A Scary Health Incident: My Experience with Meckel's Diverticulum
Hello everyone, I hope it’s alright to share my experience here. A couple of weeks ago, I went through something quite alarming that has been on my mind ever since. Two weeks back, I woke up feeling extremely unwell with my stomach in turmoil. The pain worsened throughout the day, and by around 3 p.m., I began to vomit repeatedly, all the while finding no alleviation from the discomfort. I made the decision to head to the hospital and arrived by approximately 4:30 p.m. In the emergency department, I detailed my symptoms and was visibly distressed. The attending nurse suggested it might just be a stomach virus, but I insisted that this pain was unlike anything I had previously encountered. I ended up lying on the bathroom floor of the ER for three hours as my condition deteriorated. Despite my husband's insistence that the situation was serious, I was still waiting for help. Eventually, they admitted me, performed blood tests, and by that point, the agony was so intense that I could hardly gather my thoughts. However, everything changed once the lab results came in. They administered Dilaudid for pain relief and swiftly transported me for a CT scan, which revealed a closed loop obstruction in my small intestine with signs of necrosis and micro perforation. This led to an urgent surgery where they discovered that a Meckel's diverticulum had encircled my bowel causing full thickness ischemia, with no viable tissue remaining in that area. Ultimately, they had to remove 17 inches of my small intestines and reattach the healthy sections. In terms of my health, I’m generally fit, standing at 6’1” and weighing 161 pounds, and I have no history of surgical issues, making this event feel particularly random. Just to note, I had contracted COVID a fortnight prior, and I wonder if the extensive coughing could have contributed to my situation. It feels serious, and I can’t shake the feeling that perhaps I should have been assessed much earlier than after three hours. While I’m not pointing fingers at the triage nurse, I can’t help but question whether hospitals evaluate these situations. Is it typical for emergency departments to handle cases like mine this way? Had there been a quicker response, could the ischemia have been prevented? It’s challenging to reconcile the fact that I was in such a precarious situation for so long. Thank you for any thoughts or insights. I believe I'm still coming to terms with everything that unfolded.
Answers (1)
8/6/2025, 11:31:17 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to have lingering questions and concerns after such a traumatic health experience. Your narrative highlights a severe medical issue that was managed in an emergency setting, and it’s natural to reflect on how things unfolded. Let's address your concerns together.
Main Points:
- You experienced a serious medical incident involving Meckel's diverticulum leading to significant health complications.
- It’s normal to feel uncertainty about the timeliness of care received during emergency situations.
Explanation:
Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital abnormality that can sometimes lead to complications such as bowel obstruction, as you experienced. Symptoms can be severe and may mimic other conditions, making diagnosis challenging. In emergency departments, patients are often evaluated based on the severity of their presentation; however, pain tolerance varies significantly among individuals. This can sometimes lead to longer wait times for those with less typical presentations.
Your experience with excessive pain and delayed treatment, coupled with the frustrating feeling of needing to advocate for yourself, is completely valid. In emergency situations, quick responses can significantly impact outcomes, especially with conditions like bowel ischemia, where timely surgical intervention is critical.
Next Steps:
-
Reflect and Journaling: Take some time to write down your feelings and questions about your experience. This can help you process the trauma and clarify your thoughts. It may also be useful to discuss these with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.
-
Follow-up Care: Ensure that you have scheduled follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. Discuss your recovery and any lingering symptoms; this is essential for monitoring your health as you heal.
-
Educate Yourself: Understanding Meckel's diverticulum and bowel obstructions can empower you. Resources from reputable organizations like the Mayo Clinic or WebMD can provide more insight about potential complications and recovery expectations.
-
Advocate for Yourself: If you feel comfortable, consider discussing your experience with the medical team or hospital administration. Sharing your story can help enhance the quality of care in the future and ensure that such situations are managed more effectively.
It's important to acknowledge the serious nature of your experience while also focusing on your recovery journey. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s perfectly okay to seek support as you navigate the effects this has had on your life.
Related Questions
Chronic Hypersomnia Since Adolescence: A Seeking Path for Answers
I am a 30-year-old white male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, residing in the United States. **Current Medications:** - Adderall XR 40 mg - Sunosi 150 mg - Lisinopril 40 mg - Atenolol 25 mg - Tolvaptan 60 mg **Medical Background:** - Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) at stage 2 (eGFR 67) - Obstructive Sleep Apnea (utilizing CPAP machine since July 2024) - Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) **Symptoms Experienced:** - Persistent and overwhelming sleepiness—more than just fatigue—accompanied by a heavy feeling in my face and chest; I struggle to keep my eyes open and often feel as if I am burdened. - I sleep for 10 to 14 hours every night, supplemented by involuntary naps lasting 1 to 2 hours multiple times throughout the day. - None of my sleep feels restorative, leading to a groggy, hangover-like state upon waking. - Cognitive challenges including a lack of focus, forgetfulness, and trouble retrieving words, which have grown more pronounced over the last four years. - Activities as simple as showering or cooking now feel like moving through molasses. - I experience low physical endurance and lengthy recovery times, even though I previously maintained a regular exercise routine. My late father exhibited similar symptoms with the addition of seizures he associated with alcoholism, although he was never assessed medically. I, on the other hand, do not have any alcohol or addiction issues. **Specialist Consultations:** - **Sleep Specialist:** A Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) ruled out narcolepsy with no Sleep Onset REM Periods (SOREMs) and a 12-minute latency. I comply with CPAP therapy for an average of eight hours each night, but there has been no alleviation of my symptoms. Testing revealed no periodic limb movement disorders, alpha-delta intrusions, or unexplained nighttime arousals. - **Nephrologist:** Symptoms are considered unlikely to stem from my current stage of ADPKD. Tests show I’m not anemic, with standard iron levels. - **Rheumatologist:** An ANA titer of 1:320 with a speckled and nucleolar pattern appears elevated; however, all specific autoimmune tests returned negative. Monitoring was suggested without a clear diagnosis provided. - **Psychiatrist:** It was determined that my symptoms do not seem to be connected to mental health issues. My therapist has also validated in a letter that my condition is unrelated to psychological factors. - **Miscellaneous Findings:** An arachnoid cyst was detected in my brain. My white blood cell count is borderline low and my red blood cell count alternates between normal and low realms. Testosterone levels are within the normal range, though morning cortisol is slightly elevated. Normetanephrine is elevated at 2.15 nmol/L, while metanephrine remains normal at 0.27 nmol/L. Both Vitamin D and B12 levels are adequate. Tests for STIs returned negative results. **Current Situation:** I am currently on disability, unable to work even in part-time capacities and can no longer engage in exercise, finding myself nearly confined to my home. I feel as though I am being sent from one specialist to another without gaining clarity on my condition. What avenues should I explore next? Which type of medical professional might offer further insight? I'm beginning to doubt my own experiences, pondering if I am merely being lazy or overly sensitive.
Chronic Foot Pain: Seeking Insights on Possible Causes
I'm reaching out to gather thoughts on a perplexing issue I'm facing. Since my first pregnancy back in 2020, I've been dealing with intense foot pain that appears unpredictably. It all started when I was about seven months along while working long shifts in a busy kitchen, four days a week, for eight hours each day. At the time, I dismissed the discomfort as something typical for pregnancy, but it fortunately subsided about six months after giving birth to my first child. Fast forward to late 2024, when I became pregnant with my second child. By now, I had transitioned to being a stay-at-home mother, with none of the rigorous demands of my previous job. However, around three months into this new pregnancy, the foot pain reemerged and has persisted ever since. My youngest is turning two this month, which helps frame this timeline. The pain has oscillated between being severe and manageable, but the previous six months have marked a significant decline into debilitating territory. When I am at rest, I feel sharp pains in my metatarsals that radiate up to my knees. To alleviate some discomfort, I’ve been altering my walking style to shift weight more onto my heels instead of the balls of my feet. However, this adjustment has introduced a new level of discomfort in my heels. Ironically, the only relief I find is while walking. Nonetheless, excessive walking—even something as simple as taking my oldest to school for a brief ten-minute journey—leaves me nearly immobilized the following day. Currently, I’m on a regimen of 50 mg of APO-Diclofenac DR, taken twice daily, yet I’ve found no relief. Previously, I also tried 500 mg of naproxen twice a day without any positive outcomes. I've experimented with various footwear, but none have alleviated the pain. My primary care physician has arranged for bilateral x-rays and blood tests to check for conditions like gout and markers for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, among other things. So far, all tests have returned normal. There have been occasions where I’ve had to keep my oldest child at home from school simply because I’m unable to walk even a short distance, such as the fifty steps from my bedroom to the kitchen. Standing causes distress, and even elevating my feet while resting feels unbearable. Additionally, any gentle touch to my feet triggers intense pain that shoots up my shins. The only feedback I’ve received from my doctor so far is that it likely stems from inflammation, along with a recommendation to expedite weight loss. I had a chiropractor assess my condition, and they noted that I am hypermobile, but I’m unsure how significant that could be to my situation. If you have any questions for clarification, I’d be more than willing to respond. I’m enduring considerable pain and would greatly appreciate any suggestions on possible avenues for finding relief.
Managing Pain with Lidocaine Patches and Heating Pads
Hello everyone! I need to share something quite personal: I have been diagnosed with cancer. I realize that’s a heavy way to start, but it’s important context. Currently, I am using a lidocaine patch as a method for pain relief. However, I’ve found that my heating pad provides more comfort than the patch does. Is it advisable to remove the patch and switch to the heating pad instead? Should I clean my back prior to using the pad, even though it’s not a day I usually shower? Also, once I take off the patch, how long should I wait before applying the heating pad again? I appreciate any advice you have! For reference, I’m approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weigh around 250 pounds.
Discomfort Under My Big Toe – Seeking Diagnosis
I’m a 22-year-old male. About a week ago, I noticed a minor ache in my big toe, which didn’t bother me too much at the time, so I decided to brush it off. However, by yesterday, the discomfort had intensified significantly. I also observed some swelling and a bit of discoloration, but I'm unsure whether this issue stems from a corn, a blister, or something else entirely. I would greatly appreciate any assistance in identifying what might be going on.
Sudden Stabbing Throat Pain
As a 19-year-old female, I find myself dealing with a sudden, intense pain localized on the right side of my throat, adjacent to my windpipe and beneath my chin. These episodes are unpredictable; they strike without warning, persist for just a fleeting moment, and then vanish completely. This situation is genuinely concerning for me. I'm at a loss for how to alleviate this discomfort. Has anyone encountered a similar issue or have any insight into what could be causing this?