# When to go to the Emergency Room **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 8, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133 "2012-04-08T00:24:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/21 "2012-04-08T02:27:57Z")
> [@yams](#): > > Why the uncalled for nastiness? Why do you care so much about why someone said thank you? Are you afraid he is going to deplete the world’s precious supply of nice words? Nobody said that “might be having a heart attack” is a bad reason to go to the ER, and, by extension, nobody is casting aspersions on your trip to the ER for what you thought was a heart attack. Calm down, Francis, and dial the defensive pettiness down a couple of notches. The response you quote was to **Broomstick** , who has been dependent on taxpayer funded support very recently. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/22 "2012-04-08T02:35:22Z")
> [@choie](#): > > So I guess my question to the OP and **Qadgop** would be… With someone who suffers these same damn symptoms that (to me) seem right out of some _“So You’re Having a Heart Attack!”_ pamphlet… Should I still go? When do I make that 911 call? If you’ve had thorough evaluation for those symptoms in the past, and they’ve shown that your symptoms are _not_ due to cardiac or other life-threatening issues, then it’s okay to reasonably assume that the next time you get those symptoms, it’s still not due to those issues. Now, if some time in the future, your symptoms are suddenly very different than they have been in the past, then it may well be necessary to seek emergency evaluation. If said evaluation shows once again that you’re not having a heart attack, great! Don’t feel bad for having the new presentation checked out. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/23 "2012-04-08T02:39:13Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > In my experience in the emergency room, non-emergency cases get to sit around and gather dust while emergency treatment is dealt with. ER workers still have to spend time triaging and dealing with that stuff. It’s not like they get to magically wish away the non-emergent issues before they come in the door. And at least **Broomstick** is using taxpayer resources for valid, government-approved reasons, rather than hurting insurance-carrying people and taxpayers alike for things like drug-seeking, a slight fever, wanting a pregnancy test, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/24 "2012-04-08T02:50:30Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > If you’ve had thorough evaluation for those symptoms in the past, and they’ve shown that your symptoms are _not_ due to cardiac or other life-threatening issues, then it’s okay to reasonably assume that the next time you get those symptoms, it’s still not due to those issues. My sister insists that my symptoms are gall bladder. I won’t go to the ER again for that. I’d like to note, however, that the freebie blood tests at my former place of employment indicated that I was ready at any moment to have a heart attack. The ER tests indicated that not only was I not having a heart attack, I wasn’t in any danger of one. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/25 "2012-04-08T03:04:13Z")
> [@MareIt](#): > > When I told another friend about it, she freaked, wanting to know why I didn’t go to the ER. There was nothing, that I could think of, that the ER could do since I couldnt even pin point exactly what my issue was other than excessive fatigue and the shakes. That would be one of those times when you probably \*should \*go to the ER, though. I mean, I’m glad it all worked out, but that could have been a really wonky blood sugar just before coma, or it could have been a stroke or heart attack. “The shakes” aren’t really a good thing. Together with excessive fatigue and no other explanation, it’s often a sign your cells aren’t getting oxygen or sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/26 "2012-04-08T03:09:38Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > And at least **Broomstick** is using taxpayer resources for valid, government-approved reasons, rather than hurting insurance-carrying people and taxpayers alike for things like drug-seeking, a slight fever, wanting a pregnancy test, etc. So? I had a slight fever shortly before my appendix was removed. It’s a good thing the Navy hospital sent me home; otherwise I might have hurt taxpayers. ---
**Author:** ![yams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/848f3c/32.png) [@yams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yams)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/27 "2012-04-08T03:15:29Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > The response you quote was to **Broomstick** , who has been dependent on taxpayer funded support very recently. I am aware. Which is why I said … seriously? You are seriously going to go there? Why do you feel the need to take personal, low-blow shots for no reason? love yams!! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/28 "2012-04-08T03:22:20Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > The response you quote was to **Broomstick** , who has been dependent on taxpayer funded support very recently. And making fun of someone for being poor is so incredibly low that one has to wonder what beef you have with her to think that sort of thing is acceptable. She was just explaining why someone responded the way she did, and you decided to attack her. And using the emergency room when there is no urgent need and you could get a regular doctor is a dickish move for all the reasons she said. It’s not about fucking money, it’s about people dying because there isn’t enough money. Big difference. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/29 "2012-04-08T03:23:56Z")
If you guys want to attack each other personally, take it to the Pit. If you want to debate public funding of emergency services, take it to GD. Thanks, **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/30 "2012-04-08T03:25:24Z")
> [@yams](#): > > I am aware. Which is why I said … seriously? You are seriously going to go there? Why do you feel the need to take personal, low-blow shots for no reason? You honestly don’t understand why **Broomstick** ’s complaining about the cost to taxpayers is worth my pointing out that she has, herself, cost the taxpayers? That’s a personal, low-blow shot? OK, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/31 "2012-04-08T03:28:47Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > If you guys want to attack each other personally, take it to the Pit. If you want to debate public funding of emergency services, take it to GD. What, precisely, do you view as an appropriate topic for this thread? ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/32 "2012-04-08T03:44:08Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > If you’ve had thorough evaluation for those symptoms in the past, and they’ve shown that your symptoms are _not_ due to cardiac or other life-threatening issues, then it’s okay to reasonably assume that the next time you get those symptoms, it’s still not due to those issues. > > Now, if some time in the future, your symptoms are suddenly very different than they have been in the past, then it may well be necessary to seek emergency evaluation. If said evaluation shows once again that you’re not having a heart attack, great! Don’t feel bad for having the new presentation checked out. Thanks, **Qadgop**. That does make me feel better. It’s so difficult to make that decision (particularly as I live alone - and my cats insist on not developing opposable thumbs to dial 911 for me, even though i keep thinking they’re _almost_ there!). Especially in a panic situation, where every symptom is telling you that you’re about to die, and you have to convince yourself otherwise. But yeah, your words do make sense, and I think I’ve been sort of using that rule unconsciously. I’ve had dozens of panic attacks in the last four years, but it’s when something new and unusual gets added to the usual panic cocktail-- e.g. the head pressure, the warmth/burning in the chest that I mentioned upthread–that makes me lose what little control over my fear I have and get all Fred Sanfordy (_“This is it! This is the big one, Elizabeth!”_) Once my attacks subside I would like to volunteer at the ER, if they’ll have me. I can’t tell if it would make me more hypochondriacal or less, but after having all these experiences and seeing the families (and I’ve been in that position too–my father died in this very same hospital after being treated in the ER, though they did all they could), I think I’d like to be of some use and comfort to the patients/families or whomever I’d be assigned to deal with. It’s maybe bizarre but after all these visits I have been so grateful to the interns and nurses who’ve made things easier for me–asking if I wanted a blanket while I was sitting there in my hospital gown for forty minutes, bringing me some water, just generally being kind. The doctors are great too, which shocked me. (Sorry, **Qadgop** , no offense intended! It’s just that I would’ve expected them to be much less patient (pun!) with someone who was apparently not seriously ill.) One doctor, the chief resident on call I believe, came in while making his rounds and he could see my heart rate was still at around 110bpm, and he spoke to me for a while and placed a kind hand on my shoulder, patting it a bit. After a while he looked up at the machine behind me and smiled, “Look at that, your heartrate’s down in the nineties. Good for you!” As if I were responsible for the improvement, instead of his own gentle, calming bedside manner! That’s a mensch for you. Oy sorry, this is turning very bloggy. I’m just saying… ERs are by nature scary places to be, and those who are able to give some dignity and peace to the patients and families in these frightening situations are amazing. (This is New York/Cornell hospital, btw.) But yeah. As the OP said: I definitely try not to go unless something is noticeably different and I can’t talk myself out of it. (In general I’ve been told that if you’re able to distract yourself from your racing heart/shortness of breath, it’s probably a panic attack, not a heart attack. Generally, heart attack symptoms don’t go away just because you’re watching a good episode of “Mad Men” or playing “Fallout: New Vegas.”) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/33 "2012-04-08T03:50:06Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > What, precisely, do you view as an appropriate topic for this thread? Reasons for going to the emergency room – medical issues, not the political or economic issues, and certainly not attacks on other people based on what you perceive to be their connection with those political or economic issues. I strongly encourage you to back away from your attacks on **Broomstick** in this thread, per my instructions. **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/34 "2012-04-08T03:52:19Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I strongly encourage you to back away from your attacks on **Broomstick** in this thread, per my instructions. > > **twickster** , MPSIMS moderator I should back away from my attacks? What, precisely, was an attack? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/35 "2012-04-08T03:55:54Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I should back away from my attacks? What, precisely, was an attack? This: > [@Frank](#): > > Don’t you, of all people, dare cast a maligning glance on what drives up costs for taxpayers. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/36 "2012-04-08T03:56:53Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Oh lordy, that’s my life passing before my eyes as I read that. ☹🆒😃 Maybe you should crosspost Bageldog Penis Guy there 😛 Great Ghu, now _there_ was an amazing [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=273825&highlight=bagel+penis)~! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/37 "2012-04-08T04:02:53Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > This: You, and your cohort, are imagining things. **Broomstick** made an explicit attack in this thread on the cost to taxpayers of those who go to the ER for reasons she does not feel to be sufficient. It is certainly appropriate to point out in this thread that she has, herself, cost the taxpayers for reasons that some may not feel sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/38 "2012-04-08T04:05:31Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Though ER peeps [writing](http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=257985) about various patients can be both educational and amusing! [be prepared to spend many hours if you read that thread from the beginning, it is up to 65 pages now]😛 I have sent this link to my sister, who has two sons. One is an MD, one is a PA. I am sure that both of them will have many stories to tell me as the years go by. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/39 "2012-04-08T06:36:27Z")
Wait, a reason to go to the ER is “suicidal _or homicidal_ feelings”?!? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133/40 "2012-04-08T07:08:19Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Wait, a reason to go to the ER is “suicidal _or homicidal_ feelings”?!? :eek: Very much so! Better there than out letting out those feelings in outer less constructive ways! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-go-to-the-emergency-room/618133.md?page=3)