Resources About Going to the ER

Hello, readers. Many of the people I have met who have chronic pain (both through the internet and in person) have expressed bewilderment about whether or not they should go to the E.R. when their pain is at it's worst--emergency rooms are not always equipped to treat chronic problems, but, sometimes, our pain becomes some physically unendurable that we need some kind of intervention.

Unfortunately, this is not a question I can answer, as I feel that the answer will depend on each person's situation. Personally, I have never gone to the emergency room because of my pain because, when my pain is at its absolute worst, my migraines temporarily paralyze my limbs so I cannot move and riding in a car always aggravates my headaches. Yet, I know the situation is different for others. As it is difficult to think when pain is that extreme, it is helpful to consider this scenario in advance. Whatever you decide, I gathered some resources that will both inform you about the factors to consider when going to an emergency room for chronic pain and help you prepare for the trip if you decide to go during one of your worst bouts of pain. I hope they help. As always, click "read more" to see all of the resources and my annotations (There are 3 resources.)

1. Form to Carry with You in Case You do Need to Go to the Emergency Room

Link: http://theacpa.org/uploads/documents/ACPA%20pain%20form.pdf

This form, produced by the ever-amazing American Chronic Pain Association, can be printed and filled out in advance in case you ever have a terrible bout of pain and require emergency assistance. This form is not part of official emergency room paperwork, but is very helpful because you can list your medical history, including current medications, on it. If you do end up in the emergency room, you can give this paper to the doctor instead of explaining it all at the time, which can be helpful if your pain makes it hard to think or speak.

2. Brochure About How to Prepare for Going to the ER and What to Expect


Link: http://theacpa.org/uploads/documents/ACPA-ER%20Brochure%20Final%20R.pdf

This brochure, also produced by the American Chronic Pain Association, clearly and concisely outlines important information to know about visiting the emergency room. It also lists materials you should have if you ever need to visit the emergency room.

3. The Possibility of Encountering Suspicion in the ER and How to Decrease It

Link: http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/chronic-pain-11/emergency-room?page=1

As this article explains, emergency room workers may sometimes feel suspicious that chronic pain patients are inventing an ailment to receive strong pain killers. This suspicion occurs because doctors and nurses understandably need to make sure they only prescribe medication for legitimate purposes and are not giving it to someone who wants to abuse it or sell it to make money. This article explains other reasons for suspicions as well, and gives useful advice about what we can do to help alleviate any suspicions.