Appendicitis is NOT Fun...

[dicion]

So I just got home yesterday from the hospital after having an emergency appendectomy. (From what I hear, there's really no other kind )

The story goes like this:

Tuesday evening, for no reason, I started getting a very minor pain in my lower abdomen, central area. Figured it was just bad Mexican food

Slept fine that evening, but when I woke up the next morning, it was stronger. After getting up and taking a shower, etc, it went back down to the level of the previous night, and I figured REALLY bad Mexican food

Worked all day with the pain, and occasionally throughout the day, it would spike for 5-10 minutes, and while it spiked, it would feel more like it was coming from my lower Right abdomen, rather then the center. Got home from work, looked it up on the internet, found that it matched appendicitis.

Now, I should mention that I don't like doctors. Nothing personal against them, I just don't like having to rely on other people to keep myself healthy.
I haven't been to a doctor in over 5 years because of this. I know there's some things that an individual just can't solve themselves, but I believe that the people that run to doctors at the first sign of a stuffy nose are just clogging the system, and running up insurance costs for the rest of us. My general rule is, unless I'm bleeding, or there's a broken bone (complex fracture, or something that requires a cast, I know how to splint and immobilize simple ones (fingers toes, etc)) then I don't go to the ER. Granted, I have a job where I can just call my boss and say 'I'm sick, staying home today' and they won't ask me for a doctors note. Lots of people don't have this luxury, but that speaks more to the unreliability of people, and their penchant to lie about being sick for a day off more than anything else. If no-one faked calling in sick, no place would require doctor's notes. Enough said.

So... At this point, all signs pointed to appendicitis, but it wasn't 100%. So I said to myself that I'd go to bed, and if it still hurt in the morning, then I'd go to the doctor.

12:30am I wake up with probably the worst pain yet. Okay, Pain that Wakes You up, is emergency room time. Went to the ER, drank the contrast shake, got the CT, confirmed appendicitis. It wasn't on the virge of popping, but it was definately swollen. Due to the fact that I ate at 7:30 the previous night, and the fact that it wasn't an immediate explosion threat, they opted to to wait until at least 8am to do the surgery. I was glad to hear this, as I was not looking forward to getting my stomach, and the other end, pumped so they could do it immediately :P

Another aside, North Cypress Medical Center is freaking NICE! It's a wonderful hospital. More like a 5 star Hilton than a Hospital actually. They have specialists for pretty much everything on-call, and the doctor that they got to look at my CT at 4am, and do the surgery was a Bariatric Surgeon. He definitely knew his way around an abdomen. They did the surgery laproscopically, so I only have 3 small cuts in my abdomen instead of the huge 6" gash on my side. Kudos to NCMC for an excellent environment, knowledgeable people, and a bang-up job. Anyways, continuing...

So, Morning rolls around, 8am, and they get me on the waiting list for the first open OR Spot. I actually got wheeled into the OR probably about 10AM. An hour later, I'm back in my own room, pretty nicely doped up.

I stayed another 24 hours for observation, and they released me early afternoon yesterday.

Still quite sore, and standing up straight hurts due to the laproscopic entry cuts, but other than that, I feel great!

Lesson: Lower right abdominal pain is no joke, especially if it lasts more than a couple of hours, and has no other 'bad food' related symptoms.

[Kevinf2349]

Get well soon.

Where did you conceal in the operating gown? Or don't we want to know!

[dicion]

Get well soon.

Where did you conceal in the operating gown? Or don't we want to know!

Hahahaha, unfortunately, this was one of those occasions that I chose to leave it at home. I think going to the ER, where you know that you will be poked, prodded, and scanned by machines is probably one of the few 'acceptable' times to leave it. I would have left it in the car, however, I'm quite sure we all know how common robberies in hospital parking lots are, especially if you're planned on being parked there for an extended time.

Now if my wife had her CHL, I would have definitely made sure she was properly carrying.

BTW, North Cypress Medical Center DOES have 30.06 signs on their doors (every single one), however, they are non-compliant due to their small size. I'm going to let sleeping dogs lie on that one, and not inform them of their mistake :P

[Kevinf2349]

Hopefully your recovery will be quick and full.

I have never had appendicitis (touch wood) but I understand that if left alone it can be fatal if it bursts (perry-toe-nighties )

[dicion]

Hopefully your recovery will be quick and full.

I have never had appendicitis (touch wood) but I understand that if left alone it can be fatal if it bursts (perry-toe-nighties )

Yes, if it bursts, you have hours until you get Peritonitis and Sepsis, as it completely will fill your abdominal cavity with infectious bacteria and other bad bad things. Once you have that if you are not treated IMMEDIATELY, you WILL die.

Generally Less than 24 hours from burst to death if left untreated. (Some people will say Less than 8 hours, but I'm being generous)


Also, They gave me a perscription for Vicodin, but I generally won't take narcotic pain meds unless I absolutely have to. After the surgery, I told them that I didn't want any more IV Pain meds, and the only thing I've taken since is low-dose tylenol just to take the edge off. I'm of the opinion that your body makes pain for a reason, and if you're doing something that causes it, stop doing it :P I want to feel the pain the minute it occurs, if something goes wrong/pops/opens back up. But that's just me.

[Kevinf2349]

Thankfully you didn't try delay too long.

I guess these days the whole procedure is done 'keyhole' fashion?

[dicion]

Thankfully you didn't try delay too long.

I guess these days the whole procedure is done 'keyhole' fashion?

Yes, it's actually Really Cool... Then again, I'm all about Technology :)

Here's a you tube video of the actual procedure. It only takes a few minutes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FuqMI2dKmo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Didn't embed because it is video of someone's insides :P

[joe817]

I'm glad you did the on line research and knew the symptoms. It sounds like you are healing nicely. Don't over do things!

[dicion]

I'm glad you did the on line research and knew the symptoms. It sounds like you are healing nicely. Don't over do things!

WebMD is a good resource if you know how to use it.

It even has a symptom checker, and gives a list of possible causes.

It's funny, if you ever check the 'lower right abdominal pain made worse by pressing' check box in the symptom checker, it pops up immediately and says 'Go to the ER. Now.'

[Lodge2004]

Yes, if it bursts, you have hours until you get Peritonitis and Sepsis, as it completely will fill your abdominal cavity with infectious bacteria and other bad bad things. Once you have that if you are not treated IMMEDIATELY, you WILL die.

Generally Less than 24 hours from burst to death if left untreated. (Some people will say Less than 8 hours, but I'm being generous)

Agreed, but strange things can happen as well...about 10 years ago I suffered from abdominal pains. Repeated trips to the doctor over a several days ruled out ulcers, gall bladder, gall stones, etc...After a week of tests, and me getting progressively sicker, a nurse was doing one last sonogram and casually commented...at least we can rule out appendicitus. Naturally, I asked why that was true. She said...because your appendix has already been removed. She was quite suprised when I responded...no it hasn't.

A doctor was called for an emergency laparoscopy and I woke up about a week later with a scar running almost from my groin to my chest. Spent a month in recovery.

According to the doctors, my appendix had ruptured and detached itself. My body formed a calcified shell around the loose organ. Gangrene set in and ate it's way out of the shell. My perception is they removed my internals, tossed them on ground to hose them off and then put me back together again. It was not an experience I'd like to have again. And probably as close as one can get to "near death".

[dicion]

Yes, if it bursts, you have hours until you get Peritonitis and Sepsis, as it completely will fill your abdominal cavity with infectious bacteria and other bad bad things. Once you have that if you are not treated IMMEDIATELY, you WILL die.

Generally Less than 24 hours from burst to death if left untreated. (Some people will say Less than 8 hours, but I'm being generous)

Agreed, but strange things can happen as well...about 10 years ago I suffered from abdominal pains. Repeated trips to the doctor over a several days ruled out ulcers, gall bladder, gall stones, etc...After a week of tests, and me getting progressively sicker, a nurse was doing one last sonogram and casually commented...at least we can rule out appendicitus. Naturally, I asked why that was true. She said...because your appendix has already been removed. She was quite suprised when I responded...no it hasn't.

A doctor was called for an emergency laparoscopy and I woke up about a week later with a scar running almost from my groin to my chest. Spent a month in recovery.

According to the doctors, my appendix had ruptured and detached itself. My body formed a calcified shell around the loose organ. Gangrene set in and ate it's way out of the shell. My perception is they removed my internals, tossed them on ground to hose them off and then put me back together again. It was not an experience I'd like to have again. And probably as close as one can get to "near death".

Wow! That's crazy! Glad to hear that you survived that!

That was the first question they asked me after I detailed my symptoms and he verified the location of the pain. "Do you still have your appendix?" "Yes"

So that now goes on the list of things I don't have. 4 teeth, my tonsils and adnoids, and my appendix.

[Oldgringo]

This is Deja Vu all over again.

I had a Patio Mexican TV dinner one fall night back in 1963. I went to work the next morning but I couldn't stay due to pain and nausea. IIRC, the sawbones said he'd got it out just before it ruptured. In those days, you got the big knife and a hospital stay of a week with another week or so off work until the sawbones released you. No, I don't recall enjoying any part of the experience either. I do; however, recall still being on sick leave and having lunch with my Dad in Nashville, TN when we were told that President Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas, TX.

It was years after that before I'd eat another Mexican anything. I've since got over the Mexican food phobia.

[hheremtp]

Dicion,

I am glad you are feeling better. My advice to you is to not say in bed, get up and move around. Is it going to hurt? Yes. However it will not hurt for as long. If you just lay in bed or stay stationary in a chair it will take you longer to get over the pain and discomfort. When my then 5 y/o (now 8) had her appendix out we made her get up the next morning and start walking. We did not over do it, we started small and worked our way up in length of walks. Long story short, that afternoon we were discharged from the hospital and we had to remind her that she could not run in the hospital. She was even pulling her little sister around in a little wagon that the hospital had. I am by no means suggesting that you go run a marathon or go out and mow the grass and do a bunch of strenuous activity, but walking around the house will help with the stiffness aches. Hope you recover soon.

[Kevinf2349]

So that now goes on the list of things I don't have. 4 teeth, my tonsils and adnoids, and my appendix.

...and enough guns.....one can never have enough guns

Glad you are on the mend.

[dicion]

Dicion,

I am glad you are feeling better. My advice to you is to not say in bed, get up and move around. Is it going to hurt? Yes. However it will not hurt for as long. If you just lay in bed or stay stationary in a chair it will take you longer to get over the pain and discomfort. When my then 5 y/o (now 8) had her appendix out we made her get up the next morning and start walking. We did not over do it, we started small and worked our way up in length of walks. Long story short, that afternoon we were discharged from the hospital and we had to remind her that she could not run in the hospital. She was even pulling her little sister around in a little wagon that the hospital had. I am by no means suggesting that you go run a marathon or go out and mow the grass and do a bunch of strenuous activity, but walking around the house will help with the stiffness aches. Hope you recover soon.

Oh yes, definitely. I am definitely up and around. Moving around is fine, and doesn't cause me much pain.
It's the transitions from laying or seated to standing that give me the most trouble

I'll probably be back at work on Monday, just on keyboard-only duty for the next week or so :P