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To go or not to go to the ER

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/7/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with UC and it has been quite the ride. I usually go about 2 months in between flare ups. This one started 2 weeks ago and I have been on Hydrocortisone and the last 3 days have been extremely awful and painful, day and night. I now have pain in both flank sides and am very low on energy and iron. My Dr isn't very good about answering after hours calls, so do I just tough it out or go to the ER? Any thoughts are appreciated! shakehead shakehead shakehead shakehead

Post Edited (Mbriggs) : 3/6/2014 8:17:16 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/7/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Please help! I don't know anyone else with this disease and don't know what "normal" is...
Posted 3/7/2014 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Well the ER can get you fluids and pain meds... those are usually nice.
but they cant do much else.

Ive only gone to the ER when I couldnt handle the pain any longer... and to get in to a GI sooner.

What medications are you on besides hydrocortisone?
Posted 3/7/2014 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Just Hydrocortisone and Prednisone. The stomach cramps were so bad last night I thought I may pass out.
Posted 3/7/2014 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
The ER is going to be a very expensive trip. You gotta weigh if its worth it for you. And what you can "handle" pain wise.
they may also be able to take a stool sample to test for different bacteria.
And they can also run blood tests quickly and check your iron levels.

Basically its doing SOMETHING... but more expensive.
upside: pain killers straight to the veins
Posted 3/7/2014 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Well, my typical rule is if it you are close to passing out, are vomiting every hour for six+ hours, or can't take the pain, then head to the ER. Passing out = either dehydrated or very anemic. They can give you things for vomiting. Pain meds can help with pain, obviously. If your belly is still smushy and not distended, then you likely don't have toxic mega colon or anything super awful. If your belly is hard, go in.
Posted 3/7/2014 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Also your doctor sounds like an idiot... you arent prescribed a UC med like Lialda, Asacol, or anything?? No mesalamine for maintenance?

If your pain is pass out strong... I would go to the ER. And def get your stool tested. C.diff is a very painful infection of the guts that IBD patience are susceptible to.
Posted 3/7/2014 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've only been on hydrocortisone and prednisone. I feel like I'm drowning with this disease and don't know where to go or what to do. Is it normal to get these pains on your side after you've been flaring up for awhile?
Posted 3/7/2014 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
And my stomach is really bloated.
Posted 3/7/2014 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
i've had many ER trips- maybe 10x UC related, and i go for a few things:

dehydration- they give me fluids
blood transfusions- i get admitted and get a few pints of blood
pain- this is where i can't function or talk. even walking/crawling hurts and i always get admitted.
appendicitis- twice. probably the most painful thing i've experienced. also admitted and get IV antibiotics.

i've literally only been sent home once and that was for dehydration. i ended up in the hospital a week later and was admitted. should have been admitted the first time but my old GI was an idiot.

i find going to the ER really helpful because things get done fast for me. i see doctors quicker and get treatment/blood tests/stool tests ASAP. their whole goal is to either fix you in the ER so you can go home or admit you because you are too sick to go home.
Posted 3/7/2014 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Are you actually having BM's? If you are plugged up I would go to the ER. If you're not plugged up I really don't know what they would do for you other than giving you pain meds. I severely question your doc's treatment plan. What country are you in?
Posted 3/7/2014 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
I get really severe flank pain with kidney infections even if I dont have any other symptoms could it be something like that? Id say go to the e.r if you are in severe pain and dont know whats going on
Posted 3/7/2014 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Went in and it was a double kidney infection along with a severe flare up. Morphine was my savior!!! Thanks for all the input!
Posted 3/7/2014 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Woah, I thought the flank pain sounded like gas pain. Just goes to show that I was wrong.

Anyway, good job on going to ER and getting a proper diagnosis, Mbriggs. My advice for going to ER would be to ignore everyone's advice and follow your own instincts. If something really doesn't feel right, then the chances are it isn't right. That's what made me go to ER for the first time, even though on the surface I hadn't had any symptoms I hadn't had a million times before: high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, etc. My dad tried to talk me out of it, for similar reasons people gave in this thread: "it'll be a waste of time, you'll only be given paracetamol and sent home."

In the event, I was in for 5 days, sent home, then in again for another 9 days. The hospital originally thought I had a bacterial infection, but they got it wrong. It turned out I had toxic megacolon, a life-threatening complication.
Posted 3/7/2014 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
You need to find a new GI.

You should NOT only be on steroid-based meds. Period.
Posted 3/7/2014 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! Glad to have found a place where people understand what I'm going thru!!!
Posted 3/7/2014 9:35 PM (GMT 0)

fruitgirl said...
You need to find a new GI.

You should NOT only be on steroid-based meds. Period.

WSS^^
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