Early Appenditicis (sorry its long)

[Mickeypooh99]

I had no idea there could be such a variety of symptoms. How should we all know that if our child has the stomache virus it isn't really appendicitus? Now I'm going to worry everytime one of my kids gets a virus or a tummy ache.

My own experience was that the pain came on fast, and it was the worst pain I ever had. Even worse than having a baby! I could barely stand up. The receptionist at ER actually told me that this time of year (it was Jan. 8th) they were always busy with people coming in thinking they were dying, and it just turns out to be indigestion from rich holiday foods.

I will say my pain was all over. I couldn't say it was only on one side. I always thought it would be easy to tell if my kids get it, because the pain would be so severe. I guess thats not always true.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Appendicitis is hard to recognize. I'd been having abdominal cramping one day in Sept. It was a nagging, almost bloated feeling and I had no appetite. I let it go for several days thinking it was gas. The cramping kept coming and going with shooting pain from my belly button across to my right side. Still thought it was just gas. Then I went to bend over to pick up something and I couldn't bend fully. I knew I'd better see the dr. just to be safe. He listened to my symptoms, pushed gently in the area I had pain and then said it was either my gallbladder or my appendix. I'd already had my gallbladder out so then he said it was most likely my appendix. He then sent me down the hall for a ct scan and I knew it was bad when they rushed me in and then told me not to go anywhere after they read the scan. My appendix was extremely swollen so they called ahead to the hospital to schedule an emergency appendectomy. I literally was whisked into the ER, they put a quick IV in and then I was in the OR. And all I thought I had was gas! Usually your gut feeling is correct. When I wasn't able to bend over fully because it was painful and felt 'full', I knew something was up.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Don't let them pull the "she is fibbing" crap. They told my mom the same thing when my appendix ruptured (and I was 21 at the time, not a child).

I didn't show the clinical signs; I was in pain and throwing up but no fever or elevated blood count and my muscles did not react the way they should. By the time a doctor would believe me my appendix had been ruptured for 2-3 days and I had to have an open incision and drainage tubes because of the risk of infection.

There is always the possibility she is making the whole thing up but I wouldn't take that chance.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Both of my children have been evaluated for this before, most recently my DS. Fortunately, neither had appendicitis.

Besides evaluation of pain and history, there are other diagnostic tools surgeons use to evaluate symptoms:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773895-overview

The surgeon's goals are to evaluate a relatively small population of patients referred for suspected appendicitis and to minimize the negative appendectomy rate without increasing the incidence of perforation.

 

[tazdev3225]

My DD used to get pains and vomiting every year like clockwork around christmas starting when she was around 8. We would spend a night in the ER and she was given fluids and tests were run. This went on for several years. Her white count was always a little elevated so they kept an eye on her and sent her home. The last time it happened she was about 14. The ER dr decided to do an ultrasound on her abdomen. Thankfully he did that. Her appendix was severly inflamed. When the surgeon got in there it had started to leak. He said she had chronic appendicitis. She always seemed to get better with fluids so the drs always diagnosed her with a virus and dehydration. My DD also has a very high tolerance for pain so they always dismissed it because she wasn't in enough pain.
OP I hope your DD feels better.

 

[Mermaid02]

My sons appendix ruptured when he was 4. I had him back and forth from our pcp- ER- pediatric surgeon for THREE days and I finally DEMANDED a CT scan- which showed a NOW ruptured appendix. Nobody would take me seriously because he didn't "present" like they said he should.... But I just KNEW he had appendicitis. The third day, he was no longer being cautious with his movements- and that frightened me (rightly so, often when an appendix ruptures, the patient feels better for a brief time). If I hadn't been persistant, he probably would have died.

Watch her closely and follow your instincts.

 

[lauracitawita]

I just went through something similar with my DD7. She complained about abdominal pain right after Christmas. I figured it could have been from the extra treats and excitement from the holidays. The next day she was fine. The day after...pain. I ended up taking her to ER on New Year's Eve. They took blood and urine samples, and an ultrasound.

They told me she was fine...she didn't have a fever and she wasn't vomitting...don't worry.

The next day the school called and said my daughter had vomitted.

I took her back to emergency, and they found she had a fever as well.

The ER dr was asking my DD questions...what she dislikes about school, etc. She said she loved school...and her teacher. He said, "Really? Because usually there was a teacher or someone in school that caused MY tummy aches when I was a kid."

I was so angry at the implication. My DD had been waking up in the middle of the night in pain. I am also not the type of parent to go running to ER. I KNEW something was causing the pain.

They took more tests and another ultrasound and told me she was fine.

I made an appointment with my family Dr. (the best dr ever).

She sent my DD down for a simple chest x-ray. It took 10 seconds. She had the technician send up the results right away.

From the ultrasound that the ER had done, my doctor saw something (can't remember what it was called) enlarged. From the x-ray, she found out that my DD was full of gas and stool.

She said she probably had a virus that caused the enlarged (something) which caused really bad constipation...which was causing her the pain.

I went home with some medication, and 2 hours later, my DD was out of pain after crying on and off for 13 days!

In my case, my DD was never in any danger, but her pain was real. The ER dr's tried to put doubt in my mind, but I know my child.

I would listen to your gut. If your daughter says she is in pain, something is wrong!!!

 

[Debbie7452]

sorry I dissappeared...just got wifi hooked up here in the hospital.

He had a eventful, but successful surgery. He is NOW in a lot of pain. Before, he was barely in pain. The surgeon said his appendix was very severly inflamed and infected. He couldn't believe how bad it looked.

I did tell DH what read here, but he knows better than to scoff at the DIS!

Thanks again

 

[3prettyprincesses]

So glad his surgery went well. Poor baby, I'm sorry he's in pain though. I'm sure they'll be giving him something for that, to make him more comfortable. Good for you, pushing when you KNEW was something wrong with your son. Thank goodness you brought him in when you did. Great job and hope your son recovers quickly!

 

[Debbie7452]

Thank you for the good wishes! I had to laugh though because it's my husband, not my son He can be a big baby though (and usually is!) know what I mean?

He is sleeping now...so that's good.

 

[Stacy9402]

OP here

Well she has been doing ok we are just watching her. The only time she has complained has been when I was on a bumpy road. I have decided that I will watch her but if she has any problems I am going to tell the peds that I want it out. I just dont understand how she went from borderline appendix to nothing. The surgeon even said her stomach was soft, so she wasnt even constipated. I dont know. I do always call her my mystery child as they never know what is wrong with her...

Debbie -- I am glad your hubby is doing well and I am sure they will give him something for the pain...