Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Not urinated for 2 days and not had bowel movement for over a month

60 replies

Bepis · 18/03/2023 14:53

Just wanting some advice really.

My daughter is in hospital, currently sectioned under the mental health act.

I'm really worried though because she's not urinated in 2 days. She had a bladder scan yesterday at 11:45am and her bladder was full at that point but she still hasn't been. I don't understand why the hospital aren't taking any action.

Also, she's not had a poo since being in hospital (13/02/23). Granted she didn't eat for a long time but she has been eating full meals for the last 4-5 days but still no poo. Doctors have felt her stomach and there are no hard masses but shouldn't they be scanning her bowels or something?

I'm really worried about her.

OP posts:
CatchThatCat · 18/03/2023 15:05

This sounds stressful, I would want to ask them . Have you asked? That sounds too long

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:07

@CatchThatCat I called the ward last night and they said she still hadn't been. They are concerned about using a catheter due to the distress it will cause but it's weighing up the risks I guess.

I was told today that she still hasn't been for a wee. Just getting worried as I read it can damage your bladder and kidneys.

OP posts:
WolfFoxHare · 18/03/2023 15:09

Surely her bladder could burst if she doesn’t go? I’m very surprised they haven’t catheterised her yet.

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:10

WolfFoxHare · 18/03/2023 15:09

Surely her bladder could burst if she doesn’t go? I’m very surprised they haven’t catheterised her yet.

That's exactly what I am scared of. She had a full bladder over 24 hours ago and she still hasn't been.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 18/03/2023 15:11

Are they absolutely certain she hasn’t emptied her bowel or bladder in that length of time? If they have felt her abdomen and found no masses, then she may well be emptying her bowels by stealth. That isn’t uncommon in her situation.
They can’t force her to have any treatment without consent, but I think eventually nature will take its course. Try not to worry x

Soontobe60 · 18/03/2023 15:12

Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:10

That's exactly what I am scared of. She had a full bladder over 24 hours ago and she still hasn't been.

Show quote history

Her bladder won’t burst. She may well get an infection, but eventually she will urinate.

JusDroppedInToSeeWhatConditionMyConditionWasIn · 18/03/2023 15:12

Surely she'd be in agony by now? I had urine retention after my c section and it was unbearable until they catheterised me again!

SophiaSW1 · 18/03/2023 15:14

Does she have an eating disorder?

Oblomov23 · 18/03/2023 15:15

Goodness! Have you raised these concerns. I'd ask for your concerns to noted in the notes.

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:15

I would have thought she would be in agony and very uncomfortable by now.

Could it be a case where she actually can't physically do a wee? I asked her about having a poo and she said she hasn't had one while in hospital but she might not have remembered. She hasn't moved out of bed for a while though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:16

SophiaSW1 · 18/03/2023 15:14

Does she have an eating disorder?

She used to eat very well but when she got mentally unwell, she stopped eating. Her medication has increased her appetite now though so she has eaten every meal for the past 4-5 days. It just makes me wonder where it's going though.

OP posts:
Seasider2017 · 18/03/2023 15:21

do you know if there given her enough fluids
ie 6-8 glasses ?
I would ask, or if dd understand? tell her to make sure she’s having the fluid

she could also be at risks if getting a uti infection holding into it or urinary retention
do you know if her meds can be causing it?

she must be really feeling off not going for a poo, a month is a very long time

I would definitely have a word with the sister(if they have one on mh unit) and ask them to get a dr down to look at her
dont think the psych would know much

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:22

Seasider2017 · 18/03/2023 15:21

do you know if there given her enough fluids
ie 6-8 glasses ?
I would ask, or if dd understand? tell her to make sure she’s having the fluid

she could also be at risks if getting a uti infection holding into it or urinary retention
do you know if her meds can be causing it?

she must be really feeling off not going for a poo, a month is a very long time

I would definitely have a word with the sister(if they have one on mh unit) and ask them to get a dr down to look at her
dont think the psych would know much

She's drinking loads, milkshakes, squash, all sorts so there is definitely the liquid going in there.

She's on an acute hospital ward (no MH beds available) so is surrounded by nurses and doctors etc and they know about it.

OP posts:
UnaOfStormhold · 18/03/2023 15:23

Constipation can press on the urethra and cause a blockage. I think you're absolutely right to press for this to be taken seriously and appropriate care given.

Seasider2017 · 18/03/2023 15:24

Also there very under staffed on the wards so she may not be getting the attention she needs
And things just get forgotten about(too busy)
how old is she ? Is she capable/will speak up for herself?

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:25

UnaOfStormhold · 18/03/2023 15:23

Constipation can press on the urethra and cause a blockage. I think you're absolutely right to press for this to be taken seriously and appropriate care given.

That's what I was thinking. I know they can't feel any hard masses but where has the poo gone over the last month? I don't think she has been going as she needs help to get to the bathroom and will only get up and go to the toilet when encouraged to do so.

I'm going to phone the ward soon for an update.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/03/2023 15:28

Patients in these places get treated shocking for medical needs. Seen it over and over again. Since it's a medical matter and not a mental health one you can ring pals and ask them to intervene. I've had to do it a couple of times over a catheter.

Just hope she doesn't get toothache. Takes months before they get taken to a dentist.

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:28

Seasider2017 · 18/03/2023 15:24

Also there very under staffed on the wards so she may not be getting the attention she needs
And things just get forgotten about(too busy)
how old is she ? Is she capable/will speak up for herself?

She's 19 but has a learning disability, poor mental health and possible autism. She wouldn't say anything to anyone.

OP posts:
RaisinforBeing · 18/03/2023 15:31

This happened to one of my children as a toddler. A mass in the bowel (constipation) blocked the urethra and she had to have a catheter inserted. She had an ultrasound where the constipation was evident. A huge amount of urine came out it soaked everyone in room. I think she was well over 24hrs since going. They kept trying to get her to drink more initially until they saw the mass. The catheter procedure was over very quickly. The constipation took about a week to get over with movicol and she was a few days in hospital.

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:33

RaisinforBeing · 18/03/2023 15:31

This happened to one of my children as a toddler. A mass in the bowel (constipation) blocked the urethra and she had to have a catheter inserted. She had an ultrasound where the constipation was evident. A huge amount of urine came out it soaked everyone in room. I think she was well over 24hrs since going. They kept trying to get her to drink more initially until they saw the mass. The catheter procedure was over very quickly. The constipation took about a week to get over with movicol and she was a few days in hospital.

Oh goodness. Could they feel the blockage upon feeling your child's tummy or did it only show up on ultrasound?

OP posts:
Inkblue · 18/03/2023 15:33

Soontobe60 · 18/03/2023 15:12

Her bladder won’t burst. She may well get an infection, but eventually she will urinate.

Show quote history

This is dangerous nonsense. There are two types of retention, either acute or chronic. Acute needs to be treated as a matter of urgency as it can cause kidney damage. Chronic is different but that doesn’t sound like what the OP is talking about.

OP, I hope they take a decision to treat it quickly and make her comfortable.

Original poster
Bepis · 18/03/2023 15:34

@Inkblue It is definitely acute. She's never had this before. I can't get through to the ward or the IST that she is under.

OP posts:
Blushingm · 18/03/2023 15:39

@Soontobe60 the bladder can rupture as it can only stretch so far!

Could it be she's actually dribbling urine?

Also if she's not eaten properly her bowels will be very sluggish as they've not had to work properly for a long time so food will be very slow to work it's way through.

Out of interest how many mls was in her bladder when they scanned her?

TwoBlueFish · 18/03/2023 15:40

See if the hospital has a learning disability nurse as they may be able to help. PALS may also help.

Seasider2017 · 18/03/2023 15:40

Awh your poor daughter, she’s not even with people with mh condition(although some can be v v scary to listen/be with.

I bet she’s going through it in there, sky high anxiety in an unfamiliar place.
sometimes dr/nurses think parents are over bearing but it’s your dd health so you push for everything, in there face if you have to but politely unfortunately you have to these days
mid you don’t speak out politely you won’t get things done. This is how mistakes happen in nhs

Swipe left for the next trending thread