Three Weeks After Surgery: Experiencing Abdominal Discomfort
On July 3rd, I underwent an urgent appendectomy. Thankfully, the procedure revealed no signs of an abscess or rupture, and my recovery has been progressing well without any significant issues. For the first few weeks post-surgery, I managed my discomfort effectively with over-the-counter pain relief, aside from some mild sensitivity at the incision areas. However, over the last few days, I've encountered a resurgence of considerable pain localized on the left side near my largest incision. I would describe the pain as a steady 4 out of 10 when I am at rest, which can escalate to an 8 out of 10 with certain movements, particularly when lying on my left side. Is it common to experience such pain this far along in the recovery process, especially after having enjoyed a mostly pain-free period until recently? I am able to consume food and liquids and have no trouble with bathroom duties, although my appetite has diminished. I am not experiencing any fever. Due to having hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), I am aware that my healing may take longer than average. Currently, I am only taking medications related to mental health. I am a 30-year-old female.
Answers (1)
7/21/2025, 2:02:05 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about abdominal discomfort three weeks after your appendectomy, especially given your previous recovery. While some pain can be expected, a recent increase in pain, particularly localized near a surgical incision, should be taken seriously. Here are the main points to consider:
Explanation
After an appendectomy, it’s common to have soreness as your body heals. However, significant pain that develops after a period of improvement may indicate several things, such as:
- Incision healing issues: This could include infection or poor healing at the incision site, especially since you mentioned it’s localized.
- Internal complications: Though rare, conditions like fluid collections or other issues might arise post-surgery.
- Muscle strain: As you use your abdominal muscles during recovery, you may inadvertently strain them, especially if you're moving or repositioning in ways that stress the area.
Next Steps
Here are the prioritized actions you should take:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your pain levels, and note any changes. Pay attention to any new symptoms like swelling, redness, or discharge around the incision area.
-
Rest and Modify Activity: Limit movements that increase your pain, particularly lying on your left side if that exacerbates the discomfort. Resting can help reduce strain on your healing body.
-
Pain Management: Continue to manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief, but ensure you’re using it as directed. Do not hesitate to adjust your position or activity level to find what is comfortable for you.
-
Hydration and Nutrition: Focus on staying hydrated and try to eat small, nutritious meals as your appetite allows. If your appetite continues to diminish, consider soft foods or high-protein options.
-
Seek Medical Advice If Necessary: Should your pain escalate (for example, becoming more severe than 8/10), accompanied by vomiting, fever, or any new concerning symptoms, this would necessitate more urgent evaluation by a healthcare professional.
While it can be normal to experience fluctuations in pain during recovery, your comfort and well-being are paramount. Monitoring your symptoms and adjusting your activity levels should help; however, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider if you have persistent or worsening concerns.
Related Questions
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?