When do you make the hosptial decision?

Go to the ER when your life is in danger or the pain is completely intolerable. Otherwise, you're better off to see your own doctor - pc or GI. The ER docs don't know you, don't know your history, and probably treat UC flares infrequently enough that it's not their strength. They'll give you fluids, maybe a suppository for the nausea, maybe IV steroids and tell you to follow up with your own doctor. You'll likely wait a while to be seen (here you'd wait 2-15 hours depending on which hospital you go to) and it will cost a lot more than a doctor's office visit.

Sounds like you need to be admitted to the hospital, though avoiding the ER is advisable. When admitted, they will up your steroids. Even 50 mg of prednisone is stronger than 50mg given orally. It should knock you into remission, if you also give your bowels a rest. They'll IV you, and put you on a liquid diet. You will probably respond quickly, and feel better soon. They should also do the blood work needed to see if you can go on the 6mp.s. They take a week to get back, but better sooner than later. If the new Pred. doesn't work,it's your next drug.
Goodluck

After a few months of seeing DH in wicked pain I could not stand it any longer. Called his Dr who got right back to me on a Sat. night. We discussed what was going on and she agreed. We used the emergency room at the hospital nearby that she has privileges at. I brought with me a total typed list of meds, dose, strength etc. A typed summary of his condition and what has been going on up to this point so when the Dr interviewed him he asked relevant questions and not a bunch of unnecessary ones. And finally I asked his Dr. to give me "a plan" for the ER Doctor that she wanted to see followed as she would be in later that night (actually her partner) which I also typed up.

We went in at 7am on a Sunday morning and had no wait at all as luck would have it. It is better to try to go very late at night or very early to avoid an extra long wait in the waiting room which is no fun if you are in extreme pain, urgency etc.

He was admitted for a total of 5 1/2 days - pain management - started Imuran along with prednisone to help "jump start" it. In his case going to the hospital (with a plan) worked out well for us both as I was out of my mind watching all this going on at home here.

Good luck.

Ok, heard from my GI. At first was not going to do much until I started crying and explained how much pain I was in. They are still waiting for samples to come back,etc and I understand that but sheesh do i just sit around in agony until then? So i got really upset and they rescheduled me for tomorrow instead of on the 10th. I mean, when I look in the mirror I look like death warmed over. And doesn't it seem odd that the prednisone is doing NOTHING? ugh. So at least I got in earlier.



I just want to be able to work. I'm a single mom, and this job is our life.

I went to the ER last Nov when I was so weak from non-stop bms for a week straight. They gave me an IV of fluids, man, I wish I could have those here at home for when I need it! It helped me feel soo much better. Then they gave me an IV of Flagyl and another antibiotic (my blood tests showed signs of infection as usual). I told them my pain level was a 10 because my rectum was soooo sore and they wouldnt give me any pain meds. Then they took pointless xrays and the doctors attacked me about my diet and the fact I wasnt taking hydrocortisone enemas. My GI let me be released that day so I went home and took it easy and the flare-up stopped. Was it worth $2,000? At the time, yes, because I was so weak and I couldn't get the D to stop. The most frustrating thing is the ER doctors acting like they are UC experts, or at least the 2 I met were. That was my experience... I would say it's all up to you and how bad you are feeling.

Ok. So went this morn, and she upped my pred to 60 mg for 2-3 days and then wants me back down to 40 mg. Also sent me for an abdominal CT scan (which I did right after I left the clinic) and so we're waiting to here the results on that. She also gave me a script for Ambien becuz she wants me to do 30 mg of pred in the morn and 30 at night. So, still no answers for sure, but at least I feel heard, ya know? And i'm really looking forward to some sleep!!


She also mentioned that if in one week i'm worse or showing no improvement she wants to admit me to the hospital to get some IV steriods. So we shall see!

Going from 60mg to 40mg in a few days seems a fast decrease for prednisone. Maybe others have experience with this and it is ok - just sounded not right.

Hope you can get some well deserved and much needed sleep. That is so tough when you want to sleep and the body doesn't let you. Hubby needed Ambien for a few nights and it did help.

Well, i thought that about the 60 mg too, I'm not sure... she didn't want me on it for more than 2 days... So what I did, was take my reg 40 in the morn and added 20 at night....

So last night was day 1.

Was still up 3-4 times that night on the toliet, even with the ambien I didn't sleep well. *sigh*