in thinking the hospital really should see my mum NOW?

[icecold]

Mum fell over on holiday 2 weeks ago and hurt her hip/leg. Went to local cottage hospital who said soft tissue industry but didn't have cray facilities anyway....

Came home next day and went to local A&E, cray showed aggrevated arthritis on knee...told to take co-deine.

She went to FO day before yesterday for follow up and because it still really hurts. GP reads in notes, consultant had checked cray and there is a fracture! Told to go home and wait for fracture clinic to call her in.

She's waited 2 days, no call. Had to have GP to house this morning, cuz codeine has given her extreme constipation. Can't poo or wee, or move and is in agony. Given laxatives and told to keep taking codeine and wait for fracture clinic to call!

Yes Pavlov. Codiene doesn't work for about 10% of the population. She needs to be seen.

She cannot keep taking codeine if she is so constipated. She risks becoming completely impacted.
Ring OOHs doctor or take her to A&E.

Go to a&e I thought 3 days was the maximum to take codein

mchappy that's over the counter. I've been in codiene for about 6 months while I wait for an operation. It is very addictive though - I improved so I did wean off it but it took about 3 weeks. At least this time I know what to expect and how to do it!
Certainly though codiene will only make the constipation worse.

Get her to a& e. Let them look at her.
Poor mum.
I would have thought a fracture clinic appointment was really more worthwhile when the fracture had been treated/ immobilised etc. Your Mums has not

Just spoken to my parents...they phoned fracture clinic and it is closed for the weekend! They phoned A&E and they said its no good going to them, they should contact the fracture clinic on Monday

The GP gave my mum suppositories and laxative to help with the constipation

My dad, Does seem too bothered....he thinks it doesn't matter, because the bone will be set by now!!!

I don't think it will be, as it hasn't been immobolised?

It's bloody ridiculous

If she is in pain that isn't being covered by codeine then she will need stronger medication such as morphine. Her hip really needed immediate treatment which is why the Dr's have probably 'left it' to the fracture clinic, but her increase in pain is concerning. I think that you should take her to A&E and really have a go at them until she gets the pain relief that she needs. Severe pain (pain that is 7/10 or upwards) is a medical emergency that cannot be ignored. Also, how is it that you mum cannot wee? Is she so constipated that she cannot pass urine, is she dehydrated or is she retaining? If she has any lower abdo pain she needs to go to A&E for that problem alone.

I also think that you should contact the PALS service to get some answers to questions such as
Why the consultant didn't inform you immediately that there was a fracture? Why wasn't she treated in hospital for a fracture?
Why she wasn't prescribed laxative with the codeine (as most Dr's would, although it may not be standard procedure in your trust to)?
Why haven't the Dr's put in an immediate action plan to address the immobilisation?
Why haven't you been given any instructions for who to contact within the fracture clinic/orthopaedic department if things get worse?

All these questions may have innocent answers but you seem very concerned about your mums treatment and you probably won't feel relaxed until they have been answered.

Just go to A and E - no phoning first, just go.

'cant poo or wee or move and is in agony' she must go immediately to A&E. not being able to use your bowels or bladder is, in itself a medical emergency, especially with leg pain.

Don't phone them. 2 weeks is too long to go in such pain with no help. Even if they give her a shot of morphine, make her comfy and send her on her way, that will help a lot and reassure her (and you) that things are not as bad you are worried they are. And if they are as bad as you are worried they are, she will get treatment asap.

I am always one for going there and being seen as a bit daft than waiting if i think something could be seriously wrong (unless, for some reason if it is my own health

How old is your mum?

Just swing by and get her, and let your dad not be bothered if he prefers.

Not all fractures need stabilising, so it is possible that the fracture clinic wont alter that aspect of things.

Did the GP yesterday have any advice on pain relief etc? Also the GP could have referred to hospital if they felt that it was needed.
There are GP out of hours services available, as an alternative to A+E.

But GPs don't always get it right. my mum was sent home by gp with a tummy bug, several times in 3 weeks. it was not a tummy bug...

if in doubt and you think it is an emergency, then that is what A&E is for. it is not like we are talking about a little bit sore and uncomfortable by the sound of it. And A&E can help with pain relief in ways the GP cannot.

Sorry, to clarify; after the Dr visited yesterday and gave her suppository and laxative, her bowels did move and she got some relief from the pain...and wad also able to wee. She is no longer 'unable to move' because of the constipation-it is just sore. But her leg surely needs immobilising....Thanks for all the advise. I think I will go round and see if I can get her to the hospital.

Not all hip fractures need to be completely immobilised for it to heal (it sounds really silly but it's true), but the lack of a clear care plan for you to adhere to isn't right :S

Good luck for your and your mum

She got cross with them yesterday, and they put a cast on this morning

oh good, glad to hear that, is it helping at all? hope she feels more comfortable now.