Has anyone experienced abdominal pains after having their appendix removed?

Hi,

I had my appendix removed November 2012, and ever since then I've experienced abdominal pains, more often than not as bad as the pain was before surgery.

I'd never had abdominal pains before and it came in really quickly. I was experiencing pain for about a week before it got so bad I couldn't eat, sleep, and hardly walk. I went to a&e, the doctor seemed as though he was doubting the amount of pain I was in, until he pressed on the right side of my stomach and I burst into tears. I had surgery the next day, and spent 3 days in hospital after (only because I couldn't pass urine/bowel movement, apparently they can't let you out until you do).

After recovering from surgery, I used to only get pain every now and then. But over the past 6 months, the pain has been getting a lot worse and constant.

I've been to see my doctor, who thinks I now have IBS. They haven't done any tests at the moment to rule anything else out, they've just tried me on tables that are to treat IBS, with no effect.

I'm going to demand some tests are done just to make sure there isn't an underlying cause.

The thing that really makes me think if it's something to do with my appendix, is when I'm lead down, the right side of my stomach hurts like someone is pushing down as far as they can go.

I just want to know if anyone else has experienced similar pain after having their appendix removed and if so, have you found the cause?

My friend had the same surgery a few weeks before me, and has been diagnosed with IBS (they have rules everything else out). I don't know if this is a common thing in patients after this surgery.

Thanks for any help!

Ring the NHS helpline and discuss your condition,symptoms,history of problem.I`m only guessing but I would have thought that you were entitled to an ultrasound scan as your problem may be linked to the surgery you refer to.

Call me old-fashioned,but personally I would prefer investigation before drugs smile

Certainly hope that it not to be the case but swabs etc are occasionally left in.Then there is the chance of peritoneum becoming infected.

You described your stomach as hurting...this J shaped organ is actually a lot higher placed in the body than many non medics realise......whilst the area from which your apendix was removed is much lower down, below your small intestines attached to the caecum,which leads to the ascending colon...the reason some people rub their guts with a circular motion when having trouble with constipation,in an attempt to move faecal matter up,along and down the large intestine.That`s why it`s important to drink sufficient quality water daily.Constipation is usually thought of as hard stools but that is not always the case.You mention IBS and that could be a case in point.

Exercise and a healthy diet are necessary for the the 8m+ of intestines to be able to function well...they are designed for an action called peristolsis.....think how a catapillar arches its back to move forward,or how a snake uses its muscles to swallow prey.....a very rough analogy of how your food moves along whist being processed .

Remember that your General Practitioner is there to refer you to an expert who specialises in that particular area of your body,and before that you may need some tests by other specialists,eg an ultrasound technician.

Thanks, yeah will ring them and see what they say. Usually get shipped back to my doctors though who then proceed to do nothing or just stick me on more tablets.

It's like 2 different types of pain, like the all over abdominal pain comes in sharp, painful waves but between waves it's like a cramping feeling. Sometimes I get back pain when it's really sore. I get nauseous and unfortunately get diarrhea. This is what's leading the doctor to think it's IBS, but not doing any tests to rule anything else out.

And then there's the pain where my appendix used to be, usually feel it the most when led down. That's the pain that feels like someone is pushing down. I don't know whether the two re connected or if it's connected to my surgery.

Thank you

Have you any good herbalists or nutritionists in your area?

Not that I know of, but shouldn't be hard to find one somewhere nearby.

What would you suggest?

I used herbal and homeopathy remedies for a couple problems. Your symptoms sound to complicated for a herbalist who are not really skilled in medical conditions/anatomy. With homeopathy many of the practitioners are doctors and GP's who practice under both codes. I went to an NHS doctor who practised homeopathy privately as it is very time consuming. I went with stomach and digestive problems that the hospital had not solved for me.He gave me the most thorough examination I have ever had followed by a long question session. Much of homeopathy is treating the person as well as the disease.

It was successful for me and it was about seven years before the problem re-occurred.

I take it from the attitude of your doctors that you are in the UK

Hi Derek,

Yes I am in the UK. My doctors have been pretty useless really, all been giving me tablets for something they haven't diagnosed me with. And they've not worked. At the moment I'm trying Peppermint oil tablets, but I'm still having no change.

Been trying to get back to them this week with no luck.

I've tried peppermint capsules but I had more success with Buscopan (antispasmodic) Relieves cramps and IBS. I think that there is also a non prescription version.

Oh yeah, I've tried that, didn't do anything for me.

Tried something called Spasmanol too which didn't do anything as well.

Just gonna have to go back and see if they will run tests, but their so useless.

Thanks though, appreciate any info

You may have to do a bit of searching in your area to find a healthcare professional who will investigate your issues to your satisfaction.The old type family doctor is a very rare find nowadays.

In my area I have many herbalists,two being qualified doctors,and others have a knowledge of anatomy that far surpases that of the average GP.None dole out drugs that lead to other symtoms,then requiring further drugs

Ask yourself if you believe that your problems are a defficiency in a particular pharmaceutical....or due to stress/lifestyle/diet etc.

First have checks to verify the last op was done correctly and that there are no isues relating to that.Get the surgeon`s name and check his track record.He may have a very good one,which would put your mind at rest to some degree.

Problem with herbs is that they are not an exact measured dose for medicinal purposes as plants vary in strength according to their maturity and time of the year picked. I took one for bronchitis and it pushed my BP up alarmingly others can have a blood thinning effect. Many medicines warn people not to take St Johns Wort for example with prescribed drugs.

Thank you, will definitely try what you've said.

Going back to my doctor next week (a new one at the practice who might listen)

I don't think it's related to any medicines, I'm not taking anything apart from the peppermint oil and occasional pain killers when needed.

I think it's been brought on worse by stress because I've had another problem with migraines for the past year, and been having various tests to find the cause of that again to no diagnosis.

Hi guys i did a appendix surgery, is there anything i shouldnt do?

Hi becky I'm glad I've found this I had my appendix removed in March and I'm in pain but I feel like I have a lump like I've pulled something and I keep getting sharp pains in the area also  my right side of my stomach is swollen but I'm sick of moaning about pain it's ok as long as I'm sitting but when I stand up it feels like a pulling pain... have  you got anything similar?? Thanks x 

Hi,

No sorry, my pain is different, it's more like pressure on the area, like someone is pushing on it. And it's whether I'm stood up or sat down. I can't feel a lump.

I'd suggest going to your doctor though. Yours isn't that long after surgery and they are more likely to look into what's causing the pain. You could have a small infection or something. I doubt it's anything to worry about.

Hope you find the problem soon, keep me informed with what comes about when you do smile

Hi thanks for the reply I think I maybe went back to work too soon as I'm a support worker for people with disabilitys which involves lifting so maybe I've pulled something thanks again I will go the docs and let you know..hope you get your pain sorted thanks again xxlol

Ooo possibly. How quickly did you go back? I was told to stay off work (work in a pub) and even uni for a month before goin back, and even then I was still taking it easy for a few more weeks and finding I was still in pain.

i think it's likely you've pulled something, but yeah definitely go back just to have it checked. Just in case maybe you've pulled the stitches inside or anything.

Thanks smile think I'm being referred to a specialist for my problem. Doctor still thinks I've got IBS, but because I've got 2 different types of pain (one like IBS, and then one similar to appendicitis) she's a hit confused aha xx

 

I went back to work after just before 3wks but no worky no money have you tried taking buscapan chick might help with the pain xx

Yeah I know what you mean rolleyes

and yep tried that and 5 other tablets for IBS with no change so my GP is out of options x

Oh crap have you had a scan?? Xx