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.

She went was seen and discharged.

this.

I mean I eat tons of beans, and broccoli.

The hematologist said that literally my diet would change anything as it's the iron that sediments and it's quite heavy too..

But that was it. I guess to him my bowel / gut health are our of his jurisdiction

You need to follow the fecal impaction protocol with the laxido...its not a quick fix

I have chronic constipation @Usedphone and my go to if all else fails is Milk of Magnesia. I think the dose is 60mls, its tastes vile and I struggle to get it down without heaving but it has not yet failed to get things moving for me. Take it at bedtime and it usually works by the morning.

I hope you can find some relief.

'The hematologist said that literally my diet would change anything as it's the iron that sediments and it's quite heavy too'

Was this an actual qualified Dr who said this or some alternative therapy type? I'm not questioning you just I've never heard of iron sediments blocking bowels. I wonder if there's crossed wires somewhere. Obviously iron therapy be it oral or infusion can bung one up but I didn't think thst was due to sediments of any kind though happy to proven wrong.

Are you ok walking can you do a brisk 3miles, that can get things moving a bit

I don't know if to smile or cry.

I sent a message to the GPs telling them the whole ordeal...

They just prescribed me more Laxido with no maintenance plan, fantastic!

Oh that's awful. Just ring and make an appointment to see the nurse.

Yes, it was a consultant hematologist (who's also a professor in hematology) at UCLH that looks after me just for my iron condition.

I have IRIDA syndrome (one in a million) so it's not like it's super common knowledge.

I can still exercise. I did yoga this morning and a 30min spin class yesterday.

If you are still having problems tomorrow, go back to A&E and get a second opinion.

I hope it gets easier.

I would give the dulcolax a go. They contract the muscles in your gut and get things moving. I always took them after pelvic surgery/c section and they’re the only thing that ever got things moving. They cause painful cramps but the relief is immense.
I found laxido and movicol absolutely useless!

Coca Cola full sugar is apparently amazing to get things moving again? You Could try this?

I've already tried that one, and NOTHING

Go back later with a man to advocate for you. Ask for second opinion from a consultant.

It pisses me off when people get dismissed by some health professionals because they don’t seem to be in enough pain. I don’t scream when I’m in pain. When I had a ruptured Fallopian tube - a medical emergency - the GP sent me home and muttered something about a hospital appointment for reassurance. I was in surgery the next morning. Similar situation when I was in labour. ‘Oh you don’t sound like you’re in labour at all. No need to come down yet’ sighs midwife. Later at the hospital, I just about managed not to give birth in the lift. I was in pain. Of course I was. It just didn’t seem like it to anyone else. I’m sure I’m a long way from being the only person who expresses physical pain by turning inward. I don’t have some amazingly high pain threshold, I’m just not very vocal.

Follow your instincts OP. I think I’d go back to A&E if things haven’t improved very soon.

A man won't make any difference. If she has bowel sounds and a soft abdomen she'll be sent away again. Gp practice is the best place for bowel management.

I really feel for you. I have suffered with chronic constipation most of my life.
I was so badly impacted a few years ago that they were going to admit me as I’d not been for 2 weeks. I couldn’t even wee because the matter was pressing on my bladder so they needed to remove the mass. I really didn’t want to get hospitalised as it was over Christmas so I drank a litre of prune juice in one go. It was horrendous but I finally was able to go. Literally passed a huge solid mass that was angony and then had diarrhea for about a week afterwards. The relief afterwards was amazing. Definitely try to drink loads of prune juice. It’s worked way better than any laxative I’ve ever had - good luck x

Oh sorry to hear 😫 I usually had to take 4 to get things moving. You can buy douches on Amazon for about £10 which can help too.

Don’t let A&E fob you off! Easier said than done. I’ve found you do need to sometimes exaggerate on the pain to get things moving. They kept fobbing me off years ago until I told them I was in agony and needed an ultrasound. Soon as they did ultrasound I was rushed down for emergency
surgery as I had a huge ovarian cyst which had twisted around the ovary.
Hope you’re feeling better soon.

And it's the only bit of good news - bowel sounds present + no faeculent vomiting = no obstruction

Exercise. Honestly walk as far away from a toilet as possible .... seriously I do find walking really helps.

OP I had a 2 week hospital stay with newly discovered complicated Diverticulitis (abscess on bowel) had an impacted stool whilst in hospital that was bombed with laxido. Anyway, months later had another impacted stool, saw GP, quick exam for him to discover there was indeed an impacted stool and he arranged for the District Nurse to come to my home to administer an enema. Perhaps your GP could arrange this?

I've cycled every day, at least 50k this week and nope makes no difference.

I also do yoga, and pilates, and walk the dogs

Just go to A&E, get it done! You need to get this sorted as otherwise going away next week will be a nightmare or you might have to cancel.

This also worked for me the one time I had constipation. (I have to be very careful with prunes when I don't!)