Appendicitis Worry

[spidermonkey]

I've been worried about appendicitis the past couple of days, and am wondering if anyone has insight on how it "actually" feels.

4 nights ago I woke up with diarrhea and an episode of crazy violent vomiting.  The weird thing is, I'm 27 (male) and havn't vomited since I was in my early teens.  Right before I went to bed that night I was so exhausted I couldn't keep my eyes open...like unusually exhausted.  That was the first symptom.  The vomiting the 2nd.  No noticeable stomach pain that night.

I havn't thrown up since then, but I've felt sporadic tiredness, headaches, and nausea (a couple times I was actually sure I was going to vomit again) but didn't.

Based on those symptoms I assumed I either had food poisoning or had picked up a stomach virus.

What has me worrying though is that today I've felt a burning sensation in my lower right side.  It's not really in the area between the naval and hip bone (where appendicitis) is supposedly usually felt, but more side right above my right hip bone.  It's not intense, but it's there.  I've poked at myself in numerous places to see if there was pain, but I couldn't notice anything other than the continued burning.

With that burning, and the continued occasional nausea, fatigue, I've been concerned, but I don't want to waste a trip to the hospital when I'm possibly just recovering from a stomach bug.

So, should I be worried?  Is there anybody here who can say what appendicitis felt like for them?

[LindaRK]

For a stomach bug, you seem to be having this for quite some time.  Not sure if it's appendicitis.  I had that when I was about 10, but it was excruciatingly painful and I had to be rushed to the hospital before the thing burst.  So, yeah .. really painful for me.  No vomiting or diarrhea or anything like that.

I hope it's something as simple as a bug for you.  Make sure you stay hydrated if you're having diarrhea and vomiting.  Perhaps drink some Gatorade to replace your electrolytes.

[epiphone15]

It doesn't sound like appendicitis. As above poster said, it would be excruciatingly painful.

It sounds like the worst parts are over for you, so I'm sure you're recovering. Fighting an illness takes a toll on your body. I'm sure it'll pass in a couple more days. If not then you should see a doctor to get it checked out. It may be an infection and all you'll need are antibiotics. But I'm sure its nothing serious.

[jrhid]

Hi spidermonkey,

I have had appendicitis and I had to have my appendix removed when I was 20, I am 32 now. From what I remember, I don't think you have appendicitis!

It was acute waves of pain, that can only be described as maybe how contractions feel during pregnancy, or how I imagine they feel?! I'm sure the pain of pregnancy is much worse ladies!

But anyway, I remember the pain coming and going in 5 minute intervals, when it came it was pretty uncomfortable! Almost like a dagger in my right side. It was accompanied by lots of vomiting and feeling quite ill.

I wouldn't worry unless you experience all of the above together at the same time. You could have just pulled an abdominal muscle my friend!

[spidermonkey]

Thank you so much to those who have replied.  It really makes me feel a lot better, especially to hear from those of you who have had appendicitis.  This month, I finally stopped prodding my lymph nodes for fear of lymphoma, so now I hope this isn't the new kick I'll be on.

My side does still hurt, but I'd desribe it as just moderate pain.  It almost feels like a biting/burning.  I guess I should assume it's something else like a pulled muscle or IBS.  I forgot to mention I have IBS in my original post, mostly I guess because I usually don't have a pain like this so I didn't associate the two.

Anyways, the pain isn't towards the belly button or groin...it's more in the love handle area above my hip bone.  Maybe I pulled a muscle throwing up last Tuesday..haha.

I'll probably still be worried until the pain goes away, but these comments have helped in the meanwhile.

[LindaRK]

Could very well be IBS.  In another post tonight, I was mentioning that I've had a gnawing pain and discomfort in the middle to right side.  I had something quite stressful scheduled for today and now that it's over, I'm fine.  Thank you, IBS.

[theanxiousone]

My brother had appendicitis. He was in a lot of pain. I think if you had it, you'd know. Infact, when he had it, he was pretty sure that was what was going on.

[jrhid]

Spidermonkey, if you had appendicitis and your appendix needed removing, believe me, you would know about it and then some! I am appendix-less, I know!