HC Naito

The Onset of Illness: A Personal Account

Initial Symptoms and Misdiagnosis

• The narrator describes the beginning of their health issues, starting with unusual stomach pain about a year and a half prior to surgery.

• Initially attributing the discomfort to overeating or food quality, they experienced intermittent pain that was manageable with over-the-counter medications.

• After consuming chicharrón, the pain intensified significantly, leading them to seek antibiotics from a pharmacy.

Escalation of Pain and Medical Consultations

• Despite taking antibiotics, the pain persisted at night, disrupting sleep and becoming increasingly severe.

• The narrator notes that after several months of recurring symptoms, they began to associate certain foods with their discomfort but continued eating normally.

• A particularly painful episode followed a meal where they mixed various foods and drinks, prompting another round of antibiotic treatment.

Seeking Medical Help: Emergency Visits

Urgent Care Experiences

• Following another painful episode after eating fish believed to be cooked in reused oil, the narrator sought help late at night when regular pharmacies were closed.

• They visited a clinic where initial assessments included numerous tests; however, no definitive diagnosis was made despite significant discomfort.

Diagnosis Attempts

• A doctor suggested appendicitis as a possible cause but did not conduct further examinations due to being an on-call physician without specialist support.

• After receiving temporary relief through medication at the clinic, they decided to consult a specialist for more thorough evaluation.

Specialist Consultation: Diagnostic Procedures

Comprehensive Evaluation

• At Unimet hospital, specialists conducted an ultrasound and assessed both gallbladder and appendix health; results indicated no immediate concerns but noted fatty liver.

• The specialist prescribed antispasmodics for symptom management while suggesting further investigation via endoscopy if symptoms recurred.

Dietary Changes and Ongoing Symptoms

• Post-consultation dietary adjustments were made; avoidance of fried foods became essential as symptoms persisted intermittently but less severely than before.

Recurrence of Severe Pain

Sudden Onset of Intense Discomfort

• In September, after resuming normal activities post-dietary changes, the narrator experienced sudden severe abdominal pain following breakfast.

• Despite taking medication for relief (digestive aids), the intensity increased rapidly within hours leading to panic about potential internal issues.

Physical Reactions and Emotional Distress

• Describing sensations akin to internal swelling or pressure buildup in their abdomen led them to fear something catastrophic might occur internally.

Crisis Point: Emergency Response

Decision for Immediate Care

• As symptoms worsened throughout the day with fever-like sensations accompanying abdominal distress, they ultimately decided against self-treatment methods used previously.

Hospital Admission Experience

• Upon arriving at Colping Clinic's emergency department late at night amidst intense pain that rendered movement difficult, they were advised on potential appendicitis again without immediate diagnostic clarity.

Surgical Intervention: Resolution

Confirmation of Appendicitis

• After extensive evaluations including ultrasound scans which failed to provide clear answers initially , surgical intervention confirmed appendicitis requiring immediate removal.

Recovery Process

• Post-surgery recovery involved monitoring for complications over several days before discharge; emphasis placed on future dietary caution given previous experiences.