When is it Appropriate to go to the ER?

M

Megss

New member
Hey Everyone-

Just about every single night I am in so much pain that I wont to go to the emergency room. I always talk myself out of it because of the hassle, co-pay, and I'm not sure what they could do for me anyway.
My question is, what could they do to help me? I am already being treated my an Orthopedic surgeon, and I have pain meRAB at home. My pain meRAB don't help that much though when my pain level is a 20 on a scale from 1-10. Would it be worth it to go?
 
When I have gone to the ER when in that much pain I get a shot that takes away the pain then they may order an MRI if you haven't have one recently after they talk to your Dr.
Cindy
 
When your pain gets to the point that it's unbearable and you need to go ER, definitely call your Doctor's office or service (if it's at night) beforehand. You get better service in the ER when you've contacted your Doctor first.

I'm sorry about the pain you're struggling with. I can totally relate. :angel:


~ Fiona Jo ~ :wave:
 
Hi,

I was asking myself the same question quite recently ... I ended up going in because of extreme, intolerable pain that woke me and didn't pass within an hour as usual, but lasted several hours. It fluctuated, but everytime I changed position it rocketed off the scale. However, for me it wasn't totally unexplained pain out of nowhere, and I had been waiting for my GP to arrive at the house after his surgery hours, but eventually his secretary advised me to go to hospital.

Their primary concerns, other than reducing the pain, were to make sure that there wasn't anything that required emergency surgery (paralysis, no urination problems, no problems with bowel movements).

I'm sure I could have avoided the situation by seeing the GP a couple of weeks earlier. This wasn't my usual pain, but pain in the other leg that had been worsening over a couple of weeks. Had I seen the GP sooner I'm sure I wouldn't have ended up with pain-levels so severe. So, if things are getting worse for you, do go and see your GP.

Hope that helps...I'm no medic so of course I can't say what is or isn't an emergency, the above is just my experience. All I know of is the "red flags" you read about...sudden severe unexplained pain, paralysis, inability to urinate...

Hope you're feeling better soon
Jinks
 
Hi-

Jinks- My pain isn't unexplained, but it is just getting worse and worse. My leg/ groin/ foot pain used to only be on the left, and now it is on both sides. The only nurabness I get is in my toes, when I am in a sitting position. I also get electric feelings in my legs. Every night I want to cut my legs off. The trouble is, my MRI and CT scan reports say "no nerve root impingement". That statement infuriates me because it is just NOT TRUE!

I can't sleep at night, I have no appetite, I can't do simple things like Christmas shop or grocery shop. I feel like I have become a burden on my family.

I am seeing the surgeon again today, and I am praying to God that he will schedule surgery. I will keep you all posted!
 
Meggs.....

Maybe your doctor will call in different pain medication? I think the ER would give you a shot and send you on your way unless a need to be admitted. If it is a pinched nerve issue, you need medication for just that. Something such as lyrica. That med is for nerves. Did your doc give you pain meRAB? maybe what he/she precribed is not strong enough. Doctors are leery of prescribing pain meRAB anymore and I certainly understand why. BUT if you need it, you need it. I, myself, made the decision to have the surgery so I donot become dependent on pain meRAB. I pray I have no need for any pain med after my surgery . As far as a MRI showing an impinged nerve, I think it does show. There is addtional testing they also do for pinched nerves as well. I am sorry you are in so much pain girl! Try calling your doc and seeing if he/she will send something stronger in....

Lynn
 
Fiona Jo is right. If the pain is intolerable, contact your physician and let him tell you to go to the ER. I made the mistake of going to the ER on a Sunday night without contacting my physician and the ER dr point blank told me, "We don't treat back problems here. I will give you your fix of pain medication and then you can go home." Then he just turned his back and walked out of the room. Needless to say I was furious with him. So was my physician when I told him what had happened.:mad:
 
Lynn- I asked for something stronger and he would not give me anything stronger before having an operation. He did however give me some muscle relaxers which might help me a little.

Sunshyne- OMG I cannot believe that ER Dr. said that to you! I would have tried to get him fired. You poor thing. I would have burst into tears hearing someone say that to me.

I made a new thread with an update of my appointment today.
 
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