When to call the doctor?

[AshleyElaine87]

I haven't felt good the last few days. The last time I went into the ER; they took an x-ray to see if I had an obstruction (had a full obstruction back in April), and it came back normal. So, I am hesitant to go back to the hospital...not wanting to look stupid...but I know something is wrong. I have had diarrhea (I know that's not unusual with Crohn's, but for me it is), and bad nausea (no vomiting yet). Any advice would be great! Thanks!

 

[mikeyarmo]

Hi AshleyElaine,

There is no definitive answer on when you should got to a doctor/ER. Usually you know what normal symptoms are like for yourself and will know when something is up (i.e. feeling worse than normal for several days in a row).

As this is what it appears is happening with you and you feel that is something is out of the ordinary, it might be best to try to see your doctor (or go to a walk in clinic if one is nearby).

I know what it is like to wait and wait and finally go to the doctor or hospital only to be told that they can't see anything wrong, so don't worry about looking stupid. It is more important that you do what you feel is right as opposed to continuing to worry about this as that will definitely not help you feel any better!

 

[AshleyElaine87]

I don't know what to do anymore. My mom; who doesn't have CD, thinks I am just soaking in the disease...I might be. I don't know how much isn't in my head, or how much is real. I haven't felt right for awhile.

 

[mikeyarmo]

When my doctor (who has Crohn's) was unable to diagnose my symptoms for about 2 years I also thought things were just in my head a lot. Even when I was unable to eat solid food for several months due to my small intestine being almost completely blocked at one point, I still thought maybe it was all in my head.

Diarrhea is not in your head though... it is actually happening. I used to feel exhausted many days (even after 9+ hours of sleep) and that was not normal at any other point in my life. Don't be so hard on yourself that you won't let yourself acknowledge that you are not feeling right and that things are getting worse (if that is the truth).

If possible, make sure you are not just stuck in your room and try to get some fresh air or light exercise (like walking) if possible. If possible try to do something that can relax you for a while (warm bath?) and can let you forget about how you are feeling for a while. Then you can come back to your symptoms and reevaluate how you are really feeling.

Your mother is likely worried for you and just does not understand how you are feeling. She may be frustrated that nothing can be done (like how the emergency room found nothing) and hopes that with a positive mind or something you can move beyond your symptoms. I used to get upset a bit when those close to me said things that made me feel bad or did not understand what I was going through, but the truth is they have no context to use to understand what you are going through.

If you are feeling bad just make sure you are getting plenty of stress-free relaxation and give your body a chance to recover. If absolutely nothing works and you can not deal with how you are feeling, I feel you have no other option but to try and reach a doctor or the emergency room again.

 

[seaofdreams]

but I know something is wrong.

This is where you should have stopped, read over what you said and called your GI. Only you can know when something isn't right with your body. If something seems out of the ordinary, it probably is. Don't put it off or things could escalate quickly.
I hope you're feeling back to normal soon, keep us updated

 

[AshleyElaine87]

Well, it's Saturday, and he's not in the office until Monday. I am not sure what I am suppose to do. I feel like I am sick all the time...does anyone else feel like this? I am really sick of being sick.

 

[Jennifer]

Many of us feel that way during a flare (sick like general flu like symptoms). I don't think any of us would tell you not to go to the ER but most will say that only YOU know what's normal for YOU. For me, I deal with diarrhea on a daily basis but if it contained blood, well that's not normal for me and I would go to the ER (specially if it were a toilet full of it). If I start vomiting and it continues all day or a couple of days then I go to the ER. They may not be able to find out what's wrong with you but they can help you manage your symptoms be them pain, dehydration etc. If you decide to not go then you should at least make an appointment with both your GI and GP on Monday in my opinion (I always see both rather than just my GI cause how do I know that this is Crohn's related?) and try to get seen as soon as possible. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse (like you actually do start vomiting) then an ER visit is a good idea.

 

[Astra]

Hiya Ashley

I agree totally with Crabby, it's what's normal for YOU! for example, I've always got D, that's normal for me, but if I started vomiting or hit the deck with pain, or started bleeding, then I'd know something's wrong!
Give one of them a ring on Monday, tell them your gut instinct.
good luck, take care
xxxx

 

[AshleyElaine87]

Update: I went into the ER; after calling the on-call nurse for my GI, and they now think it's my gallbladder. I hope to know and have surgery in the next couple of weeks.

 

[gringo43]

Hi Ashley

Glad to hear you went to ER...sorry to hear you may need surgery...hope you feel better soon!

Jerry

 

[RiaCake]

If there is one thing I've lerned with everything thats happened to me this year, it's go to the doc's, don't ignore or put up with pain as it could be something....or nothing, but its safer to check!! Hope all go's well for you x

 

[AshleyElaine87]

Thank you! I have two doctors with two different view points, so I am not sure what's going on. One thinks it's my gallbladder, which would be wonderful...that can be taken care of; and the other does NOT think it's my gallbladder...ER doctor VS GI doctor. I have an appt. with my GP Tuesday. Maybe he'll know something the other two don't?

 

[Jennifer]

Well it might not be your gallbladder as Crohns can give off symptoms that are similar to SOOOOOOO many other conditions which is why its so hard to be diagnosed with Crohns. Even my boyfriend was told that it was his gallbladder yet he still has symptoms after getting it removed (he has yet to be diagnosed). Maybe its a combination of both, who knows? Sure try the GP but I know I normally go along with what my GI doc says but not every doc is the same.

 

[AshleyElaine87]

Crabby: Yes, I am aware that Crohn's can give off symptoms similar to a lot of other things...but I had surgery, and all my CT scans come back okay, so they don't think it's that, due to tests...I guess I'll have to wait to see.

 

[MysteryLocket]

Hi AshleyElaine!
I'm feeling like you have been, about how instinctivly I'm like "somethings wrong", but due to all the opinions of those who are around me, and the ER doctors and such with not being very validating I feel more like it's all up in my head. And my mother even got mad and said "THIS AGAAAAAAIIN!? I thought you were OVER this! I thought you were over going to the ER! Why are you calling me bugging me?! I don't want to hear this (insert bad word)" and hung up. Later she called back saying if I didn't feel good the next day she might come get me and take me to the ER. But within this, I know how rough it is, and your not alone.

Is there a ER or hospital that your GI doctor may work out of that you can go to instead? I hope they are able to determine which/what is causing this for you. the limbo part is never the funnest.
Keep us updated though

 

[AshleyElaine87]

I did the dummy pill, and it went through just fine, so now I am just waiting to see if I need to do the pill cam. I just don't want to go through everything to find out it's in my head. I keep thinking it might be, but the I go a sharp pain on the right upper side, which reminds me that it's really there. The pain feels like a pulled muscle on the inside. Has anyone else felt that? I would really like to know what it is. Thanks!

 

[kslade]

Thank you! I have two doctors with two different view points, so I am not sure what's going on. One thinks it's my gallbladder, which would be wonderful...that can be taken care of; and the other does NOT think it's my gallbladder...ER doctor VS GI doctor. I have an appt. with my GP Tuesday. Maybe he'll know something the other two don't?

That is very possible. That's what they thought it was with me when I was unable to eat for months, vomiting, constant diarrhea, weight loss. I had my gallbladder removed but the pain never went away. Once they saw that the pain didn't go away they knew exactly what it was. Unfortunately for me, I had gallstones and Crohn's at the same time. I guess it's a good thing though, that way I didn't have my gallbladder removed for no reason.

Hopefully they find out what's wrong and you get the right diagnoses from the beginning. I am sure they'll send you for some tests to verify everything first.

 

[BLM]

Hey Ashley, I recently went through all your going through right now. I have a presumed diagnosis of CD and have been battling it for many years. My pain is in my lower right quadrant, but with my latest episodes the pain seems to come from under my ribs all the way down my side and into my back. My GI did a Hidascan to see at what rate my gb is working, and mine was barely working. So they took it out with a bunch of other stuff. I seem to be doing pretty well. Im not in as much pain, things have settled down a bit. Although, having your gb removed causes nausea....just for a short time. So Im waiting to get over that lil side effect, but the surgery has only helped. Hopefully it was my gb causing problems and hopefully things will be quiet for a long time. Good luck~