How do you know when it's time to go to the hospital?

I've had mild to moderate Crohn's for 34 years.  Currently in the middle of a flare-up.  I've never been to the hospital.  I'm on Entocort, Colozal, Nexium, Flagyl and monthly B12 shots.  Also have chronic anemia, B12 deficiency, peripheral neuropathy and leg pain.  I've had a sphincterectomy for a fissure that wouldn't heal, a total hysterectomy and an appendectomy, but no Crohn's surgeries.

I've been having a whole lot of pain, cramping and diarrhea for the last 8 weeks.   I'm very weak, dizzy and fatigued. My gastro is too booked to see me, but my primary physician is ready to admit me if I want to go.  I don't want to go.  I'm not sure when you're supposed to go.  I'm still able to make it to work most days.  I'm a hourly worker and sole support of my family, so time off is a tough option.

What do they do for you in the hospital?   How do you know when it's time to go?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

I usually go to the hospital when my pain becomes so severe nothing helps. I also go when I know that I am very dehydrated and weak. I feel so bad I can barely move. What they do in the hospital is give you IV to rehydrate you and usually keep you off food for a few days. They also get you onto meds to help treat your pain or other symptoms. Since the Entocort doesn't seem to be working for you, maybe its time to try the Prednisone instead. Yeah it has more side effects, but it tends to help get the inflammation down faster.

If you are worried about taking time off, maybe put your self on a liquid diet for a few days. Get some Ensure or Boost to drink to help put nutrients back into your system. But if things don't improve I think you are going to have to bite the bullet and go to the ER. Good Luck to you.

Thank you for the reply.  

Yesterday, my primary doctor's MA's tried 6 times with 5 different people to get blood from me and they couldn't, so I think I'm dehydrated. They told me to drink lots a water so they can try again today.  I will be searching for a new gastro.   My current one is older and has cut back on his office hours dramatically in the last year, which was unbeknownst to me until I try to get in to see him.  His nurse said 'go to the hospital and then he can see you'....!  Great!

What other meds do you think I should be on?  I'm also taking Librium as needed for the cramping and Effexor ER.   I've tried every anti-spasmodic I think they make -  and every form of mesalimine too - never been on Remicade or 6mp or any of those more scarier things.  What could be next?

I think it is important to go in and get your blood level checked to see what your iron/Hemoglobin/Hematocrit levels are,
They may need to infuse you

I hope you are feeling better by now... just wanted to wish you luck. There are times when I wish I had gone to the ER after a few nights of D in a row. I was so weak but like you I was hesistant to go to the ER. I think you should go to look for a new GI, you seem to need more care right now and your current one is not available enough. Let us know how you are.

It depends on how bad you are. If you pain is intolerable then you need to go because its silly to have so much pain that you can't deal with. If you are dehydrated they will give you IV fluids and maybe some vitamins to get your strength back up. Please go because this isnt really anything to play around with. Its really not that bad and you may even be able to get some rest. They will give you some good pain killers and keep you comfy your whole stay. Keep us posted and get better!

So glad you went. I had a pretty strong inkling that you were going to have to give up and go. So happy to hear you are feeling so much better. Check with your hospital to see if they have any home health nurses like that. I am sure though in those cases they probably would want you to be in a hospital setting.

so gald you are feeling better. I could kick myself because I did not go the last time I was real sick Karen

Glad to hear you are better! Sometimes some IV hydration and pain meds, and/or  anti nausea meds are all that is needed to help ride out a flare.

For anybody going to ER, make sure you know what is in the IV they hook up to you. When my daughter went to ER the second time, she was given Cipro via IV without her knowledge or consent. She found out it was Cipro only after they had already administered it to her.