Need advice ASAP.... having a flare

[gialee]

Hi all. It's been a while since I've posted. I need some advice asap.

I live in Houston, and I'm having a HORRIBLE flare. I have them a lot, but every so often, they get so bad that my pain is out of control.

My question is: I'm planning on going to the ER later (when it's less crowded) and I want to know what exactly do I have to do to get them to admit me for pain control? I cannot rest at home (3 kids) and I need some rest and pain control. When my pain gets out of control, it requires IV meds to get under control.

Any advice is welcome. Please. I'm begging... Thank you!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Jill

Diagnosed 2009 w/IC
Also have IBS, Fibromyalgia, Nerve damage, Brain ischemia w/ possible MS (waiting on diagnosis and looking for a new neuro)

Medications:

Welbutrin ~ 300mg
Klonopin ~ 1mg 2xday
Premarin ~ .625mg
Neurontin ~ 600mg 4xday
Embeda ~ 50mg 3xday
Aspirin ~ 81mg
Hydrocodone ~ 10mg 2-3 as needed

[ICNDonna]

I hope you get some help there. I honestly don't know if they will admit you.


Donna

[sailawaygrl]

I wonder if they will admit you too. I have only gone to the ER twice. Once before diagnosis and last thankgiving. I was in horrible agony, crying and trying not to scream from pain. The guy next to me was having conversations with people, laughing, calling family, but when the Dr came in he suddenly got "sick". ERRR! They admitted him! He had chest pains that they told him were only a pulled muscle but I guess from the fear of him having a real heart attack and sueing them, they admitted him. I was so disgusted. They gave me a shot of dilaudid, a perscription antibiotic( I begged for a shot of antibiotic so it would work faster) and 15 extra pain meds so I could get home. (I was in my home state visiting my mom)
I know some on here have gotten admitted but I don't know how. I hate hospitals but I would have gladly stayed there that day!
On another note though, I am in the south too and I am having a horrible flare right now. I can't walk to the other room without agony. I know if I call my uro they will tell me it is because of allergies, and it might be. I take 100mg of hydroxyzine at night but it isn't really helping. Do you take any antihistamines? If not, it might be worth a try. I wish you the best, I hope you find some relief soon.

[gialee]

I take hydroxyzine too. No, that doesn't help. I have a VERY bad and difficult to treat IC. My doc has tried two nerve blocks.. one just in the bladder and the next one in 6 locations in my back. Neither one worked AT ALL. I just want some relief.

[sailawaygrl]

I am right there with you. I have been in horrible pain since they day my IC started in Dec 07. I take some pretty strong pain meds and they don't touch my pain. I have been reading up on everything I can. I see a top IC specialist and take all the "right" meds but nothing helps. I had to stop working and rarely leave my house. I usually spend my day laying down in my pjs because clothes hurt to wear. I hope you get some help. I honestly don't know what to suggest. If I did, I wouldn't be where I am. Let us know if you get some relief.

[gialee]

I don't do anything either. I quit working in 2008. I wasn't diagnosed until 2009, but I've had symptoms since I was like 10. It got progressively worse over the years until it basically debilitated me completely.

I spend my day in bed on the heating pad in my pjs too. It hurts way too bad to wear anything except elastic waist clothes. It sucks. I hate it. I hate to have a pity party for myself, but It's hard to vent to anyone.

I am so scared that my husband is going to leave me because he's sick and tired of my being sick. It probably doesn't help my flares being worried and stressed all the time.

I am going to the ER in a little while. I will post after I do to let you know what happens. (Probably nothing... now days they just "stabilize" you and send you home) I remember back in 2000 when I had severe stomach pains and because they could not figure out what it was they kept me for a week! Most likely it was from IC.. I was misdiagnosed for several years. I had SOO many lap surgeries and a full hyst and gallbladder removed.. ugh. When will this end???

[KatieB]

I'm just gonna welcome myself to the elastic waist pajama party. I spend most of everyday on the bed with either a heating pad, ice pack or both. It's so depressing. I'm recovering right now from acute pancreatitis and so, even though I still have all the IC pain, I'm slowly but surely getting stronger. I just need the bladder pain and urgency to stop. But even though I have percocets and Valium I don't really have much pain relief. And my "friends" think that now that I'm out of the hospital from the pancreatitis, I should be raring to go. The only person I think understands the impact of this disease on my life (aside from everyone here) is my husband. Because he witnesses it daily. My girlfriends just think "I have to pee a lot". They don't understand and I can't seem to explain it. I thank God for my husband, my PM doc and all the great understanding people Ive met here.
Sorry I kinda took over your thread but all I really wanted to tell you is I understand!

[sailawaygrl]

I know what you mean about an understanding husband. The other day I was saying to mine it isn't right that he leaves for work with me in bed and comes home with me in the same place! He is always reminding me of his "is sickness and health" vow when I get upset that this isn't fair to him or me. I am fortunate to have him, he takes time off to go to the Dr with me. I really hate the pajama life though, I have started calling them my "uniform". Today, I plan to get out to the gym and do some easy walking on the treadmill. I live in a very flat neighborhood but I find walking on the sidewalk is just to jarring and I get up the street and have a very hard time getting back home from pain. Wish me luck, I have been trying to do this for a while now, TODAY is THE DAY.

Jill,
Let us know how things went at the hospital. I guess if we don't hear from you we can assume they admitted you. I just hope you were able to get some relief and rest.

[kbreedlove]

So sorry you are in so much pain! I live in Texas as well and I know the past few weeks where I live the pollen count has been VERY HIGH. I have been taking Zytec every morning but cannot tell if it is even helping but it is worth a try.

I hope the ER will help you!

[4realtho]

Me too! I hope that you find some relief.. There has got to be something they can do for you! Please let us know what the Er says when you get home... I also live in the Houston area. What dr do you see for your IC?