What to expect if I have to go to the hospital?

welcome spair -

short answer = hard to say, but probably not much -

what do you want to have happen ? what are your expectations ?

do you have a siggy with all your dirty shorts stories & vital information for us to enjoy and get to know you and your colon better ?

do you have someone to take you ?

You'll get IV hydration, which might be the reason for your weakness right now. If you are truly losing a lot of blood (unlikely -- for most of us it looks like way more than it really is) you may receive a blood transfusion. If deemed necessary, you might be put on NPO, meaning no food or drink by mouth, and receive your steroids and hydration through IV only. If there is any risk of toxic megacolon or perforation, you may receive a surgical consult, but no one will force you into surgery unless your life is at risk and you are physically unable to provide consent.

Flares can usually be managed at home but if you aren't able to keep up your hydration, IV hydration is important. You might want to check with your GI or PCP to see if it would be possible to receive hydration in their office instead of at the ER.

They will probably run some tests on you. Check to see if you are anemic or dehydrated. You'll probably get some fluids and you might even end up with a blood transfusion if you are terribly anemic. Maybe some pain meds too if you need them and are lucky.

Last time I went to the hospital for a flare they admitted me and I was there for two weeks. I could barely walk at that point and you sound like you are better off than I was so I doubt that would happen to you. They put me on intravenous steroids for about 12 days, and gave me TPN (basically vitamins/nutrients pumped into your arm) because my blood protein levels were abysmal and I had lost about 20% of my body weight in a month.

So yeah basically the outcome of a hospital visit really depends on what the diagnostic tests/labs show.