Pain after appendectomy

Posted by shanamarie22 @shanamarie22, Jun 1, 2019

In March I got my appendix out, but the pain has never gone away fully. Recently my one incision has been getting puffy redder at the bottom and hard. (Somewhat painful) but on and off for the past three months I still have sharp stabbing pain by my belly button to my right lower side and my doctor won’t do anything

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Profile picture for max05210 @max05210

Hello , I'm from France I hope someone can help me I had a appendectomy 9 months ago , 3 months after I started having digestive issues gurgling sound a lot of gaz , I have also a chronic discomfort under my navel like a pressure or pulling feeling it's not a pain but more a discomfort. I saw the surgeon I did ct scan, ultrasound, blood test , urine test and nothing... Someone had the same problem?
Thanks 🙏

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Can you tell me more about the gurgling noise? I have made very weird "burping" like noises that wasn't burping. None of the doctors have given an answer for this, when shown videos every GI doctor has no idea what they are seeing. In my personal experience, it is like my burping reflex is engaged prematurely. Furthermore, there was an extreme amount of gas from this period, with no known cause. GI doctors gave me an IBS diagnosis, but my condition wasn't related to my emotional state nor was it a food intolerance. I have tested extensively, the same meal would give me extremely different results. This diagnosis is disputed by my neurologist (see paragraph below).

Furthermore, I did have (and continue to have but in a much lesser extent) pain between my belly button to my groin. It has created problems with gas and discomfort for months after. I have settled on a medication regime of Gabapentin, Amitriptyline, and magnesium. The first two of which just so happen to be the medications to treat severe idiopathic IBS, and neuropathy (the latter of which is common from surgery, Even trivial surgery).

I have also been evaluated by a Pelvic Muscle specialist. In the evaluation, I was determined to have strong muscle spasms deep with in my pelvic floor (my symptoms were also concurrently triggered). I take strong muscle relaxers (a combination of Ketamine, Valium, Diacylamine, and baclofen) during my worst symptoms, including a great amount of gas that would build up, and this has helped me a lot. What I have observed is that my gas is easier to leave my body on these muscle relaxers.

I am slowly recovering, but I have no idea why or if I am getting better. Events are still triggered with no known cause. And there is no measure that the medications are helping with the pain or if I'm getting better with time.

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Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Tagging some Connect members who've mentioned appendectomy for their input on having gastrointestinal issues (gas, chronic discomfort under the navel like a pressure or pulling feeling) months after an appendectomy in this discussion @alexaadams @ckorr @whysomuchgas @lauraconnor @ctarrillo @pittsteelcity. @hopeful33250 @rozy288 also may have some thoughts for you.
- Chronic discomfort months after appendectomy need help ...https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-discomfort-months-after-appendectomy-need-help/

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I never had that operation.

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Profile picture for ctarrillo @ctarrillo

Can you tell me more about the gurgling noise? I have made very weird "burping" like noises that wasn't burping. None of the doctors have given an answer for this, when shown videos every GI doctor has no idea what they are seeing. In my personal experience, it is like my burping reflex is engaged prematurely. Furthermore, there was an extreme amount of gas from this period, with no known cause. GI doctors gave me an IBS diagnosis, but my condition wasn't related to my emotional state nor was it a food intolerance. I have tested extensively, the same meal would give me extremely different results. This diagnosis is disputed by my neurologist (see paragraph below).

Furthermore, I did have (and continue to have but in a much lesser extent) pain between my belly button to my groin. It has created problems with gas and discomfort for months after. I have settled on a medication regime of Gabapentin, Amitriptyline, and magnesium. The first two of which just so happen to be the medications to treat severe idiopathic IBS, and neuropathy (the latter of which is common from surgery, Even trivial surgery).

I have also been evaluated by a Pelvic Muscle specialist. In the evaluation, I was determined to have strong muscle spasms deep with in my pelvic floor (my symptoms were also concurrently triggered). I take strong muscle relaxers (a combination of Ketamine, Valium, Diacylamine, and baclofen) during my worst symptoms, including a great amount of gas that would build up, and this has helped me a lot. What I have observed is that my gas is easier to leave my body on these muscle relaxers.

I am slowly recovering, but I have no idea why or if I am getting better. Events are still triggered with no known cause. And there is no measure that the medications are helping with the pain or if I'm getting better with time.

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Hi thank you for your reply, ( sorry my English is not good) did you symptoms start before or after the surgery? I thinks my gurgling sound is because of gas in my intestines every time I touch my lower abdomen there is a lot of gaz, worst after eat it sucks. What is discouraging me is my pulling sensation inside my belly is like a muscle pain . What's your symptoms exactly? Did you have the pulling feeling in the area of surgery? Which test you have done ? Me ct, ultrasound, blood test

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Profile picture for shanamarie22 @shanamarie22

Yes I have gone to the surgeon and she just said it was the way my body was healing and my doctor just continuously will say it’s ovarian cysts coming back. The other doctors that I have seen all think it might be stump appendicitis my gallbladder or something else all in general but they don’t do anything about it

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Hi how are you now .... I have the same problem did you find something?? Thanks you 🙏

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Profile picture for whysomuchgas @whysomuchgas

Hi, I know this post is a couple of years old, but I'm hoping you will see this. I had my appendix taken out last November, since than I have has terrible gas problem. I cannot eat or drink anything without getting bloated and burping for hours and nausea all the time. I went to the hospital 2 times , both times ct scan and blood work and they say everything looks okay. I have tried everything to help this and nothing works from diets, protonix , gas pills , prebiotic. This has taken a toll on me and.i have become depressed from this. All day I'm bloated and burping. Sometimes so bad I vomit , nausea all the time. I'm lost and praying for help. Got a appointment with gastro on jan23. I should have been made a appointment earlier besides always going to urgent care and hospital but I have appointment now and hoping I can get some help.

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This is exactly where I am at 6 months after my surgery.

Nexium only thing that helps ,and gas x.

Gastro doctors have no clue. Ct scans and endoscopy shows nothing wrong. Did not have these issues before appendix was removed. Trying to get the test for Sibo done . Don’t think that is the case either, But they are running out of tests. So I will try anything. Hope you find answers also

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Profile picture for rachaels @rachaels

This is exactly where I am at 6 months after my surgery.

Nexium only thing that helps ,and gas x.

Gastro doctors have no clue. Ct scans and endoscopy shows nothing wrong. Did not have these issues before appendix was removed. Trying to get the test for Sibo done . Don’t think that is the case either, But they are running out of tests. So I will try anything. Hope you find answers also

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Hi @rachaels, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You sound exhausted from trying to fix pain and digestive problems you’ve been having since your surgery. You’ve made a positive step forward finding others here as your doctors continue ruling things out. Hang in there!

I am tagging others in this discussion that have been having similar experiences, some mentioning scheduled doctors appointments that may have helped. @max05210 @whysomuchgas @ctarrillo @alexaadams

You mention Nexium and gas x help relieve your symptoms. Have you noticed anything you eat particularly helping or causing problems? Does physical activity or maybe stretching help at all?

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Profile picture for alexaadams @alexaadams

For context, I have MCAS (Mast Cell), and a history of ovarian cysts and SIBO.A few months ago in February I had a laparoscopic appendectomy. Ever since then, starting mainly around a month post-op. I have been having the most severe gut health problems. I already follow a gluten free and vegan diet because of my sensitivity to animal products and gluten. It started in March with severe gas, very strong odor (something that I had never had in the past). It was agonizing and I felt nauseous constantly. Then it progressed to severe constipation, and even now I am constipated to the point where an enema does not do anything. As it progressed my heartburn after eating anything became horrible. Medications like tums, Pepcid, etc. do not help. These past two months I get horrifically bloated and develop abdominal cramps no matter what I eat. There is nausea following 90% of meals I eat, especially sugar. In addition I have developed panic attacks after eating. My worry is that in the past I’ve had two laparoscopic surgeries for ovarian cysts (this my abdomen has had a lot of trauma), I fear that during the appendectomy my vague nerve was damaged. I have also already don’t testing for parasites. I have found the only thing that completely stops the stomach ache is the use of edibles (marajuana) as it relaxes my vague nerve. I have an appointment with the Mayo Clinic in August but am desperate to know if anyone else has had complications like this following appendicitis.Also relevant: when I have abdominal pain it tends to be located on the lower left, occasionally lower right, by the bellybutton, and above the bellybutton.

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It sounds to me like each of the commenters might have abdominal adhesions as a result of their surgical procedures.

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Profile picture for rachaels @rachaels

This is exactly where I am at 6 months after my surgery.

Nexium only thing that helps ,and gas x.

Gastro doctors have no clue. Ct scans and endoscopy shows nothing wrong. Did not have these issues before appendix was removed. Trying to get the test for Sibo done . Don’t think that is the case either, But they are running out of tests. So I will try anything. Hope you find answers also

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Hi hi have exactly the same problem.... A lot of test my symptoms start 4 months post appendix removed u probably have some abdominal adhesions with time it s little bit better and for the digestive issues try to eat 5, 6 times a day but smaller. There is no cure for abdominal adhesions there is a surgery call adhesiolysis but it's only done in emergency cases ( bowel obstruction) yes adhesion can cause bowel obstruction it s a emergency so try massage and change your diet and don't worry if one day you have crampy pain , no stool, or vomiting go to the ER immediately, if you don't have this symptoms don't worry I hope it helped you ( sorry for my English) I'm french

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Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

Hi @rachaels, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You sound exhausted from trying to fix pain and digestive problems you’ve been having since your surgery. You’ve made a positive step forward finding others here as your doctors continue ruling things out. Hang in there!

I am tagging others in this discussion that have been having similar experiences, some mentioning scheduled doctors appointments that may have helped. @max05210 @whysomuchgas @ctarrillo @alexaadams

You mention Nexium and gas x help relieve your symptoms. Have you noticed anything you eat particularly helping or causing problems? Does physical activity or maybe stretching help at all?

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I have been documenting foods I eat. Haven’t found anything that makes it worse , pretty much the same with everything I eat. Liquids seem to disturb things the most. And yes, stretching and exercise definitely helps. It’s like a whole bunch of burps that are stuck , until I stretch .

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Profile picture for rachaels @rachaels

This is exactly where I am at 6 months after my surgery.

Nexium only thing that helps ,and gas x.

Gastro doctors have no clue. Ct scans and endoscopy shows nothing wrong. Did not have these issues before appendix was removed. Trying to get the test for Sibo done . Don’t think that is the case either, But they are running out of tests. So I will try anything. Hope you find answers also

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Hello, did you had a colonoscopy?

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