Just needed to vent vs. am I wrong?

Hi,

Just got home from the most horrific ER visit of all times. I still can't believe it. I work in this Medical Center!

I've been having some severe pain. Haven't been able to keep anything down for 3 days now. Lost 5 pounds over the past 10 days. Called my GP who said to go to the ER. Still waited a few more hours, but finally went.

They treated me like I was some sort of drug seeker. I told them about the IBD, about how the GI scoping doc said that he thinks it is Crohn's. Told them how I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, and my stomach felt like it had a kidney stone in it. Told them I had diarrhea on Friday and a little on Saturday, but nothing since then.

They gave me 1 mg Dilaudid and some anti-nausea stuff. Said to call them in 10 minutes if I got no relief. Followed instructions and called 10 minutes later, crying in pain. Fast forward 2 hours later- no one having come!

Finally, someone comes and, very snotty, asks what the deal was doubled over crying and I told them I was in severe pain. 30 minutes afteR that, they come in to give me Benadryl and an acid reducer.

I've never done this before, but I walked out.when they said "don't you want your discharge instructions." I asked why...those always state to come back if you don't feel better, or get worse, so I asked them how much worse could I get? If they don't want to help me now, I don't see how I could get much worse.

I've always been proud to work at the UConn health Center, it I will NEVER go back to there again. I've worked there for going on 12 years and have never taken any illegal drugs or did anything to seek out drugs. I was just diagnosed with IBD (the type still to be determined) and pm the GI department won't see me until the 27th, so I'm to on any kind of IBD medication. So I'm just in horrendous pain and I feel like I can't get anyone to help.

Sorry this is so long. I'm just ready to give up, and this whole wild ride has really just started.

How horrible! I feel for you. Call your GI and tell him/her what happened. Ask for help. Certainly (s)he can call in some pain meds for you or something. I have found that the hospital rarely helps. They only make it worse. I hope you get the relief you need.

I'm really sorry for your bad treatment. I've had some pretty horrendous ER visits myself. It's ridiculous to be treated that way, but it happens all too often and I've seen it in large and small hospitals. Do put in a fromal complaint to your hospital and complain to your doctor.

It hurt me worse when my mother was so poorly treated in her last years and I swore that after one hospital forced her to sit in a wheel chair for over 5 hr. after a bad fall because "we have no available beds in the ER" and then only to send her home after having done nothing, that I would call an ambulance from then on. And I did. Of course, I can't afford to do that for myself. The icing on the cake with that visit was that a nurse came by her and patted her on the head like she was a puppy, saying "you poor thing". I've come to realize that many people go into the medical field for the better paycheck. I know there are many who aren't that way, but they are few and far between these days. As sick as my daughter has been, she refuses to go to the ER for this reason.

Very unfortunate that you had to endure such a terrible experience. Especially considering your work at that very Hospital?

I think when you attend an emergency department, the staff are often overworked, and tend to view everyone as if they really don't need to be there. Some are truly drug seekers, and others just have a virus.

I'm not making excuses for them, as they should have the sense and training to tell the difference, and treat the priority cases accordingly.

In the meantime, I hope you get through to your GI, or get a new GI, to get some prompt treatment. Until you get in, try following a low residue diet, to see if that will quiet things down abit.

My doctor suggested to go to the ER on Friday when I called..It is like the worst thought..I was like a new GI referral, and I will try and tough this out..My last ER experience was so bad and the expense involved..A lot of ER staff are not CD knowledgeable..When I tried to explain things, it was like a blank stare..My sister in law had a small bowel obstruction recently and the care she received was horrible..People slumped over in hallways crying..Even with insurance, they were hounding her for $$'s, and she ended up in the ICU after my husband stepping in and fighting with the ER staff..He was like my wife has Crohns, and I know what I am talking about and telling them what they needed to do ..There are people that use the er for drug seeking and routine care that and unknowledgeable staff is a large concern when a trip to the ER becomes necessary for a CD emergency..I feel your pain..