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first time posting - Crohns

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/18/2016 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
So Ive never done anything like this before. I tried to set up my account last night, but apparently it didn't work. Can anyone help me? How long does it usually take to get biopsy results, and is it common for the dr to send you to the ER if you are still having the same pain that you went in to see him for? I think I am going to switch doctors.
Posted 3/18/2016 9:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to HW. You've come to a great place for support and advice.

I don't think it's unusual for your Dr. to send you to the ER if you're having abdominal pain, particularly severe abdominal pain.

The big concern would be a blockage. That's probably what he wanted you checked for.

As far as your biopsy results, I suppose it varies, but I'm guessing at a couple of weeks.

Ultimately, if you're losing confidence in your GI, then it's time to look for another one. Try to get recommendations though.

Good luck, hope you're feeling better soon.
Posted 3/18/2016 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.

It takes a while for biopsy results to come back - 2-3 weeks I'd say. I'm from the UK though, so it might be quicker in the US.

There are many reasons why a doctor might send you to the ER, really. My previous GP called an ambulance for me when my dad took me in with severe abdominal pain. He made the right call, as while he could have just sent me away with painkillers, I was actually close to the point of needing emergency surgery (IV steroids spared me from that).

Unless you really think you were sent to ER unnecessarily, I'm not sure that's a good reason for switching doctors.
Posted 3/18/2016 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I think if your pain is out of control or he's worried about something immediately dangerous causing the pain, you'll get much quicker results at the ER (like MRI scans, etc.). It can take a couple of weeks to get biopsy results back in the US. If you have other reasons to not like your GI, then go ahead and switch.
Posted 3/19/2016 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
You need to feel comfortable asking the GI to explain the treatment - If sending you to the ER because of concern about a blockage, you should know that. There are other problems that can occur - such as C-dif, ulceration, etc., and it's a good thing that the GI doesn't take chances - some doctor's are too confident and that can cause serious problems. I personally like a doctor that wouldn't want me to sit home and suffer in pain, not knowing what could be happening. The gut is a tricky organ - so many variables. Communication is so important - don't be afraid to ask your GI to explain things. The more you know about your condition and treatment, the better you'll be able to communicate with the ER staff if you do have to go in.
I had been on a new med a few years ago, and was experiencing a different kind of pain than a Crohn's flare. I went on the Web and searched "side effects" of the drug, and discovered that I was having an attack of pancreatitis. I immediately went to the ER (when I saw the word "fatal!). I told the intake nurse that I had pancreatitis- he looked at me like I was nuts, but after a quick blood test, he told me I was right and I was admitted immediately. It always helps to know your own body! And speak up! The GI works for you, not the other way around. Good luck!
Posted 3/21/2016 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks yall. Sorry my post was so random, I wasn't even sure it was going to post and when I am in pain, my thoughts are very scatterbrained. I have been on my own trying to figure this stuff out and frankly these boards are some scary stuff. Yall have been through some major life threatening problems and mine seem so minor comparatively. So here is the long story: I've had issues since 2012 that included a hospital stay (undetermined colitis), c-diff, rectocele surgery, and a hysterectomy. My insurance changed so I found a new doctor. They did a pillcam back in January and he diagnosed me with Crohn's due to my past history plus he found ulcers in my upper small bowels. He knew these weren't caused by H pylory or anti-inflammatory drugs. He scheduled for me to go in for a colonoscopy/endoscopy to see the severity. While I was still coming to, he told my husband I have mild crohns. Jeff (my husband) wasn't able to tell me anything more. So I called the dr office and set up an appt (which they were suppose to do before I left). I am finally getting to see the dr tomorrow almost 2 months later.

I am not getting the responses (actually any responses) I need from him. I wont even see him tomorrow, just another dr in the practice. This is their last chance. I have been calling him for a multitude of reasons (reactions to meds, getting Thrush, diarrhea, constipation, still throwing up, etc) and the only response I ever get from his nurse is for me to go to the ER. Case in point: I was diagnosed by an immediate care dr as having Thrush (I couldn't get in touch with my gastro dr) so he put me on antibiotics. I left a message with my gastro on Monday saying I wasn't sure if I should take them since I had C.Diff in the past and wanted to run it by him first. I didn't receive a callback until a week and a half later by his nurse. She said I shouldn't take the antibiotics and should go to the ER (for Thrush???). Well needless to say I had already taken the course of antibiotics (with crazy side effects) so it was too late. While I had her on the phone I explained that I had been having severe diarrhea for 2 weeks straight after my colonoscopy. She said she would talk to the dr and call me back. The next day she called and said I should go to the ER. But the diarrhea stopped so I didn't go in. Then I totally switched to constipation. After a week of this, I called him again and received a callback 3 days later and was told AGAIN to go to the ER. So, I tried home remedies of taking laxatives (which I NEVER do) 3 days in a row with no results and then tried a water enema. I was able to go some but it was PAINFUL as in I was on the bathroom floor screaming. I called her again, and she said the same thing. I have been in nothing but pain since this whole thing started and I am so confused since I haven't been able to actually talk to a doctor that can explain things to me. I don't want to go to the ER for something minor but I also I don't want to mess up my insides by waiting too long.

So I guess my real question is when do I go to the ER and when do I tough it out? Can they even help for constipation and pain or will they look at me like I am crazy??? I am literally counting down the hours until my appt in the morning but I have a feeling I will still have all these questions...
Posted 3/21/2016 10:35 AM (GMT 0)
I understand that you're trying to tough it out, as your appt. is so close now. You really have to be careful though. As mentioned previously, the usual concern is a blockage. If you're not going at all, and you've taken laxatives, this would be a concern.

Also, not sure how it works where you are, but at our hospitals they willl have an on call GI for emergencies. That might be another reason they're pushing the ER so much.

If you do wait, you really need to be direct with your GI or whoever you end up seeing at your appt. I would recommend you bring someone to advocate for you. Sometime it's better coming from an objective observer. If you're firm with your GI and you still leave confused, or just don't have any confidence in him, then it's time to find someone else.

Really hope tomorrow brings about some good news, and you get feeling better
Posted 3/21/2016 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly, there isn't anything the GI can do that is quick. If you are in as much pain as you are saying, then there is typically something majorly wrong (or at least they need to rule that out). Your GI can't do much except order tests, and it can take weeks to get those results back. So the ER can do immediate scans, labwork, and give you pain meds to help control things.
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