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Should I go to the ER

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/25/2015 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I wrote on here not too long ago that I was starting a flare up. It took a while to get an appointment with my GI but I finally got there last week. The flare up had gotten worse so he prescribed me 6mp to take and keep taking the simponi as well. Then he also prescribed me steroid enemas. But that night when I got home things got so much worse and now it's the holiday weekend so I can't call him. I've only been able to get a couple enemas to stay in and they only stayed for about 20 mins. I'm having 1 or 2 accident a day and nearly making it ten feet to the toilet the rest of the time. I'm going constantly and it's literally just like brown water (that smells horrible) lol. And I'm going back and forth between being very hot to having the chills. I can nearly eat anything and no matter how much water I drink I still have a dry mouth. My legs are sore and shaky, and last night twice the toilet was filled with pinkish red blood. I'm getting scared bc I feel like I'm going to pass out.
Oh and i also am no longer on Lialda
Posted 5/25/2015 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
Only you can decide if you need to go to the ER.

They will more than likely just give you fluids and IV steriods.

If you are feeling like passing out you may be dehydrated and going would be a good thing for you.

Have you had a stool test done? I would advise that if you haven't.
Posted 5/25/2015 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
No I've never had a stool test done I'll have to ask my doctor about it though
Posted 5/25/2015 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Uc flares and cdiff have the exact same symptoms but have different treatments, a stool test differentiates between the two. Stool tests should be done when symptoms turn for the worse. Cdiff is treated with antibiotics. Your gastroenterologist can order a stool test.
Posted 5/25/2015 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not much for going to the ER for UC but maybe you should. You could have C-Diff and you don't want to mess with that.
Posted 5/25/2015 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
The ER will help if you're dehydrated, in pain, or anemic, beyond that, they'll just refer you to your gastroenterologist.
Posted 5/25/2015 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, you need to be tested for c-diff. Go to the ER, the treatment is different plus they can hydrate you and give you pain meds. I've had c-diff once and it was the most horrible smell ever. They admitted me because my K was so low. I think it's worth a visit since you are getting worse and having accidents.
Posted 5/25/2015 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I was having basically the exact same symptoms when I had an allergic reaction to a 5asa. Went from having formed brown stools with blood, to pure brown water bowel movements every hour or so. Maybe a medication you are taking isn't sitting well with you.
Posted 5/25/2015 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
yes, go !
Posted 5/25/2015 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
You should go. At the very least, you need some fluids.
Posted 5/26/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I had a similar experience and ended up going to the ER. But make sure if you do go they have a Gastro on sight and on call!!! I made a terrible mistake of going to the closest one which did not and I was not checked in even though my white blood count was 14,000 with severe abdominal pain.
I waited a couple days and felt so terrible I went to a different one. Turns out my white blood cell count was 23,000 and had acute pancreatitis with my whole colon inflamed.

If you feel like death I would go but as others mentioned it really is up to you but waiting too long may be a longer hospital stay. I had to stay for 5 days.
Posted 5/26/2015 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I'm with Gary. Honestly ERs are kind of a joke to me. Most likely they won't have a GI on call and then you're just stuck with whoever. My family was just talking about this the other day. My brother was talking about a guy who went to the ER for chest pains and the doctor that night was an OB/GYN who had no idea what to do. Most likely they'll give you IV steroids and fluids, but then once you check out you'll have to go on pred which would be a significantly lower dose and your symptoms may come back. If you could I'd wait until your doctor opens tomorrow and get an appointment with him. You'll have to regardless and that way you'll save some money by not going to the ER.
Posted 5/26/2015 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Sometimes, just being in the hands of someone with a medical degree gives comfort...yeah, I know, sounds stupid. Fluids and steroids make you feel better and confirm you will be alive and kicking in the am. Get to as good a place as you can drive to- GI's with IBD expertise important. Then get tested for every porosity they know how to do, and proceed with treatments. 6mp takes awhile, you need a bridge.
Posted 5/26/2015 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your replies didn't get a chance yesterday. I did end up going to the ER later in the day yesterday and the GI that works with my GI that was on call I called him and he showed up a little later in the night after they did a cat scan where they realized a lot more of my colon is now affected than what originally was in 2012 when I had my colonoscopy and it seems the inflammation is pretty bad. I was admitted so I'm still at the hospital they took a stool sample a while ago to test for c. Diff and hopefully my GI will be here later to discuss remicade bc that's what the GI I spoke to last night said he was going to recommend he do.
Posted 5/27/2015 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
That's too bad APro, looks like you did the right thing to go, I'm happy you're taken care of. Best!
Posted 5/27/2015 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Glad u went and figure it out before it got worse!

I wonder how they can see inflammation on a CT Scan? If they could do that then why bother with a scope? I know they can do biopsies but I'd rather have a scan than a scope.
Posted 5/27/2015 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you feel better. No one deserves to suffer, but I would try to watch those warning signs of a flare before it gets too bad again. Better off calling your doc when you have bad symptoms. With that being said everyone is different and handles their flares a little different too though. You'll find what works for you. Took me a couple bad ones to figure out when to call the doc and watch my food more closely.
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