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Hi all,
Writing on here as I really am at the end of my tether, here it goes… whilst on holiday in early July I found I had a really unbalanced tummy (swelling, loose bowels one minute, painful constipation the next) which I initially put down to a change in diet. But then the pain really started to kick in around my lower right abdomen, so on my return home I went straight to A&E where I was admitted with suspected appendicitis. After 3 days of tests all coming back negative they decided to do some laparoscopic investigation - I woke up 3 hours later being told my appendix was a little inflamed, had been removed and all should be fine in a few weeks. This is when the fun REALLY started. About two weeks after surgery the pain returned, this time in my left side of my abdomen, then the lower back pain started. Pressure in my chest where it felt like someone was standing on me appeared and my stomach that had been swollen since the op (understandingly) became more swollen, firm and very uncomfortable. This has all continued for over 2 months now, along with passing blood regularly in my stool which is dark and sticky. I need to pee so often I have to get up a few times in the night - this is where I should point out that I’m 39, and before all this started was very fit and energetic. I am fatigued to the point I barely leave home, I look more pregnant that my expectant best friend and am in constant agony. I’ve had multiple tests done which are all inconclusive and am currently waiting for a colonoscopy which I have had to BEG doctors for. I keep being told that it’s just ‘my body’ and how it’s healing from the appendix being removed. I have never felt this ill - has this happened to anyone else post surgery? Any help or guidance is so appreciated
Replies to "Hi all, Writing on here as I really am at the end of my tether, here..."
Welcome Katie. I moved your post to the Digestive Health group and specifically to this discussion:
- Lower right abdominal pain https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lower-right-abdominal-pain/
I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with other members like @shanamarie22 @lon @barkbarkbark1 @jenatsky @wshaikh22 @bonn @rashida and others.
A colonoscopy sounds like a good next step to investigate the issue.
@katiegreeniow - my heart goes out to you. I bet if you were a man doctors would not have left a stone unturned - women’s complaints just aren’t taken as serious as men’s and that makes me so angry! 😠
I'm so sorry for your pain and the distress it's caused you. I've been trying to get diagnosed for almost a year and am getting closer (different situation, but I've learned a lot). Feeling comfortable with your doctor or even their assistant matters so much. You need someone who will be your investigator and advocate to get answers. Easier said than done, I know. I've been blown off many times and had to be very forceful to get a colonoscopy too.
The colonoscopy sounds like a MUST in this situation. I am really hoping this gives you an answer. Biopsies from inside your colon and images will show much more than can be seen from the outside. Blood, dark stool is not good. C-Diff infections are super common after surgery or hospital stays. If nothing conclusive is seen in your scope, your upper GI (EGD) is another place to look for evidence. The GI tract is HUGE and there are so many illnesses that need to be ruled out if you have no answers and your body is continuing to sound the alarm. We can be walking around with genes or silent disease that can be living with us until something sets it off and then it's a cascade of reactions.
Hang in there and I hope you get some answers soon.
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Oh gosh this sounds so bad. I can't help you but hang in there, someone else might!