"Treat 'em and street 'em", AKA "GOMER" in room 12.

The first thing you need to know as an Alpha going to an ER is that most of the time, they have NO clue about your disease. Therefore, it is up to you to try to describe your disease, symptoms, history, and the reasons for the ER visit to them -- in 25 words or less.

OK, I'm joking about the 25 words... But for the most part, my experience has been that if an ER Doctor doesn't sense something that they fully understand and have a specific plan that they can follow for treating you (eg. Broken bones, bleeding, heart issues), then they want no part of your care. Hence, the mantra "Treat 'em and street 'em". Or better yet, the nickname of GOMER (Short for Get Out of My Emergency Room). These terms typically refer to older patients that continue to "bounce back" to the ER, but my experience shows that they are also being directed at those of us with medical conditions that they just don't understand...

On my first visit to the local Henry Ford ER, the ER doc had no clue about the disease, so I tried as best I could to describe everything. Main issues to be accomplished were: Checking my liver function tests, confirming no serious changes, checking for dehydration, and addressing the cramps, if possible.

On a night where the ER was NOT really that busy, I waited nearly 10 hours before finally telling the staff that I was leaving -- one way or another. During those hours, they had managed to take my blood... And that was the extent of it. Well, then the Doctor was able to leave the break area long enough to give me the following info: She had finally reviewed my blood work, told me that I was, indeed, dehydrated, and noticed that my Potassium level was low, advised me to add Potassium to my daily regimen, drink plenty of fluids, and check back with my primary care Doctor. Unfortunately, this was not my last experience with this particular ER Doctor -- As a matter of fact, if you can believe it, 10 hours of waiting without treatment for the dehydration and finally advice to "take some Potassium" was probably the best experience that I have had with her to date! More on this Doctor as my story continues...