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Posted 7/23/2009 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again friends,

Early on with this current issue I wound up in the ER a couple times as well as in the PCP's office with emergency appointments.  I still have days (like today) where I feel terrible and hurt just as bad as I did when I would go to the ER or get a appointment, but it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Did any of you end up at a point where it just wasn't worth it, and just grit it out?

TIA!

Posted 7/23/2009 6:27 PM (GMT 0)

Infinite,

Oh yes, I have been there many times over the years. I would always tell myself if I can hang on one more day perhaps tomorrow will be better. I refuse to go to ER for CP because of how we are treated, at least in my neck of the woods. I figure I feel bad enough I need no grief from some idiot that has no clue.

I never go to my PCP for pain problems because I have a pain pump and thats up to my pump dr to handle.

I think its a sad state of affairs that many of us have to feel this way.  Its wrong, but I really do not know what we can do to change it.

Sorry I am rambling more than helping you.

Posted 7/23/2009 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, infinite,
I apologize for not following your earlier threads. I've just been a bit overwhelmed myself these days and sometimes I can only read so much!

But I think we all have days and time periods when we are just grit our teeth and wait out a bad pain spell and it's accomanying limitations. Those are the times for me that I have to hang onto my reasons for being on this planet, and I'm still working on that! I want very much to live my life, but accepting the limitations and the periods when everything is going wrong is a challenge. I believe it's a challenge we all face from time to time. But it shouldn't have to be a permanent state, although I know firsthand getting good medical treatment for pain is another challenge - but one that's worth fighting. It's just finding doctors who will fight alongside you that often takes awhile.

But you're definitely not alone in your struggle!

PaLady
Posted 7/23/2009 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have to be almost dead before I will go.  I hate it beyond words! Also with what's wrong with me they will always admit me and I hate it there.  A few years ago over an 18 month period I was hospitalized 12 times with 4 surgeries and I never want to see another hospital ever again.  Of course I am grateful they are there but I'd have to be pretty bad before I'd willing go.

Posted 7/24/2009 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I will not go to ERs for CP either, the only time I will go for pain is if I'm really hurt from doing something stupid (like breaking my toe with the door) or sick with strep and I cant get in to see my regulaur doctor. My experience here in the town I live in, if you go in for CP they always assume you must be drug seeking, even if you have a doctor they can call for proof. Even sometimes if you go in not for pain, they still assume you must be drug seeking if you put down on your medicaiton list that your taking pain meds, this happened to my aunt last year, and she was having fainting spells and her sugar levels where out of control, and they treated her bad because she took pain meds. Makes no sense, and I'm sure not all ER doctor's are like this, but most do seem to be faded by drug seekers and frequent flyers, and I dont blame them for being untrusting, but I do feel sorry for the people that do have severe pain and get treated bad.

-hellokitty
Posted 7/24/2009 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Infinite!  I went thru a period where I was going to the ER every week for 5 weeks!!  I had an undiagnosed bowel obstruction and nobody seemed to know why I was in so much pain!  They did CT scans, plain X-rays of abdomen and nothing showed up.  One time I was in so much pain (way worse than giving birth), that my hubby called 911 for an ambulance.  I thought maybe this would finally get me the best doctors in the ER since I was coming in on an ambulance and everything.  Nope.....after waiting on a gurney for 3 hours I was sent home with 5 Percosets and instructions to follow up with PC doctor.  Finally I had a scope and an emergency barium enema x-ray because the scope stoped and could not be advanced about 6 inches up.  I had a 4mm stricture in my lower bowel (about the width of a thin straw).  No wonder!  I had had a bowel resection 2 months prior due to endometriosis on my lower bowel, and as it healed I developed severe scarring at the site that caused the stricture.  Why it was never picked up by anybody in the ER is beyond me. My doctors all thought that I was suffering from IBS (sound familiar?) and they all had prescribed anti-spasmodics for the cramping. I knew something was wrong, but because all of the tests were normal, nobody believed me.  That was the worst 2 months of my life!

So there is my wonderful ER story.....needless to say I don't trust many doctors these days, and I stay far away from the ER! mad

Jenny B

Posted 7/24/2009 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi n8,

I don't have any advice for you.  I have only gone to the ER a couple times and never for pain.  The time I went, I could not walk due to severe vertigo.  It was interesting to me that rather than try and diagnose the problem, then spent 6 hours trying to treat symptoms.  They gave me valium and meclizene, then some potassium.  They did look at my ears.  I just refused to feel better!!  That got me admitted.  Four days later, I was on my way to a diagnosis.

I just wanted to say "hi" and show my support.  It was very nice chatting wth you this evening. 

Posted 7/24/2009 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Infinite, I think you've touched a raw nerve for all of us. I hate any new doctors ER or otherwise, having to go through the whole speal of what is wrong and what you take and why!!! I'm over it. I usually end up extremily ill before I venture anywhere near an ER but having said that, last year I ended up in hospital with a bout of pneumonia and then developed costochondritis afterwards and the ER was brilliant. So you can be surprised sometimes. I tough it out until I get in to see my local doctor, shes pretty good. But I feel for you, when the pain gets impossible its time to tackle the ER again, usually you feel too sick to care at that stage!!! Goodluck, golitho
Posted 7/24/2009 9:00 AM (GMT 0)
I wwent to the ER once a couple years back, as I was having a asthma attack and having a hard time breathing,
afteer 8 hours the doctor finally says I think your having an asthma attack and were going to get you
nebulizer treatments, finally after 10 hours of waiting I got the nebulizer treatment which helped me to get home
when I flaired again...I'll not go back to a ER and I have a portable nebulizer now..
I could've died while having this asthma attack, ER's are a joke even when it's a life threaten situation plus I told them who
my pcp was and he's has privileges there and they didn't call him!!!!

but, I was just recently changed on pain meds and well this new med help for a few days, but now I'm
toughing it out till I see my pm doc next week, using my tens unit and heating pads help...
Hope you get a low pain day soon..
lots and lots of soft hugz...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Infinite))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
I like the name you chose, reminds me of the movie "Toy Story" to infinite and beyond.......
Posted 7/24/2009 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
 

     Dear Infinite,

 

     Good mornin'! *huggs* I had fun in chat last night. It is funny you mention going to the ER. Yes, I think had I felt this pain a few years ago I would have rushed there no problem. But, I do stick it out when A. I know what is wrong B. I know there is help on the way. Other wise, I need to hit 10 for five days before I call anyone. It isnt that I dont care .. Its just... the COST! I mean... do i really , in AMERICA, need to choose between electric bill or med bill? Crazyness I tell you. Hang in there.

 

*warm huggs*

    dani

Posted 7/24/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all!  Thank you for your replies. Today, so far, has been much more manageable than yesterday, so I am thankful for that - it was probably the great time I had during chat night! :)

I do not blame any of you for the way you feel about ER's and the care you receive there.  I also agree that time spent there is more about treating the symptoms than actually looking for the cause.  Then, once they plug you full of shots so that your pain is at a manageable level (yeah, like *that* lasts...), they write you some scripts and ship you on your way - ugghh...

Anyway, I am happy that I brought up a topic that had some meaning for each of you. I appreciate the replies and I know that the thoughts and discussions help me throughout the day with the struggle that is CP.  I hope you all have a great day! 

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