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.

What a relief for you, the pain is dreadful though

I’m so happy for you!
you probably already know but keep taking laxido as everything might have got a bit out of shape so you’ll need help until it all relaxes back to normal.

My DD has chronic constipation and a Laxido disimpaction protocol is to take increasing amounts for several days until the poo is type 7 on the Bristol stool chart. That can mean 2 weeks of many sachets (up to 8 a day) a day and you seem to be stopping well before that point.

it also works best to take it as one dose rather than spread through the day.

Pleased.

That's good news OP, did it seem like it was all/part of the solid blockage?

I hope you can find a good maintenance regime so you don't have to go through this again and can enjoy your holiday next week

Well I mean I'm back to square one, I moved to maintenance (maybe my bad) and no movement AGAIN!

You shouldn't go back to maintenance straight away after 1 bowel action. You need to keep going to ensure you 'get everything out'
Typical disimpaction treatment (8 sachets per day) is normally followed for 7 days
Then titrate it back down to maintenance dose

But you literally went yesterday, how is that back to square one? I wonder if you need to manage expectations a bit. Maybe distraction would help if you go for a walk or something?

As I had no guidance, I read some guide from some trust, that said 3/4 days then maintenance.

I would have expected to go again today....

Normally once I unblock it I go daily, until it goes to every other day etc... But at least I get a good week of daily..

I think you need to keep going with the disimpaction plan, not maintenance yet as you probably haven't cleared the blockage completely yet
I would try soluble fibre sources such as oats pears and apples( grated whole if necessary)
Tinned prunes for breakfast
Eat light meals but keep on with the fruit vegetables raw nuts and seeds
Linseeds and flax seeds are helpful too
Whole meal seeded bread
Don't force yourself to go, wait for it to happen naturally
Peppermint or fennel tea can calm your digestive system too

Oh did you know OP- I only learned this recently myself - you can't just mix laxido straight into any drink. It has to be plain water. Once its dissolved in the water you can do something else with it if you want but you have to dissolve it properly in water first. My GP didn't explain this, a pharmacist did.

As others have said, you need to keep going with the disimpaction routine until you are literally passing straw coloured water with no lumps...this means you need to be close to a toilet and would take a good few days.
Then work back down to the maintenance dose....there is no way you have cleared your blockage yet

Could movicol be too gentle?
I take fybogel every day and really works for me (chronic constipation sufferer too)

I also have to regularly use anusol suppositories and ointment too - could it be you're a big swollen inside from this? X

You need to keep going with the high doses

I stopped eating yeast and found my gut no longer impacted. Maybe consider som dietary changes and see if it helps?

I agree that my worst impaction only required one double pessary dose but it is apparently possible for it to be backed up all the way so you possibly need to take more to keep things going!

I have to manage frequent disempactions for my child, and I've always been advised it's 3-4 days (or sometimes 7 days for a very bad blockage) of very loose stools before tritating down to maintenance dose.

How have you been?

So kind of you to ask! I just had a massive one! (Normal log type) Very painful, and now I'm back on the powders

Well done OP! I’m currently struggling too and I am so uncomfortable.

I am very jealous 😂😂

Oh God, I can practically feel the relief myself! Thank goodness things have improved OP.

Yay great news

That's great News I'm relieved for you!