Indigestion vs. Appendicitis

[becka]

Disclaimer: Yes I am going to call my doctor but I don't want to sound like a moron when I call so I thought I would get some info here first.

I think I have indigestion. I made some really spicy chili for dinner last night, I ate late (8:30-9:00ish) and I was having some heartburn type issues first thing this morning. Around 10:30 or so this morning I starting having some sharp pains around my belly button area. I seem to remember that being a possible sign of appendicitis although when I did a quick google is sounds like pain can start there but then move to the lower right. So far there has been no movement of the pain. Am I just being a little bit of a hypochondriac here? Has anyone else experienced pain like that from indigestion? I would really hate to end up in the ER for a bunch of tests because I made spicy chili.

 

[clarabelle]

Did you take anything for the heart burn?

 

[becka]

I just got some Tums from a co-worker. Hopefully that will do the trick.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Look into gallstones. I have them and get pain after spicy foods.

 

[Christine]

I would say "indigestion" especially since you know you ate an offending type of food.

I've had a few bouts of this where I've had pain in one part of my lower intestine that went on for two days. I, too, worried about appendicitis. I would give it until tomorrow, at least, before going to the doctor.

 

[hydster]

When my brother in law thought he was having an appendicitis attack the nurse told him to try to jump up and down. If he could do it relatively ok without wanting to die it was less likely it was appendicitis. He jumped once and puked. Ended up having the thing removed. It isn't a "perfect" test but can help you decide if it's somewhat likely you could be in the early stages of it.

Also the pain usually won't come and go and get progressively worse. It could also just be a gas pain so maybe if possible get some Gas X or something to see if that helps too.

Good luck!

 

[Christine]

I also think that if it is appendicities, it can be very tender when you push on the area. Usually indigestion has very little "rebound" tenderness.

 

[Sonya]

I threw up when I had my appendix removed. Maybe if you are feeling like you are going to throw up that could be a sign? I thought I had eaten too much BBQ that night. Hard to tell the difference!

 

[Jennasis]

Appendix pain is (generally) located below and to the right of your belly button, closer to the groin area. If the pain is in the belly button area it is probably not Appendicitis. But yeah, go to the doctor to make sure. I'm a hypochondriac myself and couldn't rest until I was sure.

 

[storzo]

My DS had his appendix out. We went to the doctor who looked at him for 5 seconds and said go to the hospital so your MD will know right away.

His started with a belly ache which got progressively worse, then came the vomitting, then tenderness on lower right abdomen and trouble walking (due to pain?) lastly fever which didn't appear until we were in the ER.

Good Luck.

 

[wvrevy]

Appendicitis is one of those things that is really difficult to pin down. I just had mine out about 2 months ago, and I didn't have a lot of the typical symptoms. No "rebound" pain, no vomiting, and only a low grade fever. But a simple blood test can help with the diagnosis, and a CAT scan can pin it down for sure. I was lucky...the surgeon said that, had I not come in when I did, my appendix likely would have ruptured within the next day or two.

If the pain won't go away, it's probably best to get it checked out.

 

[Christine]

Appendicitis is one of those things that is really difficult to pin down. I just had mine out about 2 months ago, and I didn't have a lot of the typical symptoms. No "rebound" pain, no vomiting, and only a low grade fever. But a simple blood test can help with the diagnosis, and a CAT scan can pin it down for sure. I was lucky...the surgeon said that, had I not come in when I did, my appendix likely would have ruptured within the next day or two.

If the pain won't go away, it's probably best to get it checked out.

So, if you didn't have typical symptoms, what did you have? What you led you to check it out. This always concerns me about appendicitis.

 

[luvtogo12]

I spent a total of 6 days in the hospital this past month with stomach issues.

1) Gall stones. The pain was under the breast area that raditated to the middle of my back.

2) Three weeks after the gallbladder was removed, I started having pains in the lower abdomen. Dr thought it was my appendix and sent me to the E.R. Turned out to be moderate to severe dyverticulitis. I am sure that is spelled wrong, sorry.

It is always best to check with the Dr.
Good luck.

 

[hlbtimes2]

When my brother in law thought he was having an appendicitis attack the nurse told him to try to jump up and down. If he could do it relatively ok without wanting to die it was less likely it was appendicitis.
Good luck!

I was going to recomend this same "test". I've been told by two different medical people to do this when I thought the kids or I were having appx. problems.