Useless ER doc

[mama21princess]

My husband took me to the ER tonight because I had so much abdominal pain that I was doubled over & could barely move. They gave me zofran, toradol, and IV fluids. Then they discharged me, still in pain, and told me to call my GI in the morning. The ER doctor basically told me he didn't know what to do with me. He didn't send me for a CT or anything. He said because it is a lot of radiation, but I think he just didn't want to deal with me. That was a complete waste of time.

 

[Cosmojo]

Thats pretty terrible! I hope what they did do made you feel a little more comfortable at least. I understand that a CT is a lot of radiation so I get what he means but at minimum get a few x-rays to make sure it isn't something glaringly obvious. Did he ask you how you wanted to proceed? Did you get any blood work?

Are there any other ERs in the area you can go to in the future since they seemed to be not very responsible?

 

[mama21princess]

No, he didn't ask me anything, just told me he was discharging me. They took a bunch of blood. He said my white blood cell count was slightly elevated, but that could just be because I was in pain. My temperature was 99, which I know is typically not even considered a fever, but it is a little high for me. My temp is typically lower than normal, usually around 96. Anyway, it is the closest ER. The other one in the area is about 30 minutes away. It might be worth the extra time to go there, though.

 

[Daisy123]

They shouldn't have given you a NSAID, toradol, as it is contraindicated with IBD. I would be inclined to go to another ER.

 

[Johnnysmom]

In our experience with the ER they are there just to make sure you don't die. I personally think they have an obligation to control severe pain if at all possible, and that has always been our experience. Did the toradol help at all with the pain? The ER doctors we have encountered have almost no knowledge of crohn's but should be able to treat an obstruction which would be life threatening. Usually by consulting with a GI before ordering any surgery. We always call the GI on call before we take my son into the ER to get their opinion.

My son had a CT in the ER, it was before we knew he had crohn's, and they thought he might have appendicitis. Once they ruled that out they sent us home. His labs were off but he really needed to see a GI. I wish he would not have had the CT because it is a lot of radiation. His GI orders an MRE, which has no radiation. But obviously if he would have had an obstruction or appendicitis I would have felt differently. He was not vomiting fecal matter or having any other symptoms of an obstruction other than pain, which was not severe.

About the NSAID, my son has been offered them in the ER as well. I know he isn't suppose to have NSAID's but ER dr.'s we have seen don't know that it is contraindicated with IBD. We go to Cincinnati Children's hospital, one of the best in the world, so I am not sure you can expect that to be common knowledge. I would love to hear other people's experiences with that though.

I hope your GI is able to see you quickly and get things under control. Let us know how you are doing. (((Hugs))))

 

[mama21princess]

I probably should have said something about the toradol, but I wasn't completely thinking straight. He wanted to give me dilaudid, but I really don't like taking strong pain medications.
I have an appointment with the NP at my GI's office tomorrow afternoon, so we will see how it goes.

 

[Momtotwo]

Are NSAIDS contraindicated when given by IV? Or only when taken orally?

 

[Daisy123]

Are NSAIDS contraindicated when given by IV? Or only when taken orally?

Both. I think it is because they can irritate the bowel.

 

[Johnnysmom]

I know my son had some ibuprofen patches for his knees when he was having inflammation and his GI okayed them because they would not effect his digestive tract. The meds would stay in his blood stream.

 

[Essieluv]

Hope your appointment tomorrow is loads better than your ER trip. ER docs can be very iffy...sometimes you get a great one, and sometimes (most times with me) you get lousy ones. Keep us posted.

 

[Mountaingem]

Oh my god, that is terrible! I have been there before. Sometimes we need our family/friends/partners to get aggressive when we are too sick to do so.

So did he refuse to order a GI consult? I cannot fathom him refusing to do a CT scan, that is just so irresponsible. Perhaps you could file a complaint or approach the physician in charge of the floor. I would also tell your GI as well; he/she is not going to look kindly on an ER doctor that puts their patients at risk.

 

[mama21princess]

No, he wouldn't call my GI doc either. He said he couldn't since my GI doc is not associated with that hospital. Which is crap, in my opinion.

 

[Mountaingem]

What a load of manure. Regardless he could at least have called for a GI consult. Totally unprofessional. I think I would avoid that hospital if at all possible. How are you feeling?

 

[mama21princess]

I'm still in pain. My GI's office put me on a trial of bentyl for two weeks. It hasn't helped yet, but we'll see.

 

[UnXmas]

In our experience with the ER they are there just to make sure you don't die. I personally think they have an obligation to control severe pain if at all possible, and that has always been our experience.

This has been my experience too. They're there to treat conditions which, if left any longer, may result in death or lasting damage of some kind, and to rule out such conditions. I've been given pain meds in A&E too.

I'm sorry the doctor you saw seemed dismissive, mama21princess - you had a valid reason for coming to the emergency department, and if the doctor didn't feel you needed emergency treatment, it was still his job to confirm that, so he shouldn't have made you feel it was a waste of time. He probably doesn't have the expertise to treat your condition though, so you were probably going to need to see your GI on a separate occasion anyway.

I've been finding more and more, that sometimes pain just isn't manageable. I used to believe that if a person was in severe pain, doctors should just give stronger and stronger painkillers until it's controlled, but I've come to realise that the side effects of medications, their interactions with other meds, and issues of tolerance mean sometimes it's just not possible. Don't give up though - your GI or a pain specialist should know a lot more than the ER doctor.

 

[Axelfl3333]

Unxmas I agree with you getting stronger and stronger pain meds can impact your life in ways no one wants and sometimes makes things worse as in being zombied out.many years ago I badly broke my ankle had constant pain for years after it.finally spoke to an old school gp who advised me to reduce pain medication and correctly told me the pain would eventually burn out which it mostly did,must admit I felt better not taking painkillers to often I just felt unwell on them.by the way I realise many people really need them but take as few as you can get away with.
P.s the ankle is still a mess my football days are over