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!

@81Byerley Thank you but I have also tried these with no luck

@Pumpkinpie1 - I'm planning on phoning NHS 111 on my lunch break. Hopefully they might be able to give me something, I can't live off of laxatives forever!

Some people are on laxatives forever though, one of my DC is on movicol everyday and can’t go without it. But you really do need some help as you can’t live like this.

I got advice from ERIC about my child, and about disimpaction regimes etc. There must be some equivalent help for adults?

It is possible to end up In A&E with severe impaction. Very grim process to get rid of the built up stools, but for those who have not gone for an incredibly long time, it can be the only option.

Another one suggesting suppositories.

[quote Namechange1922]@LemonPeonies please can I PM you?

My last resort will be to phone 111[/quote]
Why on earth would that be your last resort?? It should be your first.

I think you need help beyond your GP.

It is possible to end up In A&E with severe impaction. Very grim process to get rid of the built up stools, but for those who have not gone for an incredibly long time, it can be the only option

This happen to my late DM when she was on morphine during chemo. Manual evacuation I think they called it. It was long and difficult but thank God they were there because none of the drugs, enema etc had worked.

You need to go on a low residue diet for a bit low fibre low fat. Fat malabsorption can lead to more stool so can fibre obviously. Less to process gives your bowels a chance to rest. Good luck OP I have suffered greatly with this. The low residue diet is the only thing thst works for me

Suggest you try for an urgent GP appointment today. Following that if your GP feels you need emergency hospital treatment today then they can arrange admission directly to the on call surgical team or send you to the emergency surgical assessment unit if your local hospital has one. This route would mean you don't spend hours waiting in A&E.

I think it can be quite dangerous, on an Internet forum, to advise people against going to A+E.
Constipation can be a symptom of something more serious.
OP, in your position, I would try to get a GP appointment as an emergency, but if you can not, I would think about presenting to A+E to rule out anything more serious.

I would also try and get an emergency GP appointment (have done this myself when constipated on pharmacist advice).

Failing that you could ask a pharmacist for advice but if needs be go to A&E, faecal impaction can be nasty and serious. You may need an xray to assess.

Try and call 111 and see if you can be seen at an urgent care centre. They will also advise you on whether A&E can help. I think if it's an obstruction that is very serious and does need immediate treatment.

You must ring 111 at the very least . You say you are having chest pain and if thats the case you really should dial 999.
I'm an ex nurse and cardiac problems can often present as tummy troubles.
Don't mess around please

prucalopridee_ is a drug approved by NICE for chronic constipation in women. There are strict guidelines related to its use. Perhaps you could ask if you would be eligible.

If you tell 111 you're having chest pain then they will tell you to go to A&E.

Push harder for a re referral from your GP.

Am I the only one who grinned a little at this?

I'll get my coat.

Sorry OP, sounds horrible, hope you get it sorted.

Not read responses so apologies if said already; have you tried a chiropractor? Happened to a family member, they had something clicked back and sorted the issue for them.
You've probably tried but a tsp or two or olive oil is pretty good at stimulating the bowl.
Hope you find some answers.

Just re read, definitely check chest pain.
Best of luck Op x

It would not be unreasonable to go to A and E if you cant get through to a doctor/111, safer to check all is okay, an impacted bowel can end up serious. Better to ask medical professionals than mumsnet!

spidey

I did

Have you ever tried taking 10 movicol sachets?!? At once? (Not suggesting this WITHOUT a drs approval). However. My child had a bowel condition. Which meant long term antibiotics for years daily. Her dr told us to do this once a week. With daily sachets every few hours.

However. Pain killers that A and E give you. Tend to be opiate based. Which will block you up even more.

Laxido is also perfectly safe to take daily

Senna etc aren’t

Movicol laxido etc. Add water to the stool. Senna makes the muscle contract. So movicol is very safe to take daily. But senna would eventually make your vowel lose tension in the muscles. Plus it’s pretty painful!

However. I would ring your gp for an emergency app. If not. A and e. Bowel impaction can be quite dangerous.

Hope you get sorted. Chest pain is worrying. Do get checked. Good luck.

I don't think anyone should be telling you not to go! I hate these threads.

If you're in pain and feel you need help, then you should do what you think is necessary.