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Insensitive ER comment (venting)

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/13/2014 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone - haven't posted in awhile but it's nice to say hi.

I'm in a flare right now (abdominal pain, joint pain, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, etc) and ended up in the ER yesterday after several days on Cipro but worsening symptoms.

After starting the IV, the very kind-seeming nurse told me he had noticed that many Crohn's patients had anxiety so I should make sure to relax. I was literally curled on my side with a basin, and said that I didn't feel particularly anxious - just sick.

All told I was there for about 8 hours, for CT scan and fluids (happily, no obstruction) and several times vomited or had uncontrollable diarrhea, which I don't want to go into detail on, but I'm sure people on this forum can relate to.

Several times when he changed out the basin he did not bring the new one right away and I'd have to ring for it. Another time, I rang for help to get to the bathroom and nobody came, causing me to ask another passing nurse for help because I was worried I wouldn't make it to bathroom.

When the nurse came in, he continued to make comments like "see what I mean, you're so anxious about getting to the bathroom - most people don't worry about that -- that's a Crohn's thing."

If I felt better I would have said more, but what I wanted to ask him is if he had ever vomited in front of people (like I did in my office last week) or had uncontrollable diarrhea and had to worry about people noticing or getting cleaned up in a public bathroom. I'm pretty sure the answer is no - because if those things had ever happened to him he wouldn't be thinking it was anxiety causing my worry; it was just common sense based on experience.

Very frustrating day. Home now - seeing my GI Monday. Thanks for listening.
Posted 4/13/2014 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, what a complete jerk. Our "anxiety" is COMPLETELY based on our experience. It reminds me of the joke "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you."

My last PCP told me that he thought my CD symptoms were all because I was having anxiety attacks and that if I'd just take anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds, I'd never have diarrhea again. Three days later I was c. diff positive. This was the same incompetent doctor that told me the perianal lump I had was just a swollen gland and to stop being so dramatic - the next day the "gland" sent me into septic shock because it was an abscess that they didn't get to in time to drain.

So yeah, totally get where you're coming from. I'd tell the GI about that nurse and maybe even report it to the hospital's PR staff. When you're that sick, you don't need idiots telling you it's all in your head or that you're being ridiculous.

Of COURSE being worried about not making it to the bathroom is a Crohn's thing! It's practically the definition of Crohn's!!!
Posted 4/13/2014 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
How rude!! That is the last thing you need when you're sick. I'd put in a complaint too!
Posted 4/13/2014 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
Isn't is sad how the stupidest comments can come out of the mouths of people that should know better...I sure hope you're feeling better CD wise especially...next time you run into an ignorant person like that, just say something like this..."seems like you have IBD yourself...verbal IBD".
Posted 4/13/2014 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
You are a better person than I am! Being sick brings out the worst in me and I would have told him off! I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I hope you can get through your weekend ok and that your GI helps you out on Monday! Hang in there!
Posted 4/13/2014 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
ugh. disgusting behavior. more disgusting than anything that's ever come out of either end of me, anyway!

i'd have explained what crohn's is. he obviously has no idea. i'd start with "well yeah, that's because crohn's causes diarrhea." and continue from there.

and in the scenario in my head that will never ever happen, he responds "oh, well you shouldnt worry about that!" i'd crap myself right there so he has to clean it up!
Posted 4/13/2014 10:27 AM (GMT 0)
I KNEW you would understand. Thanks so much for the solidarity.

I hadn't thought about complaining, but maybe I will figure out a way to share the story that could help others at that ER.

Pb4 and Bane - LOL.

Thanks so much everyone.

xo
Posted 4/13/2014 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Even trying to see it in the best possible light, that nurse's comments came across as smarmy and unprofessional. In the worst possible light, he might have been going on a little power trip with you: either way, you felt humiliated and I'm not surprised.

Perhaps in future if anything like that happens again, ask for a different nurse and if he or she asks why, explain why. But you don't think of these things at the time, so don't beat yourself up about it. Glad you're okay and home now.
Posted 4/14/2014 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
huckleberry...that was so unfair at a very awful time for you. All I can think is this RN saw the commercials that show CD as "worrying about getting to the bathroom" and that's all they talk about.
I once had a GI tell me I didn;t have CD, was just upset I wasn't married yet....people at every level can be completely ignorant. Just relish in the fact that you know better as best you can.
Hope things are feeling better now...Take Care
Posted 4/14/2014 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Habs, if a doc or anyone ever said something like that to me I'd probably knock their teeth out! Especially a doc!
Posted 4/14/2014 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
What a lame. EVERYONE has anxiety when they feel like you felt and are not sure they're going to make it to the bathroom in time! I'd say anyone who has never had D is more than lucky as even "healthy" CD-free people get D from time to time, which causes worry about getting to the bathroom on time. So, unless he's the only person on the planet who's never had D (for any reason), then he's full of it!!
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