Navigating the Mysteries of Acute Appendicitis: A Concerned Mother Seeks Insight
I want to start by apologizing for any potential over-explanation or lengthy details in my post. My experiences recently have heightened my health anxieties, so please bear with me. You can skip the sections enclosed in curly brackets for brevity if you prefer. **BACKGROUND:** I am a 41-year-old woman generally in good health and without any significant past medical issues. I’m married and a mother of three boys aged 7, 9, and 14. On Wednesday, July 2nd, while returning from a lengthy car trip, I developed classic symptoms indicative of acute appendicitis. Around 2 PM, I felt a sharp, pulling sensation near my belly button, which progressed later that evening into severe cramping and pain localized in my lower right abdomen. This discomfort roused me from sleep around 2-3 AM and persisted for about two hours, and I ended up vomiting three times along with experiencing chills and sweating. Initially, I suspected I might have strained a muscle from sitting for too long in the car, and attributed the rest of my symptoms to menstrual cramps since my period had just begun the previous day. I also hadn’t eaten much for lunch or dinner, which I thought might be contributing to the nausea. On Thursday, I took it easy and noted that my discomfort didn’t return to the intensity I had felt overnight. The area around my belly button and lower right abdomen was tender, yet not unbearably painful. We opted to cut our trip short and return home that Thursday, just in case the pain reemerged. By Friday, July 4th, I felt mostly back to normal with just a slight tenderness, no pain, no fever, and a good appetite. {It’s worth mentioning that all of this transpired while we were away on vacation, which influenced my decision not to seek emergency medical care right away. At the time, appendicitis wasn’t even on my radar; I believed it could just be muscle strain combined with menstrual discomfort (even though I typically don't have intense cramps, I have noticed that my periods have become heavier as I've entered my 40s, which I assumed might be a part of perimenopause).} On Saturday, July 5th, I decided to visit Urgent Care to rule out the possibility of a urinary tract infection, umbilical hernia or ovarian cyst, which I thought could be responsible for my initial intense pain. Given the typical symptoms and pain location, the medical staff sent me to the ER for a CT scan to evaluate my appendix. The results were not definitive but indicated a possibility of mild acute appendicitis, showing slight dilation at 7mm (with a cutoff at 6mm) and mild edema of the wall. No fecalith, blockages, or masses were found. I was presented with the choice of having an appendectomy the next morning or opting for antibiotic treatment. I chose to proceed with just the antibiotics and remained in the hospital for observation. I received IV antibiotics (Piperacillin/Tazobactam) during the night and left the hospital the following day with a prescription for a 10-day course of Augmentin. The surgeon I consulted during my discharge was supportive of my decision. He noted I wasn’t showing signs of pain upon repeated examinations and had no elevated white blood cell count or fever. He even expressed that “I don’t think you have appendicitis,” a statement that offered me considerable reassurance because I worried about being subjected to surgery and not being able to go home that day. I have a follow-up scheduled in two weeks to discuss the possibility of an interval appendectomy and a future colonoscopy. {To clarify my thought process: I was exhausted from a prolonged ER wait, taken aback by the CT findings, and genuinely frightened at the thought of immediate surgery, which I had never undergone. I generally prefer to keep my body as intact as possible and didn’t want to lose an organ that seems to have immune functionality unless absolutely necessary. Given that I didn’t display acute symptoms at that moment, I believed immediate surgery wasn’t justified. One ER physician was comfortable with my decision to go home and return for follow-up assessment, which helped me perceive the situation as less critical than a surgical emergency. However, another ER doctor insisted on continued observation.} Since getting back home, I have experienced no new symptoms other than some mild diarrhea linked to the Augmentin. I began taking probiotics yesterday and had a solid stool this morning (July 9th, Day 3 of Augmentin). I've noticed some minor abdominal rumbling and discomfort an hour or two after taking my medication, but that's gradually diminishing. In an effort to understand everything I can about appendicitis and its implications, I have been devoting a significant amount of time to research, which has led to an increase in my anxieties and doubts regarding my decisions and next steps. **QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:** - What are the chances that my acute appendicitis resolved on its own? - Is it plausible that my appendix could have perforated early Thursday morning, leading to a subsequent relief from pain without any signs of infection or sepsis? Is that scenario even possible? - Considering the risk of a future recurrence, how risky was my decision to choose the non-operative approach with only antibiotics, especially since the acute episode had occurred three days prior to my hospital visit? The non-operative method seems to be more widely accepted outside of the United States, where I currently reside, although the supporting studies are relatively new and somewhat contentious. - What steps should I take next to alleviate my worries? As a mother to three young sons, I am deeply unsettled by the research indicating that acute appendicitis in individuals over 40 might be an early sign of colon or other cancers. Though it remains exceedingly rare, the potential for appendix cancer is, at this moment, my greatest fear. I was very disturbed by a Reddit thread I encountered that kept me awake last night, filled with dread about the possible spread of cancer cells in my abdominal cavity while I slept. --- Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read through my entire post. I understand how I might come across. I would greatly appreciate any insights or feedback you could provide. Thank you in advance!
Answers (1)

7/9/2025, 11:31:10 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience and concerns regarding your recent health situation. Your anxiety is completely understandable, especially when it comes to the health of a parent. Let's address your main questions and concerns regarding your symptoms and decision for treatment, while offering some reassurance and next steps.
Main Points:
- The chances of your acute appendicitis resolving on its own are possible, and your symptoms may indicate improvement.
- It's unlikely that your appendix perforated without causing significant symptoms or signs of infection.
- While there is some risk in opting for a non-operative approach, many patients respond well to antibiotics, especially at an early stage.
- Focus on symptom monitoring and follow-up care to alleviate your worries.
Explanation:
-
Resolution of Appendicitis: There is some evidence that mild cases of appendicitis can sometimes resolve on their own, particularly when symptoms improve significantly, as you've experienced. With conservative management, many patients recover without surgery.
-
Risk of Perforation: While perforation can indeed cause a reduction in pain initially due to the release of pressure within the abdomen, it's generally accompanied by severe symptoms, including fever, rapid heart rate, and further abdominal distension. Since you did not observe these signs, it's more likely that your appendix did not perforate.
-
Non-Operative Treatment: Choosing antibiotics over immediate surgery, especially when you were not exhibiting acute symptoms like fever or elevated white blood cell counts, is a valid approach. Many healthcare systems are increasingly supportive of this method, especially for low-risk patients with mild appendicitis.
-
Understanding Risks and Symptoms: Since you have a follow-up appointment scheduled, it’s important to monitor any new or recurring symptoms, such as increased abdominal pain, fever, or persistent changes in bowel habits. These would necessitate prompt medical attention.
Next Steps:
-
Symptom Monitoring: Keep a journal of any abdominal symptoms, including their intensity, duration, and any associated signs (like fever). This can help identify patterns and make it easier to discuss with your healthcare provider during your follow-up.
-
Follow-Up Care: Attend your scheduled follow-up appointment in two weeks. Discuss any concerns regarding cancer or further tests, such as a colonoscopy, with your doctor. They can provide reassurance and clarity regarding screening recommendations.
-
Manage Anxiety: Address your health anxieties by considering relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or talking with a mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed. Engaging in activities that distract and engage you positively can also be beneficial.
-
Balanced Information: While conducting research, focus on reputable health sources and discussions with healthcare professionals rather than anecdotal accounts, which might exacerbate fears.
It's completely normal to feel unsettled after such a health scare, especially with so much information circulating about various health conditions. Remember that you made thoughtful and informed choices based on your situation, and staying engaged in your health management is the best path forward. I'm here if you have more questions or need further clarification.
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance
I am a 27-year-old woman, standing at 1.5 meters tall and weighing 46 kilograms. Since I entered my second trimester ten weeks ago, I have been experiencing several concerning symptoms, including fatigue, a fluttering sensation in my heartbeat, nausea, frequent headaches, and episodes of shortness of breath. My heart rate has spiked at times, reaching between 160 and 180 beats per minute. I have undergone a variety of tests, including D-dimer, thyroid function tests, a full blood count, and ferritin levels. Additionally, there were ultrasounds of my thyroid and heart, along with examinations for pheochromocytoma, an echocardiogram, and an electrocardiogram, all of which returned normal results. Despite this, my symptoms continue to persist three months after giving birth. Furthermore, my Huawei Band 9 has been reporting arrhythmia or premature ventricular contractions (PVC) as many as 15 times during the night. I am seeking urgent assistance, as I have already consulted several healthcare professionals without resolution.
Persistent Dry Cough for Over Five Years
I am a 25-year-old male who has been grappling with a persistent dry cough since 2020. Initially, I suspected that it might stem from allergies; however, allergy treatments have not alleviated my symptoms. This cough occurs at all hours, regardless of the season or location, making it rather unpredictable. It’s entirely dry, meaning I can’t expectorate anything, and it manifests as a slight irritation or tickle in my throat that provokes coughing fits. Although it hasn’t severely impacted my quality of life, it has become increasingly bothersome. I’m not currently on any medication and have never smoked. Throughout the years, I have consulted various medical professionals and explored numerous treatments, including inhalers and nasal irrigation. After a consultation with a specialist in asthma, I experimented with Symbicort, but it provided limited relief. I have encountered challenges in using inhalers correctly because of the nature of my cough; inhaling deeply often triggers an urge to cough, causing me to expel most of the medication before it can take effect. I would appreciate any insights regarding potential causes for this ongoing dry cough. Additionally, are there different types of inhalers or techniques for using them that might yield better results for my situation?
Recovery from De Quervain’s Tendon Surgery
Hello! I’m a 22-year-old female, and I underwent De Quervain’s tendon release surgery about 15 hours ago. Currently, I’m experiencing numbness from my middle finger to my thumb, starting from the middle of my forearm. The procedure was conducted under local anesthesia, and while it wasn’t unbearable, there were moments of discomfort throughout. Is it typical to have lingering numbness in such a significant area of my arm and hand? I plan to reach out to the office when they open in the morning, but I wanted to gather some insights from anyone who might be familiar with this. I was informed that the numbness should subside within 5 to 6 hours. Additionally, my surgeon mentioned that there are two anatomical variations in my wrist—though I can’t quite recall one of them; the other was an unusual growth of muscle in the tendon, which he noted was problematic but successfully addressed. I have complete trust in my surgeon (let’s hope he doesn’t see this!) and just wanted to see if others have had similar experiences before I consult someone tomorrow.
Recovering from Hepatitis A: A Personal Journey
I am currently in the fifth week of my recovery from Hepatitis A. I'm curious to know when I might be able to return to the gym, start taking supplements, and if it's safe to use recreational drugs or consume alcohol. I've attached my lab results from week one and week four for reference. In my week one tests, my bilirubin level was 5.1, which decreased to 1.23 by week four. My ALT/SGPT levels were initially 1250, falling to 39.6 in the following week. For AST/SGOT, the numbers dropped from 515 to 26.3. The GGT values also improved, from 540 to 129. As for my personal stats, I am a 23-year-old male, weighing 70 kg and standing at 180 cm tall. I previously had a habit of smoking regularly.
Feeling Uneasy About My Safety
To give you some background, I’m a 24-year-old autistic individual currently living at home with my parents. It’s been a challenging time for me, especially since I haven't found stable employment in quite a while. My mother has been quite critical about this, but I can see where she's coming from. I attended college for some time but eventually dropped out only to return later. Recently, my sister has successfully moved out, which prompted my mother to consider relocating, coinciding with the onset of my health issues. It started with a couple of sleepless nights, leaving me feeling unwell and struggling with ongoing tinnitus in my left ear. This situation heightened my anxiety, all while I faced delays in getting my health insurance approved, which added to my stress regarding the healthcare system. About a week ago, I had an unsettling experience when I tried cake my mom had made. It had a distinctly chemical taste that was oddly sweet, and I couldn’t shake the flavor even after rinsing my mouth. A few days later, she offered me some chips topped with hot sauce. I opted to skip the sauce and once again experienced that overpowering chemical taste, only this time it was even stronger. Subsequently, I felt a wave of fatigue wash over me; I could barely keep my eyes open. This lethargy lingered for four to five hours before I returned to feeling like myself. I can't tell if my dad is aware of any of this, but I have a strong suspicion that my mother is tampering with my food, along with who knows what else. Moreover, I’ve observed a peculiar change in my mother’s behavior whenever I engage her in conversation. It feels like she zones out completely, which makes our interactions feel unnatural. She puts on a facade with forced smiles and laughter that absolutely discomforts me, as she hasn’t acted this way in the past. She was once prone to anger, shouting, and name-calling; however, now she seems to dismiss any conflict with a calmness that feels more unnerving than her previous outbursts. There have been instances where I've experienced shortness of breath along with the weakness and tiredness after eating, which only deepens my fear. I’m genuinely frightened and, unfortunately, I lack the means to move out right now. I'm unsure about how to seek help or even gather any proof, but I instinctively feel that I need to escape this situation. I want to bring this up with my doctor, but I'm uncertain if they can offer any support. Edit: I realize I didn’t mention earlier that I’m male, but that’s not entirely relevant. I've had suspicions about my mother's behavior for years. In my childhood, I experienced random bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. In recent years, every time I’d argue with her, I noticed that my toothbrush and shower towel smelled strange shortly after those conflicts, and she would often enter the bathroom around the same time, which made me uneasy. My mother has consistently been the most toxic person in my life. Throughout my upbringing, there were numerous incidents of domestic violence with my father and siblings, but those physical altercations ceased about five years ago—around when I began noticing her manipulating my belongings. I can’t help but think this might be her way of projecting her emotions since normal confrontations don’t seem to suffice anymore. I hope I’m just imagining things because I feel completely overwhelmed with everything right now. I have little courage to discuss these worries with my physician.