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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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