Posted 7/15/2014 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. I also wanted to share that I had chronic appendicitis in case is it helpful for others out there to know that it does exist. I had lower right quadrant pain that hurt continually for 5 months. It was a dull pain that would get more painful with exercise. I went to the ER twice, had two ct scans (one with contrast, one with out), a upper GI with small bowel follow through, several blood tests, liver function tests, urine analysis, and three internal ultrasounds (looking for cysts) and EVERYTHING came back normal. The only findings were a very slightly dilated tip of appendix (the surgeon didn't even think it was worth considering) and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. I didn't have elevated white blood cells, no fever, no nausea (at first - but some toward the end of the 5 months). In addition, I had a mild anemia that got better with iron pills. I was eventually at a loss and I asked for an exploratory laparoscopy and for them to take out my appendix while they were at it. I also asked for a genealogical surgeon to be present to check for endometrioesis (because you can only find this with surgery - I figure get the most out of the surgery as I could). Today I'm 2.5 weeks post op and met with my surgeon. He said that my appendix was still only slightly enlarged but was stiff and hard, not soft, when he took it out. He also showed my the pathology report which confirmed "acute appendicitis" even though I didn't have strong pains - only continuos dull pains that I would say were about a 4-6 on the 10 point pain scale. They also found a small amount of endometriosis that they took out. So, it is possible to have appendicitis even though the appendix looks somewhat normal on the scans. My surgeon said he was so surprised and he actually seemed very excited to see that this was possible. I am still in pain after 2 weeks post op - feels like the same pain as before. I think it will take some time to heal. Hope this helps