Appendicitis? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

jlr1701 · 07-14-2004, 05:04 PM

I am wondering if I might have appendicitis. There is sharp pain in my lower right side. It's not sharp to the touch, but if I press on one particular area it hurts BAD. This is below my navel on the right side above the inside of my hip (hope that's descriptive enough). The pain can be severe when I walk, but it doesn't hurt all the time. My right side just doesn't feel "normal". It feels bloated and swollen, although it looks fine. I have been unusually constipated, mildly nauseated (especially after meals), and I have had a LOT of gas, especially the other night. I ate some high-fiber muffins that day, but I doubt that's the cause of that much gas. I am a vegetarian and I eat a high fiber diet anyway.

I have also been running a low grade fever off and on over the last couple of weeks or so, and I have been unusually tired.

Does this sound anything like appendicitis? Is appendicitis something that develops slowly or can last this long without becoming acute or not? The reason I ask is that I have had pain (but not the other symptoms) in this area before, but it's been a while.

Thanks,
Jeff

janson · 07-15-2004, 08:30 AM

Location of your pain is perfectly right for appendicitis. Temperature and nausea go with it too. The disease with bad pains and vomiting usually develops fast but overall course from the beggining can take weeks or months. Pain becomes more localised when abdominal membrane lying above appendix becomes inflammed and this is referred as acute appendicitis.

But it can be anything. I think it can only be said that probably there is an infection in the bowel. (Crohn, UC, diverticulitis are all possible and are more chronic...).

isolated one · 07-15-2004, 10:56 AM

Appendicitis can flare up from time to time in some people and the symptoms go way on their own. This is a serious sign that the appendix need to come out because, sooner or later, the result will be a serious attack of the more common acute appendicitis. I learned this the hard way and finally had mine taken out after going to the ER.

feelbad · 07-16-2004, 05:35 AM

One of the hallmark signs that will tell you if this is appendicitis is rebound tenderness.If you push down on that area and let go,if the pain is worse when you let go than it is when you push down,it is more than likey the appendix that is the problem.But either way, it sounds like you need to be checked out by a doc as soon as possible as what you are describing is far from normal.it could be many different things.Hope this helps.Marcia

auntjudyg · 07-16-2004, 07:39 AM

There are other possibilities . . . I had diverticulitis pains on the right side. In any event, with the low grade fever on top of the pains, I would be heading for to the doctor's office about now. Good luck!