Gastroenteritis vs. Appendicitis: My Experience
**About Me:**
I'm a 19-year-old female, 5'1" (156 cm) tall, weighing approximately 94 pounds (43 kg). I do not take any medications, avoid smoking, and have been managing celiac disease with a strict gluten-free diet since I was six years old. I've ensured that I've not consumed any gluten in the last few days.
**Symptoms I Experienced First:**
Yesterday morning, I awoke feeling unwell, and my discomfort rapidly developed into a general ache in my stomach. Initially, I thought my menstrual cycle had started early, but it turned out to be something else. I had two bowel movements, which were somewhat loose—though that had been the case for a while, likely due to inadequate fiber intake—and I felt quite incomplete afterward. As my stomach pain intensified, nausea followed suit. The pain escalated to a level I could only describe as stabbing, which was more severe than any discomfort I typically experience during menstruation. Eventually, this culminated in me vomiting four times, expelling mostly water. The pain persisted for roughly two hours before it began to dissipate. During this time, I experienced alternating chills and warmth. Additionally, I felt a blockage in my bowels, leading me to wonder if that was the sole issue. To note, I had been eating faster, larger portions, and indulging in less healthy foods than usual yesterday.
**As Time Passed:**
Every time I attempted to move quickly, including walking or taking deep breaths, I could still sense the discomfort, particularly in my lower abdomen. The pain was centralized in the middle and on the right side, but hardly on the left; when I applied pressure to the left, the sensation was primarily in my right side.
**Visit to the Emergency Room:**
Once the initial pain and nausea subsided, I found my condition neither worsening nor improving. Concerned about the severity of appendicitis, I decided to seek medical help at the ER for a thorough evaluation. However, when I described my symptoms, the medical staff concluded that I was suffering from gastroenteritis. Perhaps my explanations were unclear, or maybe they simply assessed my condition correctly—these two issues do have overlapping symptoms, after all. A concern is that they did not perform any blood tests or palpate my abdomen; they only took my blood pressure, assessed my fever (which I had), and monitored my oxygen levels (which were normal). In hindsight, I wish I had insisted on further examinations, but at that moment, I fully trusted their judgment and regretted my decision later.
**Current Plan of Action:**
Right now, I've opted against taking any pain relief medication because I'm anxious it could mask a worsening condition. However, I've heard from others that they discovered appendicitis after painkillers failed to alleviate their discomfort entirely. I plan to evaluate whether my condition improves or deteriorates by morning. I feel a bit embarrassed at the thought of returning to the hospital, even though I know I shouldn’t. Fortunately, healthcare in my area is either free or low-cost, so financial concerns aren't an issue.
**Request for Guidance:**
I would greatly appreciate any advice, stories, or insights from others who may have dealt with similar situations, as I’m feeling quite anxious about it all.
NauseaVomitingStomach Pain