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when to go to emergency?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/24/2020 8:01 PM (GMT -5)
Hello everyone. I'm in the middle of a bad flare and wondering when it's appropriate to take oneself to hospital. I thought my GI, who I saw recently, might suggest it as I'm in worse shape than I was at initial diagnosis some years ago, when I spent 3 wks in hospital, but he didnt. We're going to switch my drugs in a few days, so there's a plan, and I'm currently on a prednisone taper (no obvious response). My concern though is weight loss (lost three more kilos in the past two days, for 9 kilos since this began, and I'm small to begin with), anemia, potential loss of electrolytes and all that stuff. In other words, I thought I might need a little restorative treatment for my general health. Any guidance here?
Posted 10/24/2020 8:41 PM (GMT -5)
really no harm in going - just make sure you tell them what you want to accomplish before you leave - is there someone that can take you ?

good luck -
Posted 10/25/2020 7:56 AM (GMT -5)
I agree with TT, go in if you feel you should. You know your body.
I am back in the hospital right now after being released 10 days ago. I woke up to the same hemorrhage and knew to go in.
Posted 10/25/2020 8:01 AM (GMT -5)
I don't know about where you are but the ERs around here are very conservative about what they will do for you. Here they won't give you a blood transfusion unless your hemoglobin is 7.0 (70), even if you're just a few points above that, and even if you're showing major symptoms like fainting.

The last time I went to the ER they didn't even give me IV fluids because my blood pressure "wasn't low enough" and I was going 10 times per day instead of 20, which they decided meant that I could absorb some fluids in my own.

In my area you basically have to be dying for them to help you.

So.. your idea of going to the ER for "restoration" may backfire. You may end up sitting there a long time and get sent back to follow up with your GP or GI. In fact, if you can sit up in a chair for hours waiting, they likely won't help you. The only times I got real help was when I arrived by ambulance.

Sorry to be a downer, I'm just trying to save you unnecessary waste of life. If you're so dehydrated you're seeing stars or can't stand up, if you have breathing troubles, if you are too weak to get out of bed without assistance, if your heart rate is super fast while at rest, then you should go.
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