Could This Be Appendicitis or Something Else?
I am a 24-year-old woman, non-smoker, and I have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but I’m otherwise healthy. For the past couple of weeks, I've been experiencing intermittent mild stinging sensations in my lower right abdomen that feel like zaps of electricity. Although I’ve never felt anything like this before, I initially considered it could be related to my ovaries. Given my PCOS and history of painful menstruation, it's reasonable to suspect issues like ovarian cysts, even though I haven’t encountered them yet. However, for the past few hours, I've been feeling a more consistent pain in the same area, which radiates down my right leg. At times, it resembles the "growing pains" from my childhood or even sensations similar to sciatica. I attempted various self-assessments to determine if this could be appendicitis. When I applied pressure to my lower right abdomen and then released it, I didn’t notice a spike in pain. Similarly, standing on my toes and dropping onto my heels didn't exacerbate my discomfort, nor did jumping up and down make it worse. Considering that I've had these sporadic electrical pains in my right abdomen for about a fortnight and that the current pain is manageable—while still being an aggravation—it leads me to believe this isn't appendicitis. If it were, I think it would present differently. But now I’m left wondering what else could be the cause. Should I seek immediate medical attention at the emergency room?
Answers (1)
3/27/2025, 11:20:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
The symptoms you're describing, including the stinging sensations in your lower right abdomen and the more consistent pain radiating down your right leg, can be concerning. While your assessments indicate that it might not be appendicitis, it’s still essential to consider various possibilities, especially given your medical history with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Explanation
Appendicitis typically presents with severe, worsening pain, especially with movement or when pressure is applied (rebound tenderness). However, your gradual onset and the specific nature of your pain might suggest other issues, such as ovarian cysts or muscle strain, especially considering your PCOS. The shooting pains you mentioned could also be related to nerve irritation or other abdominal conditions.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed record of your pain patterns over the next few days, noting what aggravates or alleviates it.
- Pay attention to any changes, especially if the pain becomes more severe or if you develop any new symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits.
-
Self-Care at Home:
- Apply a heating pad to the lower abdomen for comfort. This can help relieve spasms or discomfort.
- Stay well-hydrated and maintain a balanced diet. Avoid foods that can exacerbate abdominal discomfort, like greasy or spicy dishes.
-
Assess Activity Level:
- Engage in light activities but avoid heavy lifting or straining, which could aggravate your symptoms.
-
When to Seek Medical Attention:
- If your pain worsens, becomes unbearable, or if you develop any of the following signs, consider seeking medical attention immediately:
- Fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Significant changes in bowel or urinary habits
- New, severe abdominal swelling or tenderness
- If your pain worsens, becomes unbearable, or if you develop any of the following signs, consider seeking medical attention immediately:
While it's understandable to feel anxious about these symptoms, careful monitoring and appropriate next steps can often lead to better clarity on the situation. If you continue to have concerns or if anything changes significantly, don’t hesitate to reach out for medical advice sooner.
Related Questions
Mom's Battle with C. Difficile
My mom, who is 53 years old, was diagnosed with C. difficile last night. She's 22 and I’m seriously concerned as there’s been no prior use of antibiotics that could have caused this infection; the emergency room physician suggested she must have contracted it from an external source. Her regular medications consist of compounded hormone replacement therapy due to her post-menopausal status and pantoprazole to manage her acid reflux. The sole symptom she has experienced is persistent diarrhea, with no accompanying pain, nausea, or any other issues over the last eight days. On day six, she visited her primary care provider, who conducted blood and urine tests but dismissed the need for immediate action and recommended a CT scan instead. However, due to financial constraints, she could not proceed with the scan. The following day, we ended up at the ER, where they performed a stool analysis, confirming the C. difficile infection. She was prescribed Flagyl and Cipro, but I’m puzzled about the use of Cipro since it is known to exacerbate C. difficile infections. This concern was heightened when, just 20 minutes post-medication, she became extremely ill, leading me to consider contacting emergency services. The ER also made claims about C. difficile being eliminated solely through soap and water cleaning on surfaces, which contradicts much of the research I have conducted. While I understand that handwashing can remove spores, the doctor's assertion that surface disinfection with bleach, which we have been diligent about due to our cleanliness obsession, would be ineffective was alarming. They suggested everyone in our household might now be affected. This morning, I reached out to her primary care physician to explore alternative treatments, but they responded harshly, insisting she should have undergone the scan because they suspect a blockage. This is bewildering to me, especially since she has not exhibited any symptoms suggesting a blockage whatsoever. They failed to consider her complete lack of nausea until after she had the medication from the ER. We feel stuck and frustrated—if she truly has C. difficile, this has already persisted for eight days, and she urgently requires a therapeutic approach that won't leave her feeling worse. We’re in desperate need of guidance.
Tragic Situation Surrounding a Benadryl Overdose
Hello everyone. I’m reaching out because my younger sister, who was just 14 years old, tragically ended her life last night using Benadryl. I’m here seeking insight into her situation, and while I don’t need condolences, I appreciate any expressions of sympathy that may come my way. What I truly seek is raw, unfiltered information about what she may have experienced. Details: (I lack medical knowledge, so this information may not be crucial) - Female, age 14 - Height approximately 5'5" (give or take) and weight around 105-115 pounds (this is an educated estimate) - Took between 160-180 tablets, totaling around 4-4.5 grams (this estimate is based on my recent purchase of the bottle and her typical usage for sleep) My questions are as follows: (Feel free to share any other thoughts as well) How much time did she have after ingesting the medication? What might her last moments have been like? Was her passing calm, or was it filled with hallucinations or confusion? Did she experience seizures, or did she simply fall asleep? These are the difficult questions that I find hard to research myself. I hope that this discussion can provide clarity for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation someday. I’m immensely grateful for any help in advance. As I post this, I’ ll be going to bed soon and may not respond to comments unless they hold significant questions related to my inquiries, though I might reconsider that later on.
Concerns About Measles Exposure After Outbreak at Work
We have not experienced any symptoms, and both of us received our vaccinations during childhood. Recently, one of our coworkers was identified as the initial case of measles within the state and has since been hospitalized. The workplace is a smaller manufacturing facility, employing around 30 people, many of whom are unvaccinated. Given this situation, do we need to take any specific actions? Is it still possible for us to transmit the virus despite being vaccinated? We are uncertain about the necessary safety measures to adopt. Our employer hasn't communicated anything regarding the outbreak; we only learned about it when we saw our workplace mentioned in the news.
Managing Fever with NAFLD
At 31 years old, I've been dealing with some health challenges. In September, I discovered I had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to abnormal enzyme levels revealed in an ultrasound. Although my latest results show a decrease, my enzyme levels remain somewhat elevated, with a moderate accumulation of fat noted. My doctor advised against using acetaminophen for pain relief. Interestingly, my father, who has a more severe case with significantly higher enzyme levels, was allowed to use acetaminophen but not ibuprofen. Since my diagnosis, I've avoided both medications. However, I am currently suffering from a cold accompanied by a fever of 100.2 degrees, which is quite uncomfortable. I reached out to my healthcare provider for advice, but since it's late at night, I probably won't receive a response until tomorrow. For context, I am on a treatment regimen that includes 20mg of Abilify and 50mg of Pristiq, and I do not consume alcohol. Today, I also took Sudafed PE twice to help with my symptoms.
Scaly Rash Emerging Near Cat Bite
I am a 30-year-old female, and I recently noticed a small, red rash that is raised and scaly around a bite I received on my calf from a fully vaccinated indoor cat. This rash is not warm, swollen, painful, or itchy and emerged roughly a week after the incident. The outline of the rash is distinctly defined, resembling a diamond shape, and is approximately the size of my thumbprint. I have a history of eczema from my childhood, and I have also been diagnosed with combined symptoms of Lupus and Scleroderma, in addition to mucous membrane pemphigoid; however, all of these conditions are currently well managed. The rash does not appear to be infected, and I’ve come across information suggesting that skin injuries can lead to the development of autoimmune sores in the same area. What might be the cause of this rash?