Well, it was a possible medical emergency for about 4 hours.
What happened was I woke up Monday morning feeling just awful. At first I put it down to being hungover as the previous evening I had been out with you know who , so I reckoned I’d feel better after a bit of coffee and breakfast. Instead I was suddenly hit with the most amazing lower abdominal pain, as if the Alien creature was trying to bust out of my guts . . .
This went on for most of the day at about 15 minute intervals until I thought I’d die. It was so excruciating that I couldn’t even breathe while the spasms lasted as I was doubled over in agony with my face looking more than somewhat like Archie’s avatar. At times I just burst into tears it hurt so much. But, thinking it must be gastroenteritis, I figured I’d probably be feeling better the next day.
WRONG.
So I called Dr A yesterday and he thought it was curious that I didn’t have any of the other usual symptoms of gastro (vomiting, fever, ‘dire rear’…) and so he thought I should head over to emergency to make sure I didn’t have anything more serious like appendicitis.
Of course by the time I left for the hospital I was not only convinced that I had appendicitis but also pancreatitis, crohn’s disease and about seven kinds of cancer. I even went so far as to prepare some clothes, toiletries and stuff for Nog to bring me as I was surely going to be rushed into the operating room as soon as my test results came back. So I was pretty much hysterical as I walked out the door, knowing that I’d never see my darling cats and my lovely home again (have I ever mentioned my fear of hospitals?).
But other than the annoyance of having to spend four tedious hours at the hospital (Nog came to keep me from totally losing my mind company) it ended up a bit of an anti-climax. My blood test came back normal and my abdominal x-ray didn’t show anything scary growing inside me. But the doctor did say I had an awful lot of gas caused by the gastroenteritis and that was the cause of ALL THAT PAIN. Gas??? He also said it was unusual to have such acute gastro without the other usual symptoms but that I might still get them (oh joy!).
Ah well, this was meant to be a detox week for me anyhow. Looks like my body is helping me get off to a serious start as I’ve barely been able to eat anything for the past couple of days (though I also haven’t been able to go to yoga or pilates). And although I am very pleased and thankful not to have any of the dreaded illnesses I had been imagining (does anybody else do this?) it’s still a bit humbling to be brought so low by something as mundane as gas!!! Sheesh.
casa azahar 
I am happy you’re still with us. Fears are fears, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Yep, 95% of the stuff I worry about never happens…a real pain. Heal!
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Same exact thing happened to me about a week ago and when I found out that the cause of that dire pain was gas, my first thought was, “Oh god, I must be getting old!” 🙂
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after shelling out one of my kids i had a terrible bout with the same sort of thing – and given that i’d had a c-section, i was convinced that my abdomen would explode. the medical staff refused my requested morpheine, and fortunately, my battle was short lived. But it hurt like a m…f…er.
really glad you’re ok – and AMAZED that you toughed out that kind of pain for two days… (hugs)
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Hey, best regards. I understand.
I hope you are feeling better.
Love Fanny
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Yes, it’s amazing how painful trapped gas can be, though fortunately I’ve never had a prolonged bout. Oh the relief when it finally makes its exit!
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Don’t know if we have discussed teas etc elsewhere, but when I was in hospital after my gall-bladder removal I suffered, after the op, from chronic pain in my shoulders.
This was apparently caused by wind, and it was recommended that I try Peppermint tea, as that is supposed to be btter than almost anything manufactured for easing that kind of symptom in the digestive system.
It did seem to help, but as I was recovering and getting more mobile, mine would probably have “passed” without any further assistance. Might be worth having some handy . .
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That reminds me that when I was young, hot peppermint was the remedy for all kinds of digestive complaints. And horrible stuff it was, too!
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hhmmm….. I was wondering if your symptoms could mean you had a peptic ulcer, gas is a much better alternative.
hope you’re feeling much better xx
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Thanks for the good wishes, guys! 🙂
I’m feeling a bit better today, with only wince-making cramps (as opposed to the doubled-over-in-agony variety of the past couple of days). I was also able to sleep last night, which was very nice.
Bleh, too bad I HATE peppermint tea, Johnny. Though I’ve also heard it’s good for the digestive system. Maybe Dr A has some at home (I have an English class with him this evening and he always makes me a cup of tea at the beginning of it). I suppose I could choke back a cup of mint tea for medicinal purposes.
I’m quite pleased that although I had to miss yoga and pilates I only missed one of my English classes (because of being at the hospital). My students didn’t seem to mind me grabbing the sides of the table and doing the scream face about every 15 minutes or so. They probably thought I was exaggerating because I often get over-dramatic when they keep making the same fucking mistakes over and over again!!!
A peptic ulcer? Gee thanks, nursemyra, that’s one I hadn’t thought of yet. 😉
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Yeah – I’m not keen on it, but the alternative was uncomfortable enough to encourage me to drink it.
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I know what this is: it’s your body’s way of telling you to stay on the couch and watch the rest of Six Feet Under.
Don’t deny it; you know it’s true.
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So sorry you have been in pain and so glad it is better and nothing as dire as your imagination came up with. I am very good at imagining stuff — it’s never just a sore on my arm, it is skin cancer, etc.
I guess I must have different genes. I love peppermint tea, and I make it all the time. I particularly like to take a cup of it when my tummy is acting up as it does once in a while when I have indulged in too much of the wrong sort of food. I seems to soothe the whole digestive tract as well as settling down the acid reflux thing. I even grow peppermint so I can make tea from my own place.
Get better quick az!
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4-O-β-D-Galactopyranosyl-D-fructose or lactulose (available as syrup/pastilles etc) is another good alternative to keep your guts moving. Preferably used with some care if you’re unused to it – the flatulence caused pain can be… somewhat plaguey…
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I’ve been offline for a while so I’ve only just seen this post and I hope that, by now, you’re completely better Az.
It sounds awful, I’m amazed you managed to stick the pain for as long as you did – I’d have been straight down to A&E at the first hint of acute abdominal pain, demanding the finest doctors known to man (& woman) and a steady supply of drugs.
Peppermint tea, or even camomile tea, should help – if you can force it down. 🙂
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