Frustrated after a day in the ER - erythema nodosum

I've been in a manageable flare for about a year now (blood and mucus daily, urgency, nausea, urgency), but have never had to miss work. I thought I had a system worked out -- even though sometimes I have to spend the weekend recharging. Things have been worse in the last few weeks, but it's still been manageable.

But then Thursday I developed a fever at work. Went to bed at 7pm and thought I had the thing beat, but had to come home from work the next morning. Then this morning I woke up with these painful, large swollen red lumps on my legs. After waiting an hour and a half at the walk-in, they sent me to the ER because of my fever, where I waited for even longer.

Anyway, apparently all of this is due to my UC. I'd heard of erythema nodosum but never imagined they could be so large and tender! And I'm still battling the fever, and might have to miss work tomorrow. Arg. And to make it worse, I have really painful hemorrhoids. Go figure.

The ER docs didn't want to prescribe me prednisone right there because I had bad reactions to it when I was younger and took it for asthma. I should hear from my gastro tomorrow, but in the meantime am feeling frustrated.

I'm getting worried that if things continue like this I'll have to go on short term disability or something. My job isn't really one I can step away easily from, or just do part time. I know many people have it a lot worse than I do, I'm just starting to question whether I should even bother continuing on with this job. I'm relatively new in the position and would like to hang on for a year or longer before moving on, since it's a great career opportunity, but am feeling beaten down and questioning my priorities. And perhaps spending the time in the ER today just drove that home for me.

The doctor said there's not much they can do for erythema nodosum. Does anyone have tips for that? Or for meds to ask about other than pred?

Thanks, in advance. I feel a bit better already just having wrote this down, getting it out of my head.

I'm curious if the hospital did a biopsy to make sure it's not an infection rather than just assumed it's UC-related.

Are you taking the enemas nightly? That's a long time for you to still have the flaring symptoms.
I would also suggest you ask for a prescription to deal with your hemmies...proctocedyl has been a good med for me. It comes in ointment and suppositories. Use the supps during the day, your enemas at night and the ointment externally.


I cannot offer much regarding your position...it's unfortunate you're in this situation because of your health.

Please do LOTS of research on EN and possibly get referred to a skin specialist. I guess I'm wanting you to make sure nothing else is going on.

Let us know what's happening.

q