’t , they should have x rayed you as it implies you are constipated higher up

Now on my 4th and last go of Laxido!

No, the poop blockage is definitely not in the rectum, from where I can feel it its around where my appendix used to be, that's where most of the pressure is (and where I can feel the cramps too).

Are you under the colorectal team? I’m under their care for other reasons but I know they have chronic constipation clinics.

I would go back to A&E tonight if you have no movement.

Ok ,I’m pretty disgusted you weren’t x rayed tbh . If there’s nothing in your rectum you probably need an enema rather than suppositories .. I’m guessing you have a diagnosed bowel transit problem ?

Kind of, it's been recognised by the hematologist as a result of my condition, but that's it.

Have you tried liquid paraffin (by mouth) It's just a lubricant, but might help.

I'd be demanding a CT scan, don't want to alarm you, but my mum was in a similar situation to you, and ended up in A&E, had a blockage in her bowel, which then turned out to be bowel cancer.

Don't worry, I'm pretty certain I don't have cancer, just shitty genes that create "iron rocks". No pun intended!

Your travel insurance won't cover you for any of this if you need to claim whilst you're abroad. I'd be asking yoir GP at what point WILL gastroenterology see you?!

I know this is going to sound odd.. but have you tried balling your hands into fists and rubbing your hand's together in circular motions whilst sitting on the toilet?

Somehow this always makes things move though my body?

OP, I know you are getting lots of super advice.
Regarding suppositories, I had to use them for weeks after gynae surgery in the summer. I found lying on my side was useless and it was better to walk around for as long as I possibly could. An hour or so usually. Every time I felt an urge, squeeze the pelvic floor till it passes. You want as much as possible to come out.

For me, twenty mins just made the suppository slide out and a tiny bit of watery poo.

Also don't forget to get gloves and lubrication. What a fun Saturday you have ahead of you! Hope you are OK.

That's my biggest worry! Especially as I'm going to the US. Not only that, but I'll be on a plane for 11 hours!!

I'm way over invested in this op.
Good luck!

You obviously need to declare it as a preexisting condition so insurance would cover it. Have you done that? If not ring up and get it added.

@Usedphone do you do abdominal massage? Worth a go if not.https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/25773.pdf

Nothing... Just the gargling and pressure comes and goes