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!

@KrisKringlesLeftNostril

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.

It’s equally dangerous to ask for advice. I never understand why people come on here for medical advice.

Believe me it is highly dangerous and can make you sick, or even kill you.
Maybe it is your gut, worst case op

Did you manage to get advice from 111 OP? Crossing my fingers that you get some help soon x

@MrsMigginsMate Yes they advised me to go to A&E so I went. They tried a manual evacuation but said as the blockage is too far up there was nothing they could do at that time! I have phoned the doctor again today and was told they would prescribe me something else. I have tried every medicine possible so it will be interesting to see what I am given next! I just give up now.. I feel like I should just get used to the pain and discomfort. Sorry for TMI but I can't even try and push anymore as I have now pulled something in my groin so it hurts when I do!

Oh god you poor poor thing.

DM was given one medicine in hospital that they hadn't tried before and it did work when all the others hadn't touched it... it was quite dramatic but she felt better afterwards.

I really feel for you.

The A&E doctor did say that an enema and glycerin suppositories won't even reach where the blockage is, and that was all that he could offer me. He said I will have to try from the mouth side! I have followed the 8 sachet guide today again, will do it for the rest of the week and then start on 3 a day but from past experience it just stops being effective thanks all for your well wishes and sympathy!!

My goodness it sounds horrific
Have you tried movicol 8/10 sachets for a few more days to completely clear yourself out
Or Sodium picosulphate which tastes foul but works well and maybe you need more then 4 sachets daily. Although sounds like you’ve tried a lot. Warm baths soothe also. I just can’t imagine the pain and discomfort you’re in. Did they x ray you try to MA then send you away with nothing? Seems very odd. I really hope you find someone who can help, it might take a while but getting the correct combination of meds for you will help long term. Also make sure you’re drinking 2lt plus a day - I struggle with this however I have the opposite problem and am in pain daily currently.
Anyway thoughts are with you & I hope things improve v soon

@Hangingover Do you remember what it was called? I wonder if it's worth asking my doctor for?

@Crappyfridays7 I haven't tried any more than 10 in a day, maybe I will try that tonight. I have had all 8 now and have passed water but the blockage and need to go is still there! I haven't had an X-ray.. All he did was felt my stomach and tried to manually do it I went with the hope that maybe they would do further tests or at least an X-ray

Hi OP,
I'm sure you have tried lots of things in the past but (not so much for your current problem but more general prevention) you could try taking a very small amount of Xylitol.

It's often taken for cavity prevention but has a side effect of loosening stools. Try only a very small amount at first and see how you go. It might make you windy.

It's sold as a sugar substitute at tesco under the brand Total Sweet. (probably other supermarkets too but I've bought it at Tesco).

Hope your symptoms improve.

@Crappyfridays7 Sorry 8 in a day I meant. I haven't had 10 in a day yet

I agree with the magnesium tip.

I'm really concerned that they haven't done any imaging to check for obstructions (other than lots of poo, obviously!). I wonder if you can press this with your GP who could get them done?

I would also be a bit cautious with any home remedies as the last thing you need is lots of trapped wind building up without any progress, it could make matters worse.

I'm also worried that they haven't considered another reason for an obstruction.

At this point I'd consider going private.

If all else fails - throw money at it.

Do not do anything that makes you windy! Op you really need to push this further. Don't let them put you off. It's not ok for you to be in pain and discomfort all the time.
Have they mentioned paralytic isleus? I'm not a doctor. I had that following surgery and it was horrific. Nothing happened despite laxatives.

Is it an accident or an emergency?

Hi op, I have the exact same problem. A week to 10 days is usual for me and I sympathise greatly with your pain and discomfort. I've had success in the last with movicol but like you I think it can lose it's effectiveness. Things that have worked for me are
Magnesium: one of these daily helped a lot.
'Go with your gut' prebiotics, these were good for a while then they either stopped working for me or the ingredients changed.
Castor oil capsules: these have worked best for me. I only take one twice a week now and it's been amazing.

Best of luck.

@Chickydoo If you read previous posts then you will realise that actually yes this sometimes is and can end up an emergency. Hence the reason I was sent straight to A&E yesterday

@iano No they haven't mentioned this? I will leave it until the end of the week and wait to see what I am prescribed next and then phone the doctors again to to try and push further thank you

Hey OP there are two new-ish drugs out able to be prescribed by gastro docs at the hospital. One is called Prucalopride - i've found this to be excellent, prior to this it got as far as my bowel no longer functioning. bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/prucalopride.html
There is also another one but i didn't take it for long as it didn't work well for me. Please please push for an urgent gastro referral they will be able to help you. Also i take a 50/50 mixture of normacol and normacol plus granules after every meal, this helps keep things softer in transit. (might not help but worked for me)

@berylbat I have actually heard of procalopride and was going to ask if I could try it next! Is there such thing as an urgent referral? How would I get one, as I really don't think the doctors are taking it serious enough

Just offering some potential advice as my daughter suffers from a sluggish bowel. She has had investigations, ie cameras up and down, to check for any obstructions. She has had piles tied off and often bleeds when she goes to the toilet. She recently had to have a transvaginal probe to check for an ovarian cyst, thankfully not, but the hospital staff were amazed at how much faeces was in her bowel though she is very petite and eats a healthy diet.

She has tried movical and changes to her diet, no actual prescribed drugs though. The only thing that works for her is Holland and Barrats Slimmatea. It looks and tastes nasty but if it works ... she has a few bags in hot water before bed and is able to go the next morning. Otherwise she feels awful all day and cannot go. Actually, lentils help matters so she often makes vegetable and lentil soup.

Just to show how bad her condition is, I once was constipated, took a couple of Dulcolax before bed and hardly left the toilet the next day, including one accident where I did not make the toilet. She recently ran out of Slimmatea bags so took four Dulcolax tablets before bed. No effect whatsoever.

OP I really feel for you. It is so hard getting people to really understand your problem and how much it affects your life. I hope you get a referral soon and get it sorted.

OP I really do sympathise with you. I have IBS, the constipation kind. I manage in the main but this summer it has changed. I was tested for helicobacter pylori and found positive and given antibiotics which helped but havent solved my problem, I am now be referred to a gastro consultant.

You really need to push the GP for a referral and dont be put off by the pandemic, we still need normal services.

Good luck,it really is horrible.

Have you tried putting soap up your bum?

I know it sounds strange and I’m even pissing myself laughing while I write this but I promise you get a good clean out!