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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That people in their 50s don't get appendicitis?

99 replies

lolaflores · 11/02/2023 18:10

Pain in my right side. NOt unbearable pain but bloody uncomfortable. Like a knot just beside my pelvis.
Been coming and going for a week.
Had gallbladder out December. Surgeon told me I Have loads of adhesions around the general area.

But I keep thinking, it's not my appendix is it? At 55?
No temperature.
No appetite but no vomiting.
I'm buggered if I know what to do but AIBU to think I'm too old for appendix?
And I love hearing peoples appendix legends and stories so feel free to chip in.

OP posts:
Wishimaywishimight · 11/02/2023 19:57

I was 44 when I got appendicitis, presumably it can happen at any age.

knitpicker · 11/02/2023 19:58

Is the pain under your ribs on the right hand side? Could you have fatty liver? I get sharp pains with this - one of a number of vague symptoms

Wishimaywishimight · 11/02/2023 20:02

OP, you are being silly, of course they won't say you are too old! I went to my GP with pain that, to me, felt like a kidney infection. He sent me to A & E "to rule out appendicitis".

I was operated on the following morning. Surgeon told me my appendix was gangrenous and that they had been "very concerned" about me. I was in hospital for 9 days as I got am infection afterwards. A burst appendix can be fatal!

Cherms · 11/02/2023 20:02

DH in his 40s had appendicitis and had it out

DMIL in her 80s had appendicitis and had medication that settled it down and she didn't have to have it out.

Appendicitis happens at any age sorry!

Mariposista · 11/02/2023 20:04

My mother’s friend had it almost 70. Dismissed it as food poisoning and it almost ruptured. If you are in the slightest doubt get to a doctor, it’s horrible.

RedRosie · 11/02/2023 20:11

@EilonwyWithRedGoldHair mine was diagnosed very quickly with a CT scan (my local London hospital has a scanner in A&E). So I guess it depends on the hospital?

AlanisInMorissons · 11/02/2023 20:12

Mine burst at 48.

greysparkly · 11/02/2023 20:15

My aunt had it at 79.

You probably need to go to A&e

Curlysusie · 11/02/2023 20:16

If you've got pain you can get medial advice, you don't need to self diagnose beforehand

plominoagain · 11/02/2023 20:18

I went to hospital at 51 with suspect appendicitis. Turned out to be diverticulitis instead , the two are apparently often similar in pain

EmmaEmerald · 11/02/2023 20:19

Go to A&E before the drunk injuries start. You've had recent surgery, you need to go I think. Sorry.

Original poster
lolaflores · 11/02/2023 20:21

knitpicker · 11/02/2023 19:58

Is the pain under your ribs on the right hand side? Could you have fatty liver? I get sharp pains with this - one of a number of vague symptoms

As it happens I do have a fatty liver which the surgeon commented on.

OP posts:
Original poster
lolaflores · 11/02/2023 20:25

OK. I think there's enough evidence that age isn't just a number in this case.

OP posts:
Violinist64 · 11/02/2023 20:30

My uncle had appendicitis when he was eighty. His doctor told him that he had. had another patient in his eighties and one in his nineties with it that week. Please get yourself checked out.

birdglasspen · 11/02/2023 20:31

When I had it the pain got worse and worse and I was being sick if I moved too much, it can grumble so you may have pain that goes away but eventually comes back, I’m sure there is a test about it being sore or not when poked or let go…Google it. I was sure I just had food poisoning. I was 19weeks pregnant, glad I got it taken out when I did! I couldn’t have scan they just had to open up and check, but you’d get a scan.

MarieInternette · 11/02/2023 20:32

My husband had his out age 57. Very sudden onset with no previous issues. His symptoms were severe pain on that side of his stomach, bloating and vomiting.

SunbathingDragon · 11/02/2023 20:33

You’re not too old. Can you hop? Where did the pain originate? Was it in the centre moving right? I’d get it checked out.

Original poster
lolaflores · 11/02/2023 20:47

I did a hop and it was fine. Pain has always been in my side. Never moved about. It's like it's sitting at the top boney bit of my pelvis. Not bloated not vomiting no temp. I'm having tests next week to see what's going on the surgeon who did the gall bladder is going to take a look and see what he thinks. I'll get myself looked at in the meantime.

OP posts:
SunbathingDragon · 11/02/2023 20:54

Doesn’t sound like appendicitis but don’t ever rule things out based on your age. I hope you get some answers from the tests and the pain goes very soon.

Changedmymindtoday · 11/02/2023 20:55

Press down on your lower right (your right looking down) then lift your hand/fingers quickly, like bounce them off.

if it hurts like a mother f**ker it’s your appendix.

I had mine out in July!ouchies!

Original poster
lolaflores · 11/02/2023 21:11

No bouncey pain. And abdomen is soft.

OP posts:
YaWeeSkitter · 11/02/2023 21:14

When I was in my mid 40s I had a sudden pain one evening. It was in the centre of my lower stomach /below belly button area. It was more of an intense awareness of the area rather than actual pain. I had a couple of paracetomol in my hand all night but didnt need to use them . I saw my GP next morning ( remember those heady days of quick access to a GP? ) and she diagnosed appendicitis after an examination. I was sent to A&E and then admitted to the ward and had an operation within hours.
I wasnt surprised to have appendicitis in my 40s as my slightky older BIL had it 3 weeks earlier.

Eyre89 · 11/02/2023 21:17

Mt mil had it at the same age roughly

containsnuts · 11/02/2023 21:22

I once had a urinary tract infection and the only symptom was thobbing, burning pain in the lower right side.

knitpicker · 11/02/2023 21:28

lolaflores · 11/02/2023 20:21

As it happens I do have a fatty liver which the surgeon commented on.

Show quote history

I put my money on fatty liver then 😅