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Original poster

I'm not the poo troll but I do have a poo related question. Medical advice needed.

18 replies

Bohica · 04/12/2011 23:11

My DH may have a slipped disc although the pain has now moved from his back to numbness in his trunk and cramp/locked pain in his legs.

He has had an MRI scan and we are waiting for the results and have private medical care which we are using for oncology.

He has had this problem for 3 weeks but for the last 5 days he has had no urge to open his bowel, no feeling of wanting to go so hasn't, he is on lot's of pain relief so I know they might make him constipated but he has no feeling of discomfort or needing to go to the toilet.

I'm wondering if the back problem may be stopping a nerve reacting to the need to go??

OP posts:
ChishAndFips · 04/12/2011 23:20

Cauda Equina syndrome is where nerves are compressed, causing pain and affecting the bowel and/or bladder. It's pretty serious... he needs to tell the doctors about the bowel problems. Not suggesting it it definitely is this obviously, please talk to the professionals.

ChishAndFips · 04/12/2011 23:23

www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Cauda-Equina-Syndrome.html

Original poster
Bohica · 04/12/2011 23:26

Just as I thought Chish (love your name btw)

It isn't going to help his back/leg problems if he gets impacted is it.

I posted just to make sure I'm not over reacting, he must need a poo by now, it's been 5 + days and he is a once a day on the dot man he will not be happy with my tmi on his behalf

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jenniec79 · 04/12/2011 23:31

Hospital.

Now.

Needs to be checked out for CES by someone who knows what they're looking for (and has access to MRI+/-spinal surgery if it turns out that's what's going on)

Most of the time it isn't quite that acute though. What painkillers has he been taking for his back pain (codeine-based ones are renowned for bunging one up to the eyeballs!)

Original poster
Bohica · 04/12/2011 23:40

Started out on small doses of Tramadol, Diazipam, Amitriptyline (one of these at night) now replaced the Diazipam with Naprosyn 250mg.

Diazipam was 2mg and Tramadol 50mg 3 times a day.

MRI scan was done on Saturday and I've told him to call them tomorrow to book an appointment and then ask to speak to the doctor's secretary and tell her he lost the sensation to open his bowel 5 days ago.

He only told me this evening, I'm really concerned he hasn't been for 5 days.
We are 5 years clear testicular cancer in June 2012.

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Bossybritches22 · 04/12/2011 23:43

Needs checking out asap-hopefully "just" the painkillers bunging him up in which case prunes galore!!

Your Poor DH, last thing he needs .....

Original poster
Bohica · 04/12/2011 23:57

I knew when he told me this evening that it wasn't right and thank you for all your help but I've now upped my worry metre!!

Can it be a tumor? I know secondary to testicular is bone and then lung, we are 6 months off 5 years, has he left it to long ie 5 days, that's a lot of poo isn't it??

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Original poster
Bohica · 05/12/2011 00:25

Goole is scary.

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Original poster
Bohica · 05/12/2011 00:37

I meant Google obviously

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perfumedlife · 05/12/2011 01:23

I know even one Tramadol can bung me up for days and days, end up needing to take lactolose. It's the worst side effect of them for me, no longer take them after becoming impacted. Have you got any laxatives at home?

Bossybritches22 · 05/12/2011 10:00

Bohica

Your worry-ometer is bound to be on overdrive, but it could be bowel/constipation related so get him to the docs today to put your minds at rest.

hellomotoe · 05/12/2011 13:29

Tramadol's renowned for bunging people up, as can amitriptyline. If possible get him to the docs today, they'll be able to advise you if it's just constipation or whether he's impacted. Even, if you can't get to the doctor's try giving them a ring and they might be able to prescribe you some Movicol which should get him going again. I know because my son gets constipation on a regular basis. The Movicol's briliant and just draws water into the bowel so it's pretty gentle unlike traditional laxatives. I'd be wary of taking any over the counter stuff such as Senokot as it is a stimulant laxative and can cause pretty bad stomach cramps, which I imagine would not be particularly pleasant if he hasn't gone in 5 days!

Best of luck!

ChishAndFips · 05/12/2011 14:36

Has he been eating normally? Just thinking that the pain and worry might have reduced his appetite so he might not have needed to go as much as usual anyway, that combined with the Tramadol, he could easily not feel the urge to go for 5 days. Has he called the secretary yet? What are they saying? Really hope everything turns out ok for you both.

Original poster
Bohica · 05/12/2011 17:48

Thank you for all the messages. We spoke to the secretary and she said the DR would look at the MRI and call us tomorrow.

He hasn't had much of an appetite and he is very down but that's to be expected if he is worrying anything like I am.

Fingers crossed for a good phone call from the doctor tomorrow.

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Original poster
Bohica · 06/12/2011 17:24

Doctor has just called and given DH the all clear apeat from a slipped disc pressing on his sciatic nerve.

Needs pain meds and therapy but no cancer!! phew.

Oh and poo related matters are windy and moving again.

Thank you for all your help Xmas Smile

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ChishAndFips · 07/12/2011 16:40

That's great news Xmas Smile thanks for coming back to update us!

Bossybritches22 · 07/12/2011 23:08

ouch -slipped disc can be VV painful, sympathies.

I can recommend dried apricots or prunes to counteract the painkillers constipating effects!

NearlyMrsCustardsHardHat · 08/12/2011 07:24

Glad he's on the mend! When dp had a slipped disc he was advised those type of symptoms meant get to a&e ASAP.

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