I have Appendicitis...
- Thread starter The Lamp
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I had to rush my gf to the ER a few months ago, for severe stomach pains and vomiting that lasted for hours. A few hours later, she was under the needle. Laparoscopic surgery. She went home two days later. Six days later, she went back in due to painful urination and lower abdominal pain. They said she had gotten a bladder infection, gave her some antibiotics, and sent her home.
Two days later she was back in the ER, barely able to walk. She had gotten an infection, although they had difficulties identifying how. Some of it was from bacteria in her stomach, some we suspect was hospital staph. Apparently the hospital we took her two has a bad reputation. Her second visit took 9 days, as they pumped her full of every antibiotic they thought would help. She was left with scarring on one ovary. She may be infertile now, but we haven't gotten it tested.
Like any surgery, take it seriously. If anything seems weird or wrong afterwards, let your doctor know.
Two days later she was back in the ER, barely able to walk. She had gotten an infection, although they had difficulties identifying how. Some of it was from bacteria in her stomach, some we suspect was hospital staph. Apparently the hospital we took her two has a bad reputation. Her second visit took 9 days, as they pumped her full of every antibiotic they thought would help. She was left with scarring on one ovary. She may be infertile now, but we haven't gotten it tested.
Like any surgery, take it seriously. If anything seems weird or wrong afterwards, let your doctor know.
giancarlo123x
Banned
I hated the first days after I had mine removed. Walking was such a bitch and I felt like I had to relearn a little. For about a week I took it easy then forced myself back to work early because I was bored. Do not lift heavy stuff at all for a bit. You'll be fine.
It took me months to do sit ups again. Quick way to lose definition with any surgery to the abdominal.
Heed this advice.
Good grief. Thanks for the input. I'll be on the lookout for symptoms longer than a few days.
Mr. E. Yis
Banned
Mine exploded when i was 5. I remember the extreme pain, the month off from kindergarten, the extreme boredom in the hospital, the get-well balloons, the doctor inserting constipation cream up my ass many times 
(because i was so backed up), and the relearning to walk. From what my sister and parents tell me, it was a pretty dangerous time for me and they were scared.
(because i was so backed up), and the relearning to walk. From what my sister and parents tell me, it was a pretty dangerous time for me and they were scared.speculawyer
Member
Intelligent design.
The American health care system is so expensive that people are more likely to tell themselves "It's nothing" than "This could be serious."
Glad you caught it early OP.
Mine ruptured in 2004 and it was a miserable recovery. I was in the hospital for about a week, and then another 3-4 weeks to recover from the pain. Good news is I lost about 20 lbs.
Question for everyone that has had their appendix removed, has your stomach ever been the same? I feel like I can't digest food as well, or more foods make me sick. I never had this problem prior to the appendicitis, and it's not really severe, but it's definitely different than pre-appendicitis.
EDIT:
This was totally me. Don't ever do this. I kept shrugging it off thinking it was the flu. Then it ruptured and I was in so much pain I knew something had to be wrong. So instead of going to the ER (because it's so expensive), I went to the family doctor lol. He looked at me like I was an idiot and said "You need to get to the ER right now".
Mine ruptured in 2004 and it was a miserable recovery. I was in the hospital for about a week, and then another 3-4 weeks to recover from the pain. Good news is I lost about 20 lbs.
Question for everyone that has had their appendix removed, has your stomach ever been the same? I feel like I can't digest food as well, or more foods make me sick. I never had this problem prior to the appendicitis, and it's not really severe, but it's definitely different than pre-appendicitis.
EDIT:
This was totally me. Don't ever do this. I kept shrugging it off thinking it was the flu. Then it ruptured and I was in so much pain I knew something had to be wrong. So instead of going to the ER (because it's so expensive), I went to the family doctor lol. He looked at me like I was an idiot and said "You need to get to the ER right now".
I got this last summer. Woke up, felt like stomach cramps, got worse throughout the day. Boss sent me home from work around 3:30 pm, was in urgent care by 4:30, sent from urgent care to the ER around 5:30. Pain kept getting worse and they had me drink hella nasty fluid for my CT scan. Scan results came in about 7:30 8ish confirming the appendicitis. I went to take a piss at 8:30, walked to the bathroom, attempted to pee and couldn't. There was an incredible pain building up and I started to black out, I rushed to the door and yelled for the nurses who helped me back to my bed. Got the surgery around roughly 9:30 I believe, I was already passed out because of the dilauded. Woke up around midnight and the surgery was compete!!! My appendix had a large purple mark on it where it was beginning to rupture, so I got lucky.
Tbh, the worst part wasn't the first day or the surgery, it was the days following. The donors just assumed my intestines and shit was back up and running and fed me pork chops for lunch the following day. I was sent home around 5:30pm. Around 9:00pm I had the worst pain in my best and upper abdomen. It was awful, so I went back the ER and they confirmed that I was basically backed up inside. So I was in the hospital for THREE more days, just waiting to take a shit. Oh man it was awful. I was nauseous and the nurses seemingly couldn't care less when I buzzed for them. I puked in my puke bag and it hurt so bad because of my surgery. Ugh that shit was awful.
MORAL OF THE STORY
DONT EAT THE FUCKIN PORK CHOPS!!
Seriously, say you want soft food and juice only, save yourself the risk.
Tbh, the worst part wasn't the first day or the surgery, it was the days following. The donors just assumed my intestines and shit was back up and running and fed me pork chops for lunch the following day. I was sent home around 5:30pm. Around 9:00pm I had the worst pain in my best and upper abdomen. It was awful, so I went back the ER and they confirmed that I was basically backed up inside. So I was in the hospital for THREE more days, just waiting to take a shit. Oh man it was awful. I was nauseous and the nurses seemingly couldn't care less when I buzzed for them. I puked in my puke bag and it hurt so bad because of my surgery. Ugh that shit was awful.
MORAL OF THE STORY
DONT EAT THE FUCKIN PORK CHOPS!!
Seriously, say you want soft food and juice only, save yourself the risk.
ConradCervantes
Banned
Your story is the exact same as mine, only two years earlier. I thought it was food poisoning from Thanksgiving dinner, then three nights later I'm crawling downstairs because I couldn't walk and my throat was bone-dry from vomiting so much. A week in the hospital and 25 pounds less, and I get rolled out like a king. I was already a scrawny 14-year-old, so losing that weight turned me into Skeletor.
Your digestion issue makes sense to me. I used to have quite the affinity for spicy foods. Could eat anything I wanted with no ill effects. Post-appendectomy, I get some bad stomachaches and painful toilet time.
I had mine removed when I was 3 or 4, so a very long time ago and I can't remember much. One thing I do remember is being woken up by my parents late at night because I had to go to the hospital (in an ambulance no less), and I remember being annoyed because I finally had some good sleep What I remember the most, though, is having a tube inserted through my throat so I could empty my stomach. One of the worst experiences I've ever had
What I remember the most, though, is having a tube inserted through my throat so I could empty my stomach. One of the worst experiences I've ever hadsoxinthebox
Member
I had the exact same experience, hadn't ruptured but they still took it out the next day. First day was rough and I had referred pain in my shoulder when I tried to pee. Had two weeks off work avoiding lifting and was fine after that.
Only lasting issue would be a visible scar at the base of my belly button where the had cut from the surgery. My partner had the same type of surgery but in a private hospital and has no scar whatsoever while I went to a public hospital.
Arondight
Member
I got mine taken out 4 weeks ago. First day, had a huge stomach problem from morning and got incredibly severe at night and a slight twitch made the pain intense. Was better in the morning and went to see the doc and got it confirmed. Funnily enough, the closer it got to the operation, the less painful it felt. Didn't eat for 48 hours so that sucked but at least the operation was quick and woke up 2 hours later and about 5 minutes in the recovery room got sent back to my ward and starting using my phone asap with dinner waiting for me as well. The worst part about the whole experience was
a) there was a old man who was used phone in the middle of the night the same night I finished my OP and used the TV constantly and snored so loudly it neutered my earplugs.
b) taking a piss after the OP was insanely difficult.
It's kind of lucky because recently, the hospital got hit with the norovirus
People with the insane bills and surgury nightmares scare me.
a) there was a old man who was used phone in the middle of the night the same night I finished my OP and used the TV constantly and snored so loudly it neutered my earplugs.
b) taking a piss after the OP was insanely difficult.
It's kind of lucky because recently, the hospital got hit with the norovirus
People with the insane bills and surgury nightmares scare me.
Got it myself 4 years ago.
Thanks to a misdiagnosis I stayed at home for another week without any real medication. (idiot replacement doctor)
When they finally had to take me to the ER I hadn't eaten in several days and they somehow couldn't find anything wrong with me even after 2 scans. :-/
So another 3 days passed since it was the weekend. On Tuesday they finally got me another scan and discovered it had ruptured and was a bit too far along so they didn't tell me or my family anything since they thought I wasn't gonna make it anyway. (covering their own asses)
Finally underwent surgery on Wednesday and spent another 2 weeks in the hospital with excruciating pain as well as a drain in my stomach to get all the bad stuff out as much as possible.
Hurt like a motherfucker for over a week.
Like someone was constantly poking glowing hot needles into my anus and penis. Probably since quite a few nerves were damaged. :-/
Spent 3 months at home and went back to work a bit too early. Took me over 2 years to fully recover in the end.
That being said, as long as they find out early enough it shouldn't be too bad at all.
Moral of the story, if you know something is very wrong and your doctor brushes it off, go for a second opinion.
You're not supposed to eat anything like that at first!
I was fed through my IV for over a week and didn't get any solids which helped not to produce any waste products. :-/
Thanks to a misdiagnosis I stayed at home for another week without any real medication. (idiot replacement doctor)
When they finally had to take me to the ER I hadn't eaten in several days and they somehow couldn't find anything wrong with me even after 2 scans. :-/
So another 3 days passed since it was the weekend. On Tuesday they finally got me another scan and discovered it had ruptured and was a bit too far along so they didn't tell me or my family anything since they thought I wasn't gonna make it anyway. (covering their own asses)
Finally underwent surgery on Wednesday and spent another 2 weeks in the hospital with excruciating pain as well as a drain in my stomach to get all the bad stuff out as much as possible.
Hurt like a motherfucker for over a week.
Like someone was constantly poking glowing hot needles into my anus and penis. Probably since quite a few nerves were damaged. :-/
Spent 3 months at home and went back to work a bit too early. Took me over 2 years to fully recover in the end.
That being said, as long as they find out early enough it shouldn't be too bad at all.
Moral of the story, if you know something is very wrong and your doctor brushes it off, go for a second opinion.
Jesus fuck!
You're not supposed to eat anything like that at first!
I was fed through my IV for over a week and didn't get any solids which helped not to produce any waste products. :-/
$55k just has to be an exaggeration and an emergency room certainly wouldn't charge something like that without letting you pay it off slowly. Regardless, this is why I have insurance.
Cost me I think less than $100/mo for great health insurance. Totally worth it when things like this which are frankly life or death situations and beyond your prevention come around and have medical costs above thousands of dollars. Also worth it considering my medicine only costs me $4 a month with my insurance and visiting a specialist who might charge $2000 total for an office visit only costs me $30.
It's not an exaggeration.
http://www.businessinsider.com/redditors-appendectomy-cost-5502931-2013-12
Holy shit. Thanks for that. Sounds like my situation because I was there for only 24 hours.
I'll be sure to scrutinize my bill when I get it.
I think I lucked out because I went to a hospital in the poorer side of town, even though it was private, so I doubt they can get away with charging obscene prices.
Daffy Duck
Member
Recovery is pretty straight forward, when I had mine out I was in pain for about a week afterwards, I had morphine from the hospital for the pain as well as other pain relief.
I was unable to drive for several weeks, and walking upright was quite difficult for about a week after as well.
After the operation (24-48 hours) was uncomfortable, I had a pain of what can only be described as trapped air in my upper chest/shoulder area and it was very uncomfortable, could hardly move to the toilet so had to pee in those kidney bean type things.
Business
Member
Don't worry OP it's not bad.
I had mine removed like 6 years ago. I won't lie, when I woke up after the surgery I was shivering like crazy and the first night wasn't good, the scar is painful and waking up from bed for a piss feels like climbing everest, but it's only a few days.
I'm actually happy I got mine removed, I wouldn't like to have an emergency during a trip to Vietnam.
I had mine removed like 6 years ago. I won't lie, when I woke up after the surgery I was shivering like crazy and the first night wasn't good, the scar is painful and waking up from bed for a piss feels like climbing everest, but it's only a few days.
I'm actually happy I got mine removed, I wouldn't like to have an emergency during a trip to Vietnam.
Daffy Duck
Member
Ignore me, I've just realised the time scales and date on your OP, I'd probably ask/go see a doctor if you're worried, in your country have been booked an appointment to see a nurse at your doctors for how your stitches are doing?
I spend a week in Hospital when I was a kid, painful has hell because they had to do it traditionally not laparoscopic. But the pain was manageable with painkillers, the worst was the movements of the intestine back to his normal position after the surgery, I guaranty is the weirdest thing ever...
I have a follow up appointment with the surgeon in two weeks but I can't go two weeks without a bowel movement lol.
Sucks when money gets in the way of getting care, I know whats its like
I think if you should know your own body enough and not try and ride out the crazy stuff. Especially don't let it slide with loved ones that are also the tough type that don't want to see a doctor.
I have an example of how screwed up the medical system is. We are talking uc davis in the bay area,ca.
Month ago grandma woke up crapping herself, with stabbing pains, couldn't walk under her own power. Panting and moaning. Called 911
Even though we told everybody that would listen about her previous colon cancer and Diverticulitis, it took them until the evening that day to finally get the tests to see she went septic in a couple pockets and sprung a few holes in her colon. Took hours before they addressed pain.
Finally they put her under to clean things out and put in a drain, because she is too old to operate for this emergency, and gave her 2 weeks to live so we got her on hospice now.
So sad to see somebody in pain like this and it takes them so damn long to get to the bottom of it, even after telling them about her history. Just a luck of the draw that she made it out of the hospital but she will never recover and dealing with constipation and pain through hospice is kind of a joke. They talk about making the transition pain free, but its just a bunch of torture so far. If I am of right mind and have a choice when the time comes I would rather jump off a cliff than deal with what I'm seeing right now.
I think if you should know your own body enough and not try and ride out the crazy stuff. Especially don't let it slide with loved ones that are also the tough type that don't want to see a doctor.
I have an example of how screwed up the medical system is. We are talking uc davis in the bay area,ca.
Month ago grandma woke up crapping herself, with stabbing pains, couldn't walk under her own power. Panting and moaning. Called 911
Even though we told everybody that would listen about her previous colon cancer and Diverticulitis, it took them until the evening that day to finally get the tests to see she went septic in a couple pockets and sprung a few holes in her colon. Took hours before they addressed pain.
Finally they put her under to clean things out and put in a drain, because she is too old to operate for this emergency, and gave her 2 weeks to live so we got her on hospice now.
So sad to see somebody in pain like this and it takes them so damn long to get to the bottom of it, even after telling them about her history. Just a luck of the draw that she made it out of the hospital but she will never recover and dealing with constipation and pain through hospice is kind of a joke. They talk about making the transition pain free, but its just a bunch of torture so far. If I am of right mind and have a choice when the time comes I would rather jump off a cliff than deal with what I'm seeing right now.
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