Is my ER experience unusual for an ileostomate?

[jstl]

Hi, I can’t call this a vent, I’m just so surprised by the lack of understanding I encountered. I’ve had a fever for several days and got very dehydrated , to the point of not being able to eat, and losing about a liter every couple of hours. Obviously, I got dehydrated, complete with weakness, nausea, muscle aches, and a little incoordination- all the things. My doctor told me to go to the ER ( where I live, urgent cares don’t do IV fluids).
for an IV. They were really nice but acted like they didn’t understand why I couldn’t stick it out. It was just very strange. I did share with them that in the past I’ve gotten so dehydrated that I was ataxic and couldn’t walk straight, and my kidneys shut down. Has anyone else had this kind of experience of just sort of being dismissed?

[Caroline]

No problem whatsoever at Kaiser Urgent care in Tacoma.nThey got me in right away and dehydrated me with an IV. I had very l I w sodium and it could have been bad. That was 3 yes ago and I have been extra careful ever since to invest more salt and H2O. My labs have been normal ever since, ac g ually imptoved.

[To Dream a Dream]

Thanks, jstl for letting me know I am not alone. After suffering a fall last Spring & subsequent hospitalization (slight concussion with additional symptoms from short bowel, hyperparathyroidism, etc. etc.) the list continues to grow longer as I age, I am convinced our current medical system resides in some parallel universe far removed from what I remember both as a lifelong patient & as an employee. I won't criticize too loudly as I do not envy those who enter today's profession. Especially the ER (that acronym definitely dates me). And appreciate their commitment & dedication to what has always been something of a lost cause. Now they are terrorized by fears of HEPA violations & the sinister lurking of AI, not to mention who or what might enter from off the street to threaten them. They have my admiration & my prayers.
But, I certainly can empathize with your unfortunate experience. Post concussion, having wakened to the screams of an anonymous roommate shrouded by bed curtains, begging staff to stop hurting her as they laughed (you got it, laughed "Stinky poo, just look at all that stinky yellow & green poo."
(I found out later they were clearing a bowel impaction.) I lay there desperately attempting to remember when I had last changed my ileo appliance, vowing they were not going to touch me.
Afraid to intervene lest my intrusion be labeled incorrigible behavior, I turned desperately to bury my fear into my own pillow, pouring my heart out in my prayers.
The cries from the other bed lessened, the team moved on to tend to their next subject & my shaking gradually subsided. In the morning, I had been able to collect my wits enough to convince the day shift I was fit enough to be discharged with the prerequisite walker with wheels & having spent 36 hours plus in a very strange place. One that held no resemblance to my previous memories of my attending angels.
And yes, my appliance held 'til I had successfully escaped the next day.
And I as usual, was able to find the silver lining later, by interacting with staff members individually on a more positive note. I overheard one later remark to an inquisitive visitor who had also heard the 'gayety' of the previous night.
"Well, it's better to laugh, than to cry, isn't it?"