Over the years, we’ve gotten pretty good about dealing with the ER. Here are some of the things we have learned:

• Bring a copy of all of the medications currently being taken and a list of all known health conditions.
• Make sure that your primary care doctor and/or rheumatologist is informed about your visit to the ER.
• Try and get a copy of all of your test results sent to your primary care doctor and/or rheumatologist so that they don’t have to order the same tests when you go in to see them.
• Bring a book or something to read, because it you may be there for quite some time.
• If you can, try and get on a fast-track so that you can be seen quickly, because you don’t really want to hang around with a bunch of sick people when you are immuno-compromised.
• Sneak in some food and water if you can.
• If you wear contacts, take them out before you go.

That’s all I can think of right now. If you only remember one suggestion, make it the one about bringing a copy of your known health conditions and your medication. That alone has saved us a ton of time and grief.