Appendicitis question

sarahp

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If you've had appendicitis, how long did it take to get severe pain?

On Sunday I had fever, abdominal pain around my belly button and lower back pain that got worse through the day, nausea, lack of appetite, and lethargy, as well as elevated blood pressure and pulse. Yesterday I was ok, but feeling very tired, and my appetite came back a bit. Today I've had abdominal pain all day and intermittent back pain and nausea.

I've had no pain on my lower right side, and no severe pain. I'm wondering if this could be the start of an appendix problem, or something else? I ended up going to Urgent Care on Sunday and I had an incompetent doctor ("Do you think I should order a blood test?" "Ummm... that's your call, you're the doctor!"), and blood and urine tests were clear, just had slightly elevated WBC.

It was pretty bad this morning after I had breakfast (cereal and a banana), but not quite so bad now.

I don't know if I should go back to the doc, or wait it out...
 

Winchester

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Do you still have your gall bladder? I'm wondering if it's not a gall bladder attack. Either way, you should see your doctor.
 

-_aj_-

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It could be grumbling pains my dad had them for years, the finally in his late 30's his appendix was at bursting point when that happened he could not move, he had been "off" for a few days previous then, wham it hit him
 
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sarahp

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Originally Posted by Winchester

Do you still have your gall bladder? I'm wondering if it's not a gall bladder attack. Either way, you should see your doctor.
I do have a gall bladder, and it is full of stones, but I guess my symptoms didn't seem "gall-y"
Seeing a doc is a pain in the butt with a 5 month old, so I'd rather diagnose via the internet first


Originally Posted by -_aj_-

It could be grumbling pains my dad had them for years, the finally in his late 30's his appendix was at bursting point when that happened he could not move, he had been "off" for a few days previous then, wham it hit him
I guess I'll just wait and see
 

natalie_ca

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You don't necessarily get lower right abdominal pain with appendicitis. My nephew was admitted to hospital a few months ago with an upset stomach. He is an eating machine, and when he starts to refuse food because his stomach is upset, there is a problem. He also had nausea.

After a number of tests, and finally testing for appendicitis, they discovered that he needed emergency surgery to remove his appendix. He was discharged from hospital the day after surgery.
 

captiva

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I really don't recommend waiting, Sarah. Go with baby in tow. I didn't have any warning. It hit and I couldn't drive, etc. What really strange is that the were able to treat me with antibiotics. I always thought you had to have it removed.
 

pushylady

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When Dave had it in May, his first signs were nausea and general pain in the stomach. He had this discomfort for a week, getting worse each day until it burst. He thought he had food poisoning at first, but didn't have any diarrhea- in fact he got constipated and couldn't pass gas. The urgent care doc just thought he needed to fart and gave him some Gas-X and later that night his appendix burst.
Doctors seem to have trouble diagnosing appendicitis. Fever is a sign.
I'm suspicous of your gall bladder though as you say it's full of stones.
Either way, I would think they should do a cat scan to find out what's going on in there as you want to get it sooner rather than later!
 
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sarahp

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Did he have any pains in his back?

TMI WARNING!!!!


I had diarrhea all Sunday afternoon/night, but haven't gone since, whereas I'm usually like clockwork
I actually had some Gas-X myself today just in case
If it's still causing issues tomorrow, I'll go back to the doc.
 

carolpetunia

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Please do see the doctor, sweetie -- you've been through enough, you don't need to wait for it to become an emergency.
 
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sarahp

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Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Please do see the doctor, sweetie -- you've been through enough, you don't need to wait for it to become an emergency.
Oh, but I know Stanford's ER so well


It's probably nothing, but I'll get it checked out tomorrow if needed
 

alicatjoy

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I hesitated to post to this thread initially as my bout with appendicitis did not take the "typical" course. Of course, where medicine is concerned, nothing is typical and that's why I made the decision to post.

If there's any advice I can offer, I would tell you to call your primary care physician and, at the very least, make an appointment to be seen. I would advocate for a trip to the ER, but I also know that doctors and hospitals can often fail their patients. In my case, it could have cost my life. So, no matter what you decide, advocate for yourself! If you think something is wrong...INSIST on additional testing. It can very well save your life.

I had chronic appendicitis. That means that I battled symptoms on and off for about 7 years. In the end, I suffered an acute attack which meant having emergency surgery. The doctors told me I was crazy when I complained of pain and nausea for years on end, but, when they finally analyzed my appendix (following the surgery), they saw that it was severely compromised and infected. My pain would begin near my navel and travel to my lower right side. I did have some back pain, but it was very low and felt almost like menstrual-type pain. However, it would be severe. I also suffered from a lot of nausea and had periods of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the end, I began feeling like I had to use the restroom (for a bowel movement), but could not. The pain while bearing down was unbearable. I also did have gas that I could not expel. I waited for days in the hospital before having emergency surgery and had tested negative for acute appendicitis. But, because I fought for myself and had a nurse who was on my side, I had surgery and was home from the hospital in mere days. I won't lie and say the surgery was easy, but it has been a blessing.

Here are some warning signs that would have me going to the ER:
  • Nausea and/or vomiting that is persistant.
  • The feeling of having to go to the restroom, but not being able to. But, despite that, still bearing down as if having a bowel movement because it decreases the pain.
  • A persistant fever.
  • Unexplained bloating or discomfort in the abdominal/pelvic region.
  • Pain beginning at the navel and then moving to the lower right side.
  • Any unexplained pain that is concerning to YOU (not all appendicitis symptoms are the same -- my pain may not be the same as yours).
  • If you have severe pain that suddenly disappears, please take caution as that is often a sign that an appendix has burst.
If it were me, I'd go to the ER. Your symptoms could be a simple viral infection, or could be appendicitis, a gallbladder attack, an ovary issue, or worse. I know the feeling of wanting to wait because it's inconveniant, but, if I've learned anything, I've learned that it's necessary to be vigilant. If nothing else, please contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Good luck and please keep us updated. If you need anything or have other questions, please don't hesitate to PM me. I'll gladly talk about my experience further. And, also, please think about having your urine re-checked. Your symptoms also sound like what I've experienced with UTI's and kidney infections. You're in my thoughts tonight and many vibes are being sent your way .
 

rosiemac

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I was 16 when i had my appendix out with no warnings either. The pain in my stomach woke me up through the night. I felt sick but couldn't be sick, then the pain started to move over to the right.

My Mum had grumbling appendix so she knew what it was so i was admitted into hospital and operated on a few hours later. The surgeon told my parents it was ready to burst so i was lucky.

I had no back pain though?
 

pushylady

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Not sure if Dave had back pain with his.
How are you today Sarah?
 

catapault

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Whatever is causing your symptoms it is unlikely to be something inconsequential that will resolve on its own.

I had lower right abdomen pain. Went to our family health clinic where upon examination the doctor jokingly asked if I'd been reading the textbook as I perfectly described everything for appendicitis.

Sent me to the hospital for a barium X-ray.

Not appendicitis. It was diverticultis which usually presents on left side. Never even had diverticulosis but now these little "pouches" on my intestines were filled with decaying "stuff."

Powerful antibiotics resolved the problem over the course of a week.

We're not doctors. Even if someone on-line here is a doctor they cannot diagnose over the Internet. See a doctor. It could be your life.
 

nurseangel

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As Alison Joy said, sometimes the symptoms of appendicitis are atypical. For example, though fever is a classic symptom, sometimes a person with appendicitis has no fever at all. Regardless of what is causing your problems, you need to be checked out by a good doctor. Please see a doctor.
 

starryeyedtiger

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Any updates love?
I'm just now seeing this! Sending many, many prayers and vibes your way for you!
 
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sarahp

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I'm not feeling quite so bad, but I've now had 4 days of constipation and mild pains, so am going in to see the doc tomorrow to make sure nothing weird is going on.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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I am glad to read you are going in to get checked by the doctor. Keep us posted. Hope you will be on the mend soon.
 

jcat

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My mom's last boyfriend was a widower because his wife waited to see if her symptoms would resolve themselves. Yep, I'm trying to scare you! Seriously, she waited too long and died during emergency surgery, so get yourself to the doctor ASAP.
 
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