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Original poster

In A&E with DD....suspected appendicitis

32 replies

MysteriousShopper · 14/09/2023 14:31

DD (18) has had abdominal pain since yesterday afternoon, almost in tears at times overnight but it wasn't constant. GP offered an appointment at 3pm but after discussion advised to go straight to A &E. She has had bloods done abs seem the doc who thinks it might be her appendix, waiting to see surgical team now which could be hours.
It's crazy busy here.

OP posts:
AlwaysFreezing · 14/09/2023 14:34

Hopefully she'll be sorted quickly.

Did you pack plenty of snacks, drinks and things to do? And chargers!

Has she had any pain relief?

Original poster
MysteriousShopper · 14/09/2023 15:26

I came prepared with charges and snacks!
Just seen the surgical registrar who wants an ultrasound next.

OP posts:
Original poster
MysteriousShopper · 14/09/2023 15:27

She has had pain relief

OP posts:

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mumonthehill · 14/09/2023 15:41

Ds had it at 17 other ds at 14, it is a quick operation and should be keyhole. Both were in some pain but recovered quickly and out of hospital in 24 hours. Just make sure they look after her pain. Hope all goes well.

AmandaHoldensLips · 14/09/2023 15:46

Keep a close eye on and advocate for her. Don't assume that the staff know best. Depending on what hospital you are in, you might have to shout loudly to be heard and to receive the care she needs.

Natsku · 14/09/2023 15:50

Hope you don't have to wait for hours and she isn't in too much pain now she's had pain relief. I remember when I had appendicitis the pain meds didn't help enough (but I did have a baby inside me kicking everything which didn't help!)

LifeIsPeachy8 · 14/09/2023 15:54

@AmandaHoldensLips This is very good advice.

Appendicitis is very easy to mis-diagnose, you know your DD best so do not be fobbed off.

Original poster
MysteriousShopper · 14/09/2023 16:55

I'm well used to advocating for relatives! (Unfortunately). I'm keeping a close eye on her.
She has had an ultrasound and we are waiting to see the surgeon.

OP posts:
sm40 · 14/09/2023 16:58

Dd she walk with a funny old man's stoop? Classic sign of appendicitis.

SeptemberGrumpiness · 14/09/2023 17:55

Watching this thread with interest! DD11 had signs of a classic stomach bug last Wednesday (D&V), so expected her to recover after 3 - days max. She got better on Sunday, school on Monday - came home in pain again, and hasn't been out of bed since (and she's usually a right live wire). Temperature occasionally goes up to about 38c. No more sickness, but bowels seems to totally empty every 3 days. Referred to hospital by our really brilliant doctors surgery, urine test and blood tests clear. Ultrasound said "not unusually inflamed" so that's clear but she's still in pain. It doesn't get better but occasionally gets a bit worse but then calms down. Hospital saying her stomach glands are inflamed so that's causing the pain. Hospital doctor made me feel like I was exaggerating, said you can't walk upright with appendicitis, and DD has classic virus symptoms.

Not sure what to do.. wait and see? Trust them? Is a scan conclusive?

So interested to see how this thread turns out.

GoldenKiwi · 14/09/2023 17:59

My DD had it a couple of years ago.

Hugs. The wait for surgery is not fun but she is in the right place and they will take care of her.

My DD couldn't have keyhole surgery but felt much better straightaway, and was up and about back at school after two weeks. It will be much quicker for your dd if she has keyhole.

trevthecat · 14/09/2023 18:02

I had mine out just before covid. So painful but the op was quick and recovery was sore but ok. Hope she is seen soon and admitted

Natsku · 14/09/2023 18:07

SeptemberGrumpiness · 14/09/2023 17:55

Watching this thread with interest! DD11 had signs of a classic stomach bug last Wednesday (D&V), so expected her to recover after 3 - days max. She got better on Sunday, school on Monday - came home in pain again, and hasn't been out of bed since (and she's usually a right live wire). Temperature occasionally goes up to about 38c. No more sickness, but bowels seems to totally empty every 3 days. Referred to hospital by our really brilliant doctors surgery, urine test and blood tests clear. Ultrasound said "not unusually inflamed" so that's clear but she's still in pain. It doesn't get better but occasionally gets a bit worse but then calms down. Hospital saying her stomach glands are inflamed so that's causing the pain. Hospital doctor made me feel like I was exaggerating, said you can't walk upright with appendicitis, and DD has classic virus symptoms.

Not sure what to do.. wait and see? Trust them? Is a scan conclusive?

So interested to see how this thread turns out.

It took an MRI to diagnose my appendicitis, the other scans I had just didn't show it clearly enough, so I wouldn't say a scan is definitely conclusive but if her blood tests don't have signs of inflammation (high CRP) then it does sound more likely to be a virus. But I'd have a low threshold for going back to the hospital.

Original poster
MysteriousShopper · 14/09/2023 19:24

Her infection markers were high and the ultrasound confirmed the appendix was inflamed.
Consent has been signed, waiting for a bed on the surgical admissions unit. Surgery should be tonight.

OP posts:
pointythings · 14/09/2023 19:32

Sending recovery vibes to your DD. If it's keyhole she'll be home tomorrow, but recovery will still take a while - the GA by itself takes some time to come back from and she'll be in pain.

On the other hand you get to wind her up about having three belly buttons.

Iliketulips · 14/09/2023 20:18

Hope it goes well, OP. My DD was admitted about 15 years ago with suspected appendicitis. Her personal symptoms were pain, sicking which was clear grass green and I put a thermometer on the inside of her right thigh which went up to 41c - just stating this in hope it helps others. Ultrasound wasn't carried out in those days, but doctor said she was a very strong case for appendicitis.

Like your DD she had a late evening operation. She went down about 8pm and we were called to recovery around 10.40pm - it might be different for you as your DD is an adult. Her appendix was badly infected though so operation took longer. It wasn't keyhole either.

The take took good care of her afterwards, checking on her every 30mins during the night. Even at her age she had a button to press which would adminster morphine (they can't overdose on it) to help with the pain.

Unfortunately DD was in hospital four days as she seemingly had no appetite, then a skin infection which they couldn't identify. I suspect lack of appetite was the awful food (even I couldn't stomach the meals she rejected).

Catsfrontbum · 14/09/2023 20:21

DE had his out last year. Very very straightforward op with a quick recovery.

best of luck and love.

ds was so thirsty post op and craved cold fizzy water and watermelon.

Catsfrontbum · 14/09/2023 20:21

I was also allowed to sleep overnight in his room with him post op.

SeptemberGrumpiness · 14/09/2023 20:48

Hope it all goes well, and she has a quick recovery x

Original poster
MysteriousShopper · 14/09/2023 23:54

She is in theatre now......I waiting fir a call.
All being well surgeon expects to discharge her lunchtime tomorrow

OP posts:
crumblingschools · 15/09/2023 00:01

Hope she recovers well.

Had mine out years ago when I was 16, no such thing as keyhole surgery then. And they didn’t use scans either. Used to do a rectal exam 😱 Much more sophisticated nowadays

thaegumathteth · 15/09/2023 00:05

Hope she has a quick recovery

301963Laurie · 15/09/2023 00:19

My son had appendicitis during his ALevel mocks 😳He recovered really well and back at school after a week! He was revising on the hospital ward .
Hope your daughter up and running very soon.X

Natsku · 15/09/2023 05:13

Hope she has a swift recovery. I got a nasty infection after mine so recovery was long but mine got left too long, sounds like they are being very swift dealing with your daughter so hopefully no issues like that.

Mariposista · 15/09/2023 05:31

Poor girl. Well done you for advocating for her and being such a fantastic mum.

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