To ask if this is normal after an appendectomy?

[wheresmyappendixgone]

I had my appendix out last week. It wasn’t too bad, just inflamed so they whipped it out. Recovery has been ok, just some pain and constipation but that’s sorted now. I’m on day 3 of cutting back on my tramadol (not sure if that’s relevant but just including everything) and for the last two days I’ve had real problems weeing.

I can do it, but it takes ages to start. I spoke to my doctor today who tested for a UTI and didn’t seem overly concerned, but now it’s gotten to the stage where I can hardly wee at all, just a few drops after a minute or two of straining. I can’t find much info online about whether this is normal (I also had similar problems when my appendix was inflamed) and I was given no aftercare info from my hospital. Can anyone share if this has happened to them? Thank you!

Oh and there is also a burning sensation and some pain. I don’t know if I had a catheter in during the op, I was told very little about what actually happened as the surgeon gave me about ten seconds the next day at 7am so I was a bit bleary eyed. Could there still be bruising after nearly 10 days?

No it’s not normal and you need to be seen sap. Can you phone the ward to speak to the consultant? If not I would phone out of hours now. My son had this after an appendectomy and it nearly ended very badly indeed for him. Get seen to asap

I had this a few days after a long op on my leg. My bladder fell asleep. Not being able to wee is a medical emergency.

I'd just go to a&e now tbh - hopefully a quiet time and it's definitely urgent if you can only pass a few drops from a full bladder, with no signs of infection.

Its a BIG problem. If it goes on too long (like more than 6/8 hours depending on how much you are drinking) you can end up with a burst bladder. That is not fixable. Please go to A and E tonight

I had an appendectomy while pregnant. 3 inch scar. Zero issues with urinating. Call 111 now!

I was told to go to A&E when I rang the hospital. I did. I was on another catheter for a couple of days.

Tramadol can cause retention of urine. I found this with Naproxen and as soon as I stopped taking it, it was all back to normal.

I was about to say, the Tramadol could be the issue. I'd ring 111 though, just to be on the safe side.

How long were you taking Tramadol for? I've been taking it for years and urinary retention is a known side effect.

Please seek help from A&E or 111 now. Not being able to pee is a sign of sepsis, which can be life threatening.

Please go now. It is a medical emergency. Sepsis aside, your kidneys can be damaged by the urine backing up.

Thanks everyone for the advice, I fell asleep sorry. I can go a tiny bit more now but still v difficult and sore so I’ll be calling my doctor as soon as they open.

Was totally discharged from hospital and told to go through GP, not given any numbers and was just on a general ward so I think GP is my best first stop. I was wondering if it could be tramadol, I’ll try and stop it today (meant to be doing that tomorrow anyway) once I’ve checked with the doctor.

Just to add thay whether it's related to the appendix or not, it's definitely not right! I feel like saying 'promise us you'll get seen this morning?!'

I will definitely call the dr, they open in twenty minutes and have been v good af helping me post op so hopefully I’ll get seen. Reading up a bit I’m sure it must be tramadol but it’s probably best to call rather than just stopping and waiting to see what happens? I’ll stop anyway, it’s almost time, but seeing burst bladder has scared me a bit!

Sorry I was half asleep when I wrote update - I think I can properly wee now but it’s very stop start and really difficult to get going, but it feels like I’ve emptied my bladder

Did the doctor help you

They’re going to call me sometime this morning to discuss it, I’ll let you know what they say

Being able to wee is pretty vital! Hope you get sorted!

Hope the GP helps you, dont let them dismiss it as unimportant. If you are able to keep peeing a little at a time, try and think of things you can do to help you wee. Maybe sitting in a bath of warm water (I know, but you can wash with fresh water afterwards) or in the shower. Maybe a hot pack on your bladder area to relax the muscles, anything you can think of really.

Its not normal no. After I had mine out I ended up with a nasty infection so dont let them brush you off. (It was worse than the appendix!)

My doctor is amazing, she listened to every symptom (different one from yesterday who was also lovely), I’m having another UTI test done ASAP and then if that’s clear they want to see me to examine me. I’m being taken very seriously

I had this when taking tramadol. Went back to normal once I stopped. Sorry OP, it's very uncomfortable isn't it. I hope you get it sorted

I’ve completely stopped the tramadol now so hopefully symptoms will ease. I’m having swearing and breathlessness when I walk around which were my symptoms before it came out but hopefully it’s just because of pain and nothing sinister. Thanks everyone for telling me experiences, just hoping it’s nothing but the doom and gloom part of me has packed a wash bag just incase I have to go anywhere..!

Swearing..! Sweating, sweating when I walk around