Flu...or something more serious???

For those of you who have had severe complications with Crohn's, how do you differentiate between a common flu and more serious issues that require you going to emerg. Yesterday I woke up in the most unbelievable abdominal pain that I've ever felt and was not even albe to stand or lie out straight comfortably. I was extremely nausseous and although I do not currently own a themometer, I felt very feverish. Two things were concerning me. The pain, and also the fact that I was having a really hard time having bowel movements....very unusual for me. I've talked to a few people including my doctors secretary and I think the common concensus is that it's just a stomach flu. And I really don't want to just look like a whiner by showing up in the ER because of the common flu. But how do I know if something is really wrong? The pain is a little bit better today and the bowel movements are more frequent than ever, however I still have severe pain if I try to eat and I can not shake the nausseous feeling no matter how much gravol I take. Any suggestions?

I had a severe infection a little over a year ago. I had horrible stomach pain in my lower abdomen and a fever of 104. I had difficulty with bowel mvmnts and although I took Tylenol, after 12 hrs the fever and pain didn't subside. I went to the ER thinking I would be given antibiotics and go home...well they checked my blood and I had > 14,000 white blood cells and some fluid in my abdomen. I was admitted to the hospital for three days and the pain went away and the fever. It is better to be safe than sorry. Let us know how you are doing!