ER/Walkin and immunosuppresion

[PsychoJane]

I am wondering if there are any protocols for people that are immunocompromised by medication; AZA, 6MP, humira, remicade, mtx, etc. when we have to visit ER or go to walkin clinic. Do you get special attention; get seen faster because of that condition? get assign to a room where the risk of contagion are lower?, are given a mask and sent back to the waiting room?
Is anything different when you mention it or do the medical team just seem to not care you are taking these drugs?

 

[shamrock15]

Honestly, I can't say that I have had much of a reaction at any time when I have listed my meds. No different precautions, no change in meds to accommodate my illness, and I haven't had anyone take into consideration changes in rehab time due to crohn's and dietary/physical ability. If you think it warrants mention, you may want to really stress it and watch your medical staff for proper handwashing/hygiene. They aren't all as good as they are supposed to be (CHEO in Ottawa for example rating the WORST hospital in eastern Ontario for doctors/nurses washing hands). You really have to learn to advocate for yourself.

 

[hawkeye]

I haven't had much of a reaction either and have never had an issue with picking up a "bug" (been on Imuran for +/- 20 years).

Here in NB they encourage anyone presenting at the ER with coughing or cold / flu symptoms to wear a disposable mask over their mouth / nose.

 

[Johnnysmom]

I don't know if this is accurate or not but a nurse at my son's G.I. clinic said he isn't more susceptible to catching something it is that it will just take him longer to get over anything he does get sick with.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

My doctor said I am more susceptible to catching something but not too much more. I'd ask for a mask if concerned.

 

[lookame]

I went to the ER recently and when I mentioned 6mp they just put it down in their computer then sent for bloodwork and had me go back to the waiting room. The people who are presenting with flu like symptoms are encoraged to wear a protective mask and sit in the "flu like symptom area" which is a blocked off area but you have to walk through the blocked off area to go to the bathroom. Also I witnessed a girl vomet outside of the flu like symptom area and she refused to wear a mask so really it's up to those around you to follow rules as well. When I go I keep my head down and breath into my CLEAN clothes until I can get into a room. Once they assess how bad you are(in need of fluids ect) they put you in a better room with a tv to pass the time.

It does suck that us on imunosuppressant drugs aren;t treated any better especially considering our risk at catching something and having a higher risk of being hospitalized because of it but they have protocals which they must follow and it's usually first come first served unless you present with severe symptoms(seizure, high fevers of 103+, severe pain) and if your bloodwork comes back severely deficiant. *shrugs* such is life

 

[PsychoJane]

I'm just really surprise how ER staff don't really know about those medications but the doctors. I mean... I am aware that we all have different level of medications but I think it can really be an issue for some of us. I'm assuming that dual therapy immunosuppressor + biologic might result in a higher risk for opportunistic infection/virus/etc than someone who takes only one of these two. But that is just my guess...
But point is, I spent 9 hours at the ER the other night cause I had cystitis (probably because of all the meds cause I never get that normally) and needed antibiotics (cause I'm already on cipro so the damn bacteria must have been cipro resistant). So today I woke up sick despise the fact I "isolated" myself as much as I could, washed my hands multiple times and wore a mask all the time I was out there...
I just find it stupid that it seemed like there was no way of avoiding all that even though I mentioned it to the nurse on 4 different occasions... It's just at the second triage (8 hours later) that the nurse took in consideration my situation and installed me in another room so I would not be surrounded by all the flu cases...
That's why I was wondering as it is not the same in all hospital I went to.