HOLS FROM HELL
I shrugged off ‘UTI pains’ on a romantic getaway – my pancreas had actually DIED and leaked 4L of toxic fluid
Plus, the symptoms of pancreatitis to look out for
A WOMAN'S romantic getaway turned into the holiday from hell after her "UTI pains" turned out to be life-threatening pancreatitis.
Phoebe Rowe was five days into her Tenerife holiday with partner Ryan Butler, 25, when she began experiencing tummy pains.
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The 22-year-old had been hospitalised with a urine infection four months prior, and believed she was experiencing similar symptoms.
Phoebe, who lives in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, decided to take over-the-counter painkillers to continue enjoying her time on the Canary Island.
But when she woke up the following day vomiting with excruciating stomach pain, Phoebe dashed to a hospital where she was told she had pancreatitis - a serious condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed over a short period of time.
Doctors on the island soon discovered Phoebe was fighting severe necrotic pancreatitis - and 90 per cent of her organ had died.
Read more on pancreatitis
Phoebe was rushed to intensive care where medics drained four litres of toxic fluid that had dispersed from her pancreas.
During this time, Phoebe's loved ones were told she may not survive.
After three weeks in intensive care while still abroad, Phoebe was able to return to the UK, but will now remain on medication for the rest of her life.
Phoebe said: "The holiday was something we'd both been looking forward to for a while. We were five days into the holiday and I started having this tummy ache.
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"We went to the local pharmacy and got some painkillers. I kind of brushed it off. Then the next day I woke up with extreme pain, vomiting and had a temperature.
"I thought it was another urine infection. We were going home the next day so thought I could go to the hospital when I was back home.
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"But throughout the day, the pain was just getting worse and worse. I couldn't keep any water down so I was getting severely dehydrated.
"I remember looking in the mirror and my tummy just looked rock hard."
After attending the local hospital, Phoebe was immediately rushed to a larger hospital on the island where she was told she was suffering with pancreatitis.
Phoebe said: "I was told I was severely dehydrated and on the verge of sepsis. I just kind of went into shock. I was surrounded by 10 nurses not really knowing what was going on.
"I didn't know what pancreatitis was. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink and had a tube in my neck.
"I didn't know at the time but my pancreas was expelling toxic fluids and had gone into my lungs and kidneys which was causing my kidneys to fail.
If I'd have flown home, it would have been life threatening and also if I had waited two days later [to get to a] UK hospital when I was home I could have not made it
Phoebe Rowe
"I was on dialysis which was basically working my kidneys and on oxygen to remove the fluid from my lungs. I was knocked out on painkillers for the first four or five days."
After doctors discovered Phoebe's pancreatitis was severely necrotic, her mum and partner were told the devastating news that she may not survive.
Phoebe said: "They told my mum and partner I wasn't progressing well. They also said if I'd have flown home, it would have been life threatening and also if I had waited two days later [to get to a] UK hospital when I was home I could have not made it.
"I didn't realise how poorly I was until I started coming around a bit.
"They told me 90 per cent of my pancreas was necrotic, so it was dead. I didn't know I might not make it until after I was out of ICU. I didn't know I was dying.
"I was more worried about my parents and Ryan worrying about me."
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Phoebe believes she may have been unknowingly suffering with pancreatitis for months after complaining to doctors over changes in her bowel habits the year before.
At the time, Phoebe was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease but believes this may have actually been a symptom of necrotising pancreatitis.
After four litres of brown, toxic fluid was drained from Phoebe's stomach, she was able to fly back home but will remain on medication for the rest of her life.
Phoebe said: "[Doctors] told me they couldn't exactly see how much of the pancreas there was but said whatever is there is working really well and I'm very lucky.
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"It really turned into a holiday from hell. I couldn't fault the care in Spain, all the hospital staff were amazing and completely saved my life. They called me a walking miracle.
"The main thing I would stress is any change in your body, push for answers. I wish I had when I first started getting symptoms."
Pancreatitis symptoms
PANCREATITIS is inflammation of the pancreas.
While most people start to feel better within a week and have no further problems, some people can develop serious complications.
The most common symptoms include:
- suddenly getting severe pain in the centre of your tummy (abdomen)
- feeling or being sick
- a high temperature of 38C or more (fever)
You should see a GP immediately if you suddenly develop severe abdominal pain. If this isn't possible, contact NHS 111 for advice.
Treatment usually involves admission to hospital. You may be given fluids directly into a vein (intravenous fluids), pain relief, liquid food through a tube in your tummy and oxygen through tubes in your nose.
Most people are well enough to leave hospital after a few days. Recovery can take longer in severe cases.
Source: NHS
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