going to the e.r.

Good Luck! I hope that they are able to help you. Keep us updated when you can.

This information will be a little late for you but when my husband was flaring so badly and in so much pain I had enough. I put a call into the answering service and his Dr called back within an hour. I explained what had been going on for the past week and she agreed about taking him to the ER. This was a Saturday night the day before Mothers Day. I indicated to her that I would bring with me a complete up to date typed listing of meds, a synopsis of what has been going on for the past year BUT I wanted to go in there with a plan and recommendation from her for the ER doctor. I didn't want them fumbling around trying to decide what to do actually.

I brought that with me....when the ER Dr came in I politely asked if he would read the synopsis which gave him an overview, this channeled his thought processes and when he proceeded to ask 20 questions he wasn't on a fishing expedition and my husband who could barely focus and answer coherently due to his pain it made it a heck of alot easier for him to respond to pertinent questions. The Dr was actually pleased and thanked me. Not to mention typical ER - very hectic and could use another doctor on duty at the time as the hours passed.

Also I had supplied his current GI Dr's name and tel # (she also has privileges at this hospital and goes there regularly) and in red I typed what she would like for the ER to do. This was done and it was also decided to admit him. about 6-7 hrs later a fellow doctor from our GI practice came in to see him and go over everything that was done up to that point and make further recommendations.

As a side humorous note....when I was talking with his Dr the night before she stressed to bring him to the hospital either very late that night or very early the next morning (before the little old ladies get out of church and want to go to the ER because they're not feeling well). We got there at 7:15am and triage nurse 10 mins later and in an ER bed at 7:45am....good thing as he could have never sat in an ER waiting room for hours which is the norm in alot of cases.

I understand sometimes it is a good idea to call ahead to just see what the wait is like - if you're suffering really badly and can't sit for any length of time it may be better to wait at home and go when things let up and your wait time is less.

(Unfortunately too many people - especially down here - with the amount of "snowbirds" the ER is used in lieu of people going to a doctor for things that are typically not ER which causes such a delay for people who are really suffering.)

I truly hope Katie something can be done to help to give you some quick relief.

Let us know how you are doing when you can!!

Sending positive and healing vibes your way!

hey guys,
thank you so much for the support, i can't tell you how much your thoughts mean to me--especially after waiting three and a half hours n the e.r. anyway, they did some xrays and a cat scan. (my doctor wanted me to go to the e.r. right away because she was worried about fluid loss). basically they told me i have gastritis (which was really just putting a name to my symptoms). anyway between my colon and my inflamed stomach i am one internally puffy lady. they gave me more compazine and some vicoden for the pain...who knows....? anyway have a similar diagnosis??

I hope yu feel better soon.

Janice

i'm not sure if it is possible to get "rid" of it or not--i was pretty morphined out when they explained it to me. from the limited online research that i have done--it seems like a lot like UC, the mucus membranes get messed up and inflamed. i think there are cartain things that would help ease it, but i don't think it is every really goes away. if someone has a better understanding of this, i would love to hear them..between the D and the vomiting, i meed all the help i can get...