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!

Sweating and breathlessness can be signs of infection though. Do you have a fever? I'd have a whole bag sorted, just in case they need to admit you. Fingers crossed they won't need to. At least the weeing is going in the right direction!

Do you have a fever or chills? Any chest heaviness or achy arms or sore neck? If you sit down and take a deep breath, can you breath easily or is it tight ? Im wondering if you need a covid test....... or something else

I’m in a&e now, was told to call an ambulance but everything looked normal but I feel so unwell and my doctor really wanted me to be seen by hospital so they advised me to go independently. I also do have a UTI

Hope they get you sorted ASAP and that you’ll soon be feeling much better

Ask them if it could be Sepsis.

So glad you are in hospital. Sending you a hug.

If you can write down what they tell you, its amazing how quickly you forget stuff when you are unwell.

I hope they get to the bottom of it and you are feeling better soon

I’m on an antibiotic and fluid drip, they’ve done full ecg, bladder scan and are waiting for surgery to come and see me to check me over to make sure it’s unrelated. They’re thinking kidney infection. I’m starting to feel a bit better now, thanks so much for talking sense into me

So glad you're there. You should have been sent to A&E at the first, not just 'no UTI so go home' as you are susceptible to infection after surgery and not just in your urinary tract.

I’m a bit confused..I’ve been given IV antibiotics but my bloods are normal and the surgical team don’t think I have any related infection. Didn’t get definite answer on UTI so am coming back for UTI tomorrow. I feel so much better for fluids and antibiotics

Sorry coming back for ULTRASOUND. I’m a bit dopey!

That is strange your bloods are normal, do you know what they tested you for?

Glad you are feeling better, keep pushing them to work it out...

Did they do a covid test?

Have they sent you home, or kept you in? If you are at home and start to get worse, go right back to A and E and dont wait around at home

If you have any trouble urinating, go back to A&E. You should not be straining at all. When I had this my surgeon actually rang back himself (it was in another country) and told me I had to go to A&E. I had to have a catheter inserted. Straining is a bad sign so if you're straining, go back in.

Ok I’ll keep that in mind. Only being seen by the surgeon was a bit weird because obviously I got no answers except “it’s not your operation” but I honestly felt so unwell that I just don’t understand what it was? As soon as I had the drip go in and finished that I felt so much better. I have my ultrasound tomorrow so hopefully some answers there. Also where it was so loud, there was a woman on a nebuliser and someone else talking to another consultant next to me that I found it hard to take it in and didn’t even have time to double check as the surgeon finished with me as quickly as he could (obviously he’s busy) but I just feel a bit puzzled?

I am feeling much improved though so I’m glad I went, just feel like I wasted everyone’s time. Good old guilt..

Of course you haven’t wasted any one’s time ! Something’s not right , because now you’re in hospital and being treated , you feel better . Bugger the guilt . FWIW however , this time a week ago I was saying the same thing . I was still saying it as they whooshed me into a CT machine before threatening me with bowel surgery due to diverticulitis. I’m not saying it now !

Sorry I think I forgot to say but I’m back at home now resting up. Ultrasound back at the hospital tomorrow. I just want to know if I have a UTI because according to the test my GP did I do, but I’ve had one dose of antibiotics and then no further mention..? Surely it’ll get worse by 3pm tomorrow??

Oh no I hope you’re feeling better now and on the mend - that’s similar to me with the original appendix, it wasn’t THAT bad so I was basically shoved into a&e by my mum. Hard to override a bit of British guilt with listening to the fact your body is screaming at you..!!!

OP. How are you doing?

I think I’m finally on the mend. Had absolutely awful day on Wednesday as was sent back for scan and was basically made to walk the length of the v big hospital three times, was in a crowded a&e waiting for results for ages and got so hot and was in so much pain from walking and sitting uncomfortably that I started sobbing. It took eight hours to get the results, they basically think the incision above my bladder was inflamed and pushed down slightly but all fine. Am on antibiotics for the uti.

I was sent to a different a&e unit for the scan and the receptionists kept telling people the other a&e where I’ve been twice now is “Covid a&e” so now I’m totally terrified I’ve picked it up and I live with a vulnerable shielding person. So not been the best two days!!

Oh you poor thing. I hope you start to feel better soon.

I think you should request a Covid test.

I had a dreadful time after my appendix was removed, I was in hospital for a week. It was a couple of years ago now though.

Best of luck with everything 🌷

Thank you! I think I’ll wait a week or two and then request a test (unless I come out with symptoms obviously). I’m sure it’s fine as tbh everything was cleaned so often and you’re kept so far away. And I just need to keep thinking a burst appendix would be just as bad if not worse than Covid so I did the right thing.

I’ve just slept properly for the first time in three weeks so I’m really starting to feel a lot better.

I had something similar after childbirth, I picked up an UTI, probably from being having a catheter in. Apparently it's a very easy way of getting bacteria into your waterworks. Presumably you had a catheter too if you were being operated on? Maybe worth giving a urine sample to the GP?

Sorry, just read the rest of the feed and realise things have progressed somewhat. Hope you get well soon, OP