Anyone awake?? Severe abdominal pain

[Lovemusic33]

I have been in agony for 3 or 4 hours, pain started in lower stomach and now moved to behind belly button and slightly to the right. Have taken paracetamol which has slightly taken the edge off but still very painful, slightly loose stools but nothing too major, not been sick bit feel sick due to the intensity of the pain. Have been wondering around, trying to poop in hope it will help bit not easing.

I'm a single parent and my dc's are asleep, I have no one to call to sit with them as it's stupid o clock. I don't think it's a big as I haven't left the house in 3 days, could be something I ate. Dr Google is saying appendicitis and NHS direct online tell me to call an ambulance. Do I just ride it out until kids are up and off to school? I don't know what else I can do. Also stuck as I have a new dog/puppy who won't leave my side and has not yet been left alone.

trev that's hard. I refused to leave but they did swap my bed. The pain is awful, was told keyhole is better than opening up but I'm not so sure.

Are you on antibiotics?

You poor thing op! Hope you feel better soon.

for you

Hope you're soon pain free and back with your family soon x

Next time your obs are done, please ask your nurse what painkillers are on your drugs chart and what you've been given.
My son has his appendix out recently and was immobile in bed from the pain after, but all they offered was paracetamol. I managed to get them to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen, but he was still unable to walk. Eventually an amazing young man came up from Pharmacy to check his drugs chart, and told me he was allowed Oramorph! He should have been allowed it days before as it was on his chart! As soon as he had it he was able to get more mobile, did two laps of the ward, and the gases started to disperse properly. This was on his third day after surgery. Also had an IV drip that night to rehydrate him, which also helped a lot. The next day he was 90% better.
His surgeon had told us recovery improves massively once you're mobile, and we should get him moving as much as possible. Wish she'd told us he was allowed proper pain relief, maybe he would have got out sooner!
I hope you feel better soon OP.

I'm on paracetamol and an alternative to oromorph (as I can't take it).

I am now led in a full ward trying to fart discretely. It's moving slowly but still very painful, it's probably more painful than Labour contractions, my tummy goes so hard. Hopefully by the morning it will be a bit better. At the moment it's still pretty painful but the shoulder pain is easing a little.

Had the worst night. 2 very poorly people one the ward so buzzers going off and people walking around all night. Asked for pain meds in hope they would knock me out, now feeling sleepy.

Waiting to find out of I have a UTI as struggling to pee. Hopefully all is clear and I can go home later today.

Oh @Lovemusic33 that sounds bloody awful. Hopefully you'll be out today. Tbh I wouldn't worry about a noisy fart - let it rip if you can - you'll never see these people again

Hope you feel better soon. I'm so glad you got checked out?

Are your kids with your mum? I dont have family and being ill with kids terrifies me.

My kids are at home with my mum but she recently had surgery too. I don't have many family or friends so haven't really had visitors as mum is looking after the puppy when kids are at school. It's a bit lonely.

@Lovemusic33 how are things for you now? Hopefully a bit better?

I'm home, my mum's staying with me tonight, I have a hot water bottle which helps (wasn't allowed one at hostiptal). Just been sent home with paracetamol.

Glad you’re home lovemusic and hopefully be feeling much better soon x

If the scar tissue allows, get on all four, it'll move the gas along very quickly

So glad you are home @Lovemusic33

Fantastic you are home love, wishing you a speedy and complete recovery now

Thank you, I'm glad to be home but feeling very unwell this morning, I think it's a mixture of the gas, not been for a poop and struggling to pee (which is now feeling like a uti). I feel very sick. Going to send my mum tongue chemist for laxatives and maybe ask for some stronger pain killers. Feeling miserable as I thought I would wake up feeling much better this morning.

Sounds like gall bladder pain.

Appendicitis would be very low down to one side.

Gall bladder pain travels over a few hours as you have suggested and can be felt behind the belly button before travelling to the right side where the gall bladder is.

You'll be referred for an ultrasound I expect. Ring 111, an infected gall bladder.. or burst appendix can be fatal.

@PoppingOneOutIn2020 please RTFT, she has had her appendix removed. OP like I said upthread I was very ill with sepsis after mine was removed but when my dad had his out I would say it was about a week before he started to feel more like himself. Whatever you do just don't over do it with the kids or puppy! It's hard that your mum is also recovering from surgery but please don't let that put you off asking for help.

Glad you’re home, sorry you’re still suffering. Constipation is quite common after ops (combo of drugs and starvation) and can make it difficult to pee. Can I suggest Movicol as a laxative? It works really well because it stimulates the bowel and softens the stool (while lactulose only softens and senna only stimulates). As long as you’re eating you can have ibuprofen and could try co-codamol. I’m shocked they sent you home a. Before you’re water works were sorted and b. With just paracetamol! Hope things improve soon.

@Lovemusic33

Hey - just checking up on you.
My Dad was in the navy and he said the worst pain he ever saw out at sea was someone suffering extended constipation.
Can your Mum get to a chemist to get you some glycerin suppositories? A laxative but obvs works the different way around; but is natural and chemical free - and quick!!

Popping appendix is out, I was able to put my finger right on the pain, doctors didn’t mention gallbladder and was pretty sure it was my appendix. Hopefully once it all settles down I will be out of pain. The pain I’m getting at the moment I think is due to the gas and the surgery, I still have some pain on the right hand side but I’m guessing that’s just from the surgery.

I have sent my mum out to fetch me a melon (melon makes me poop). Feeling very tired as I couldn’t get comfortable last night.

Ask your mum to pick up some dulcoease (stool softeners) and glycerine suppositories from the pharmacy - also some paramol which is the strongest painkiller available over the counter (although the dihydracodeine can exacerbate constipation).

With the stool softeners, drink as much water as you can as they won’t work without it. The glycerine suppositories just soften what’s waiting at the exit and help you to pass it.

If that doesn’t work you may need a stimulant laxative (dulcolax tablets or suppositories can both be bought from a chemist).

I’ve had seven keyhole surgeries so I’m very familiar with this process.

The gas pain is the worst part of these ops IMO - I find sitting with my knees up, pillow on my knees and leaning forward is the most comfortable position. Move as much as you can. I find fizzy drinks help me to err... shift the gas!