How do you determine if an ER visit is needed?

[Guest guest]

I used to be an EMT, so I know the typical abdominal signs and

symptoms that necessitates an ER trip (ruptured viscous, acute

infection, aortic aneurysm, blunt trauma, obstructed bowel, etc).

But I am unfamiliar with how you determine this in a case of

chronic pancreatitis that is not acute.

I am starting to think that I need to be in a hospital, I feel that I am

unable to manage what is going on with me now. But I am able

to function. I am not in such unbelievable pain that I want to die,

(with meds I can bring the level 8 down to a 5). But I am unable

to eat willingly - it is a struggle but I can eat a few cups of veggies

or pieces of bread, but not much water either. I ruptured an ovary

three years ago, which felt like appendicitis (which is what the

differential diagnoses included) but the pain level that I am

feeling now is the same if not more. I feel sick (like the flu - but

without the vomiting) but not as sick as I felt then. I am afraid to

go to urgent care or ER because the usual response, from my

experience as both a patient and an EMT worker, is that they will

send me home and tell me drink plenty of fluids, go to bed, and

call if things get worse. Plus I do not want to offend " dr sphincter "

that my friend just referred me to, but I haven't seen yet. I feel like

I am not connected with the world, that I am just getting through

the day as my life is being sucked out of me....... When do I know

that it is time to ask for help from an urgent care or emergency

department?

Laurie

(please do not be alarmed, I am not a " true " emergency - just

wanting so bad to be seen by a doctor, [right NOW! DARN-IT]

that I am trying to figure out what options I have)