British mother Sian Irving, 29, claims doctors in Egypt wrongly removed her appendix after she fell seriously ill during a holiday in Sharm El Sheikh. The mum-of-two from Paignton, Devon, travelled to the popular resort with her partner Jack Jackson for a £2,000 trip to celebrate his 29th birthday. Midway through the 10-day break, she began vomiting, developed severe stomach pain, and had a fever of 41C.
Initial Diagnosis and Surgery
Irving spent four to five days in Sharm El Sheikh before being allowed to return home. Doctors initially suspected appendicitis and removed her appendix, she said. However, her symptoms persisted, and upon returning to the UK, medics at Exeter Hospital told her the appendix removal had been unnecessary, likely triggered by food poisoning.
"I started feeling really hot, and then the stomach pains came. The pain was unbelievable. It felt like my insides were being stabbed and ripped apart at the same time," Irving said. "They did scans and said they couldn't really see anything. At first they thought it might be gas and then they told me it was appendicitis."
Post-Surgery Complications
After surgery, Irving's symptoms continued. She was eventually diagnosed with colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine, which now prevents her from eating many everyday foods, including chocolate and dairy. "I can't believe they took my appendix out, it's left me in constant pain and also I hate my stomach now - I have no confidence anymore," she said.
Irving and Jack flew back to the UK on October 5, six days beyond their scheduled return, after flying out on September 19. She was admitted to Exeter Hospital for five nights, receiving intravenous antibiotics and steroids. "I'd never even heard of colitis before. It affects your large intestine and causes inflammation," she explained. "You have pain, you need the toilet a lot and it's embarrassing."
Ongoing Health Impact
The condition has transformed Irving's daily life. She struggles with significant weight loss, fatigue, and bloating. "If I eat certain foods, I can end up looking nine months pregnant because of the bloating. Even things like egg on toast can make me sick," she said. The illness also affected her ability to care for her children during the most severe stages of recovery. "There was a point where I couldn't even pick my kids up," she added.
Irving has been left with a permanent scar from the surgery. Reflecting on the ordeal, she said: "I still have the scar and I still have the condition. I never imagined to have all of this. It's nearly a year later, and I'm still dealing with it every single day." Sharm El Sheikh International Hospital did not respond to a request for comment.
