ER

[Guest guest]

Hello My Friends!

Last night I started having pain around 10:00, by 2:30 am I couldn't take it

anymore. So off to the ER I went. I was sooooo nervous. This was the first

time I have been to the ER since my official CP diagnosis in Oct. 2002. My a &

l's don't elevate and I was so afraid they weren't going to help me. I had

already taken 5 vicoden in 4.5 hours and that didn't touch the pain. I was

praying the whole way to the ER that the wait wouldn't be long and that I would

get understanding nurses and docs. And my prayers were answered! I told the

nurse about my lack of a & l elevation first thing. When the doc came in I

told him the same thing. He said the nurse had told him that already and he

totally understood. He started by giving me 25 mg of Demerol & phenegren (sp?).

That took the pain from a steady 8 to about a 6 and it only lasted for about

15 minutes before I felt the pain coming on stronger. So he gave me another

50 mg of Demerol. They gave me some IV fluids. My blood pressure was little

high and my heart was racing. I am sure it was from the pain, but he didn't

like my pulse and thought maybe I was dehydrated. He asked me what they usually

gave me when I come into the ER with pain. I explained this was my first

time since the dx, but before my dx they would only give me more vicoden. He

was

great, he was willing to give me what I needed to make me comfortable. My

amylase was not elevated at all (no surprise there) actually it was a little

low. Normal at the lab is 120-125, mine was 106. Can anyone tell me why it was

low? I got out of the ER by 7:30 not to bad, considering it was a Friday

night. He told me to come back if the pain didn't subside enough.

OK, I started this e-mail just before going to the urgent care. I have still

been having pain so I thought I could go and get something instead of waiting

until later and having to go to the ER. I wish I would have gone to the

ER!!! This doctor I saw was not nice. I told him about going to the ER last

night and needing something other than the vicoden because I was still having

pain. I only needed something to keep me out of the ER until Monday and I would

consult my GI. For the first time I felt like the " 'drug seeker. " I felt like

he didn't believe I was having pain. No, I wasn't screaming out in pain but

I have been at a steady pain level of 6 all day. It was getting old and fast.

I just wanted to at least get to a 3 or 4. I don't think that is to much to

ask for. He rudely tells me that all he can give me is a shot of Toradol and

can't help me any other way. Then he threw the paper work on the counter and

said give this to the nurse and just walked out. Of course I start crying.

I am in pain and this guy treats me like this? So I go to the nurse in tears.

Being sarcastic I asked her if this doc is always nice. She said he is

kinda blunt and to the point. I told her blunt and to the point I can handle,

this guy has no bedside manner what so ever. She didn't say much, gave me the

shot and I left. At least my pain is better now. I just hope I can keep the

pain away until the morning. I hope you all are doing well.

Sending lots of happy thoughts your way.....

Marisa~San Diego, CA