When would you go to A&E?

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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.

No fucking way?????? Seriously?

I've been there and got back home. I'm not in so much pain, it's just uncomfortable (apart from not breathing)..

you should be able to get glycerin suppositories over the counter - try these.
drink a ton of orange juice, eat a crap ton of dried apricots and raisins

Please go and don't feel you are imposing. An acquaintance of mine, a West European doctor who has qualified abroad and works in the UK in clinical trials, goes to A&E when she just wants a check - she sails through the triage because she knows how to manipulate them with the answers she gives, she literally has answers from top doctors 3 hours after she 'checks in'. Bloods, X-ray, last time she even had a brain scan - she waited 40 minutes, I kid you not - they scanned her and sent the scan to be read in a different hospital (radiologist on duty). No amount of shaming works, she thinks 'she pays enough tax (absolutely true, she earns a fortune) to traipse through appointments done in a regular way. She also does not trust private doctors (she has private insurance as a part of her work package!!!!!)

Why would you do this? What do you think the nurse can do?

Practice nurses, NPs and ANPs aren't continence nurses and don't get involved in disimpaction regimens.

Movicol/Laxido/Fybogel (it's all the same stuff) 8 sachets daily until you poo then slow reduction in dosing. Lactulose isn't a long term option, the pharmacist is wrong - macrogols are what you need.

Dried apricots and prunes are good. As is a strong coffee and a cigarette but I shouldn't advocate that

Read the thread pls - or at least OPs answers. She's been and been sent home.

Forgive me if you’ve tried them but would suppositories from the chemist work?

A nurse may well suggest a bowel management regime going forward. The op clearly needs some help and support. I think following instructions from a hcp rather than from various folk off the Internet would be best don't you?

Get yourself to a+e same thing happened to a relative and they had to have it done manually.

That I haven't tried. So will try tomorrow with those.

Theoretically the Laxido course should be for 3 days.

The pharmacist has been the only medical professional who has cared about the iron situation , so I think I'd believe him with the laculose.

I remember a long time ago (like 8-9 years ago) that was good enough.

I am still going with Milk of Magnesia. Wonder stuff!

She's been to A&E..

Just had a small bowl of red lentils. Will have my final two sachets for today, YAY

> Given that I'm not a priority case

Three weeks of no bowel movement is a priority case
There are lots of things that can go wrong with this duration of constipation
Call 111, and be prepared to be told to go to A&E (books, water, something to eat, maybe a cushion)

Over the past three weeks I've had reduced bowel movement, getting worse each day, with now 5 days if ZERO movement.

Not a daily walnut whip sized movement makes any difference if you ask me

Sounds like you're by-passing a blockage, some of the time.

I would absolutely try the glycerine suppositories - get it as far up there as you can manage, lie on your left hand side as long as you can (I aim for 15 to 20 minutes) and massage your abdomen/do some stretching of your core if you can.

When you sit on the toilet, feet up on something and blow as if blowing bubbles.

It is unlikely you'll clear a long standing blockage with just one bum-torpedo though, you may need to do this several times over a day (I do even if I've only not been for a couple of days).

OK, five days is far less serious - it's normal for me based on the various painkillers I need to take daily
Although with the amount of laxatives you've taken as well, I'd be concerned
Ringing 111 is never a bad idea

That's exactly what I think happens. And thus what I get all sorts of consistencies (when I'm able to pass something) during a blockage episode.

I already have my poop stool and it does help!

I think the blockage is potentially years old. I can't remember how long ago (and sorry for the TMI) but I had to wear gloves and get that rock solid bit out with my own hands.

I've had to do the full regime to move a faecal impaction with my daughter. Several times. She had to take 8 sachets a day until she was producing clear water with bits in it. Each daily dose consumed within 6 hours, then very slowly reduce to the maintenance dose. Takes a while to find the right maintenance dose as everyone is different. I also take it (as I have a prolapse) and I find two sachets every evening is just right for me. Laxido's effects are always about 24/36 hours after taking so you have to keep that in mind.

Faecal impaction:
Before you take Movicol for faecal impaction, it should be confirmed that you have this condition.
A dose of 8 sachets a day of Movicol is needed for the treatment of faecal impaction. Each sachet dissolved in 125ml (1/4 pint) of water. The 8 sachets should be taken within 6 hours for up to 3 days if required. If you have a heart condition, do not take more than 2 sachets in any one hour.

Well I would still call slightly more serious than normal considering the actual blockage is STILL there. And that obviously nothing is really working any more.

The pharmacist did warn me that some professionals would think it was less serious because that 5 days but then he went sideways that if you looked at the build up, 3 weeks (or more) was not normal at all.

Go for a colonic irrigation. I've been loads of times because I have chronic constipation. It's like going to heaven.
I'm old and fat. They don't care what you look llike and you are covered the whole time.
Also ask for an IV iron transfusion. You should be able to go for that on the NHS but I pay for mine privately in an iron clinic because I can't wait.

I already get iron infusions, that side of things is actually well looked after.

You can take 10 in one go.

im almost certain of that.