Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS appendicitis nightmare

58 replies

Nolongerokay · 14/01/2024 23:35

I'm desperate and don't know where else to turn.
My husband (60yrs old) had abdominal pains on Thursday (4 days ago now) and put it down to something he ate. Very reluctant to be struck down by pain, hard worker, so I suspect he's been uncomfortable longer.

On Saturday morning (yesterday at 10am), we went to the a&e when he was doubled-over in pain that was worsening. After practically begging to doctor to do a blood test before they sent him home (they said his vitals don't show elevated pain markers and they'd give him antibiotics just in case it was appendicitis), they found the infection markers very elevated. They also did a CT scan.
The surgery team said he is not to go home and processed him to be admitted for surgery. This was 6pm so we were there for 8hrs at first, waiting around for tests, etc

That was yesterday. They've been giving him morphine every 4 hours for the pain and IV fluids because he can't eat or drink anything before the surgery which was supposed to be last night. Other emergencies came in so it was pushed to this morning. We've waited all day today, no surgery, just lying in the bed. So he hasn't had anything to eat or drink for 48hrs now.

They were hoping the surgery would be tonight before 10pm at very latest but another emergency took his slot so they said it will be tomorrow now. I've been kicked out of the ward and I'm home.

Does anyone have experience of appendicitis in adulthood? Aren't they afraid it will rupture and cause bigger complications? I'm terrified and can't sleep. Aibu to think this is really bad?
What can I do please? Please help!

OP posts:
MaloneMeadow · 15/01/2024 00:08

If nothing is sorted by morning then put a complaint in to PALS. So sorry your poor DH is having to go through this, it’s just not good enough and quite frankly scary how much our NHS has deteriorated

mefornow · 15/01/2024 00:17

I had appendicitis as an adult…. Lay curled up in bed for a few days first before being forced to GPs and then hospital by my husband & doctor. Then had to wait a couple more days for surgery. Whilst there is of course a chance it can rupture etc. he is in the care of professionals who are making an informed judgement of those risks. Whilst I completely agree and would not want anyone to wait, the unfortunate fact remains that with only so many theatres and surgeons etc…. Sometimes, someone has to wait. If your husbands condition changes then they will react accordingly and manage his care. Try not to worry and fingers crossed for speedy surgery and recovery

TheShellBeach · 15/01/2024 00:17

If he hasn't had anything to drink, as long as he's got i/v fluids going, that won't matter.

Not eating is also not a problem for a few days.

It's awful that they haven't performed the surgery yet though.

I hope he gets it done tomorrow.

Outthedoor24 · 15/01/2024 01:39

I was 28 and mine did rupture. Nothing some antibiotics couldn't sort out.

He's in the best hands

coxesorangepippin · 15/01/2024 02:44

Any news op? Has he been seen?

Holding hands 💐

Myhubbyisasweetheart · 15/01/2024 03:12

Yes - they did surgery and removed it.

NaughtybutNice77 · 15/01/2024 03:27

Whilst I have sympathy for you and your husband it seems reasonable to assume that the non elective surgery that 'trumped' your husbands was more urgent.
If what you are really saying is that the state of the NHS is dismal atm that's more of a political state than a complaint against the hospital and should be handled as such.

Spomsored · 15/01/2024 03:34

My DH had his appendix removed during Covid - he was 63 at the time. He was in lots of pain, very inflamed, emergency operation. His recovery was good despite him being unfit and overweight.

I am so sorry your DH's operation keeps being pushed back. All I can say is that in some way that's a positive because his condition is less critical than others. Doesn't help with the stress and pain he is in, though. Keep pushing and hopefully he gets to theatre soon.

HoppingPavlova · 15/01/2024 03:41

The positive is, if it ruptures then he is in exactly the right place. Also, he then leapfrogs up the list. Thats how it works. They will do a clean out and give antibiotics and he’ll be fine. I always see it as a positive if you are not being rushed into theatre, it’s when you are you need to worry.

Nonplusultra · 15/01/2024 06:27

During Covid appendicitis was treated with antibiotics instead of surgery in many hospitals. They reverted to surgery because they found many cases had recurrence after several months. But because it can be treated with antibiotics in the short term, it’s not as high priority for surgery lists.

Try and forget any fictionalised information you’ve seen or read about appendicitis. Right now he is being treated and his pain in being managed.

return2sender · 15/01/2024 06:33

I had appendicitis whilst pregnant with DD during Covid. It took two visits, the second which I took into my own hands and called a colleague. Within 4 hours of being admitted the second time I had surgery. They were initially going to treat with IV antibiotics but it had started to rupture.

Your DH is in the right place. Hopefully he will have surgery today. I really feel for him, it is an awful pain. Much much worse than labour. Hope he is feeling better soon

LisaD1 · 15/01/2024 06:42

I had emergency surgery 3 years ago in similar situation. I had done my best to ignore it (genuinely never felt pain like it but hate bothering dr/hospital), eventually called 111 who gave me 30 mins to book into hospital or they would send an ambulance. First nurse I saw was very dismissive and rude, I collapsed whilst returning to my husbands car. Was admitted and put on morphine. They took bloods and a CT scan, Had surgery the following day (this was during the Easter Bank holiday), they then struggled to bring my infection markers under control so I was in for another 3 days. I recovered well, scarring is minimal.

Your DH is in the best place, I hope they get to him today, the weekends are often chaos in hospitals.

Setyoufree · 15/01/2024 06:43

He will be ok. He's in the right place, they're monitoring him, he'll get his surgery. If it ruptures, they'll be on it quickly and make sure he's ok.

I've had it as an adult, had very similar treatment to your DH in that a&e sent me home, had to go back in, I was left on a ward for days and then eventually rushed in for emergency surgery. All was ok, please try not to worry

ZellyFitzgerald · 15/01/2024 06:52

This exact situation happened with my 12 year old in the summer.

Diagnosed appendicitis, but constantly delayed due to other emergencies.

My son was terrified and hungry as they had kept him starved for two days.

I was afraid of it rupturing so I complained and got PALS involved and suddenly they found space for him in the theatre.

They will keep delaying as there is always another emergency, but a ruptured appendix is worse to treat so I would speak to PALS asap and I'm sure he'll move up the list.

Good luck x

P

Citylady88 · 15/01/2024 07:06

I spent about 4 days waiting for a diagnosis of appendicitis by the NHS & by the time they operated it had raptured. I was in a lot of pain & afterwards was taken off of drip etc too quickly which made me feel worse&resulted in extra time in hospital. But there were no complications from the rupture.

TheLogicalSong · 15/01/2024 07:11

This happened to my sister - she spent the waiting time on a trolley in a corridor because there were no ward beds. She was fine when her appendix was finally removed.

Original poster
Nolongerokay · 15/01/2024 07:12

Thank you all for your replies especially your own experiences. Sorry for the late reply, I've been trying to work and getting our grandsons sorted for school. I guess it's the not knowing that is the problem.
It's quite all scary not knowing what to expect. Also, I didn't think this is an elective operation since it's appendicitis.

I wanted to ask why they won't let him eat if some people do it as emergency surgery after eating and drinking? I know he doesn't have to eat if he's on IV fluids and not eating is okay. I'm just curious.

I really hope they sort him today.

OP posts:
Bainbridgemews · 15/01/2024 07:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Jifmicroliquid · 15/01/2024 07:18

Please escalate this. Last year my elderly neighbour was rushed in with appendicitis and he ended up dying on a trolley in the corridor because he was left for too long and his leaking appendix (that they had missed) shut his organs down.
His wife has been too traumatised to do anything about it. But yes, these things do happen.

Original poster
Nolongerokay · 15/01/2024 07:18

@Bainbridgemews no, I haven't had a name change fail.
@Myhubbyisasweetheart is another poster sharing their experience. I'm still here, waiting for my own to be sorted!
They've moved him to another ward now for space where I can't visit till afternoon. I had taken time off work to take him some things. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

OP posts:
Wishiwasatailor · 15/01/2024 07:21

@Nolongerokay if you come in and need immediate lifesaving surgery it outweighs the risk of aspirating. In your husbands case they know he needs surgery and the risk of him aspirating can be eliminated by keeping him nil by mouth.

EssexSunshine · 15/01/2024 07:23

Hope he gets seen soon OP, I had appendicitis in March 2022.
I had a newborn baby who I was breastfeeding but luckily could and would take a bottle, she wasn’t allowed to come into the ward so I could feed her, this was when we still had bloody covid restrictions.

I had my appendix removed and went home 2-3 days after being admitted as my blood pressure kept dropping.

Hopefully he’ll have it removed soon and soon be on the mend.

DuckDuckGoose23 · 15/01/2024 07:26

They won’t let him eat/drink because it increases the risk of aspiration (where the stomach contents come back up and then go into the lungs) when you’re under anaesthesia.
In cases of emergency surgery it might be decided that the benefits of doing the surgery immediately outweigh the risks (i.e. it’s more dangerous for the patient to delay the surgery than the risk of aspiration). However, for elective/non-emergency surgery it’s safest for the patient to be nil by mouth for a few hours beforehand.

I hope they manage to get your husband in soon and he has a quick recovery!

BorisIsACuntWaffle · 15/01/2024 07:27

@Nolongerokay I had similar experience as a very young, fit and healthy adult. (Fri admission, Sunday night op)
It's longer when it's a weekend as fewer staff available.
Mine burst and I had to have open surgery rather than keyhole. Peritonitis. Was awful. 5 days in hospital and a month off work.
Hope he feels better soon

supercalifragilistic123 · 15/01/2024 07:32

It is a difficult job to prioritise emergency surgery and most hospitals will only operate overnight if it is life or limb threatening, as it is much less safe due to skeleton staff being available.
I hope he gets his surgery today.