WARNING. IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO READ ON!
I think my husband is severely constipated. He was in a care home where there he experienced a constipation/ laxative regime which I don't think resolved the problem. We found him a better care home, but I'm certain he is now constipated again.
His breath is foul, and he is very distressed, and yesterday be was producing what looked like rather large firm rabbit droppings. The effort to produce these was obvious, and it was distressing to see him desperately trying to remove them using his fingers! ( sorry)
I believe he has lost the ability to understand the procedures for using the toilet. He doesn't understand that he must sit down, and once he is sitting, he doesn't understand the need to push.
When I asked the care home nurse about it she said he was getting laxatives twice a day, and must drink plenty of liquid but must help himself by not refusing drinks... As if he's being difficult.....HE DOESNT ALWAYS UNDERSTAND, but he will drink if I demonstrate what to do, and I can get plenty of liquids down him. So can most of the carers.
I've read a little about something called faecal impaction, and I think that's his problem...the laxatives result in runny faeces, but there is also a solid mass in his intestine that does not get passed through.
As a result of this toxicity I think his whole system is being affected, and could be the cause of some if his physical discomfort and distress, his itchy skin and perhaps even his angry outbursts.
Has anyone else had any experience of something like this? I feel that the nurse is doing things by rote, and not listening to my concerns...She refers to the GP as though he is the only person responsible for my husband's health, and it isn't my place to have an opinion. When I gently mentioned being my husband's next of kin she said that I needed Power of Attorney, and when I said I have that, she snapped back with " well, it must be registered then".
Hers must be a challenging job; I can see that relatives can be a nuisance, and I try not to be troublesome, but on this I do feel I should be listened to.
Any suggestions would be welcome...
I think my husband is severely constipated. He was in a care home where there he experienced a constipation/ laxative regime which I don't think resolved the problem. We found him a better care home, but I'm certain he is now constipated again.
His breath is foul, and he is very distressed, and yesterday be was producing what looked like rather large firm rabbit droppings. The effort to produce these was obvious, and it was distressing to see him desperately trying to remove them using his fingers! ( sorry)
I believe he has lost the ability to understand the procedures for using the toilet. He doesn't understand that he must sit down, and once he is sitting, he doesn't understand the need to push.
When I asked the care home nurse about it she said he was getting laxatives twice a day, and must drink plenty of liquid but must help himself by not refusing drinks... As if he's being difficult.....HE DOESNT ALWAYS UNDERSTAND, but he will drink if I demonstrate what to do, and I can get plenty of liquids down him. So can most of the carers.
I've read a little about something called faecal impaction, and I think that's his problem...the laxatives result in runny faeces, but there is also a solid mass in his intestine that does not get passed through.
As a result of this toxicity I think his whole system is being affected, and could be the cause of some if his physical discomfort and distress, his itchy skin and perhaps even his angry outbursts.
Has anyone else had any experience of something like this? I feel that the nurse is doing things by rote, and not listening to my concerns...She refers to the GP as though he is the only person responsible for my husband's health, and it isn't my place to have an opinion. When I gently mentioned being my husband's next of kin she said that I needed Power of Attorney, and when I said I have that, she snapped back with " well, it must be registered then".
Hers must be a challenging job; I can see that relatives can be a nuisance, and I try not to be troublesome, but on this I do feel I should be listened to.
Any suggestions would be welcome...