Health
'I thought I had piles then my testicles swelled and I ended up in a coma'
Key Points
'I thought I had piles then my testicles swelled and I ended up in a coma' His family were warned that he might not survive A man who thought he was suffering from piles has says a painful abscess developed into a deadly flesh-eating infection which left him fighting for his life in intensive care. James Lamont initially believed the lump near his bottom was nothing more than piles and spent three weeks treating it at home with creams.
'I thought I had piles then my testicles swelled and I ended up in a coma'
His family were warned that he might not survive
A man who thought he was suffering from piles has says a painful abscess developed into a deadly flesh-eating infection which left him fighting for his life in intensive care. James Lamont initially believed the lump near his bottom was nothing more than piles and spent three weeks treating it at home with creams.
But the 43-year-old became increasingly unwell and vomited whenever he ate. James realised something was seriously wrong three weeks later when his testicles suddenly became swollen.
“I thought I had an abscess and never imagined how dangerous it really was,” said James, from Dumfries, Scotland. “I was sick for days, vomiting every time I ate, and I had a bath to soothe the pain but it only made everything worse.
“By the time I woke up the next morning, my testicles were swollen to the size of a melon and I couldn’t walk at all. It was an intense pain and swelling in the abscess as it grew bigger.
“My balls felt really warm and were purple. When I saw how swollen they were, it was frightening and a shock. I knew something bad was happening.”
James was rushed to A&E, where doctors took him to theatre for emergency surgery within an hour. It was then that he and his family were told the infection had developed into necrotising fasciitis and Fournier's gangrene, before sepsis spread through his bloodstream.
The devastating infection destroyed much of the tissue around his groin and scrotum, leaving him requiring 11 operations, a stoma and skin grafts. The infection had also triggered sepsis. James' family were warned that he might not survive.
His partner, Tracey Dickie, 43, who stayed by his bedside every night, said the moment doctors told her they might not be able to save him was one of the most frightening experiences of her life. Tracey added: “For me, one of the hardest parts was being told that the person I loved might not come home.
“My mum had already passed away in March, then my family dog of 13 years passed away in July. I thought, ‘not again’.
“I couldn't have mentally handled another loss in such a short period. I felt so lost and frightened.
“I remember leaving that room after being told they didn't think he would survive and breaking down in tears as I messaged his family and asked them if they were nearly at the hospital. They knew when they read that message something was seriously wrong.”
James was placed in an induced coma for four days and put on a ventilator and full life support. He spent 21 days in intensive care and several more weeks in hospital, while doctors also feared that the sepsis could cause serious kidney damage and leave him needing dialysis.
Fortunately, he didn’t require dialysis. He was later transferred to Glasgow for skin grafts to rebuild areas damaged by the gangrene and had a stoma bag fitted. James says his ordeal, which began in November last year, is far from over.
He said: “Even now, I’m still healing. I have scars everywhere, ongoing pain, mobility challenges, and I am still adjusting to the stoma and all the changes to my body.
“I still go to appointments and follow-ups, and I know I have a long way to go before I feel like myself again.”
He continues to attend appointments and follow-ups as he gradually rebuilds his life. Looking back, James says the experience has changed him forever and made him realise how quickly a seemingly minor problem can become life-threatening.
He added: “This experience has changed me forever. I don’t take a single day for granted anymore. I wish I’d known that something that looks like just piles or a small abscess can turn into something this deadly in such a short space of time.
“I wish I’d known that necrotising fasciitis, Fournier’s Gangrene, and sepsis can start from something so small and move so fast. Please, learn from what happened to me.
“If something doesn’t feel right, if you have a lump that won’t go away, if you are in pain or being sick, don't wait. Don’t assume it’s nothing. Get it checked. Your life could depend on it.”