What is normal after an appendectomy???

[walanton]

Two months ago I had my appendix removed... My symptoms were; a strong non-stop pain in the front and back of my right side... After the surgery the pain was intolerant... I felt a weird sensation as if I had some kind of creature moving inside ... I asked my surgeon if that was normal and he explained that it was gas... Ever since I have not been feeling like myself... I have a lot of abdominal pain, my bowel movement is not normal ( ), I can't cough or sneeze because it still hurts around my scar area, and what frightens me the most is that, I have not seen a menstrual period after my surgery. Is this normal?????

What you describe sounds normal for a post appy recovery including the missing period and pain on cough/sneezze... but at 8+ weeks post op I would suspect your bowels would be getting back to normal. So long as you are getting better and not worse I wouldn't be overly concerned. But if you feel like you are actually worse I'd go to the doctor for a consult.

In the interim drink lots of water and ensure you are getting lots of soluable fibre in your diet, as that will help regulate the bowels.

good luck

[walanton]

Kenneth thanks!!! I feel a bit less worried...

[bboberg]

I got my period a few day after my appy. At first the nurse wasn't sure what was causing my urine to change color, but then we fiigured it out together. Because I was still sore from the appy, I couldn't tell I had other cramps, because they seemed the same. Gas cramps and menstrual cramps are hard to differentiate after this kind of operation. Bowels DO return to normal after about 4 or 5 weeks, most definitely by 6 weeks. I hope this helps.

[walanton]

I do feel better, but not 100%... So I must go see a doc ASAP!!!

I had a rough time with my open appendendectomy.The surgeons removed an ovary and a fallopian tube also. My period was like clockwork. I had my next right on time. To the day!! It was a little eerie, I realized how mechanical our bodies are . I would definitely mention your lack of periods to a doctor. Are you on birth control, maybe that makes a difference? I don't know. But there is nothing wrong with questions or follow up. It only hurt me to cough for about 2 weeks afterwards. I hope they showed you the pillow trick, it helped. Good luck!

[beten koev]

I recovered very slowly after my lap appy removing a gangrenous appendix 3 months ago. Two weeks post surgery I was back in the ER with acute abdominal pain. I was sent home with pain meds after a CT did not reveal any infection or obstructions. Over the next few days I had daily episodes of debilitating pain. Upon follow-up with my surgeon I was admitted for 9 days. All blood test, scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs were normal. Pain resolved during last 2 days of hospital stay and I was discharged. Pain returned a week and half later and has been episodic ever since. There are times I can go for up to a week pain-free, but usually every few days I experience an episode. In the last 3 weeks, I've had more persistent pain with accompanying neuro-type symptoms--muscle weakness, muscle pain, numbness in toes and fingers. I've followed up with my internist, neurologists, rheumatologist, and GI specialist. I was admitted for 5 more days by a GI specialist at another hospital. They ran ever test available in a short amount of time. The tests themselves induced some excruciating episodes of pain. Every test was normal. I was discharged with a diagnosis of IBS which I feel frustrated about because it seems to be a catch-all diagnosis that doesn't match many of my symptoms. What could be going on? With each of these episodes I experience extreme fatigue. At times the abdominal pain and nausea are worse and at times the muscle weakness is more predominent. Anybody experience anything similar? any ideas of where to go to next or do I just give up and deal with the fact that I will have to treat/cover up the symptoms for some undefined long-term future?

[garbovatwin]

[QUOTE=beten koev;5238] Anybody experience anything similar? any ideas of where to go to next or do I just give up and deal with the fact that I will have to treat/cover up the symptoms for some undefined long-term future?[/QUOTE]

Adhesions. The problem EVERY surgery creates in EVERY patient to some degree. They begin forming the instant the first cut opens the peritoneum. Is this a possibility they have considered, since the medical profession chooses not to discuss them. They do not list them as a surgical risk, because they CANNOT be avoided.

I had a friend with a similar experience to yours, and she finally found a surgeon who discovered it was the scar tissue that had her cecum attached to the small intestine, like a cobweb of scar tissue, and even the slightest movement was painful. A lap surgery to unbind the scar tissue in her case has helped. But, surgery to remove adhesions may very well produce more severe adhesions.

I hope you find out what it is soon and get back to some assemblance of a normal pain free existence.

g.t.

[violoncello]

I had my appendix removed a week ago, it was gangranous, and ruptured. I have been experiancing lower back pain in my lower right side. I went to the ER because I thought it might be a kidney infection. They did a urine culture, blood sample, and a CAT Scan. The surgeons told me that I had tiny absesses, and gave me anti-biotics. I still have this lower back pain, it hurts to yawn, or breath deeply. My urine is clear, and I don't have a fever. I feel as if the surgeons over looked this, and am scared that this could be serious. Is this pain normal??

[ijq]

this is week 3 after traditional open sugery stitches removed after 10 days post op.
my wound is dry and clean.

i need to know how long you need to cover you wound with dressing or is there any possibility of infection after 2 weeks.

can i use any ointment like iodine to clean wound before new dressing.

please note i am still covering my wound with dressing to avoid friction with clothes
should i uncover my wound and leave it open as both skin end are joined together

please reply quickly

IJQ