Grumbling appendix experiences?

[Amaya3]

Hi all,

I wanted to ask your experiences of grumbling appendix?

I have had a dull pain in my lower right side on and off for a few months. It comes on for a few days and then goes. I saw my GP in May who sent me to A and E to check out incase it was my appendix. A and E did bloods and examined me and decided it was not my appendix and sent me home with a letter for a referral for a scan as they suspected a cyst. I had a scan and it was clear. The pain eventually went but I then had pain on my left side sporadically and higher up my abdomen over June time. Over summer the pain on my lower right side came back – at times higher up and at times low down where my appendix is. Over one bad bout I saw a GP and they sent me back to A and E and again they did bloods and urine sample. The A and E doctor sent me home even before my blood were back as he said my urine sample was positive on all three signs and he gave me antibiotics for a UTI – I really felt like a time waster at this point. He said he would not scan and risk the radiation when he felt it was a bad UTI. When I followed up those bloods had also been ok.

Again the pain went and has come back on my left side last week but has now again on my lower right side. I called my GP again and said it was mainly on my right but at times my left. He did not even ask me to come in but said it could be a grumbling appendix which will be obvious when I need to go to see about it or could be endo. So he has sent me for more bloods and is organizing another ultrasound.

I am getting increasingly anxious that it is a grumbling appendix – the GP was so flippant about this but I am a lone parent and would need to organize childcare to get to a hospital if it came to it. Ever since I spoke to the doctor last week I have been on edge almost waiting to see what happens. I just feel I can’t relax.

What are your experiences with grumbling appendixes? Did it go on over months / every just go away? It is a dull pain in my lower right area – I don’t need to take pain killers and have been able to go to work / do laundry and other house chores but at times I can feel it a bit heavier. I have pressed down in the general area (not sure if the correct place) and its no worse than the dull pain, I have jumped up and down ( judge not please I am desperate) and that is also fine. I don’t have a temperature and I am eating ok. I feel a bit nauseous at times but I think it is more the stress of waiting to see what will have. I am just so worried as I have googled and read about the many atypical presentations of appendicitis / silent appendicitis and I am worried the A and E doctors / GPs seem to only be interested if it is acute rather than investigating before it becomes acute.

Did anyone have anything similar that turned out to be something else?

My grumbling appendix grumbled for about 9 months and became inflamed. They faffed about in the hospital so much thinking that the pain was from a cyst , that my appendix burst and I ended up in emergency surgery in the middle of the night. My bloods where all clear and I showed none of the classic signs until it went pop.

Ah @romdowa sorry to hear this - this is what I am afraid of. What was your pain level like that made you go to the hospital in the end? Had you been to the GP many times? When you appendix grumbled was it low level pain or how did it present for you?

I wish their was a way I could get a CT just to check and see - for my mental health if anything at this point.

When it was inflamed I was in agony and throwing up but my pain was in an unusual place. Which is why they dismissed appendicitis.
The grumbling pain was no where near that but it was there and would last a while and then go and then come back. I was told it was constipation but looking back it was my appendix. I do know people who've had an appendix grumble and then just settle down and never become inflamed. So it's definitely not a sure thing that it will happen.

I never sought help but looking back mine grumbled for a year. I truly never thought it was my appendix, but it was a five hour op and a week in hospital to fix

Mine grumbled for just under 2 months before eventually needing emergency surgery. I'd been to the hospital multiple times like you, the only thing they told me was my blood showed high inflammation each time and they gave me antibiotics as they suspected some sort of infection

Where was your pain when it became inflamed@romdowa Did you have any other symptoms?

When yours grumbled @JustCheckingUp what did it feel like? Did it impact day to day life?

Was it obvious @Bubblegum20 that you would need it out in the end? How many times had you been to A and E with it?

I feel so so anxious with it - why are doctors unconcerned re grumbling appendix when it can become so dangerous so quickly?!

I know you asked for experience which obviously it can't do but here's what ChatGPT4 has said in case it's useful...

I'm sorry to hear about the prolonged and concerning symptoms you've been experiencing. It sounds stressful, especially with the uncertainty of a diagnosis. While I'm not a doctor, there are several things to keep in mind when discussing a possible "grumbling appendix" or other conditions:

1. *Grumbling Appendix*: The term "grumbling appendix" isn't a recognized medical diagnosis, but it's sometimes used colloquially to describe chronic or recurrent pain in the appendix region that doesn't develop into full-blown acute appendicitis. It's controversial, and its existence is debated among clinicians.

1. *Appendicitis*: Classic symptoms of acute appendicitis include pain that begins around the navel and then moves to the lower right abdomen, increased pain when the area is pressed and then quickly released, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, and fever. However, not everyone experiences these classic symptoms, as you noted.

1. *Other Conditions*: Several conditions can mimic the pain of appendicitis, including:

- *Ovarian Cysts*: You mentioned a scan that was clear, but cysts can come and go. - *Endometriosis*: This is where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it and can cause pain similar to what you described. - *Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)*: An infection of the female reproductive organs. - *Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)*: While you've been treated for a UTI, sometimes symptoms can linger or the infection can return. - *Kidney Stones*: Can cause pain in various locations in the abdomen and back. - *Gastrointestinal issues*: Conditions like diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, or constipation can cause similar pains.

1. *Anxiety*: Being anxious about a potential medical condition can lead to heightened awareness of bodily sensations, and in some cases, can exacerbate symptoms. It's essential to address this aspect of your health as well.

1. *Seek a Second Opinion*: If you're not satisfied with the feedback from your current healthcare providers, consider seeking a second opinion. Different doctors might have varied experiences or perspectives that could be valuable.

Remember, it's crucial to stay in close contact with a healthcare professional about your symptoms, especially if they worsen or change. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Mine grumbled for about 6 months, the hospital doctor claimed I was exaggerating my symptoms to get out of school, and a few days later it burst while I was on my first day of holiday in a foreign country. I got peritonitis and nearly died. Spent the next 2 weeks in hospital, and several weeks after that in a wheelchair. Wouldn’t recommend.

edit - I lost 1.5 stone while in hospital.

Oh @Littlegoth this sounds awful! Was it obvious when it burst?

@Amaya3 No, I had stomach ache and felt sick but not so sick (initially) that we thought anything was wrong. I got worse overnight and developed a fever. The hotel doctor was called in the middle of the night, but wouldn’t come to the room and just diagnosed gastroenteritis over the phone. The next morning my relative went to the doctor’s room and ‘escorted’ (ahem!) him to our hotel room, and he immediately called an ambulance. It’s 30 years ago now but I still remember the bumpy road.

When I got to the hospital they literally stuck me on a gurney and sprinted to theatre with me, it was very dramatic and I was quite bemused as I didn’t realise the full extent of it. Felt like really really bad trapped wind. It hurt a lot more the day after surgery.

Never had a grumbling appendix but mine burst and there's no mistaking that, the pain was intense and increasing. I hope you get some reassurance to rule it in or out op.

Thanks @Redwinestillfine

I still have the low level pain in my right side today. It just makes me so anxious when it is getting no better and no worse - just waiting to see!

I had a similar experience to a few PPs. Mine grumbled for about 10 months. It started with episodes of intense pain all over my abdomen but particularly under my ribs. I’d be dry wretching and constantly felt like I needed to do a poo to relieve the pain and pressure but nothing would. I’d be literally bed bound for 24hrs then it would calm down and I’d be better within a couple of days. This happened about 3 times and my GPs pretty much gaslighted me saying it was just period related or IBS.
Eventually I had an episode of pain that didn’t settle and I was in excruciating agony for 2 days, so my DH took me to A&E.
Even then they didn’t think it could be my appendix because my pain was so high up. By then I had a raging temperature and very high heart rate.
Finally, a consultant decided it was my appendix and by the time they opened me up it had burst everywhere, I had peritonitis and was on the verge of sepsis.
I spent 3 weeks in hospital on very heavy duty antibiotics and having frequent blood tests.
Even afterwards my GP said there was no way my previous episodes were connected as there’s no such thing as a grumbling appendix, but funnily enough I have never had an episode like that since. It was 25 years ago!
I hope you get some answers for your pain OP. Unfortunately it’s often a case of excluding things.

Oh goodness @BiscoffBear that sounds traumatic! It is the GPs lack of concern that makes me so anxious. Also being a lone parent adds stress waiting to see what will happen.

@romdowa and @Littlegoth when your appendix grumbled how sore was it? Mines is managable - I dont have to lie down to it. Was yours similar?

@Amaya3 I’m sorry it’s making you so anxious- I appreciate it’s a worrying position to be in, especially as a lone parent. GPs can seem quite frustrating can’t they!
I really hope it never develops into anything more serious or acute, but do you have any supportive friends you could have on standby to look after your DC if you do need urgent treatment at some point?

My experience of a grumbling appendix was a very strange morning when I was in a lot of pain in my lower abdomen (right side). I must’ve angered it cos I moved quickly and I immediately vomited the pain was that intense at that moment . The pain gradually went away on its own but I couldn’t get out of bed. At this stage I didn’t know what it was.
The second time it was infected and I was admitted to hospital to have it taken out. I’ve never been in so much pain. I realised that the first episode was a grumbling appendix, which would’ve been about 6-7/10 for pain. No exaggeration, when it was infected it was about 20/10
and the pain was excruciating.
Just my experience, I hope you can get it sorted.

I had a ruptured appendix in the January, and in hindsight I had identical symptoms (atypical for appendicitis) in the September prior to this for approximately 48 hours, which then resolved completely & nothing again until it ruptured 4 months later!

@Mirrormirror2 what were your atyplical ruptured symptoms?

@FurryFerrets33 How long between the two episodes?

Thanks @BiscoffBear I do have a my sister on standby - she is a bit of a drive away but would come if needed.

It has settled down a bit this morning thank goodness - I am going to contact a GP and mention my anxiety with it. I woke up during the night and it was sore but not an unmanagable amount but I had what felt like a panic attack.

The earlier incident was diarrhoea & generalised intense stomach cramps - so not localised to lower right side. The actual ruptured appendix I had peritonitis & sepsis but had symptoms for 5 days prior to being hospitalised - severe vomiting/diarrhoea, bloating, intense pain - but generalised, barely stand up/sit down/walk, rigors, fever … I attended hospital/OOH/GP virtually everyday that week as I was so poorly but kept being told it was a kidney infection 🤔

But the ruptured episode started off in exactly the same way as the earlier grumbling, it just massively intensified over the next few days