Is it acceptable to go to ER?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 308
Devious, please don’t feel silly. I went to the ER and it saved my life. No overnight stay, medically induced coma, etc. They will give you an IV and give you drugs to get you stable. I was sent home only two hours later with Librium and now I’m completely off those. With how much I was binging, I still can’t believe they “fixed”me in two hours. I thought I would be there for at least 2-3 days.
And don’t worry about the judgement. The ER has seen it all. They really don’t care. Their job is to fix whoever walks through that door.
And don’t worry about the judgement. The ER has seen it all. They really don’t care. Their job is to fix whoever walks through that door.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Hope you can check in and let us know how things went Devious, i've been to the ER more than once due to my drinking. I hope they are able to help and get you pointed in the right direction for local resources for help too.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 84
Hey all, so here's the update. The hospital basically didn't do much.
My friend took me there, got checked in, explained the situation and me having stomach pains. Doctor came in, she asked questions and what kind of caught me off guard was she said "Well I guess I'm trying to figure out what you want us to do". I explained I just need help, and that I've been having stomach pains and want not.
In the end they took a blood sample, urine sample.. and about an hour later came back saying liver enzymes are a tad high which is expected of someone who drinks. She said basically as for alcoholism there wasn't any kind of medication or anything they could do to help and suggested seeking outpatient treatment and sent me on my way.
We got home around 7:30am and fell asleep.
My friend took me there, got checked in, explained the situation and me having stomach pains. Doctor came in, she asked questions and what kind of caught me off guard was she said "Well I guess I'm trying to figure out what you want us to do". I explained I just need help, and that I've been having stomach pains and want not.
In the end they took a blood sample, urine sample.. and about an hour later came back saying liver enzymes are a tad high which is expected of someone who drinks. She said basically as for alcoholism there wasn't any kind of medication or anything they could do to help and suggested seeking outpatient treatment and sent me on my way.
We got home around 7:30am and fell asleep.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,444
I'm glad you went and got a professional opinion that your pains were more or less normal for the situation and that you didnt need hospitalisation.
You sound a lot better too.
Follow up on the impatient thing - any help you can get is invaluable
D
You sound a lot better too.
Follow up on the impatient thing - any help you can get is invaluable
D
Life Goes On
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 6,069
I'm glad you went, too. If you're ever that concerned, it's always best to get checked out by a medical professional.
For what it's worth, "What would you like us to do for you" is not at all an unusual question . I've heard it at least a few times when I presented at the ER. It's a respectful question, really. The physician isn't a mind reader, right? When faced with an intoxicated patient whose life isn't in imminent danger, there are choices - keep me here until I sober up, admit me to detox for a few days, send me home with detox meds (not an option at the hospitals I've been to), hook me up with a peer counselor who can help me figure out what to do next. And of course, if you have a specific concern, you want to say that too, which you did.
I'm glad you've stopped drinking and plan to make that call tomorrow.
Please make that call first thing, before you convince yourself it can wait til later.
O
For what it's worth, "What would you like us to do for you" is not at all an unusual question . I've heard it at least a few times when I presented at the ER. It's a respectful question, really. The physician isn't a mind reader, right? When faced with an intoxicated patient whose life isn't in imminent danger, there are choices - keep me here until I sober up, admit me to detox for a few days, send me home with detox meds (not an option at the hospitals I've been to), hook me up with a peer counselor who can help me figure out what to do next. And of course, if you have a specific concern, you want to say that too, which you did.
I'm glad you've stopped drinking and plan to make that call tomorrow.
Please make that call first thing, before you convince yourself it can wait til later.
O
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 84
Originally Posted by Obladi 
I'm glad you went, too. If you're ever that concerned, it's always best to get checked out by a medical professional.
For what it's worth, "What would you like us to do for you" is not at all an unusual question . I've heard it at least a few times when I presented at the ER. It's a respectful question, really. The physician isn't a mind reader, right? When faced with an intoxicated patient whose life isn't in imminent danger, there are choices - keep me here until I sober up, admit me to detox for a few days, send me home with detox meds (not an option at the hospitals I've been to), hook me up with a peer counselor who can help me figure out what to do next. And of course, if you have a specific concern, you want to say that too, which you did.
I'm glad you've stopped drinking and plan to make that call tomorrow.
Please make that call first thing, before you convince yourself it can wait til later.
O
For what it's worth, "What would you like us to do for you" is not at all an unusual question . I've heard it at least a few times when I presented at the ER. It's a respectful question, really. The physician isn't a mind reader, right? When faced with an intoxicated patient whose life isn't in imminent danger, there are choices - keep me here until I sober up, admit me to detox for a few days, send me home with detox meds (not an option at the hospitals I've been to), hook me up with a peer counselor who can help me figure out what to do next. And of course, if you have a specific concern, you want to say that too, which you did.
I'm glad you've stopped drinking and plan to make that call tomorrow.
Please make that call first thing, before you convince yourself it can wait til later.
O
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by Dee74
I've found that GPs are more likely to give time to my issues.
The ER is by its nature a pretty fast moving place = but they are open late at night.
D
The ER is by its nature a pretty fast moving place = but they are open late at night.
D
ER is there to save lives period. Thankfully, that isn’t the case for you. So don’t think you were blown off. See your GP and he/she will be able to dig a lot deeper into your issues.
In the end, you did the right thing.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 7,242
you will have a chance to go see your regular GP. good to know your tests showed nothing needing immediate attention. and some of these issues might well clear up once you have stopped drinking for a while.
Serenity Now!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ontario
Posts: 112
went to the er once, detoxing bad, nurse said i wasnt the first and wont be the last. kept me in there for 5 days detoxing. but the doctor asked if i drove and said yes. so he got the ministry of transportation to suspend my licence. took me 6 months to get it back. 
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by Grimes
went to the er once, detoxing bad, nurse said i wasnt the first and wont be the last. kept me in there for 5 days detoxing. but the doctor asked if i drove and said yes. so he got the ministry of transportation to suspend my licence. took me 6 months to get it back.
??? They can do that?!
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