Appendix

[bav]

Has anyone gone through appendicitis and/or had their appendix removed? If so, what were the symptoms you had? I'm feeling odd pressure in my lower right part of my abdomen...poking at it makes me feel a little bit sick. Not sure if its something to worry about or if its just an odd digestive problem.

[Onyx]

I haven't had it myself but sometimes I've heard it does occasionally come on slowly like that. Sounds like something to stay aware of and definitely head right to the doc if it gets any worse.

[ManicQueen]

Here's some info.

The main symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain. The pain is at first diffuse and poorly localized, that is, not confined to one spot. (Poorly localized pain is typical whenever a problem is confined to the small intestine or colon, including the appendix.) The pain is so difficult to pinpoint that when asked to point to the area of the pain, most people indicate the location of the pain with a circular motion of their hand around the central part of their abdomen. A second, common, early symptom of appendicitis is loss of appetite which may progress to nausea and even vomiting. Nausea and vomiting also may occur later due to intestinal obstruction.

As appendiceal inflammation increases, it extends through the appendix to its outer covering and then to the lining of the abdomen, a thin membrane called the peritoneum. Once the peritoneum becomes inflamed, the pain changes and then can be localized clearly to one small area. Generally, this area is between the front of the right hip bone and the belly button. The exact point is named after Dr. Charles McBurney--McBurney's point. If the appendix ruptures and infection spreads throughout the abdomen, the pain becomes diffuse again as the entire lining of the abdomen becomes inflamed.

[Homicidalheathen]

It hurts like hell. Almost lost my grandkid to it. And she had a fever. And it is NOT something you want to wait on! Get to emergency pronto if you suspect this!!!!