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!

Thanks everyone for the extra advice! I have now stopped taking the laxido completely and not much has changed

Have you tried Lactulose, 3.3g/5ml, Oral solution? It was recommended by a pharmacist for me. I took 2 maximum capfulls, which was a bit too much actually, but it shifted all my impactation. It was NOT pleasant and it was not without pain but it worked.

You need to go back to A&E and insist on an X-ray. Also call the hospital complaints/PALS tomorrow. If the blockage is too high up, they need to refer you from A&E to someone who can sort it out.
And tell them loudly how long it has been since you’ve had a solid movement. The water going around the blockage shouldn’t be counted as a bowel movement.
Also, tell them about the chest pain. You should be having an ECG if you have chest pain and present at A&E.

A&E won’t deal with a chronic condition. They will only sort the symptoms currently. They can’t do referrals or give medicine long term for conditions like this.

It sucks. Have you ever tried constella tablets from the gp?

I get good results from eating pears and beetroot.
Also drinking (gulping) a pint of water, standing, immediately on waking gets the peristaltic movements going very reliably.
After surgery and codeine I once had to resort to using a mustard spoon (successfully) in the shower.

Finally, (and I can’t vouch for this one), a close friend inserts a marshmallow for a reliably good result in such circumstances - he says! 😮

Please don't be worried about going back to A&E! After years of bowel problems and being told she had IBS, a friend of mine went to A&E four times with painful constipation and swollen stomach. On the fourth time she saw a doctor who did a scan and she was straight in for emergency surgery on the spot. Doctors often just go for the easiest and most common reason, but you shouldn't worry about going back if things don't improve

Have you tried lots of exercise, OP?
You listed many medications but never physical activity.

I don't want you to be frightened in any way but my cousin had the exact same symptoms at age 21. She was eventually referred for a colonoscopy where they found a large tumour. She had to have an operation and treatment but is now 100% ok.

Have you ever been told by your doctor if you experience specific symptoms that you should go to A&E?

Are you at risk of a rupture in your bowels?

Have you called the NHS helpline?

Hope it works out well

Impacted bowel? This is a serious condition and can be fatal if left untreated.

You poor thing. I've struggled with constipation as I'm on lots of medications.
I got a phosphate enema from the chemist and the relief was immense. I lay down and squeezed the tube in my bum and waited 5 minute then did the best poo of my life.
I now always keep one indoors they are available online in a green and white box.
Seriously this will work good luck

A&e might do something for some relief now, but they will almost certainly send you back to your GP for a referral. So it might not help much at all.

My teen a few years ago was so constipated for a few months they decided she had endometriosis. She was in incredible pain and at times in agony. It wasn’t until they went in for exploratory surgery they realised she was actually badly constipated from the iron tablets her dr had prescribed her. She had also been given laxatives a few times but laxatives when you are badly constipated only takes the edges off the impacted stool, although you certainly poo a lot it doesn’t get the badly compacted bits out so the build up continues.

The dr was such an incompetent twat she didn’t put two and two together. I’m still peeved with the dr years later.

However you can buy an over the counter medication (in Australia) that you take when you have a colonoscopy and that cleans you right out. That’s what her useless dr got her to take when she finally realised what the issue was. So essentially laxatives don’t actually do the job properly, you need whatever medication they give you when you have a colonoscopy.

Are you female? Have you tried ‘splinting’? Not recommend long term as your muscles will get lax but definitely works for a quick fix. I go for weeks without as much as a marble (none of what you describe) until eventually I get so bad that I throw up, along with debilitating cramps that I swear are worse than childbirth contractions. I then spend the subsequent few days alternating between enormous poos that block the toilet or rushing there only to produce a tiny amount of diarrhoea. It’s like my body spends those horrendous days having an enormous clear out, only for the whole cycle to start again. This has been going on for years. I’m not in constant pain though so if I were to be asked if I’m constipated right now, I’d answer no, even though it’s been 9 days since my last movement (so technically I must be). I work and have a perfectly normal sex life. Gp is useless and patronising as colonoscopy showed ‘nothing sinister’!
So, after some internet research, occasionally I have to splint!!
I wouldn’t dream of going to A&E though as it’s my fault for being spineless with my GP really.

@Starfish5 I'm amazed that her GP didn't immediately suspect constipation when she was taking iron tablets. I'm not surprised you were pissed off!

Poor you OP - I have constipation - not as terrible as yours - it’s horrible.
Yours sounds more than this - I suppose before they can do an ex ray your bowel needs to be empty - They need to check if there is an obstruction.
Your GP sounds rubbish - let them know you went to A and E - tell them what you want - tell them you are concerned you have an obstruction and chest pain - you need an urgent referral - put it in writing and contact PALS - I’m not sure who you could escalate it further too - is it only a one person GP? Ask for a second opinion.

I think you should consider A&E again too.

Hope you are ok

You need to email the practice manager so it is in writing, and tell the Doctor you need an ‘urgent’ referral.

The doctor can also ask the hospital specialists for advice assuming you are in England, this can be done through the eRS system.

Sitting here tittering at the idea of creating a paper trail. 😀

Sorry OP, I know you're suffering. I hope you can get some relief soon. 💐

If you have a choice of local A&Es - go to one with the specialist gastroenterologist department, chances are that the A&E docs there will be more used to seeing it and therefore treat it more seriously. I have Crohn’s Disease and get Bowel blockages sometimes and the pain is excruciating- I’ve needed morphine for them in the past, so you have my total sympathy. Good luck

Oh please do go back to A&E! I'd just keep going until someone at least does an xray for you.

My DH was the exact same a few months ago, he had every laxative under the sun prescribed from the GP. One night he was in so much pain he could barely stand up, I actually thought it might be his appendix so took him straight up to A&E. He had an xray and a CT scan and turned out it was a very severe blockage in his bowel. They ended up admitting him and he was in for 5 nights while they tried to remove the blockage. It required surgery in the end as it was starting to make his bowel loop and stick together. Was awful but he's sorted now, still takes movicol every day but no major problems since.

I really hope you do get some help OP

I've had IBS for decades, and can easily go two weeks between poos. My husband is a regular 'twice a day without fail' man and can't believe it. I strongly suggest a good wallop of milk of magnesia (the mint liquid is best) for a full clearout, then find something to keep things soft. You have my sympathy, it's a miserable condition and too-easily dismissed by medical professionals.

Oh, and a low residue diet - the last thing your bowel needs is more bulk.

Yes I have tried Lactulose in the past, no luck.
Yes I have tried more exercise, I am generally fit and active anyway.
@paisley256 I have been told an enema won't work as the blockage is too far up so won't reach - but I may still try! Thank you.
@Whydidimarryhim I phoned and asked for an urgent telephone appointment,asked for a different doctor, told them I ended up in A&E and also asked to be prescribed something different! That was last Monday and I still haven't heard anything!!
I am not the pushy type, its not in my nature, I hate phoning the doctors every few weeks they must be sick of me.. But I am getting sick of this being brushed under the carpet now!

Can you change drs surgery?. They don’t seem terribly interested.