Many folks aren’t fans of visiting the hospital, but there are times when it’s necessary. These appointments can turn into some memorable experiences, often filled with laughs and some awkwardness.

No one can predict when illness might strike.

Yet, when it does, seeking medical attention becomes important for our well-being. But some people come away from these doctor visits with stories that they’ll never forget.

On Reddit, users have recounted their doctor visit adventures, drawing quite the audience. Some of these tales are amusing, while others are just plain awkward.

Here’s a selection of those stories. They’ve been edited for grammar and clarity.

A Perplexing Blue-Hand Occurrence

u/raybanomics shared: It wasn’t me, but my roommate went to the doctor because his hands were mysteriously turning blue. He has always had poor circulation, possibly because he was born premature.

At the doctor’s, his condition puzzled everyone so much they had to consult other physicians. Finally, the mystery was solved with alcohol swabs, revealing the color was coming off his new jeans. He hadn’t washed them, so the ink was staining his hands each time he put them in his pockets.

Oops! No Underwear

u/olialm1 confessed: I went for my physical exam and forgot my underwear. I usually go without, unless it’s a short dress kind of day. My doctor instructed, “put the gown on but keep your bra and underwear on,” which was my cue to turn crimson. When he lifted my gown to check my abdomen, I admitted, “I’m not wearing underwear,” sparking a perplexed look from him.

A Burp Instead of a Cough

u/kev0h recollected: Back when I was playing peewee football, I had to have a sports physical. Being young, I froze when the doctor asked me to turn my head and cough. Not having coughed in a while, I ended up burping instead!

Doctors’ Debate Over Limb Length

u/epona92 shared: I’ve always had a slightly shorter left leg and mild scoliosis, so I needed to see a specialist. The older German doctor, with three international interns, reviewed my X-rays. Puzzling over them, he incorrectly insisted my right leg was shorter. Thankfully, the South African intern pointed out the doctor was viewing the X-ray backward, sparking quite an argument. In the end, the other interns excused themselves from the heated debate.

Childhood Motorcycle Mishap

u/TheOnlyOne87 remembered: Around age five, I had a mini motorcycle accident in our backyard field, scraping my leg badly. When the doctor came to stitch me up, my lack of underwear quickly became family comedy gold. Twenty years later, the scar remains a reminder of my wardrobe mishap.

A Misunderstanding with the Doctor

u/BosskHogg shared: Several years back, I caught the flu, prompting my wife to take me to an emergency clinic. The doctor on duty, in her 30s and quite presentable, remarked I resembled John Cusack. She repeated it numerous times, to the point it felt a bit unsettling. All while I lay on the bed, she began tousling my hair, just as my wife entered—awkward!

Unexpected Compliment at the OB Office

u/LuckieMotor revealed: Early in my pregnancy, my OB remarked during a pelvic exam, “Oh, you’ll be fine having a large baby; there’s PLENTY of room.” Taken aback, I correctly assumed she meant my pelvic arch was adequate for delivery, but it sure sounded different aloud!

The Least Popular Doctor

u/pickanotherusername recounted: At ten, I found myself in the ER with a ruptured appendix. Amid misdiagnosis and an enema order, I remarked to the doctor, “You must be the least popular doctor in the hospital.” He dryly responded, “I don’t get many thank-you cards.”

An Awkward Moment with an Attractive Doctor

u/FruitF***ing humorously told: On April Fool’s Day, I rushed to urgent care with what I assumed was severe bleeding. A charming doctor examined me, and the embarrassment hit as she had me bend over. Only later did I recall gorging on flaming hot Cheetos, turning my feces red—a lesson in self-induced holiday humor.

Taste Bud Drama

u/va_bene nervously recalled: Troubled by a sore throat and strange pink spots, I visited the doctor, only to discover these were my taste buds. The typically stoic doctor’s wide smile was a telling moment for us both—my misunderstanding turned family nightmare fodder.

Pregnancy Gas Gone Wrong

u/FearlessEyes admitted: At eight months pregnant, gas was a constant companion. Waiting for the doctor, I reluctantly let out a discreet fart. Moments later, the doctor questioned the lingering odor, leaving me mortified.

Hypochondria Halts

u/PalmerKid reflected: At 30, my hypochondria peaked. Concerned my left-side chest pain might be cancer, I voiced my worries to a deadpan doctor who quipped, “Does it hurt more when you have your period?” ending my hypochondria spell.

Misunderstood Greeting

u/AnalogDigit2 shrugs: After not seeing my doctor for over a year, he seemed to welcome me warmly with open arms—only to indicate I step into the exam room before him. Sheepishly, I obliged.

An Emotional Hospital Visit

u/lieshy lamented: Seventeen and faced with a panic attack, I misunderstood the “renal” unit, fearing rectal exams. That day, my lack of medical knowledge truly tested my nerves.

Sports That Vanish Under Scrutiny

u/KakunaUsedHarden mentioned: Frequent sports injuries routinely perplexed me, until doctor visits assured I was fine. These appointments transformed into normal conversations, despite my initial worry.

Accidental Kiss

u/reedyforkmike sheepishly shared: While comforting my son during a doctor’s ear exam, I accidentally kissed the doctor’s hand instead of my child’s head. We pretended it never happened—a touching mix-up.

The Giggle-Inducing Dentist Chair

u/doh_ramey beams: The dental office has always been anxiety-free for me, but something about the chair’s jerky rise makes me laugh uncontrollably. Cute at six, strange at twenty-six.

Another Patient’s Anesthesia Adventure

u/WhiskeyandWine fondly recalled: Post-wisdom tooth removal, I caught sight of my gauze-filled reflection. A laughing disaster in the waiting lobby ensued, much to my friend and the receptionist’s amusement.

Popped Zit Surprise

u/bad_pie recounted: Concerned over a chin lump, my doctor diagnosed it as a zit and promptly popped it, declaring enthusiastically, “It hit the wall!” Humor in unexpected places.

These stories immortalize those spontaneous, humorous medical moments, reminding us that amidst unease, laughter and unforgettable experiences can shine through, turning appointments into lasting tales.