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General health

DH has just called to say he is on his way to A&E

35 replies

MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 03:27

I am 4 hrs drive away with DD, 5, and DS, 3.

DH had a massive operation 5 yrs back, and over the last couple of days has had pain along the operation scar. Tonight it got so bad that over-the-counter painkillers did nothing, and he is in so much pain he is heading to A&E at 3am.

I am really scared for him. I have to bully him to see the GP in the normal run of things. It must be BAD Sad

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LIZS · 21/07/2013 12:36

Can he/you call the consultant who did the op for advice or ask gp to refer for follow up?

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Thumbwitch · 21/07/2013 12:32

Oh Lord, I hope you can persuade him to get some follow-up! He does need more information on what's going on. Good luck!

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MephistophelesSister · 21/07/2013 07:48

I think the main reason that they are assuming that alcohol is a problem is that it is one of very few known causes for pancreatitis. In women the main cause is gall stones, in men alcoholism. If they don't find any evidence of gall stones they make the assumption that the patient is an alcoholic, it seems.

Reading discussion groups online, though, he is not the only one to have had the Whipple procedure and then suffer with pancreatitis. The trouble is, both the operation and pancreatitis are pretty rare. There are no in depth studies or properly organised data available. DH is in a very rare sub group who have experienced both, and all we have to go on are anecdote/hearsay and guesswork.

My next battle is to persuade him that he needs some follow-up. He isn't keen at all. I may give our GP a ring on Monday and see what they can tell me/advise. I realise they probably can't deal with me directly about his treatment - but perhaps they can tell me what they would recommend in more general terms re. the condition.

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Thumbwitch · 20/07/2013 02:11

I wonder why they assumed that then? There are blood markers that could suggest alcohol overuse, so if he has any of those, further investigation would be warranted to see what's causing it! I hope you can get him to his own doctor/GP as back up, to find out what is going on.

Glad he's home again though!

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shrinkingnora · 19/07/2013 20:35

They assumed I was a heavy drinker when I had it. It was in fact a codeine allergy. It is more painful than anything I have ever gone through. Sympathies to your dp.

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MephistophelesSister · 19/07/2013 20:28

He is home! Apparrently it was mild acute pancreatitis, but not a very bad case. They seem to have ignored his surgical history and assumed that alcoholism was the cause (DH is definitely not an alcoholic).

Means that the underlying cause is a bit of a worry - but most importantly he is home again, and though very tired quite chipper, all considered.

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hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 19/07/2013 17:52

Oh bless you, I hope he's OK and your drive isn't too awful.

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digerd · 19/07/2013 17:44

Hope you got some sleep last night for the long drive today?

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Thumbwitch · 19/07/2013 15:07

I hope all will be well, Meph. xx

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digerd · 18/07/2013 19:38

He doesn't want you to see him in this state and worry you, but of course you must go and visit him. If he is on a high dose of Morphine, you must expect him to be a bit 'out of it', but the main thing is that his pain is lessened.
Wish him a speedy recovery. I have read that pancreatitis is extremely painful.

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MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 18:47

Well, we have a diagnosis. He has mild acute pancreatitis. Still in the dark in many ways though. DH is too high on opiates to make much sense, and when I queried with the ward staff whether that was very serious, given his history, the only answer I can get is that 'the doctors are happy with him'. They are keeping him in for 24-48hrs and reviewing it on a day by day basis. Dr Google suggests that several days if high dose opiates are necessary to recover from this, but there is no magic cure Sad Sad Sad

I have cancelled work, am dropping the kids with the MIL and will drive down tomorrow am. I would go tonight, but he doesn't want me there, and visiting hours are restricted to 2-8pm in any case. Sad Sad Sad

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Thumbwitch · 18/07/2013 13:40

Just caught up with this - hope that you get a diagnosis very soon, but glad to hear that they are managing his pain a little better. Very worrying for you - but also glad that you managed to get in contact with his brother to go and see him.

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Mama1980 · 18/07/2013 13:05

What a worry for you all Hmm I hope he recovers and its something minor. X

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MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 12:51

Infection possibly, but more likely a reaction to inflammation, I think. But until they do further tests it is all a bit of a guessing game. Something is definitely amiss, and they have added tramadol into the painkilling mix - which I don't take as a very good sign.

I just want a diagnosis so that we can plan what we are doing. I started a new job 2 wks ago, and am due in Fri/Sat/Sun. Obviously DH comes first, but I need to let work know what is happening, and right now I just don't know.

I haven't mentioned anything to the kids yet.

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QOD · 18/07/2013 12:29

So does tha mean infection?

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giraffesCantWearSuncream · 18/07/2013 12:14

Hope he recovers soon

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MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 11:02

Raised white blood cell count, and some swelling of the colon is the latest news. With an ultrasound and possible CT scan to follow later today.

I think I am going to have a long drive later today, as I don't think he will be out anytime soon Sad .

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QOD · 18/07/2013 09:07

Oh good news ish, at least they're taking him seriously and scans etc happen so much faster as an in patient.

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MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 08:19

Spoke to Dh again, he has been admitted to a ward and is in for obs for the day. There is some talk about potential operations for adhesions, but nothing concrete as yet.

I have phoned his brother, who works vaguely nearby. He is going to take a 1/2 day and drop by this afternoon to check on Dh. DH may be a bit grumpy about me calling him - but I think he needs a friendly face.

DH just sounds really, really tired - but definitely in less pain.

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QOD · 18/07/2013 07:20

Hope it's all nothing. Poor thing

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MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 05:25

sleep! ha. Some chance.

I phoned A&E, and got put through to inpatients. DH made it there, has been seen and now has co-codamol to help with the pain. They think the pain may be related to adhesions, but are going to get a surgeon to take a look.

I don't think I will hear any more for a while, but for now he is safe and a bit more comfortable. Smile

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MephistophelesSister · 18/07/2013 04:58

Thank you all for being so kind. My DCs sleep through anything, and are happily snoozing away. Still no news - I think I will try for an hour or two's sleep and then call the hospital 1st thing. No reply on his mobile - which I hope just means he made it there and can't use his phone, rather than anything sinister.

I have a feeling that tomorrow could be a long day.

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cafecito · 18/07/2013 04:36

am a lowly medical student but special interest is GI/hep - I hope he is on the mend and back home with you asap.

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MaMattoo · 18/07/2013 04:35

All crossed for you! Hope you hear soon and that all is resolvable and curable.
Faith! You seem to have gotten through a hard time and I am sure that's it sorted and over.
If it is of any help - major surgery on any part of the torso takes very long to heal completely as its core muscle groups and organs that are involved. 4 years on my aunt still has trouble with stairs and lifting heavy objects. (And she is not old)..just saying..if it helps in any way to know..
Take care and keep us posted. Hope the Dcs are managing to get some sleep in this heat!!

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cafecito · 18/07/2013 04:35

a guy I know had a whipple procedure after an accident - modified whipple is the stomach sparing one, right?

I don't know very much but would think that if not accompanied by other symptoms, and if he has been well since, then that to me sounds like good news, vs. a deteriorating condition etc. perhaps there is a leak somewhere or something like a fistula, which may need repair but all should be very minor compared to original surgery.

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