Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome
Mistaken stomach bug
I was stricken with severe nausea, and vomiting for a day. By the 2nd day, the diarrhea started after the vomiting slowed considerably. Over the next 15-18 hours the diarrhea changed to pure blood, no stool to be seen and the right side of my abdomen became so painful I couldn't bear for it to be touched. I was unable to walk fully upright. I finally decided this needed to be looked into and went to the ER. After a CT of my abdomen revealed severe colitis in the right colon, they decided to admit me for a colonoscopy in the morning. It was unclear if this was an infectious or ischemic process. A stool specimen from the ER showed E. coli 0157. I was hospitalized for 6 days of fluids and antibiotics.
Upon discharge I was to follow up with my PCP in 1 week, and GI in 1 month. Approximately 4 days later I became extremely weak, fatigued and short of breath. My PCP sent me back to the ER. Tests revealed I was terribly anemic, and my kidneys were failing. I was transferred to another hospital the following day. I had received 6 unitss of blood, and continuous IV fluids. Thanks to the knowledge of my nephrologist and hematologist, I avoided plasmapheresis or dialysis. I was discharged 5 days later. I had weekly blood draws for a month before my counts all returned to normal. I have no lasting effects.
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