I'm new...Appendicitis?

[nikki138]

Hi everyone...I'm new to this site and I have had health anxiety for about a year. My biggest fear is appendicitis. I am having slight abdominal pulling on the right side and some also on my lower back. It's been going on for about three days. I don't have a temperature and everything is fine digestive wise. Anyone have some advice? I would really appreciate it!

[beckmister82]

hello,

you know that appendicitis is treatable right?  Quick little out patient surgery.  One of my girlfriends just had hers out just last week and she's fine.  I thought I had that a year ago and it turned out to be my gallbladder, which was another quick fix.  I was in and out of the hospital within a few hours and feeling great a week later.  They removed it in 30 minutes.  My surgeon told me that with appendicitis, you will get sicker and sicker.  Once it gets severe, you will have a high temp, you will be really sick at your stomach (he described it as a severe case of stomach flu) and you will have a lot of abdominal pain, around the belly button and lower right side.  If you are really concerned, check with your doctor.  Blood tests can pick up on appendicitis, but it's nothing to be scared of.  Millions of people have their appendix removed each year.  It's possible that you have IBS.  Anxiety can bring that on.  I call it the BG's (bubbly guts).  Don't eat anything greasy or fried for a couple days, drink lots of water, and eat some fiber........it'll help move stuff through your system.  But don't be scared of appendicitis, it's treatable.  If you start feeling worse, have a fever, extreme pain, and get what feels like stomach flu, call your doc.  Relax, it'll be okay.   

[Lisa68]

I fear appendicitis too.......First time I thought I had appendicitis I ran to the ER, and they had me go back to my Dr and have a few tests.  I had a colonoscopy, sonogram and ct scan.  My appendix was fine.....appearantly I had IBS.  I just got over having the fear again 2 weeks ago.  My pain can last from 2 weeks to 3 months.

I know the pain will get SEVERE!  Mine was always annoying and it would come and go thru out the day.  My Dr said it will not come and go and it will get progressively worse.

He did give me some tips on how to tell if it is appendicitis (so I wouldn't run to him 4x's a year lol) Stand on your tippy toes and then let your heels of your feet hit the ground if it doesn't hurt (like sending you to the floor in pain) then your fine.  Also, standing and lifting your right leg up bent will hurt really bad too.

I always use the tippy toe method though.....if my heels are slamming onto the floor and there is no horrific pain I put it out of my head and move on.

You really don't want to go thru all the testing I did to find out it is just a digestive issue.  Also, it can be a pocket of gas in your large intestines on the right side......when I had my sonogram they saw a huge pocket of gas and the nurse said no wonder your side hurts there!

You will be ok :)

[nikki138]

I really appreciate your responses. For some reason, even though it is treatable and common, I just get so nervous about it! I think it's because it can kill you in a short time if you just let it go. But I will try those helpful tips. I'm sure it is the anxiety and once I start thinking about it the worse the pain gets, what a coincidence. But it really hasn't gotten worse over the past few days. Thank you again guys!

[beckmister82]

Trust me, you will be miserable before it gets to the point of killing you.  My girlfriend hates doctors and hospitals.  She was in so much pain she had no choice but to go to the ER.  Within minutes they knew it was her appendix and she had it removed immediately.  She was back home that same day.  I promise, you'll know before it gets too dangerous. 

[Dor]

I totally agree with beckmister.  I had appendicitis and there was no doubt something was wrong - like the worst stomach ache you have ever had and no let up.  You would definitely know that things were not OK.  A little pulling on one side and a minor backache does not spell appendicitis.  And, I felt really sick before the aching began - hot, sweaty, dizzy - all the things that your body does when something is wrong.  Not to worry!

Dor

[Lisa68]

I'm pretty sure we would know when it goes.......and actually appendicitis is that common.  I asked my pedi this question (yes I worry about every stomache ache my kids get) he says he "MAYBE" see's 1 case a year.  And he has ALOT of patients.  My regular dr said the same thing. 

When I get those pains I keep a journal of when it starts.......if its been longer than 1 week then I cross it off my list of whats wrong :) 

I also notice that my pain hits after every episode of diarehea!  I didn't notice this at first, but now I see a pattern.

[countrygirl]

heres my appendix story - my son had what is termed a grumbling appendix for over 5 yrs - every 6 mnths he would get severe pain around his tummy button and be literally rolling round the floor - it lasted about 12 hrs and went  - our Gp kept saying it was bolic but when he went to university and finally got admitted to hospital they did the blood test for raised white blood count and said we think its his appendix - by this time he was fine again but they operated and his appendix was only slightly inflamed so they said he did have inflamed appendix on and off for past 5 yrs but it might never had got to point of bursting. -- This gave me severe anxiety about appendicitis as you can imagine.

Every couple of years I would get really bad pain for one kind or another -sometimes it was ovulation pain that was very bad and really freaked me and other times it was IBS and everytime i was convinced it was my appendix - even though the blood test said white blood count okay.
I then got referred pain from my damaged spine around abdomen that was severe and stabbing and centered around tummy button and was totally convinced it was appendix - the surgeon decided the only was to convince me otherwise was to take ti out which he did and guess what nothing wrong with appendix or anywhere else for that matter as he did big exploratory op at same time.

The only good thing was I no longer worry about my appendix!!!!!!!!! but now worry about adhesions from the surgery instead.

[nikki138]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your input. I don't know why but I can't shake this fear. Guess that's just the nature of the beast, though. Everyday that passes by I feel better and more confident that it's not what I think it is, but just anxiety related. I am in no way, shape, or form in severe pain. It's just a little tugging. Feels like when you are about to go down the hill on the roller coaster haha. Thanks again guys!

[Lisa68]

heres my appendix story - my son had what is termed a grumbling appendix for over 5 yrs - every 6 mnths he would get severe pain around his tummy button and be literally rolling round the floor - it lasted about 12 hrs and went  - our Gp kept saying it was bolic but when he went to university and finally got admitted to hospital they did the blood test for raised white blood count and said we think its his appendix - by this time he was fine again but they operated and his appendix was only slightly inflamed so they said he did have inflamed appendix on and off for past 5 yrs but it might never had got to point of bursting. -- This gave me severe anxiety about appendicitis as you can imagine.

Every couple of years I would get really bad pain for one kind or another -sometimes it was ovulation pain that was very bad and really freaked me and other times it was IBS and everytime i was convinced it was my appendix - even though the blood test said white blood count okay.
I then got referred pain from my damaged spine around abdomen that was severe and stabbing and centered around tummy button and was totally convinced it was appendix - the surgeon decided the only was to convince me otherwise was to take ti out which he did and guess what nothing wrong with appendix or anywhere else for that matter as he did big exploratory op at same time.

The only good thing was I no longer worry about my appendix!!!!!!!!! but now worry about adhesions from the surgery instead.

My Doctor said the only way to make 100% sure for ME after all the tests was to go in and look at it thru surgery and he said I really don't think we need to go that route! lol

As for grumbling appendix I hear from so many people that this is a myth, also Ive heard of chronic appendicits....appearantly this type "rarely" ruptures.  I did read grumbling appendix will eventually lead to it needing to come out.  So, as usual Dr's disagree on both these conditions.  Mine Dr told me that its like saying your "a little pregnant", you are either having appendicitis or your not. 

Im glad your son is no longer in pain .... its awful to watch them go thru such pain