Appendicitis Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

My Close Call with Appendicitis: What Happened and What I Learned

summarizeEditor's Summary

I had a close call with appendicitis, and it was a real wake-up call. I'm sharing my story to raise awareness about the symptoms and how to identify them early. It's a scary experience, but with the right knowledge, you can prevent it from becoming a major issue. My symptoms started with a dull ache in my lower abdomen, which I initially brushed off as a minor stomach issue. However, it quickly escalated into severe pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. I was lucky to have a friend who encouraged me to seek medical attention, and I'm grateful for the quick diagnosis and treatment. Now, I want to share my story to help others avoid going through the same ordeal.

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KararIyiydi

HekimKalite9/10

HastaneKalite8/10

OperasyonKalite7/10

Hello everyone, thanks for listening in.

I'm sharing this story because it might happen to anyone, but I didn't realize it was appendicitis until the very end.

So, how did it start? We had a home-cooked meal with a glass of wine, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary...

At 10 PM, I put my kid to bed...

At 11 PM, I went to sleep too and, for some reason, I felt super hungry, although I hadn't eaten since 9 PM.

I lay there thinking, why do I feel so bloated. The pain was getting worse. I could only lie on my back; any other position was unbearable.

After an hour, I started thinking maybe I'd poisoned myself. I tried to shake it off, and it got a bit better. I even managed to sleep for an hour.

But the next day was a repeat of the same symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, and exhaustion.

And then, the next day, I had important things to do... My friend wouldn't let me take any painkillers, and I somehow forgot about the pain. By lunchtime, I was dozing off on the go, and the pain wasn't as severe. I attributed it all to a sleepless night, but the weakness was getting worse, and I started thinking about going to the doctor.

I called my insurance company, and they promised to book an emergency appointment... An hour, two hours went by, and nothing. The pain became manageable, and I started suspecting appendicitis.

Just as I was about to call an ambulance, I got a message from the insurance company saying the doctor would see me at 8:30 PM. I went to bed, and even managed to sleep on my side.

When I arrived at the clinic, the doctor confirmed my suspicions: appendicitis. I spent a day in the hospital, and since I was feeling almost okay, I told the doctor I was going to get some things from home. They were worried I'd try to sneak out.

The ambulance (via my insurance) arrived 10 minutes later, and I was off to the hospital.

I ended up in the ER, and it turned out I had a fever - I hadn't even noticed it. They took a bunch of tests, the surgeon took a look, did an ultrasound, and the gynecologist checked me out too. And let me tell you, the gynecologist said my symptoms were textbook appendicitis...

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It was around 1 am when the surgeon came to me with a proposal I couldn't refuse...

Off to the operating room we went.

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They took some blood for my Rh factor and blood type, and we took off. They even recorded my statements, just in case.

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Before that, they brought me to my room - a two-bed room with its own bathroom.

But it was freezing.

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They undressed me, put me on a gurney, and it was shaking me around pretty badly. I think it was from the cold, or maybe just nerves. But at that point, I was so exhausted I fell asleep without any anesthesia.

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Next thing I knew, I was in the operating room. I remember the gurney was narrow, and my sides felt like they were sagging.

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The worst part was when they tried to insert the catheter. They couldn't find a vein, kept poking around, and it was really painful. They couldn't get it in right away, and the bruise took a while to heal. In fact, it was still pretty swollen two weeks later.

This is two weeks after

They managed to get it in a nearby vein, but it wasn't exactly a breeze. And all the IV meds they gave me later were a real struggle.

So, the operation lasted four hours.

I wasn't given much information beforehand. Logically, I understood that it would take a while for an ordinary appendicitis. Then, I overheard some doctors talking about complications, so I asked what kind.

My appendix was located upwards and had gotten tangled in my intestine. That's why there were issues with accessing the appendix.

Other than that, the surgery went smoothly. I fell asleep and woke up without any terrible dry mouth or nausea from the anesthesia. Since I had a laparoscopy 16 years ago, I have something to compare it to. Back then, I didn't fully recover from the anesthesia until the fourth day. Due to my previous surgery, I had a vertical incision in my belly button instead of a horizontal one, which made healing more complicated later on.

The drainage tube was removed after a day.

The hospital ward was freezing cold, with no heating. It was also not a sunny side, and even the doctors would comment on how cold I looked whenever they came in. So, I didn't feel like getting out from under the blankets.

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On the second day, the hot water supply stopped due to the accident.

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The doctors would come in, administer antibiotics, and give me painkillers.

Then, they started giving me some other tablets.

On the first day, they fed me pureed food and broth.

By the second day, I was already feeling like I had no restrictions at all.

Peeled apples were even giving me

After removing the drainage tube, the seam was tightened a bit for me.

Thanks to this, the two incisions healed quickly and beautifully. I was discharged from the hospital on the 4th day. Next day, I closed my hospital leave.

Seven days later, I was scheduled for a follow-up analysis.

I took a closer look at the incisions at home. Two were perfect, but the one in my belly button was a disaster.

The bruise, swelling. I followed all the recommendations. I was scratching like crazy, and I had an allergic reaction to the post-op bandages. I was taking suprastin. Seven days later, the scab fell off, and an abscess appeared.

I had a bunch of tests, including an ultrasound, and everything came back normal. The doctor recommended I apply some ointment to help with healing. It seemed like things were getting better after a week, but then I noticed black dots starting to appear along the incision. I went back to the doctor again.

It turned out the surgeon had to remove two knots of stitches. The initial knot and the final one hadn't dissolved. This was causing the wound to remain open and infected. After that, the scar started to feel and look a lot better. Although, it was nowhere near as neat as the first two - just thin, thread-like lines.

I remember when I was scheduling my next appointment, the receptionist said I should have gone with the laparoscopic surgery instead. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. Honestly, it wouldn't have been any better. Even the ugliest scar from a laparoscopy can't compare to the look of a horizontal incision, not to mention the recovery time. If the stitches had dissolved properly, I'd have been back on my feet in five days, feeling great.

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Horizontal incisions look amazing

Scars after 1.5 monthsThe one in my belly button isn't looking great, thanks to the infection, but it's not the end of the world either.

Scar after 1.5 monthsTakeaways: don't mess around with appendicitis and medicine has come a long way in dealing with it, so there's no need to be afraid.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What are the common symptoms of appendicitis?

The symptoms of appendicitis can vary from person to person, but common signs include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to seek medical attention immediately.

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

Appendicitis is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds. Your doctor may also perform a blood test to check for white blood cell count and other indicators of infection.

What is the treatment for appendicitis?

The treatment for appendicitis usually involves surgical removal of the appendix, followed by antibiotics to prevent infection. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a watch-and-wait approach, where you're monitored for a few days to see if the symptoms resolve on their own.

Can appendicitis be prevented?

While there's no surefire way to prevent appendicitis, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and managing stress can help reduce the risk. It's also essential to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if you experience any unusual abdominal pain.

What are the complications of appendicitis?

If left untreated, appendicitis can lead to serious complications such as perforation of the appendix, abscesses, and peritonitis. In rare cases, it can also cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

How long does it take to recover from appendicitis?

The recovery time from appendicitis surgery can vary depending on the individual, but most people can return to their normal activities within 2-4 weeks. It's essential to follow your doctor's instructions and attend follow-up appointments to ensure a smooth recovery.

Can I still eat normally after appendicitis surgery?

Yes, you can gradually return to your normal diet after appendicitis surgery. However, it's recommended to follow a bland diet for the first few days, consisting of foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT diet). You can then gradually introduce other foods into your diet as your body allows.

What are the long-term effects of appendicitis?

In most cases, appendicitis doesn't have any long-term effects. However, some people may experience chronic pain, bowel obstruction, or other complications in rare cases. It's essential to follow up with your doctor to monitor your progress and address any concerns.