Embarrassing one - should I of not rang 111?

[RainInJuly]

Since having my son (now 6mo) I have had regular constipation and bad piles. Today I had severe pains after not being able to move my bowels for several days, I tried to go and it was too large to pass. I felt a ripping sensation, there was a gush of fresh red blood and I've been in pain ever since.

I tried to go again a few hours later to relieve the pain, no luck, more fresh red blood. I rang 111 in the end who have put me through to the out of hours GP in local hosp and I'm waiting for a call back. On the phone I just told them about the constipation and the ripping feeling/bleeding, they didn't ask about piles and in my panic I didn't mention it.

Just spoke to DH who said it will of been a pile tearing and it's a waste of their time, will be sore for a few days then go. Does this sound normal? I don't want to waste more NHS time if I've made an error by forgetting to mention the piles.

You did the right thing. Is your DH medically qualified? If not, whilst he might be right, he also might not be.

Thanks for replying. Just worried I'll turn up and look like a time waster the second they see piles there too. Hopefully not.

Sadly might not be a pile but an anal fissure

Good luck

That’s what 111 is for - speaking as a GP I’d say you’ve used it entirely appropriately. Even if it is ‘just’ the piles (which can be extremely painful), the doctor will be able to give you something to ease the symptoms (and the constipation). And as said above, it may be an anal fissure, for which there are also treatments. Tell your husband to bog off.

I have had constant problems with constipation since c section with DS2. I now take laxido sachets daily to prevent it. Highly recommend, it's a game changer actually have a life that doesn't revolve around BM!

Thank you for all the reassurance. I get so paranoid about misusing NHS services. In a lot of pain though so felt justified, but glad I checked. Great to hear from a GP pov too, so thank you for responding.

That's interesting, thanks washingline. I also had a csection!

Honestly I believe it's the cause of my problems was never as much of an issue pre c section! Usual methods of added fibre and fluids etc worked...not now sadly. Hope you get seen to tomorrow at your GP.

I'd say this is a reasonable use of NHS services. I hope you feel better soon.

I've had 6 kids and from about 2 weeks after birth I get very constipated for about 3 months (baby stress/hormones?), I get anal fissures and lots of pain and bleeding too.
After the first 2 babies (after trying fibre/lactulose/homophathic and saw nothing helped soften the stools) I was so desperate treat the constipation BEFORE the fissures come because once cut its so hard to pass stool and opens with each time, viscous cycle. in the end what I use each time from 1- 2 weeks after birth and it did the trick was MICROLAX- twice or 3 times a week- it softens the stool, so wont cut and after about 2-3 months I got over the hump and my body went back to passing normal stools, and I was so glad had missed the horrible experience I had other times. ... you can buy them over the counter or ask GP for them.

forgot to mention- MICROLAX, is an enema, a little tube which pushes some medication up the back passage.

I don't think you were wasting NHS resources with this at all. Good luck OP. I hope you get it sorted

Piles are very common so I am sure the operator on 111 knows that is a possibility even if you didn't mention it. You are def doing the right thing.

Absolutely right to ring. They can tell you what it is/isn't likely to be and advise you going forward. Really hope you get some relief soon, constipation is so horrid

That's exactly what 111 are there for :) it's not like you've gone off to A&E!

They use the NHS pathways triage system so if it was important to know if you ever had been diagnosed with/ also had symptoms of piles to help them decide what treatment you needed then they would have asked you.

Yes you definitely did the right thing ringing 111. Hope you get seen and sorted soon.

Ah you poor love. I remember the piles and fissure after my DS. Truly horrendous pain.

My DH had to go to A&E with bleeding piles, they tied them off for him, you've did the right thing.
Hope you feel better soon.

Still not heard back. More blood, still in agony! Definitely feel like I've torn something. Was hoping to get an evening out of hours appointment but guessing not. What painkillers are best for this sort of thing to get me through the night?

Have you tried a salt water bath

Got seen in out of hours. Significant amount of piles and a fissure. Grim. The joys of having babies eh.

what can they do? prescribe numbing cream and laxatives?

I feel MICROLAX is what will help you at this point (when you feel an urge to pass stool or haven't passed for 2 days or so) . It will make the stool so soft giving the fissures a chance to heal.

After I had my son I was struggling to go to the toilet,
The midwife told me to hover over a bucket of steam.

It might abit odd but it actually helped.