AIBU to go to A&E??

[Namechange1922]

I am extremely constipated to the point where I simply cannot go. I have been this way for maybe 3 years.. Numerous trips to the doctors and sent away with different meds, diet change (tried wheat free, gluten free, dairy free, all of the above free!), prune juice etc, movicol, laxido, different toilet positions, every single type of 'Dulco' form, senna tablets, sennocot etc. You name it, I've tried it! Some laxatives are effective and work within a few hours but as soon as the next day comes I am back to being constipated to the point I feel sick and have chest pains. A few months back my doctor finally referred me to a clinic, I moved house around the same time and apparently a letter was sent to my old address of my new appointment which was back in September so obviously I missed this, i phoned the hospital I was due to have the appointment who told me I will need to get back in touch with my doctor and ask them to refer me again. I phoned the doctors, explained the situation and arranged a telephone appointment.. Waited until late evening and still no phonecall, arranged another call, I answered just as they hung up (phoned back within seconds couldn't get through). Constant phone tennis and all I need is to be re reffered to the hospital! This issue is really affecting my life, I'm in pain all the time, miserable as I constantly feel full up and needing to go to the toilet, I can't lie on my stomach or back as the pressure is too uncomfortable, sex is out of the question as it has become painful. The tablets are now having less of an effect and I have to overdose on laxatives to get anything to come out and even then it is just watery and the relief only lasts a few hours (sorry way too much info) I am fed up quite frankly and I most likely will not get another appointment now for a good few months. WIBU to take myself to A&E? Would they be able to do anything? It's been a good few days now of passing nothing.. Please help!

Out of curiosity have you ever tried milk of magnesia?

My DH was absolutely wrecked by massive amounts of oxycodone years ago and it was the only thing that helped him go when it got to that point you are at now.

If you have and it didn't work... A&E do not hesitate.

Magnesium really helps with this. Try a couple of teaspoons of Mag365 in water.

If you’re in a lot of pain then go to A&E for some relief in the meantime.

This might be a stupid question, but when you take the meds do you just take them until you go, or do you carry on with them?

I appreciate it's miserable but this is a long term issue and not really what A&E is for. You need to chase your GP for that hospital referral.

I'm not convinced A&E will do much other than send you away with laxatives and advice you to speak with GP about referral.

Have a look online and see if you can find an NHS constipation treatment protocol because there is a recommended order of trying laxatives in turn and in combination that may help rather than just using them hit and miss
My GP usually recommends Movicol or Laxido sachets in combination with senna when thinks really aren't moving

Can you email your GP?

A and E can’t get you a referral.

My sister was born with a bowel condition with all the symptoms and discomfort you describe. She had to take senokot every single day even if she was having an okay day. It's not clear if you're doing this or just stopping after getting some 'relief'.

Not sure how possible this is because of covid, but could you try looking to see if you can book a colonic irrigation privately? Then keep up with the daily meds to keep things moving as it were...

I’ve read correctly this is an emergency so no you shouldn’t go to A&E.

I would email the GP and you also then have a paper trail.
Unless you’re in absolutely pain - accident and emergency is what it says on the tin.

Maybe Drink lots of water and eat some chocolate and move about to get your bowel going?

Definitely go to A&E. Constipation can get very serious and trying other things is wasting time. I would just go.

Have you tried suppositories? They may be able to something for immediate relief at A&E? We went to A&E for my DS once, advised to by the GP when he had had a mysterious fever and also suspected faecal loading, which an X-rays confirmed (quite notably apparently). They sent us away with movicol, but also said they could have tried an enema there and then which would have given him instant relief, but decided against it as he might not have tolerated it.

I feel for you, must be awful, but definately not a visit to Accident and Emergency, its a long term issue, and I would guess they would leave you sitting hours and hours, as you certainly wouldn't be a priority, and may even send you away.

I have severe IBS D and struggled as you have for years. I eventually got referred to Professor Whorwell at Manchester Wythenshaw and now while not cured it is managable.
One of the surprising things and country to all you have been told is to cut fibre out. The first thing I had to do was go on a low residue diet.
Meat fish, white bread pasta and rice. No fruit and veg except carrots and potatoes without skins. Only cereal rice krispies, biscuits like Rich Tea are allowed. This allowed my digestive system to stop fighting itself. I had prescription meds as well so you will still need to see your GP but the diet allowed everything to start working.
I now eat fruit and veg - not in huge quantities and I balance a day with more by following it by a day with less IYSWIM.
he also advises on www.theibsnetwork.org/

Is it an accident? No
Is it an emergency? No

There's your answer. Try 111

Not an emergency & TBH don't think you'd gain anything from going unless you are acutely unwell & need admission. The risk of contracting Covid-19 is very real in A&E & in hospital. Unfortunately your GP is still your correct & best route to treatment.

Another thing A&E might do is blood tests to investigate underlying reasons for this.

@Staffy1 that is most definitely NOT what A&E is for

What A&E may do is an X-ray. But only if you are in pain.

Have you tried douching yourself?

Also a high fat diet is the best.

[quote Ghostwolf]I have severe IBS D and struggled as you have for years. I eventually got referred to Professor Whorwell at Manchester Wythenshaw and now while not cured it is managable.
One of the surprising things and country to all you have been told is to cut fibre out. The first thing I had to do was go on a low residue diet.
Meat fish, white bread pasta and rice. No fruit and veg except carrots and potatoes without skins. Only cereal rice krispies, biscuits like Rich Tea are allowed. This allowed my digestive system to stop fighting itself. I had prescription meds as well so you will still need to see your GP but the diet allowed everything to start working.
I now eat fruit and veg - not in huge quantities and I balance a day with more by following it by a day with less IYSWIM.
he also advises on www.theibsnetwork.org/[/quote]
I could have told you this.
Vegetables destroy the gut.

If you want to be really gross than the shower hose with the head up, lightly up the bum, adds water to your dried poo. Gay men do this before sex.

A&E is not the place to arrange blood tests etc for a long-term condition. It’s for Accidents....and....Emergencies. This is neither.

Glycerine suppositories work really well and quite quickly.

Can you get some of those to tide you over until you're referred?

Two lots of advice.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4069051-aibu-to-go-to-a-e

Strong coffee works well for constipation, ds suffers due to being ASD, he has has all the dulco range like you, also senna & movical as well, after a couple of times they stop working. His go to method now is very strong coffee with brown sugar, either 2.5 spoons of instant in a mug with 2-3 spoons of brown sugar or double the usual amount of fresh coffee & 3 spoons of brown sugar, after drinking it he goes within an hour, drink it as hot as you can bear it, on an empty stomach, he will have a cup as soon as he gets in from sixth form, relax for an hour & then disappears to the toilet. Stress also affects him, if he is stressed the constipation gets worse.