Abdominal pain flare when to go to the ER or just deal with it?

Posted by acoots @acoots, Jan 18 10:41am

49f with lesions in terminal ileum. IBS, Colitis in December , work up for Crohns . On Budesomide and other meds. Abdominal pain left sided right above the belly button. started 3-4 days ago. Progressive. Pain when I stand up or move certain ways. I almost think it’s gone for a few minutes and then it’s not. Some nausea. I do have diarrhea but that is not abnormal. It hurts after I eat anything . So I don’t want to eat. Food is going straight through me.
I don’t want to go to the ER because I have horrible veins and the last time I went they were jerks. Well it’s not “colitis” we don’t know what it is.
I don’t know what to do.

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Zebra | @californiazebra | Jan 18 1:49pm

I don’t know anything about your diagnosed conditions, but if the pain is significant and progressing that sounds like it’s worth getting checked out. You don’t want to let an infection get out of hand. Have you at least contacted your PCP or GI specialist? Your description reminds me of the times I’ve had diverticulitis especially the most severe case I had 25 years ago. The pain was very dependent on position. I remember telling the ER doctor I didn’t think it was another kidney stone because my kidney stone pain was severe and never changed no matter the position. It was always a 10+. The diverticulitis would be a level 10 pain and make me gasp in certain positions but then I could find a comfortable position where I had zero pain. I was treated with two strong antibiotics, bed rest and a clear liquid diet. Best of luck to you.

acoots | @acoots | Jan 18 1:54pm

In reply to @californiazebra "I don’t know anything about your diagnosed conditions, but if the pain is significant and progressing..." + (show)

@californiazebra
At the ER waiting to be seen. Labs look ok so far. Will see what they say. Thank you

Zebra | @californiazebra | Jan 18 3:23pm

In reply to @acoots "@californiazebra At the ER waiting to be seen. Labs look ok so far. Will see what..." + (show)

@acoots
Hopefully they’ll do a CT. Last time I had diverticulitis the ER doc said the labs look good so I don’t think it’s diverticulitis. I told him I’d had it enough times that I know what it feels like so he ordered a CT. When the CT results came back he said, Yep, you have diverticulitis. I guess you know your body. Yep!

Good luck. I hope it’s nothing serious, but also hope they can explain your pain and help you.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jan 19 4:31pm

In reply to @acoots "@californiazebra At the ER waiting to be seen. Labs look ok so far. Will see what..." + (show)

@acoots - how did your time at the ER go? What did they say?

acoots | @acoots | Jan 20 11:55am

The admitted me and don’t know what is causing it. Treating me with meds and fluids . Idk what to think.

Zebra | @californiazebra | Jan 20 1:46pm

In reply to @acoots "The admitted me and don’t know what is causing it. Treating me with meds and fluids..." + (show)

@acoots
At least they are taking your issues seriously and trying to help. Hope they figure it out and you have some relief soon. Hang in there.

acoots | @acoots | Jan 31 7:32am

They sent me after a EGD with no answers. The pain is better but I still just don’t feel good. The EGD showed non active chronic gastritis. They decided they don’t think it’s Crohns because steroids didn’t help. They told me to just follow up and come back if it progresses.

54pontiac | @54pontiac | Feb 1 1:31pm

I recently had pain on my right side, cramping and vomiting. Thinking it might be appendicitis (no history of other digestive issues), we went to the ER. A CT scan showed a twisted bowel (cecal volvulus) and I was on the operating table within a couple of hours. They said it was good that I came in because waiting could have caused potentially lethal complications. Of course, nothing was getting through, so it was different from your situation. But it impressed upon me the value of getting checked out! Good luck.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Feb 1 7:46pm

With your multiple GI issues you should have a plan developed by your GI doctor on what to do for any given occasion based on your history. This might include you carrying some medical records or documentation of your illness(es) that your provider feels necessary so they aren’t called in the middle of the night or on weekends. This way you know for certain how to handle ny given situation.