Post appendix nightmare - anyone got any advice

[Mascarponeandwine]

My 11yo son had his appendix out by keyhole surgery 10 days ago and life has been a nightmare since. In and out of hospital 3 times, now been in since Thursday. He has a wound infection (subcutaneous?) but ultrasound didn’t show a large mass, and his temperament keeps spiking. He’s been on two lots of iv antibiotics but tbh it’s not really making a difference. No preexisting conditions and the doctors can’t work out what’s happening with the temperature spikes. Feels like all this is far worse than the appendix symptoms. Anyone know anything about this - will it ever end?

I agree,my DS was tender and took a good while to get back to normal after his dramas,so unless the temp goes up I wouldn’t be too concerned.Did you ask about the CRP levels?

They didn’t say much when I asked the question about crp levels, except for the levels were as expected after the op. The doctor did say some of the levels they’d measured, but I can’t recalll which levels prelated to which time (was upset at the time)

Suppose I’m just asking that because it’s how I kept track of my sons infection levels,a health persons CRP levels should be nearly imperceptible,but after something like this they would obviously be crazy high (like in the thousands) to start with,and then reduce to nothing as time went on.My surgeon wanted them done every week until he signed him off his service.Have you to go back for follow up appointments?

Follow up appointment at 3 months.

They just said that crp levels were behaving as expected. Would like to know actual levels now I’ve had a chance to think about it.

Calpol has done the trick. Does calpol and nutrients mask temperature spikes?

Nurofen not nutrients

Not sure about the Calpol question but I just wanted to add that my DS was unwell for about three months after having his appendix out. Pain, nausea and lethargy. We were back and forth for tests and scans and all seemed normal, the doctors couldn't advise us at all.

After trawling the internet, I found some people describing the same sort of symptoms and a few people suggested a strong probiotic. We tried it and within a week he was back to his normal self.

It might not be relevant for your DS but just thought I'd mention it in case it helps as there seemed to be little guidance from the medical establishment on the side effects of appendectomy.

Morning,hope his temp held over night.Not sure about the carpool question either,that’s a good point.I would be phoning the ward and asking them about his levels and insisting the gp does repeat bloods.Our hospital wanted to see DS within a few days of discharge to check all this.If I was you I would stamp my feet a little and get them to do these checks.Hope you’re ok,it’s such hard work thinking about all this,and doing all the worrying

How is he today OP? Been thinking of you all x

Hope you have all had a calm night OP

Op a couple of years ago I was really sick and in hospital. Loads of antibiotics and meds. The antibiotics stripped the lining of my bowel and I was in agony. Couldn't walk, stomach always in pain.

A good probiotic and a good dose of vitamin c for a few weeks was amazing. They were talking of key hole surgery to check why I was in so much pain prior. It was my gut and bowel just being so irritated.

Marscapone I believe calpol and or nurofen will reduce a temperature .

Check the calpol label as it seems some calpol is a combination of paracetomol and ibuprofen and some are ibuprofen on it's own .

I think one's intenstines/bowels are really really sensitive to being handled in surgery and the effects can be quite long lasting . And of course the antibiotics will have altered his gut flora .I'd recommend a good pre/probiotic supplement like Udo's .

www.amazon.co.uk/Udos-Choice-Junior-Blend-Probiotics/dp/B0013GAF0K/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?keywords=udo+probiotic+infant&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1549446081&sr=8-4

they have an infant blend as well .

good luck - completely understand about work bringing a tiny bit of normality/respite !

Thank you I will ask about probiotic in Holland & Barrett tomorrow, see if they can recommend one.

Just done temp, 37.5. So spiked less than a couple of evenings ago when it was 37.9. He is doing ok, pale, but then he hasn’t been in the world for 3 weeks. Denies pain. He is eating well and wants to go back to school, which is a good sign. Funny, a month ago I wouldnt have thought twice about any of the kids having a temp of 37 point something.

The consultant said complications to look out for would be fever, swollen tummy, lots of bile and that he’d look really unwell. He seemed to think we’d see this within 3 days. It’s been 9 days since the op now. Maybe if we get to the weekend I’ll start to breathe again.

A probiotic yoghurt like activia will help.
Good luck op! Appendicitis is so incredibly frightening. It nearly killed my ds 5 years ago.

How has he been today?

He seems brighter! Eaten really well, and I’ve felt confident enough to only do his temperature twice (low 37’s). Still not unpacking the bags though, but I can see a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.
Even his tummy looked a little less pot-belly.

Does it sound like this might be over? I’m trying to get my head around not living on my nerves any more. Can’t describe it - like a heightened sense of waiting to react to him going downhill.

That's good op. I'm sure he's on the mend now. I'd be like you I'm sure, cautiously optimistic.

You're in fight or flight mode. Your adrenaline will have been running since this happened. It will take a while of him being recovered before you feel normal again. When my son's been in hospital I've been on alert for weeks afterward. It's just you being a good mum

Here's to some healthy healing OP. I've read all this just thinking I'd feel exactly the same if I were you. Constant red alert. But hopefully this is the end of it for you. I hope work have been supportive.

Hi,how was he today OP?

He seems good! Still has quite a firm pot belly but is really quite good in himself, eating and temp not going above 37.4. So I feel a bit happier that he doesn’t have another abscess, certainly not at the moment. Apparently abscesses can form up to two weeks after an op - I’m hoping though that this is unlikely now (10 days post op).

As a pp said, maybe his tummy is just settling down / windy. He’s definitely not constipated. He says it doesn’t hurt....

And he’s started arguing the toss again - a very good sign he’s feeling himself

I am absolutely knackered though, having worked a full week while granny in charge.

You were all amazing throughout it all - thank you so much

So glad he is feeling better!

What a relief that he is feeling better.

Might have spoken too soon. The last few steri strips fell off the belly button wound just now, and the skin under where the strips were looks quite pink and sore, almost shiny. Hopefully just the skin, maybe where water hasn’t been dried fully, and not deeper inside. It doesn’t look like a deep infection, but a small lump under one part of the scar. So may have to get that checked out.

He’s in really good form though and eating loads! Temp is stable at 37.1-37.2. I’ve bunged a tiny bit of ointment on the pink area (not the scar) hoping it’ll calm down by the morning.

Damn. Thought we’d have a Sunday not spent in the Hospital.

Leave it to the morning and try for now not to worry, that doesn't sound like unusual healing. My DS is recovering from a head wound and his sounds like you describe. Maybe use some marker pen to mark the edges of the wound; if the pinkness doesn't spread it's fine. Plus it's possible the steri strips disagree with him. I'm mildly allergic to plasters, micropore etc.

I’ll try and attach a photo

You can almost see the lines where the steri strips were on the pink area