[chelli73]

First off, let me say that not only do I try to stay away from the ER, I also discourage any friends and family who want to rush in there with a sliver in their finger or my favorite, "a 2 week long pain". I encourage all to go to their PCP, and when they whine that they don't have one, I get online or on the phone to find one for them. I often get calls at 2am re a friend who needs medical advice and I tell them my stock answer: GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR IN THE MORNING!!! I do not give out any medical advice, but I will alert them to the reasons TO go to the ER: fever or diarrhea in an infant >101.9 lasting 24hrs or more, etc. I try to be as compliant with the vows I took in nursing school as possible!
That being said, I have visited myself to the ER in the last 5-10 yrs as follows:

1. I slammed an 8x10 framed picture over my kid's fathers head (picture the cartoon w/the character looking "framed")--he was fine, I, however gashed my hand and needed 7 stitches. (Hey, I was like 20 at the time, and he even admitted that he deserved it--spending our rent money on drugs)

2. One fine summer evening, after my PCP's office was closed, I decided to skip a social science class (6p-9p mon-thurs, yuck), and join my kids and their father (we did have SOME good times) in a nice game of softball at the park. Well, I somehow went wrong catching the big softball and completely dislocated my left ring finger in the process. I was more embarrassed than anything, it did not hurt but it was so badly bent that the tip of the finger touched my pinky with no effort (very disfigured--ewww!). The doc took great care of me and the whole ER had a good laugh at my twisted finger's expense! It did bruise up and hurt later on, especially since I was an admitting clerk at the time and data entry was about 90% of my job!! See what I get for playing hooky from class??!!

3. The worst story of all time for me. Very intense and I cannot believe that I am even going public with this story, but I am overtired and sleepy so here goes: In 2003, I got hip to the whole "shaved look" for what reason, I still am not sure. And you know where I shaved--real sexy. WEEEEEELLLLLL, only I could end up with the WORST case of folliculitis I had ever seen or ever felt (never had so much as a bad pimple on any part of my body before, honest) I could barely sit down. In a word--NIGHTMARE. I went to my doctor, then to my OB/Gyn, all I was given was Keflex and kind words. NO HEALING. I ended up in a ER in Indiana, too embarrassed to go to my job--and the female ER doc did 3, count 'em 3 I/D's on me. Pain 10/10. I had done my own research on the problem and begged her for Bactroban ointment, she gave me the prescription along with Augmentin PO--worked like a charm. Needless to say I am NEVER going near that area w/ an electric shaver or wax or ANYTHING sharp ever again, and while I have always prided myself on EXCELLENT personal hygiene, I am now a germophobe when it comes to my special areas!!!!!!!!!

4. Almost forgot: terrible toothache at 4am, got a shot of Toradol and went to the dentist w/in 3 days for treatment.

I don't think I have abused the system, do you????

[qtpieERnurse]

I have been to MY ER 3 times.....all for kidney stones. I agree with everyone else that I would have to be hemorrhaging or either amputation of a limb before I got to the ER, but with kidney stones, that is a different story. And for those who have never had the pleasure of having a kidney stone, I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy.

[teeituptom]

[quote=qtpieERnurse]I have been to MY ER 3 times.....all for kidney stones. I agree with everyone else that I would have to be hemorrhaging or either amputation of a limb before I got to the ER, but with kidney stones, that is a different story. And for those who have never had the pleasure of having a kidney stone, I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy.[/QUOTE


I know people I would wish that on, and that the hosp they go to had all their narcotics on Back Order, and had none to give them except Toradol
or Ultram

Funny. They are all Republicans

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by teeituptom

I know people I would wish that on, and that the hosp they go to had all their narcotics on Back Order, and had none to give them except Toradol

Hey, I got Toradol twice in the ER for my kidney stones and it was wonderful! Why use a narcotic when Toradol works just as well to relieve pain? I actually asked for it the second time, because I didn't necessarily want to have a narcotic buzz. Both times it took my pain from a 7-8 to a 0 in less than five minutes.

[P_RN]

I agree about Toradol. Really good stuff.

[crazy4trauma]

Well, I am not a nurse, but when I was a secretary I avoided it when I could. One time I took myself in was when I had a crohn's flare. I had a fever, and knew something was just not right. I crawled in there and my temp was 106. I was intractable at that point, and had surgery soon after.

I did make the mistake one night of saying I felt a little lightheaded, and my HR turned out to be 120. SLAM, on the gurney she goes! Anxiety. But no, we need to do a workup. I guess we were pretty slow that night. So I was embarassed, but I wasn't the one who thought I needed treatment.

When it xomes to the kids, though, when in doubt I go. Luckily, after 4 kids, I don't often have doubts.

[Rio]

Toradol is nearly diagnostic for kidney stones. That and a couple liters of NS,

[Gompers]

Originally Posted by Rio

Toradol is nearly diagnostic for kidney stones. That and a couple liters of NS,

And what's funny is that my urologist says he HATES that they always give Toradol, because it reduces renal blood flow. Personally I think a couple liters of saline at the same time will make up for it.

[MsPiggy]

Once for migraine lasting over 3 days-after trying all the migraine meds etc.

Once in the ambulance for aniphylaxsis I was down & unconcious so DH called ems.
For gall bladder & appy, the last three within the past 2 yrs. I worked 8 hours with the stomach pain from the appendix before the Doc I work with made me go-I'm a tough cookie.

Though I was treated wonderfully each stay I hope I'm done now
Ms.P

[elizabells]

The only time I've gone since starting nursing school was a Saturday morning, really early, I woke up and saw like five of everything, horrible vertigo, could barely stand up or think straight. I somehow managed to walk the fifteen blocks to the ER (because I couldn't figure out how to get in a cab) in my pyjamas. The resident first asked if I was on PCP because I had really bad nystagmus. Then he thought I was having a stroke. Turns out a med I was on causes cerebellar encephalitis and I'd come down with a sinus infection, and the increased ICP from those combined did something weird to me. A little dramamine and I was a-ok. I was embarassed that I was in PJs, but not about going.