Another disappointing ER visit and frustrations!

[DarknessEmbraced]

I went to the ER last night because I had horrible abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. I had explosive diarrhea earlier along with sweating, low body temperature(96.2F) and horrible nausea with pain. I saw blood mixed in with the stool flecks and brown blood when I wiped. The ER doctor was very dismissive of me and did no testing. He said that I should only worry when I'm passing blood clots. I know that's wrong because I didn't have clots with my tumor nor with ischemic colitis in 2015. I was told by my family doctor and the GI that I needed to be seen when I have rectal bleeding! I'm eating some this morning and the cramping has already started. I will have liquids the rest of the day if I get bad again. If the bleeding starts again I will go back to the ER!


I don't see the GI until November 21st and my yearly CT scan isn't scheduled until December 12th! My family doctor couldn't get it scheduled any sooner. Maybe the GI could but I doubt it.

[WarriorSpouse]

I am sorry that you are not feeling well. I find that emergency rooms prefer to just want to clear the decks to prepare for the next unexpected walk-in emergency. You should insist on earlier testing with your oncologist. I am not very familiar with colitis issues, but I do know that waiting on such important signs like seeing blood do not age well. In Boston you would have an appointment within a week for at a minimal CT scan or colonoscopy to figure out the source of the bleeding. You are your best advocate. Don't stop advocating for yourself until you get an answer for the source of the blood. Good luck and keep us posted.
WS

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm in Atlantic Canada where there is a doctor shortage. I don't have an oncologist because I was stage 2 and didn't have chemo. I was referred back to my family doctor. Everything is slow here. Thanks WarriorSpouse. I will go back if I get bleeding again. I will keep you updated.

[Utwo]

DarknessEmbraced, was this ER department at the same hospital where you had your surgery?

As for my experience, going to ER of a hospital where I had my surgery was more useful regardless of a longer drive.

[DarknessEmbraced]

There is only one hospital in my city. I went to the ER there. All testing is done there. If I ever need chemo it would be done there as well.

[peanut_8]

So sorry this is happening to you DE. I'm frustrated on your behalf as well.

Is it possible for you to travel to a different hospital?

peanut

[CRguy]

KEEP PUSHIN" homie
WORD !

Make those Docs earn their keep

Make SURE you get the treatment you NEED,
not what they are just ok to give

ER doc needs an attitude adjustment IMO
PM me anytime

Stay strong and keep ON ... keepin' ON !

Harmony
CR

[boxhill]

Have you considered contacting the GI directly?

[Maggie Nell]

ER doc needs an attitude adjustment IMO
PM me anytime

Harmony
CR

You get his name CR and I'll make the poppet! Lets not waste this Halloween.....

[AppleTree]

So your last colonoscopy was April 3 years ago. I would say you are 6 months overdue, according to the schedule my oncologist is following. You could try calling the GI and see if there are any cancellations or openings sooner for a colonoscopy. I hope you get your answers sooner that what is scheduled and the cramping goes away.

[sunflower007]

If you need to go to the emergency room, please go to a different ER. I'm so sorry they dismissed you like that.

[DarknessEmbraced]

Thanks everyone!*hugs* Contacting the directly won't help. Whenever I contact their office they just say to go to the ER or the after hours clinic. All specialists are like that here. I can't travel to another hospital because it's 30 minutes away and I don't drive. The surgeon was going to give me a colonoscopy this year but because the GI did one in 2016 he said I had to wait 3 years. I'm going to insist that the GI do a colonoscopy!