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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/27/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
When does one decide that enough is enough & it is time for a trip to the E.R.?
I have been in a really bad flare for a very long time. This morning it was 5 marathon trips to the bathroom for D. The last one was just yellow, greenish, brownish water that came out. (at 200 mph) Also bleeding. And I am at work...not too embarrassing!! I do have a pain in my upper right side just under my ribs and wonder if gallbladder has anything to do with this? I did have an ultrasound for this pain a while back and was assured that it was nothing. But I still have the pain, sometimes worse than others.
I am on Simponi, Mezevant, Asacol. I really am about at my wits end? And thinking I don't care if they take the darn thing out!!! Would metemucil help? I have read a bit about that on this forum?
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Posted 3/27/2014 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
What do you think they will do for you at the ER?

If you are too sick to be at work, go home. You need to talk to your GI about how bad your flare is and get it under control. Oral steroids sound like a good idea if you cannot work. Perhaps getting some nicotine back on board would be something you'd consider (patches?).

If you get too dehydrated from frequent diarrhea the ER can give you IV fluids, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.
Posted 3/27/2014 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
hey dot,

unfortunately, like most fun things in life, there are no definitive answers - your pain and suffering and definition of "really bad flare" are the only things that will determine whether you go or not -

is this the worst you have been in 25 years ?

lots of folks have started smoking again or used some type of nicotine therapy to relieve symptoms ? have you tried that route ?

have you called your doc ?

if you're feeling really crappy, you should go to the ER -
Posted 3/27/2014 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
If you're running a fever, if your belly is rigid and distended, if you can't hydrate yourself, if your pain is unbearable - go to the ER.

If not, they aren't going to do much for you.

If you think you might be ready to consider surgery, schedule a consultation with a colorectal surgeon. A consultation is NOT binding, and you are not wasting anyone's time if you have a consultation even though you don't know if you want surgery or not yet. The consultation is part of what helps you decide. It's much better to have a surgeon you know and trust *before* you need to have surgery. If you land in the hospital and you have never seen a surgeon before, they'll give you to whoever's on call.
Posted 3/27/2014 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with Kaz. There's really no reason to go to the ER unless you have a reasonable expectation that they will actually do something for you (they really don't know crap about IBD so what can they do?). If you feel you have had too much blood loss or are severely dehydrated then you probably should go to the ER because that is something they can do something about. This disease sucks. I hate to say it but the smoking and nicotine suggestions may be your best bet. Resuming moderate smoking is probably better than having surgery.
Posted 3/27/2014 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Go to the ER if:

You are in massive pain
You've been pooping non stop ( because then you're dehydrated)
High fever

I've gone to the ER once while I had UC and I was severely dehydrated. That's the biggest worry because that's nothing to screw around with. If you can get in to see your GI then that may be better. The ER just stinks to go to. Your doctor then can decide if he wants to admit you. But do get somewhere soon.
Posted 3/27/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Everyone.
I know ER will do nothing...I think I just needed to rant!!!
I have thought about smoking and my husband says I should "just smoke" But I really do not want to. If I could keep the smoking to about 6 smokes a day; I would consider it. But given the addiction, I don't think I have the willpower for just 6 smokes a day.

I know absolutely nothing about these e-cigs everyone talks about. Vaping I believe I have heard that word. I suppose these are available in Canada; but where? Sorry, but I do no know much about this.

thanks again for listening.
Posted 3/27/2014 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't realize you were in Canada. That makes the ER question a little different. Going to the ER in Canada sometimes seems to be the standard procedure if you're having troubles and can't get in to see your GI for long periods.
Posted 3/27/2014 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I'm puffing on an e-cig as I write this, I love em!...it sounds like it might be a good option for you, I understand your reluctance to smoke, if I could just stick to five cigs a day I would do, but for someone like me, I would be smoking 20 a day within the week, e-cigs work for me so I can definitely recommend them...if you go online, maybe you can find out where you can purchase them. Like normal cigarettes, they sell mild, medium and strong filters, I would suggest you start on medium...hope this helps.
Posted 3/27/2014 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to sound so stupid; but do they just look/act like a real cig?
Posted 3/27/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
When you purchase an e-cig it will come in a box with a "charger" to charge it up....you buy the filters in a separate packet, they have normal, menthol, grape, cherry, all different types of flavors...they look just like a normal cigarette, only a bit heavier, the end lights up when you puff on it, mine is green! rolleyes

Once you start to use it, it should last most of the day, and in the evening before I go to bed, I just plug it into the "charger" and it will be ready for use again the next day..its easy.

I love them, and switched to them quickly when I gave up smoking..if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.
Posted 3/27/2014 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Poppie.
I will definitely look in to this. Next silly question....where do you purchase them. Keep in mind I live in a small town - I like to call Swill Water ON - .
Posted 3/27/2014 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
You can usually purchase e-cigs from a tobacconist...I think your best bet is to do a bit of research online, and find out where they sell them near you...I hope you can get them where you live, maybe its possible to order some online? I use VOLT cigarettes as they seem to work well..I bet there is a website for Volt.
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