The biggest acute thing that can happen to me nowadays is an intestinal blockage, though it’s been more than a year since my last one (knock on wood). I still kind of live in fear of them, however, and so I get very stressed out about any stomachaches. Unfortunately the first symptom is an ordinary stomachache, so it’s hard not to panic even though 99% of the time I’m fine.
I handle it like this: I notice the stomachache. I try to chill. Getting stressed gives me worse stomachaches. I do something to keep my mind busy for a few hours.
If stomachache persists or worsens, I take my pills. I have fast acting anti-inflammatory pills prescribed to me for stopping blockages in their tracks. They’re not 100% effective, it’s kind of a last ditch attempt to prevent a hospitalization, but I actually haven’t had a blockage yet since I first was prescribed these, so I feel pretty good about them.
I chill for awhile longer. At this point I’m pretty much down and out for the day, unfortunately. If I’ve gotten to the point of needing my pills, I’m pretty nervous and in a reasonable amount of pain. I’ll skip classes or other commitments. It takes quite a few hours to know whether or not I need to go to the hospital, so these situations turn into all-day affairs.
At this point, stomachache has hopefully subsided. If it’s still there or it’s getting worse, I start to consider the hospital. I don’t want to wait too long or else I will be in horrendous pain before they are able to help me. This isn’t really considered a life-threatening emergency, so I do not get helped quickly at the ER, but the pain gets absolutely incredible after some time. I consider it the worst pain I’ve had, and I’ve passed kidney stones. Factors that will convince me that hospital is necessary: trying to poop and not much happening. You can get lulled into false security if you poop and a little comes out, but that’s just what was in you below the point at which the blockage is. I’m pretty good at discerning these days what is a blocked-amount of poop and what is a regular bowel movement.
Finally if it’s necessary I go to the hospital. I don’t have other options. I need a tube up my nose to resolve this. It sucks.