Has anyone had surgery for a burst appendix?

[caty]

I had surgery on May 29th. I'm feeling better, but still have pain in my side. I'm getting my strength back a little everyday. How long does it take before the pain goes away? I know it is different with everyone, but I'm just trying to get a general idea.

[Nay]

1. How long did your doctor say you would have pain after surgery?

The doc is who you should be talking to, really. If the burst appendix has introduced infection into your abdominal cavity, you need immediate treatment.

Do you have a fever or does the area feel hot? Those are signs of infection.

[caty]

3. No fever or hot feeling.

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he said I was progressing nicely. But, I was just trying to get a general idea as to how long it takes before the pain completely goes away.

[rainbow4321]

2. I did

It hurts like hell..and it can make you have a prolonged recupe period. Do a follow up visit w/ you doc for the pain, etc...or at least put a call into him about it.

One hospital misdiagnosed my appendicitis as a stomach flu, sent me home from the w/ nausea medicine...24 hrs later I felt a sharp, burning POP! Couldn't stand upright, had to go to the ER via ambulance (different ER).
Stupid hospital made me wait til 10 am to get the surgery done even though I had gotten there at like 3 am...so my abdominal cavity was full of a ruptured appy and all the toxins that come with it.
Went home with an open wound that needed packing, had to be off work for 6 weeks cuz of the complications/rupture/infected abd. cavity. A couple weeks after the surgery I still could not make my way around the store without huffing and puffing, feeling like I had just ran a few miles.

Hope you feel better soon! Get LOTS of rest!!

[caty]

4. Thanks

[Spirochete]

5. Mine burst in 1988

and I had to spend over a week in the hospital after surgery. It seems to me, most the pain was gone after a month, but the incision kept leaking for a while after that. The incision was huge. They had to get in there and get it all cleaned out in a hurry, because I took so long to get around to going to the doctor. I'll know better next time - if it hurts, get it fixed.

[LizW]

6. I had abdominal surgery (not appendix, though)

I didn't feel really pain free for six weeks. It was worse in the morning when I woke up, and other times if I over-exerted.

If they told you not to lift stuff -- DON'T.

Hope you feel better soon.

[caty]

7. That's pretty much how I feel now.

I stopped taking pain meds over a week ago. I have 2 places on my right side that still hurt. Not constantly, but when I move a certain way. Or, cough-----it really hurts if I yawn (go figure). I pulled some muscles in my back, the first couple of days after my surgery, when I was trying to get out of the hospital bed. My back is better and I know it will take a long time to get over this. I am being very careful. Not picking up anything heavy, not doing too much at a time, etc. I guess I'm just getting a little depressed because I thought that after 3 weeks I would feel better than I do. :nopity:

[LizW]

8. I understand

I felt sort of panicky when my prescription pain meds ran out after a week. I didn't think I could make it, but I did. I remember the frustration. You just want to get back to normal!

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Take care of yourself, and you will feel better, really. :hug:

[caty]

9. Thank you

It helps to know I'm not the only one who ever went through something like this.