Freakin Out!!! Is it appendicitis or Just Gas??????

[Dragi316]

It all started at work six hours ago I was sitting down and I got a sudden sharp pain under my belly button to the left.
It went away as quick as it came, then it came back 3 minutes later and it started to feel like a Cramping pain mixed with a stabbing. It hits for a few seconds then goes away then comes back after a couple of minutes.  It's been that way for over 6 hours now. Its not bad pain, I can take it but I'm terrified it's a Appendicitis or Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm.
Please Help!!!!!
      Thank You

[Zalgo]

I can def. assure you it is far to early to start thinking it is appendicitis or anything like that, these things usually go on for far longer than that.

Also, my mother had appendicitis, she described it as a debilitating pain that had her unable to even function and wanting to do nothing but lay down and curl up due to the extreme pain. So the fact that you said its not that bad and you can still function proves even more that it's nothing to stress about.

[spidermonkey]

I also highly doubt this is appendicitis because your appendix is on the lower right side of your abdomen.  I believe the test is to put two fingers about an inch or two above your right hip bone and press in.  If you feel a sudden immediate pain upon doing so it's likely appendicitis.

Your case doesn't sound like that to my unprofessional ears.

[Ravens Lady]

I agree with with Zalgo and Spider.

I think the key to knowing how to apprach the situation or whether or not it is of high concern is having to do with paying attention to two things: duration and intensity of your pain.

Duration:

You have not dealt with this issue for a long time.  Just a few hours isn't long at all and the issue will most likely work itself out on its own.  If the issue was ongoing, say for a week or more or more than a few days, then you may want to see a primary care doctor just to see if you can investigate the possible cause more, but I think its much more likely its a simple muscle spasm of gas issue or something in your system that will work itself out.  That is just much more likely and much more common. 

Intensity:

You seem to suggest that its not extremely painful, just more bothersome and slightly uncomfortable.  I'd say that if your pain is low on the pain scale then you do not really need to concern yourself with going to a doctor quickly (1 being slightly uncomfortable and 10 being excruciating) You only really want to think about seeing an urgent care place if its above like a 7 or 8.  (this is my own scale) I'm not a doctor, but this just seems reasonable to me.  When we are in crushing pain or intense pain, then its much more imperative we check quickly.  Otherwise, most aches and pains in these regions of our bodies go away on their own. 

It can be difficult to judge whether or not a physical issue warrants a high level of concern or not.  I think us health anxious people tend to see most low to "no level" of concern issues as BIG ones.  So lately I've been trying to figure out ways to distinguish between the two: what warrants high levels of concern, and what warrants little to none.  I think duration and intensity are key to judging this. 

And basically, I think you are probably fine.  Give it some time.  :)  I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Dragi316]

Thank You all.  You really helped me with piece of mind