Ep 4. Couch Creature

In season 12 of Untold Stories of the E.R., episode 4 titled "Couch Creature," viewers follow the gripping and astounding accounts of emergency room (ER) physicians and nurses as they treat some of the most mysterious and unusual cases that walk into their ER doors. The show, produced by TLC, is a gripping medical drama that brings to life real-life accounts of first responders who deal with unimaginable medical emergencies.

The season 12 episode 4 "Couch Creature" begins with a young woman who comes to the ER with an unusual problem. She complains of intense pain in her lower abdomen. The woman is afraid and anxious because the pain has been continuing for days, and she has no idea what is causing it. The attending physician orders several different tests, X-rays, and a CT scan to get to the root of the problem.

As the woman waits for the results, she begins to experience bizarre and terrifying symptoms, including shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and difficulty speaking. When the test results finally come in, the ER staff is shocked to find that the mysterious culprit behind her condition is a massive blockage in her intestines. The woman's gut is literally clogged with a hairball.

While investigating the cause of the hairball, the doctors discover that the woman is suffering from a rare medical condition called Rapunzel Syndrome, which causes a person to compulsively eat their own hair. The ER staff is stunned by this diagnosis and must act fast to save the woman's life.

Elsewhere, in the same ER, a man is wheeled into the emergency room after experiencing excruciating pain in his leg. The man is a diabetic, and he suspects that the pain is due to an infection brought on by an ingrown toenail. However, as the attending physician investigates further, he notices something peculiar going on with the man's leg.

The physician discovers that the man has a massive infection that has spread through his entire leg. To compound matters, the man has been taking antibiotics for months, but the infection has gotten worse. The attending physician realizes that the man is suffering from a rare and dangerous form of an infection called Necrotizing Fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease.

The physician springs into action to save the man's life, and the ER staff scrambles to give him the best possible chance of survival. Despite emergency surgery, the man's leg must be amputated. The man's recovery is a long and difficult journey that tests his resilience and strength.

Finally, the episode delves into the story of a young girl who is brought into the ER after falling off her high bed. The girl's parents relay that she fell straight onto the floor and hit her head. Although the girl appears to be okay for the most part, the attending physician orders several tests to ensure that there isn't any internal bleeding in her head.

As the tests come back, the doctors discover that the young girl has a rare disorder called Intracranial Hypotension, which causes her brain to sag and puts her at risk of life-threatening complications. The ER staff must act fast to stabilize her condition and prevent any further damage.

Overall, the episode "Couch Creature" is a gripping and emotional look into the lives of ER staff and patients alike. The viewer is given an up-close-and-personal insight into the day-to-day hustle and bustle of an emergency room and the varied, often mysterious ailments that bring patients through its doors. It's a dramatic, intense, and often heart-wrenching portrayal of the men and women who work tirelessly to save the lives of others.