I've had the same situation happen to me several times, mine is a little different though. I am already on Vicodin for pain and that wasn't helping the pain, it began on a Friday night and I waited until Saturday to call my rheumy and the on call dr wasn't familiar with my problems so he told me to call my primary and the on call dr there wasn't familiar enough with my problems either so she suggested the ER. I've had meningitis many times and can not take any anti-inflammatory med's because of it (I even have a note from my rheumy stating this) and I still was treating like I was a drug seeking addict. I was having trouble with my legs and was having so much pain that I was having trouble walking and standing still and yet no tests were done no blood work no nothing. I was given a stronger pain med while I was in the hospital and when the pain subsided they sent me home. I was infuriated. To make matters worse when I was given my discharge papers I didn't look at them until I was in the car and guess what they said, it said I went to the ER for drug dependency. I marched right back in that ER and confronted the DR and asked him how dear he say I was drug dependent after I had explained all my medical history to him and I did have legitimate and chronic problems. He refused to change his diagnosis so I tthrew the papers at him and marched out of there. I felt so belittled I cried all the way home, my kids tried to comfort me but at that point know one could.
It is so hard for us to try and figure out what our problems are because so many things can effect us from the SS. Even though I had a bad experience my suggestion to you is to go to the ER, better safe than sorry. We always have to be careful with this disease. Don't let the dr talk down to you, stand your ground and be strong. Good luck. Please let me know how you make out, I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,
Patty

i know how you feel, only instead of the ER mine is with the pain clinic i was sent to and sometimes my own doctor's office. sometimes i feel like they think i am just trying to get out of work cause i am sure they deal with that so much. i feel sometimes that my doc thinks that cause she has never dealt with patients with the more severe Sjs, only ones that has milder symptoms like dry eyes and mouth and that can go about their lives with no issues. but not everyone is the same and don't react the same like everyone else does. i was told a couple times, and i know this sounds funny but she is right, by my vet that you have to be your own voice cause no one else will be. go and tell them and make them listen to what is going on with you cause they just think what could be wrong. unfort we can't pass along on how we feel so they can understand. i have figured out in the last couple months that this is a tough disease on the body and should be taken as serious as any other disease. i can also relate to the pain. it is so hard some days. but stay strong and fight for yourself! good luck!

My neuro just diagnosed me with CIDP which is a nerve condition where myelin sheath, covering of the nerves, is loss. This has become very painful. I see my neuro this week because the pain has gotten a lot worse. My husband has offered to take me to the ER at times by I'm afraid to go, because I don't think anyone will understand and just look at me as an addict. I have lived with the pain thus far and now it's getting to the point to where I can't stand it at times. So When do we give in and go to the ER? People don't understand Sjogren's and all that it can do to the body.

willows4u,

My only ER experiences have been with anaphylactic allergic reactions. Except for one time, they usually tell my husband I'm not having an allergic reaction, and then I miraculously recover when they treat me for an allergic reaction. Of course I'm non-responsive and can't kick them in the shins or get them to read my medical history that spells out exactly what happens when I have an anaphylactic reaction.

If I was in horrible pain, I'll page my rheumy or my primary care doctor for some help.

Patty, I can relate to your story too! They seem to be allowed to make up anything they feel like writing. It's not impossible to get it removed, but it does take a lot of time and frustration.

I flat our REFUSE to go to the E.R. I hate nothing worse! If I go for pain I usually end up with some other virus or illness. I wait until I am a 10 on the pain scale and for me that is when the pain gets to the point of vomiting.....that's when I know it's time to go in. I try to wait it out and get in with my Primary Care or Rheumatologist. E.R. doctors just don't seem to get it!
-Well Wishes
Jackie