Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Abdominal pain - lower right side

23 replies

ErinB2023 · 03/04/2023 16:57

Hello all,

I would appreciate any advice or wisdom. I got up today and noticed pain on my lower right side - it is not unbearable but noticable especially when walking. I called the GP as I was worried about appendicitis who brought me in to examine me. She took my temp, urine check and felt around the area and said it was clear I had pain but she couldnt say if it was the appendix. It was not hard to touch so she couldnt be sure but I could either go home and monitor it -if it feels worse go to A and E or if I really worried I could go to A and E. She wasn't insisting I go and ask me what I would like to do.

I am a lone parent so it would not be easy for me to arrange childcare at this time, that said if it is necessary I would ask whoever I could. It was just the doctor did not seem to have any urgency.

Has anyone had other pains that are lower right but not servere? What did it turn out to be?

Thanks all.

OP posts:

Original poster

ErinB2023 · 03/04/2023 19:25

Anyone advice?

I was asking my sister trying to work out if I would have childcare to go to A and E and she said when she has acute appenditicitis in the past they told her they would only take it out if she was vomiting and go come back at this stage. Does this sound true?

OP posts:

capybara80 · 03/04/2023 20:30

I have not had it but I'd definately arrange CC in case it gets worse tonight. I'm also a SP so know the struggle.
Can you have someone on standby?

Original poster

ErinB2023 · 03/04/2023 20:43

Trying to arrange someone but proving tricky- it has got no worse but no better!

I just wish the doctor had said clearly to go - Ieaving the decision up to me makes me debate between trying to find childcare / upset my child who really needs routine and does not deal well with change. I checked online and my local A and E wait is quite long at present.

Everyone I have asked is telling me that it is a really obvious pain if it is appendicitis - I am temped to wait to the morning if I can and go when I leave my LO to school and just call in sick to work.

OP posts:

Georgiepud · 03/04/2023 20:50

My DH had appendicitis. It is difficult to diagnose and be certain. The doctor at A & E sent him home with really strong painkillers for tummy pain. Two days later he saw the GP who said straight to hospital. The appendix was necrotic and had to be removed ASAP with strong antibiotics. He was also sick with it.
I hope you manage to sort things out for your childcare.

Lizzt2007 · 03/04/2023 20:54

I had appendicitis about 6 weeks ago, it tends to start with vomiting / nausea possibly diarrhoea and stomach pain that settles into the lower right side of the abdomen. If the pain is quite low level at the moment I'd be tempted to try get childcare emergency cover just in case it worsens tonight, and if no better in the morning head to a+e.

Ichosetheredpill · 03/04/2023 20:55

Please don’t take any risks. I am currently recovering (slowly) from sepsis and peritonitis because I thought appendicitis was food poisoning and ignored it for a week. The pain was intermittent and not crippling until I collapsed. It nearly killed me, so get it checked out. I have a baby too and was away from her for a fortnight, when it would have been a couple of days or so if I’d gone in earlier.

Ichosetheredpill · 03/04/2023 20:56

Have you had any episodes of nausea/vomiting over the last couple of months? My appendix grumbled once or twice and I was a little bit sick but then nothing for weeks.

TroysMammy · 03/04/2023 21:00

My DP had covid at the beginning of February, less than 3 weeks later he had right sided abdominal pain. He googled and contacted his GP who examined him at 9.30am and sent him to the surgical unit at the local hospital. He had his appendix out at 7.30pm that evening. He didn't have any vomiting. The surgeon said that covid had caused inflammation and he'd operated on quite a few people who had covid not long before having appendicitis.

capybara80 · 03/04/2023 21:01

It's so tricky but as others have said, try your best.
I don't have many friends but I do have my mum about 20 mins away if I have problems but when she's away, it's tough.
Don't be afraid to ask people. I've asked people if they'd mind being on my emergency list before.

TroysMammy · 03/04/2023 21:03

He had keyhole surgery and was discharged the next day, he was home by 12.30pm with codeine and paracetamol and back to work 5 days later.

gonnabeok · 03/04/2023 21:06

I had a grumbling appendix for 10 months. Went to 3 different GPS in my surgery. They all gave different opinions as to what it was - none of them said grumbling appendix because my stomach was soft and they said it had to be hard if it was appendicitis.

Well let me tell you it WAS appendicitis! My stomach stayed soft the ENTIRE time so don't let them give you that nonsense. It would come and go over months until one day I started vomiting yellow liquid,had excruciating pain in my right side and had to phone for an emergency ambulance as I was nearly passing out with the pain. The paramedic diagnosed appendicitis within 3 minutes. I was rushed to hospital and had it removed.

The next day the consultant told me I was very lucky it hadn't burst ( and if it had I probably wouldn't have made it as I lived some distance from the hospital). My stomache had to be pumped of infected fluid also. I was very lucky.

Don't let them tell you it can't be appendicitis if you stomach isn't hard. My stomach stayed soft the entire time right up to my surgery! I'm living proof that that particular observation can be wrong! Definitely get it checked out!

Nursemumma92 · 03/04/2023 21:09

It could also be an ovarian cyst- but it sounds like you need an ultrasound/ct scan to determine the cause. I would see how it feels in the morning and go to A + E then if it is still painful. Obviously if anything changes in the night then I would try and go sooner- really hard i know when you are a single parent. This includes you feeling feverish, shaky, dizzy, more severe pain etc.
As for what your sister said about only taking it out if you're vomiting- this doesn't sound true (not that she is lying about her experience but this isn't standard practice). If you have confirmed appendicitis then it needs to be surgically removed. Wishing you well, hope it is resolved soon x

clocktock · 03/04/2023 21:15

Had mine out a few years ago. Started with a slight pain but got worse overnight. Went to a and e next morning. Had slight nausea but no vomiting. No appetite but was told the give away sign was not that it hurt a bit when they pressed on the area but the intense Iain I experienced as they took away the pressure. I literally screamed.

I was sent to surgical ward and surgeons came down. Was in theatre within two hours and sent home next morning.

I'd suggest to warn any potential babysitters that you may need help. Then warm bath, painkillers and see how you get on. If it worsens get down to hospital x

JulesJules · 03/04/2023 21:28

There isn't necessarily a vomiting stage - I was only sick a couple of times, the main symptom was acute abdo pain and a temperature. My temp went right up (40) probably after it had perforated, and then diagnosed by u/s scan.

NicAndNick · 03/04/2023 21:43

We take pleanty out where I work of people who aren't vomiting. As PP said loss of appetite is a more sensitive sign. I would arrange childcare and go to the emergency department. You might need childcare for a few days if they want to keep you in and scan.

With your history I would expect blood tests and an examination. If either were abnormal I would expect to stay overnight for a scan in the morning. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

ErinB2023 · 03/04/2023 21:50

Thanks all!

Still just similar pain so monitoring for now.

I dont have a temp and Ive been able to eat so hoping this is a good sign.

Still working on childcare, my sister is away on holidays or would normally help me out!

OP posts:

Maraschina · 03/04/2023 22:00

CT scan and blood test should be able to confirm or dismiss an inflamed appendicitis.

Original poster

ErinB2023 · 04/04/2023 19:22

Thank you all, I woke up today and it wasnt as bad when walking so Ive just monitored it today and saving day off work for if it gets worse.

Its no worse tonight just similar, the pain is higher up if anything so I am hoping that is a good sign?

Ive emergency childcare organised now just incase thankfully.

OP posts:

Margarita45 · 04/04/2023 19:28

I’ve had similar recently, though not on right hand side. I did have a UTI which was a bit of a red herring, GP originally gave antibiotics but the pain got a lot worse within a day or so. Ended up in A&E, they weren’t overly concerned and just gave me pain relief and stronger antibiotics.

Kept I’m going for about a week, back to GP. Q:fit test, bloods, internal examination, STI swans. Urgent referral for ultrasound. Still none the wiser.

U/S is next week. I now have good days and bad days pain wise.

Original poster

ErinB2023 · 10/04/2023 16:54

An update - a week later an I still have mild pain in this area.

I went to A and E last Thursday and had bloods which had no signs of infection and two doctors examine me who agreed it did not appear I was presenting with appendicitis - I felt they jumped on me mentioning I had an ovarian cyst over ten years ago and they felt it may be this so have wrote to my gp to suggest they send me for an ultrasound but said that wasnt something they could do in A and E.

Over the weekend I am now having pain in my upper right abdonimal area as well nd around to my back - it is mild pain and I can manage day to day but I just wonder what this is. I tried to call the out of hours GP yesterday and they logged what I said and advised call backs are taking hours. I still haven't heard back from them and can't decide if I should call back again.

The pain is tolerable but now that it has been going on over a week and is still to my right side I am worried. Has anyone had anything similar - not appendicitis apparently but what could it be?!

OP posts:

KathieFerrars · 10/04/2023 17:40

Gall bladder could be a possibility.

EllaB22 · 29/04/2023 08:45

@margarita45 did you ever get to the bottom of it? I am still having issues but been for an us that ruled out a ovarian cyst.

Margarita45 · 02/05/2023 13:02

EllaB22 · 29/04/2023 08:45

@margarita45 did you ever get to the bottom of it? I am still having issues but been for an us that ruled out a ovarian cyst.

Not yet, ultrasound all looked normal. GP has asked for another Qfit and urine test and the results will determine how quickly I get a colonoscopy and a cystoscope.

The things being floated at the moment are Interstitial Cystitis and Diverticular Disease. Although it could be IBS, but GP has categorically stated she won’t diagnose that until all other possibilities have been ruled out.

I have started taking powder fibre each day and also got into the habit of emptying my bladder before it’s full, every 40 mins or so. And I don’t know whether it’s placebo, but I feel slightly better…

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread