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AIBU?

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Original poster

Need a virtual hand hold , husband vomiting blood

217 replies

Justmeeeindie · 23/10/2025 14:21

Still frazzled so sorry if this is all over the place husband has been constipated for around 10 days doing usual things laxative tons of water lots of fibre , he went to a&e at my insistence on Tuesday early hours as he was awake all night crying in pain, I’ve never seen him in as much pain and vomiting profusely
he went to a&e waited 4 hours to be basically fobbed off , they felt his stomach said it was just constipation told him to continue laxatives at home .

today he woke up around 11 in agony he vomited it was dark like coffee which in retrospect should have been warning sign anyways he tried to get back to sleep then shouted me not much later from bathroom , he was vomiting loads of bright red blood (no exaggeration there was a lot) and passing in and out of consciousness eyes rolling the lot , he passed out atleast 8 times whilst I was on phone to the ambulance , he peed himself at one point .

I was terrified I’m still shaking ambulance came pretty fast(20mins ) but he’s been waiting in ambulances at a&e for over 2 hours now .

I'm stuck at home with the kids , there off school (hand foot and mouth ) thanks to the two year old .
I don’t know what to do right now , I genuinely though he was dying , he kept saying he was and I had to calm him down telling him he will be fine all the while thinking he was actually dying .

no idea yet what’s actually wrong but I’m thinking bowel blockage (which I suspected on Tuesday hence making him go to a&e) or ulcer .

don’t know purpose of this post just need to let it out , the waiting on update is torture .

OP posts:
WearyCat · 23/10/2025 19:45

Push for scans. He may have a perforation and that will lead to peritonitis and potentially sepsis. I have some experience of watching this happen; fortunately the medics here knew it was serious from the pain and vomiting.

Here for you.

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 23/10/2025 19:50

He does need to be tested for a perforated ulcer. A friend had this and needed emergency surgery or she would have died.

I'm shocked and horrified that a+e aren't taking this seriously. What the hell has the NHS come to?

EBearhug · 23/10/2025 19:55

My mother needed a transfusion and then they did an endoscopy. I think she had a burst variocele, which is like in internal varicose vein. I may have forgotten details. And she was an alcoholic.

I'd be worried about the constipation along with the vomiting- if he's been taking laxatives and then vomiting, they won't be able to take effect, unless he's using pessaries, I'd have thought.

I hope you are with him and he's not getting discharged yet.

dottycat123 · 23/10/2025 19:57

There are lots of possible diagnoses based on the symptoms described. They must exclude an obstruction which is not always due to constipation. I would be surprised if they discharge him without excluding his bowel is obstructed, ask the medics if they think he is at risk of perforating and get them to document you have raised this as a concern.

Barney16 · 23/10/2025 20:05

I don't know anything medical but it sounds very scary and I hope he feels better soon.

VaccineSticker · 23/10/2025 20:23

Lanzarotelady · 23/10/2025 19:40

What a leap from someone being constipated to the country taking a nose dive

Show quote history

Wake up and smell the coffee. This is not an isolated incident.
I tell you what? Carry on sticking your head in the sand.

TY78910 · 23/10/2025 20:34

VaccineSticker · 23/10/2025 20:23

Wake up and smell the coffee. This is not an isolated incident.
I tell you what? Carry on sticking your head in the sand.

Show quote history

wtf

ApiratesaysYarrr · 23/10/2025 20:37

ThatMerryFatball · 23/10/2025 17:23

Here is a guidline of treatments/Investigations. Do you have anyone who can advocate for him
⚠️ 1. Initial Assessment

  • A → Airway, B → Breathing, C → Circulation
  • Vital signs: Check for hypotension, tachycardia, fever
  • Assess for complications:
  • Bleeding: Hematemesis, melena, hematochezia, low Hb
  • Perforation: Sudden severe pain, rigid abdomen, free air on X-ray
  • Obstruction: Vomiting, distension, inability to tolerate oral intake
🩸 2. Investigations
  • Blood tests:
  • Full blood count (Hb, WBC)
  • Urea, electrolytes, creatinine
  • Liver function tests
  • Group and cross-match (if bleeding suspected)
  • Amylase/lipase (if perforation or pancreatitis suspected)
  • Stool test: For occult blood or H. pylori antigen (if stable)
  • Imaging:
  • Erect chest X-ray (for free air → perforation)
  • Abdominal ultrasound or CT (if diagnosis uncertain)
  • Endoscopy: Usually done after stabilization, for diagnosis and possible therapy (bleeding control, biopsy).
💊 3. Acute Treatment (in the ED) If unstable or bleeding:
  • IV access ×2, large bore
  • Fluid resuscitation: Normal saline or Ringer’s lactate
  • Blood transfusion if Hb <7 g/dL (or <9 if cardiac disease)
  • IV proton pump inhibitor (PPI):
  • Omeprazole 80 mg IV bolus, then 8 mg/hour infusion
  • NPO (nil per os) – no oral intake
  • NG tube if vomiting or upper GI bleeding
  • Call gastroenterology or surgery urgently for possible endoscopy or intervention
If stable, no bleeding or perforation:
  • Oral or IV PPI: Omeprazole, pantoprazole, or esomeprazole
  • Pain control: Avoid NSAIDs and opioids if possible
  • Test for Helicobacter pylori
  • If positive → Triple therapy:
  • PPI (e.g. omeprazole 20 mg BID)
  • Clarithromycin 500 mg BID
  • Amoxicillin 1 g BID (or metronidazole if penicillin allergy)
  • For 14 days
  • Avoid irritants: NSAIDs, alcohol, smoking, spicy foods
🏥 4. Admission vs. Discharge
  • Admit if:
  • Active bleeding
  • Hemodynamic instability
  • Perforation or obstruction
  • Severe pain or vomiting
  • Elderly or comorbid patients
  • Discharge with outpatient follow-up if:
  • Stable
  • No red flags
  • Can tolerate oral meds and fluids
  • Given H. pylori test and PPI prescription
🧠 5. Follow-up
  • Review in 2–4 weeks
  • Repeat endoscopy if:
  • Ulcer was gastric (to rule out malignancy)
  • Symptoms persist
  • Ensure eradication of H. pylori confirmed by breath or stool test (after 4 weeks off PPI)

Please don't quote this in your complaint, as it looks like generic tripe that a medical student might say, is clearly American practice (from the spelling and use of Ringer's), and there are some glaring errors (no point in doing faecal occult blood if the patient is actually vomiting/crapping blood - it's not occult blood, it's visible) and some glaring admissions (no coagulation profile, no mention of actual risk stratification scores that will help to predict who can and can't be discharged, transfusion targets (there is evidence of harm when over- transfusing, it's clinical judgement).

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 23/10/2025 21:06

ApiratesaysYarrr · 23/10/2025 20:37

Please don't quote this in your complaint, as it looks like generic tripe that a medical student might say, is clearly American practice (from the spelling and use of Ringer's), and there are some glaring errors (no point in doing faecal occult blood if the patient is actually vomiting/crapping blood - it's not occult blood, it's visible) and some glaring admissions (no coagulation profile, no mention of actual risk stratification scores that will help to predict who can and can't be discharged, transfusion targets (there is evidence of harm when over- transfusing, it's clinical judgement).

Show quote history

Looks like ChatGPT. So very likely incorrect. Chat can be useful for some things but should not be trusted for medical

Lilacblu · 23/10/2025 21:27

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 23/10/2025 21:44

VaccineSticker · 23/10/2025 20:23

Wake up and smell the coffee. This is not an isolated incident.
I tell you what? Carry on sticking your head in the sand.

Show quote history

I spent more than three weeks in hospital this year with pneumonia and pleurisy. Pleurisy is, I'm told, one of the most painful conditions you can have.

I cannot praise the kindness and medical care I received too highly. I left feeling so grateful.

People are always running the NHS down but it can be wonderful.

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 23/10/2025 21:49

@ThatMerryFatballAI nonsense.

OP, hope he’s okay, what a nightmare for you all.

VaccineSticker · 23/10/2025 22:26

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 23/10/2025 21:44

I spent more than three weeks in hospital this year with pneumonia and pleurisy. Pleurisy is, I'm told, one of the most painful conditions you can have.

I cannot praise the kindness and medical care I received too highly. I left feeling so grateful.

People are always running the NHS down but it can be wonderful.

Show quote history

Pleased you had excellent care, that’s how it should be, but it’s a postcode lottery and down to sheer luck to what you get. Sadly not everyone is receiving the care you got. You are extremely lucky.

ByeByeThyroid · 23/10/2025 22:35

Hope he’s ok

BinNightTonight · 23/10/2025 22:53

Hope he is okay and A&E give him a more thorough check up!

Getagrip22 · 23/10/2025 22:58

How scary, I hope he gets well soon

domlolreu · 23/10/2025 23:00

HNRTFT apart from OP comments. Your partner should not be discharged without an urgent endoscopy! They need to rule out varices and any other medical issues that can be fixed asap.

Ladamesansmerci · 23/10/2025 23:09

My brother had a very similar experience, and it turned out to be a twisted bowel and he had major general surgery and nearly died. Vomit that looks like coffee is an emergency, so he's in the right place. I would push for scans.

WonderfulSmith · 23/10/2025 23:09

ApiratesaysYarrr · 23/10/2025 20:37

Please don't quote this in your complaint, as it looks like generic tripe that a medical student might say, is clearly American practice (from the spelling and use of Ringer's), and there are some glaring errors (no point in doing faecal occult blood if the patient is actually vomiting/crapping blood - it's not occult blood, it's visible) and some glaring admissions (no coagulation profile, no mention of actual risk stratification scores that will help to predict who can and can't be discharged, transfusion targets (there is evidence of harm when over- transfusing, it's clinical judgement).

Show quote history

AI slop by the look of it. When will people realise that Chat GTP generally gets stuff wrong.

Thelosthalfathought · 23/10/2025 23:14

Hope your DH has been admitted and stabilised and made comfortable. I have an epileptic child and I understand the trauma of calling 999. Be kind to yourself and if you get offers of help accept them be it a casserole or childcare for a couple of hours.

wishing your DH a speedy recovery.

Jaffaisitacakeorbiscuit · 24/10/2025 00:00

It always helps if you take photos of bloody vomit or coffee grounds - even if its in the toilet. Really helps to staff to see quantities and evidence particularly when you are being fobbed off and dismissed.
Op, hopefully you can advocate for your DH, and he gets an emergency CT scan.

Magicpaintbrush · 24/10/2025 00:13

You need to push for a CT scan - I am absolutely fuming on your behalf that they haven't offered him one!! As others have said, I think it sounds like a blocked bowel. My DH presented himself to A&E a week ago with agonising bowel cramps and they fobbed him off, even knowing he has stage 4 bowel cancer - didn't do a scan. A week later I had to rush him back there in agony and after insisting on a CT scan they found the tumour had blocked his bowel - he had emergency surgery to fit a stoma bag yesterday. I had to really convince the A&E doctor to give him that scan and every time he neede help the A&E nurses all deliberately avoided making eye contact with me as they didn't want to deal with it. Don't take no for an answer. Insist on a CT scan and if they refuse take the doctor's name and tell them if your dh comes to harm because of their decision you will sue them.

weezypops · 24/10/2025 00:31

Hope he is okay!

Eggybreadwithnuts · 24/10/2025 00:42

Any morw news op? Did he get a scan? @Justmeeeindie

Francestein · 24/10/2025 01:36

Are they concerned about his constipation at all? I would be worried about a bowel obstruction.