Misinterpreting potentially life-threatening symptoms can have severe consequences, especially when there is no experienced medical practitioner to offer guidance. Likewise, while self-diagnosis seems harmless, it can lead to tragic outcomes—sometimes even death. In a recent Reddit thread started by Prudent_Tip4118, users shared their experiences with alarming signs that turned out to be serious health issues. These are 15 true stories from people who learned that what seemed normal was a silent threat to their lives.
PTSD Pro Max
A Redditor shared that they initially believed their reluctance to go outside and fear of people in their new country was just part of adjusting. Despite living in the new country for a decade, their condition worsened after a challenging visit to their parents, so they decided to seek help. They later discovered they had Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) from childhood due to prolonged exposure to traumatic events.
Deep Breaths
At 17 years old, this person’s lungs collapsed, prompting doctors to discover that they hadn’t been breathing deeply enough to expand the bottom half of their lungs throughout their life. Upon further questions from the medical practitioner, they discovered breathing should’ve been easier.
More Sleep, Less Worry
A Redditor explained that when he was 19, he overheard that the average person falls asleep within 20 minutes. Then, he realized he had a medical problem because it takes him 2 -3 hours to fall asleep after going to bed. After discussing this issue with his doctor, he started treating his insomnia with medication, and then his depression and anxiety became more manageable.
Blood Clotting Disorder
A Reddit user who felt he’d strained a muscle while playing with his dogs decided to seek medical attention due to increasing pain. The test results shocked him! He discovered that he had a genetic blood clotting disorder, with a two-foot blood clot in his leg and several pulmonary embolisms in his lungs. Even the doctor was surprised he wasn’t dead and could walk to the hospital by himself.
Issues of the Heart
At a young age, a Redditor had severe anxiety that made their heart race like a hummingbird, pausing suddenly before returning to normal. At 23, when a tricyclic antidepressant triggered a reaction, an EKG revealed a congenital issue. It turns out they had Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome, where an extra pathway pops up between the heart’s upper and lower chambers. When this happens, the heart beats faster than normal, causing rapid heart rates. This person had to undergo a radio wave procedure to create scar tissue around the path.
Lactose Intolerant
The individual revealed that until the age of 16, they mistakenly believed that experiencing stomach cramps multiple times a day was a common occurrence. However, it was later discovered that they were lactose intolerant. This condition often manifests as stomach aches, discomfort, and gastrointestinal issues.
Unwanted Weight Loss
At first, this Redditor was happy because he was losing weight faster than usual. He felt his diet and exercise were making him shed pounds without much effort. Sadly, the doctors later diagnosed him with cancer. However, after enduring four surgeries and treatment with medications, he’s grateful for life and health.
Close Call
A female Redditor also shared her story. She shared that she misdiagnosed her severe pain as bad period cramps or food poisoning, but it turned out to be ovarian torsion. If she hadn’t found out when she did, her ovary would’ve twisted around its supporting tissues, cut off the blood supply, and packed up in a few days. Misdiagnosis of such a condition can be life-threatening, delaying treatment and causing severe consequences.
Saved By Care
Every few years, this Redditor had recurring stomach pain that he dismissed as constipation. It got so bad he got on several emergency visits, fearing appendicitis. However, multiple ERs turned him away, saying his case wasn’t life-threatening. Thankfully, he found a caring doctor in a new city who took it seriously. After a CAT scan, a surgeon confirmed it was appendicitis, revealing his appendix was abnormally enlarged due to past infections. Then, the doctor proposed using his case for medical literature on “grumbling appendixes” to settle a long-standing debate in the medical community.
From Stomach Ache to Scary Surgery
A male Redditor shared that he and his wife initially thought his stomach ache was constipation. When the excruciating pain wouldn’t stop, he went to the hospital and discovered it was diverticulitis with a perforated colon. His wife called the ER, and they rushed him in, skipping triage. He lost a foot of his large intestines in a surgery that required a chaplain by his bedside.
The Deceit of Self-Diagnosis
A Redditor recounted that he sensed a pang in his groin while bending to pick up an item and thought it might be a hernia. After brushing it off for some time, he had to visit the hospital when the discomfort increased. Thankfully, the surgery to remove one testicle was enough to treat his stage 1A seminoma, a type of cancer that mostly affects the testicles and can develop into testicular cancer.
Nurse Molly Saves the Day
This Redditor thought it was just a sprained ankle, but it ballooned in a day, with split skin revealing Pyoderma gangrenosum—a rare gangrene-like skin inflammation. Experts couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the ankle flesh explosion, and they began to consider amputation within a week. Thankfully, both feet remained intact because a nurse returned from leave and recognized his condition from a prior encounter.
Depression isn’t Normal
A Redditor expressed that he believed the constant loss of hope without experiencing joy was a normal phase of growing up. He grappled with negativity, sadness, hopelessness, and despair. Fortunately, he found someone who was kind enough to listen to his depressing words. Then, this person referred him to a doctor who diagnosed his condition as major depressive disorder and started administering medication.
Mother and Child Survive Huge Scare
A Redditor who shared her pregnancy story said despite expressing concerns about her swollen legs and ankles, her obstetrician dismissed it as a common pregnancy symptom. However, at 39 weeks, when she was at the hospital for baby monitoring, doctors noticed an irregular test result and high blood pressure. Thanks to an emergency C-section, they could manage her severe preeclampsia and save her baby.
More Than a Cough
This individual was initially diagnosed with a chronic cough, but within years, it worsened into severe leg pain even with short walks. Following blood work, the doctor advised an ER visit, where they found a blood clot in the heart, along with clots in the legs, heart failure, and kidney issues. At 24, they now require lifelong heart medication and anticipate a kidney transplant.
