To go back to the doctor

[Drymouth]

Just been discharged from hospital with a bowel infection, had iv antibiotics and painkillers. I was advised to stay in longer but there was no further treatment needed just painkillers and waiting until I heal and so missed my family.

I am very uncomfortable now the stronger painkillers have worn off and I am down to codeine but I will get use to this.

Since coming home I have developed a very dry mouth that drinking water does not help.

Despite drinking lots of water, my wee output is very low. But no pain or stinging. However the nurses were measuring this low wee and didn't flag it, so I assume the doctor doesn't need to know or do they

Lastly I last had a small poo Thursday. This is worrying me, maybe I should ask GP for that stuff that keeps poo soft. But I don't feel constipated, which must be a good sign.

Also feel sick if I force myself to eat stuff..not very hungry at the moment so bland stuff only like few tablespoons of white rice this evening

Is it worth mentioning dry mouth, little pee, no poo and ask for better pain killers. Or is my body just reacting to hospital and being unwell and a few days rest will sort me out.

Codeine is notorious for constipation. Your bowel is probably very sensitive and you may be run down too. If it worries you, see the gp.
Drink plenty, find something that works for you to keep you regular...fresh beetroot, satsumas, prunes, sweetcorn...anything. and eat when you are hungry albeit small amounts regularly.
Give yourself a break, you have been poorly, it will take time to bounce back x

Morphine and codeine cause me horrendous constipation, so much so I have passed out on the loo, with horrendous pain :/ I went from not feeling constipated to being absolutely desperate but unable to go in a very short amount of time. I can't believe they'd miss that obvious well known side effect of opiates/codeine after treatment for anything bowel related though.

I'd be on the phone to the GP first thing tomorrow asking all these questions, it needs to be addressed I think (but appreciate that given my experience of painkillers (codeine had a more immediate effect than morphine, and randall not clever either) that I nay be a little out.

Home you feel better soon, sounds like you're going through the mill. Xx

I would just see a GP to be honest- that's what they're there for and nobody here can say what is best with any assurance.

Do you have a high temp? I assume if you are no longer on antibiotics the hospital felt the infection had cleared? Codeine is renowned for causing both constipation and sickness/nausea; I can't even take it without vomiting and it makes me feel rotten. I would also be wary of taking it for longer than a few days as dependency forms very easily after that point.

I would stick to a bland but easily digestible diet, bananas, rice, toast, sweet potato, chicken etc and start to think about your gut health for recovery- prebiotics etc, avoid ibuprofen and drink as much as possible, adding in electrolytes such as dioralyte if you are dehydrated.

I'd also give heat therapy a try OP, hot water bottle, warm baths, heat pad on your stomach. Hope it passes soon

I feel very cold. Just got up to get a cardi, as I am too cold to sleep.

Sounds like everything is to be expected following pain meds, though I might still ask for poo.softener.

Thanks for food suggestions and all other advice.

Call the ward you were discharged from now and ask for advice

Good idea, see how I go this morning.

Doctor said it is all related to codeine.

So I am reducing codeine and if pain increases going back to doctor.

Plus I need to take laxative sachets to try and unbung me, before it becomes a bigger problem.

Right off to bed for a lie down.

Given that your GP doesn’t have access to the notes about your time in hospital - and they won’t have received a discharge summary yet - I think you’d be better off contacting the ward where you were treated.

It would be better for you to speak to someone who knows about your recent admission and the treatment you received during it.

Gp usually gets discharge summary same day as they send them electronically.
What's your tongue like? Have you got oral thrush (can be a side effect with antibiotics!).
You need some laxatives.
I would visit pharmacy they could diagnose/treat thrush and treat constipation too.

Gp usually gets discharge summary same day as they send them electronically

They don’t get automatically added to a patient’s notes though - that has to be done by a member of staff. And as it’s a Monday morning, and nobody’s been in over the weekend, that may or may not have happened yet.

The discharge paperwork was not there yet but my blood test results were. But I told him the results of my scans and the antibiotics and painkillers I was given.

He was quite clear that all my current upsets (dry mouth,feeling sick, little wee and no poo) were all codeine related and hopefully with less codeine, I will feel right very soon.

I have dropped the codeine entirety and just sticking to paracetamol.

Still feeling sick when I tried eating chicken wrap DH made for me.

Plus my water tastes of metal which is annoying but hopefully will go away soon.

Well my wrap tasted metal too...guessing that is another side effect of codeine.

How long have you been on codeine? You may need a phased withdrawal

I’d be more concerned about your low output, sounds like your clinically dehydrated, especially with your dry mouth complaints. Codeine will not affect your urine output.

Only on Codenine 3 days. GP did suggested going from 8 pills daily down to 4, then 2, then zero but with the other issues I did it quicker. Plus I can't drive on those pills and I needn't to get my kids to school.

Managed a small poo and a reasonable wee this morning, so I am confident stopping the codeine was the right thing to do.

Still have metallic taste in my mouth, feel sick when I eat anything. Tried a dry cracker this morning, bad mistake. My abdomen hurts again. Might try paracetamol and see if I feel better on that.

I am skipping breakfast/lunch and will try something bland at tea time...maybe scrambled eggs or jacket potato minus the skin or dry toast.