Should I go in?

[Twin_mommy]

On august 1st 2012 I was woken up in extreme pain. After racing to the ER I was sent in for a CT to find out my ileum was infected. I was hospitalized for 3 days and told I have Crohn's. We moved out of state the next week so was unable to follow up with the GI and lost our insurance due to job changes. We are currently set to have insurance Nov 1st 2012 and so I am kind of in a dilemma.
For the past 2 month I have been so uncomfortable and just this past week it has gotten horribly worse! Tonight I have taken anti nausea meds and still have nausea. I have taken pain reliever and still in lots of pain. I am dizzy, campy, sick and very tired but the worst is my stomach is so bloated I can barely breath! I dont know if I should just go in or what to do? Any advice is helpful, as I said earlier I am very new to all of this!!

 

[superhotfemale]

Reading this sounds like you are in alot of pain, I understand alittle about the american insurance thing (sorry, I'm an Aussie!), but if you are in this much pain then it isn't doing you any good to wait - go in!

 

[shalin]

I agree you really should go in. Holding off can make it worse. Once you get an established gastro you will be able to work with him/her to get things under control. Just try to watch your diet and stress. I have learned over the years about the importance of diet and excercise.

 

[Thermo]

I would recommend a low residue diet and eat smaller meals through the day until you get a chance to go to the doctor.

 

[Jennifer]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

The general rule of thumb that I've noticed here on the forum is that if you're already thinking about going to the ER then you probably should. We can't see what's going on inside so its easy to put it off but you know your body best. You're in a lot of pain already and are having a hard time breathing. Those say ER to me. I know health insurance sucks here in the US but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. If you still aren't sure, if the pain gets any worse or your ability to breathe gets worse or if you start running a temp (have you checked yours?) and/or if you start vomiting, please go to the ER. Keep us posted on how you're doing when you get a chance.

 

[moogie]

If it's going to coast you 100K just for a visit then I understand why you a reluctant to go in.

As everybody else said it's your health and maybe you life that is on the line so if the pain is unbearable then you should go in.

If you decide not to go in and wait for the insurance to kick in then I suggest you stop eating all together and take protein shakes to replace your meals and take lots of water. The less you eat the better off you will be pain wise.

When I flare and I am in great pain I stop eating and replace my food with Boost or Insure. This way you are still fed but your gut is less in demand.

Good luck to you.

 

[Jenny06xx]

I so wish you didn't have to worry about no insurance etc
I'm in the uk so don't have that problem just have the awful waiting times for anything on the nhs !!!

I know any time I post SHOULD I GO IN , I end up going in coz I just know I need to in the first place , and my replies will be the same as yours if u think u need to go in you PROBABLY DO !!!
So my advice is go in !!!
But also like the above poster said if u will be charged stupid amounts lay off eating , just do liquids for a couple of days maybe see a gp doctor ( not sure what u call a gp )
But ultimately you are probably gonna end up at the er coz u already know u need to ask THAT QUESTION .
Keep us updated Hun xx
Jen xx

 

[Twin_mommy]

I ended up going in. Got fluids, pain meds and nausea meds. they did an x ray to make sure there was no obstruction and a ct scan to look for an infection. he told me everything came back fine except my white blood cell count was high but they were unsure were the infection is coming from. need to make a follow up with my DR this week so he can look more into it.

 

[shalin]

That is great that there are no blockages. Hopefully things will get back on track. I ended up having to go in yesterday also. They found complete obstuction in me. It wa a painful situation. I am so happy you didn't have to go through that. Good luck in everything. I don't know about the hospitals there but there is a thing that they do for patients without ins. They have you fill out a form and then they give you a copey to pay and then they wipe the rest of the bill of for their taxes.

 

[2thFairy]

Good news, kinda, Twin_mommy! Glad you went in. I was worried about you!!!!

shalin, what did they do for your obstruction?

 

[shalin]

They gave me Aw mixture of some kinda enema (he called it the molasses mixture) then sent me home to drink citra mag. If that didn't work then i was going to have to try go-lightly. I am just glad it is over.

 

[2thFairy]

Yuck! I'm glad it's over for you too!!

 

[tots]

Your white blood count could indicate inflamation not just and infection.

Last Feb mine was high- it showed old and new white blood cells= inflamation.

I would say follow up asap.



Lauren