Debating going to the ER

Considering that you've had viruses going through your family of late, I would wait it out, at least for a couple of more days. You don't want to go to the ER this time of year unless it's really necessary. You'll likely be exposing yourself to more mutations. Perhaps switch to a bland and low residue diet for a few days as well, lots of liquids, monitor your temp and go from there. There's so many new strains of things out there these days, that hopefully it passes as mysteriously as it came.

I would wait it out tbh. Try a glass of ginger beer/ale (it's not alcoholic) for the nausea. Hot drinks are less bloating than cold ones, so I would try to drink hot tea, clear broth, etc. It's soothing and it may stimulate your bowels - it sounds like you are a bit constipated. I'd consider a laxative as well.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

I'm slightly worried about a partial obstruction, which is why I hesitate on boosting fiber. If I were constipated, it wouldn't be super skinny (at least in my experience). And it's very little stool and almost impossible to pass gas without straining.

Those long and skinny stools usually come for me prior to a partial obstruction, where I end up in the ER a day later. Your symptoms sound like what I have had. Though usually I am very dehydrated as well, and my pulse usually shoots up to 120+, so they give me fluid boluses and pain meds to settle down my spasming intestines.

I would actually offer my suggestion on what to do based on your insurance and coverage. If it is just a copay of $150 or you hit your out of pocket maximum, certainly it is worth it IMO... but if it is worse insurance, then waiting it out... but I always get concerned with the obstruction part.

I don't think anyone would label you an addict, to be honest. I have had this worry and discussed it with the docs and nurses who have treated me. I once had a nurse who had Crohn's, and she said "don't have any guilt in asking for Dilaudid if you need it, as your disease is painful and sometimes that is all that will touch it". She is right, if I take Tylenol and it won't touch it, typically I would need something stronger. I am still struggling getting over the stigma, because there are times when I just need something to get the pain under control. I know I am not an addict, because even though I am semi-frequent in the ER as of late due to a bad stricture (four times the last month), I only need the pain meds for a day or two and things get better. You just sometimes need to do what you need to do.

I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and a wife who we have discussed this subject. Don't ever think you are being a hardship to them because of your health. Take care of yourself first, make sure you are properly hydrated and you don't have an obstruction. Being a hardship on them is letting things get worse and ending up needing emergency surgery because things get too bad. Fluids have often helped me "open up", as well as a quick spurt of IV steroids that they can give you in the ER. Rather be safe than sorry, IMO.

Scifi, I completely understand your thoughts on ER & being labeled as a drug seeker. This type of thing is rampant because of the so called opioid crisis. It has been a true game changer so legitimate patients in ER. Here is an example, last summer my daughter was trying to get in a hammock & it flipped her out landing on her back. Six weeks prior she was visiting a relative out of town. She slipped & fell down their wooden stairs in their house. She banged her back up in that fall. Never went to the dr just took Advil. When she flipped out of the hammock she laid there for nearly an hour, she could not get up. She managed to crawl into the house. She couldn't walk without screaming from the pain. The next morning her BF took her to his dr & I guess getting her in the car was unbelievable pain. He had to get help at the drs office to get her out of the car. They took one look at her in the parking lot no less & said we are calling an ambulance we cannot help her she needs to be seen at the hospital. She immediately had hot searing pain that ran down her leg. She said it felt like a bolt of electricity. ER was unbelievable. First thing that was said to her is we do not give narcotics! She told them I do not want narcotics, give me a shot of a steroid it will help with the pain. They gave her a muscle relaxer & steroid pack. They did give her a mild pain shot so we could get her in the car without her screaming at the top of her lungs. She missed 2 weeks of work & her dr wanted her off longer than that. She is better but she has to watch moving her left leg or that lightening bolt hits. I know there are people that abuse pain meds but making legitimate patients suffer because of some idiots is just wrong.

Hi Scifigal
It's Rockyman here, not been on the forum for a while due to car accident, these things happen.
I can see that you are still having a lot of issues and I was kinda hoping that you was all fixed and no longer suffering.
It's 2 years tomorrow since my Fistulotomy and I am still not fully healed down below, I have continuous battles with skin inflammation on the scars, have you any thoughts on if this is a common problem, I still see a consultant for the pain and sore skin but all he does is give me lots of NSAIDs like Aleeve plus omeprazole for acid.
It's weird because sometimes it all goes away and I feel ok for a few days then it's suddenly back.
I suppose my over riding concern is that another abscess may be about to surface but so far it's just sore skin on the scars.
Any advice would be good.