Follow up to my atypical ruptured appendix post

5 years ago

About 3 weeks ago, my appendix ruptured. I'd had discomfort from a very gassy feeling abdomen, constipation (which I'd assumed caused the trapped gas) and some nausea, but no sharp pain, right sided abdominal tenderness or fever. But my sister had the very same symptoms years earlier, and her appendix ruptured, so she urged me to get mine checked out. Even though I felt better by the time we spoke, I went to an ER, to learn mine had already ruptured!

I was admitted, and given IV antibiotics for 3 days. Upon release, (with 7 days antibiotics) I was to see the surgeon in 3 weeks, to discuss the next step. That appt. was today. He said my total abdominal hysterectomy a year ago, left significant scar tissue in my abdominal cavity. That would make an appendectomy somewhat more complicated, to get clear to my appendix.

Also, the appendectomy itself would leave scar tissue. A lot of scar tissue can cause an increased risk of developing a bowel obstruction. Lesions can adhere around a bowel portion, distorting its normal structure, like how endometriosis can adhere to areas beyond the pelvic organs.

The surgeon said the odds of getting appendicitis again, aren't any higher than those who've never had it before. So he felt doing a more complicated abdominal appendectomy might be worse in the long run, than just leaving well enough alone. I was ready to go with whatever he suggested, so I'll just take his advice, not borrow trouble and hope that was a one-off event!

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amicus
Original Author

5 years ago

Thanks for your responses. Forgot to mention that the surgeon told me I'd been triaged low when I went to the ER, since I looked well, and had no pain, fever, nausea, or abnormal blood pressure, when I was seen.

He advised me to just go to an ER promptly if I ever have a recurrence, since my appendix ruptured without all the classic symptoms. He took out a business card and printed a directive on the back of it for Triage, so I would be assessed as urgent, for any abdominal complaints. So it's good to know that will expediate things if I ever need it!

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Comments (12)

User
5 years ago
I appreciate your follow up. Not knowing anything other than "appendicitis is bad", I would have guessed taking it out would be preferred. It's good to get a real experts opinion!
amicus thanked User
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
It sounds to me like a well considered decision. And in a sense you are better off as you are forewarned what to watch for should, in the unlikely event, it happen again. Thanks for filling us in on how it turned out.
amicus thanked Annie Deighnaugh
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yeonassky
5 years ago
Take two.

The website once again stole my comments right out from under me.

So glad your doctor is in your corner and thinking things through on your behalf. Good news that you don't have increased risk after having a ruptured appendix!

Also thanks for the reminder about your symptoms. I've been telling everyone about them. Who would have thought that a sick appendix would show no signs except for a feeling of gassiness and bloatedness at first.
amicus thanked yeonassky
morz8 - Washington Coast
5 years ago
I think given the information from the surgeon, I'd make the same choice as you. Somehow, conservative approach has always worked for me. Your experience was interesting from this end, I'd never heard of appendix behaving in quite that way. But neither can I think of anyone very close to me who has had to have theirs out. I'm glad you are well!
amicus thanked morz8 - Washington Coast
bpath
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
It is nice to be able to make an informed decision. As I said in your first post about it, my son, then 19 and with a very similar case to yours, opted ultimately to have his removed. His chances of recurrence were higher than yours, he did not have scar tissue, and it could be removed laparoscopically.

I’m so glad you’ve recovered and do not have to have surgery!
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Alisande
5 years ago
Makes sense. Surgeons seem to be especially good at explaining things. Good surgeons, that is.
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chisue
5 years ago
Glad to read your follow-up -- on your follow-up with the surgeon -- and glad you can leave this all behind you with no further surgery.
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Anna
5 years ago
This is good news. Glad you are ok and that the decision was easy to make.
samkarenorkaren
5 years ago
Happy to hear your doing
bpath
5 years ago
Keep that business card with your insurance card in your wallet, and keep an image of it on your phone, too.. You don't want to be looking in your files for it when minutes count.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I am so glad all this is behind you, amicus. Good thing you have the card from the surgeon.

That looking well bit at triage is a bummer for me. I went to the hospital dialated to 7cm and the nurses at check in asked my why I was presenting to L&D. I explained how long I had been in labor and was told they would check me, but I looked like I would be going home. No big deal, since I was checked and surprised them by being more than ready to be admitted, but if how I look matters in triage normally in an ED, then I would have to be very near death to let it show, it's just the way I was brought up. My upper lip is quite stiff. And these pain scales don't work for me either. Pain to the level of 10 means what exactly?

Follow up to my atypical ruptured appendix post

amicus
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Annie Deighnaugh

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Follow up to my atypical ruptured appendix post

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amicus
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