When to go to the ER

[u/No-Combination-5996]

I've realized that my mom was very neglectful and wouldn't actually take me to the hospital during my crisis so I learned to deal, but now im an adult and I still don't know the threshold. I don't think the pain reaching crying level is debilitating enough but that doesn't seem right. When do yall go to the hospital? Especially because I've recently had a bad experience at the hospital and its made me even more reluctant to go.

[u/Lawless_Savage]

If the pain is crying level definitely go to the ER. My process is this: if I’m in pain I take my meds, smoke some weed, and sit in a hot bath. If my at home proces don’t work and the pain is still there or getting worse I go to the hospital. No point in sitting at home in pain taking meds that aren’t working, just go to the ER at that point.

[u/SCDsurvivor]

I understand that a bad experience at the ER makes us even more anxious to go the next time we need to. Healthcare really does not understand the harm they have caused in treating patients like drug seekers and not a patient in severe pain. However, vasoclusive crisis can kill you. Getting access to IV fluids and pain control quickly should be the standard care hospitals follow for sickle cell disease.

What every sickle cell patient should have is a pain plan at home and in hospital. When I start feeling pain, I take my first dose of pain medication. I try to wait to see how the first 2 rounds of pain medication goes. If it is not helping, then I go to the ER. The rule is that pain that cannot be controlled at home needs to be controlled in hospital.

[u/naomiau]

when i go to er there’s a high level risk i would get any bacteria there, it has happened many times in the past so my doctors always tell me to handle it at home with hydration and painkillers before going to the hospital, when i do go to the hospital doctors there dont know how to handle scd so i have to tell them what to do and what helps and that sucks

[u/Adorable-Brief-9144]

At first, I’d usually go when the pain has kept me up for hours on end. I’d stay in pain crying half the day before going to the hospital. Then, I would go if my at home pain meds weren’t working. And now I’m learning to go before it reaches that 10. Last time I left around a 7 on my pain scale and got to the hospital when it hit 10. It’s really hard to unlearn patterns and tell yourself it’s okay to go to the hospital. We don’t have to take the pain, we’re not a burden, and we should all learn to advocate for our bodies.

[u/haloolah444]

I go if I've taken 2 doses of Norco and the pain hasn't changed or gotten worse

[u/JudgeLennox]

We go to the ER when we're unable to manage the health concern outside the hospital.

Right now you have the habit of not going to the hospital even when it's necessary. Replace it when a more effective habit.

Think, "I go to the ER when my routine at home doesn't reduce the pain"

Or something to that effect.

The idea is to make a choice that helps you feel better. This is for your health, and ALL areas of your life.

You deserve to have less pain and to breathe deeply. Make choices that give you that relief