Is It Normal to Experience Pain on Day 9 Post-Laparoscopic Appendectomy?
I am a 32-year-old female, standing at 4'11" and a non-smoker, who underwent surgery to remove my appendix nine days ago. Despite the time elapsed, I am still experiencing discomfort. Should I be anxious about this? Initially, I was diagnosed with chronic appendicitis, which is quite uncommon, as confirmed by a CT scan. During the procedure, my appendix was found to be mildly inflamed, and the surgical report indicated that there were no complications. After my surgery, I was admitted to the hospital for two nights where I dealt with significant pain related to gas and sensitivity in the area of the removed appendix. By day six, I noticed increased fatigue, although the pain was manageable. I continued to take my prescribed pain relief medication. On day seven, I began to experience painful pelvic cramps and muscle spasms in the pelvic region upon waking. I still felt gas shifting in my stomach, leading to discomfort that would subside after walking but would return each morning. These symptoms allowed me to reduce my pain medication intake to just a single dose of paracetamol. By day eight, I woke up with pelvic pain again, accompanied by a dull ache in my lower right back and cramping sensations slightly above the area where my appendix used to be. This pain could be alleviated by lying down or using a heat pad. Now it's day nine, and the aching in my right side and pelvic discomfort persists upon waking. Nevertheless, I feel relatively normal in the afternoon, although the appendix-related pain tends to re-emerge at night. My activity level has been quite low, resulting in not much walking throughout the day. I've taken two doses of paracetamol along with two ibuprofen to manage the pain. As for other symptoms, I do not have a fever, and there is no redness, swelling, or discharge from my incision sites. I only experience a slight nausea when the right-side pain intensifies, which is manageable when I lie down. My fatigue has lessened since day five, and my appetite is stable. I am having bowel movements about three times daily, which is more frequent than my usual once a day, but there are no signs of diarrhea or blood in my stool. Should I be worried? I was under the impression that the pain would steadily decrease each day, yet it seems to have escalated slightly over the last couple of days, particularly as I’ve been reducing my pain medication. My main concern revolves around the persistent ache in my right side.
Answers (1)
8/27/2025, 10:45:26 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about persistent pain following your laparoscopic appendectomy. While it's common to experience some discomfort post-surgery, there are a few important considerations regarding your symptoms on day nine.
Key Points:
- Persistent pain and discomfort nine days after surgery can be normal due to healing, but it’s crucial to monitor your symptoms.
- Your current symptoms, including pelvic cramps and right-sided aches, might be related to post-operative recovery, gas, or muscle tension.
- The lack of fever, redness, swelling, and stable bowel habits are positive signs, but increased pain or changes in symptoms warrant careful attention.
Explanation: After surgery, it’s normal to experience a range of symptoms as your body heals. Laparoscopic surgeries, while minimally invasive, can still lead to post-operative pain due to gas used during the procedure or irritation of surrounding tissues. The aches you're feeling could also be caused by increased activity, healing processes, or muscle strain from limited movement. The fact that your symptoms temporarily lessen with movement and heat suggests that some discomfort may stem from muscle tension or trapped gas.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep a detailed log of your pain levels, any new symptoms, and what seems to alleviate or worsen your discomfort.
- Stay Active: Aim to gradually increase your walking and activity level. Gentle walking can help reduce gas buildup and promote healing.
- Pain Management: Continue using over-the-counter pain medications as needed, but consider alternating between ibuprofen and paracetamol with rest as necessary to minimize ultimate dependency on medication.
- Hydration and Diet: Ensure you’re well-hydrated and consuming balanced meals; this can help with digestion and aid in normal bowel function.
- Heat Application: Continue using a heat pad on your abdomen or lower back to soothe discomfort, but ensure that the pads are at a safe temperature to avoid burns.
If your symptoms do not improve within the next few days, if you experience increased pain intensity, or if you develop new symptoms (like fever, significant changes in bowel movements, or unusual discharge), reach out for more focused medical advice to rule out any complications.
Your body is recovering from surgery, and while it can take time, being proactive about your symptoms and recovery can help ease your concerns. Let me know if you need further clarification or support!
Related Questions
Injury to the Sciatic Nerve
At 25 years old and weighing 135 pounds, I am currently taking naproxen and Lyrica to manage my sciatic nerve injury. The pain in my right leg has made it incredibly difficult for me to remain upright. It’s been two weeks since I first sought treatment; I consulted a physician who advised medication and attended a physiotherapy session. Initially, I experienced some relief after the appointment, but unfortunately, the pain returned the following day—even the prescribed home exercises exacerbated my discomfort. Just yesterday, I attempted the cobra pose, along with the flossing technique, which only heightened my pain. I find it nearly impossible to stand for more than a few seconds before the discomfort becomes intolerable. Additionally, I have an appointment with an osteopath on Tuesday, but I can't shake off my worries— is it normal to still struggle with walking after two weeks? Although I am experiencing some numbness in my toes, I haven’t encountered any loss of bladder or bowel control, worsening numbness, or weakness in my legs, so I feel stable in that regard. Nonetheless, I fear the possibility of never fully recovering and being left with a lasting disability. The pain is overwhelming, adding to my anxiety about the future.
Concern Regarding Persistent Tongue Bump with White Coating
I am a 24-year-old male, standing at 190 cm tall and weighing 109 kg. For the past five weeks, I've experienced a peculiar issue on my tongue. Specifically, there's a noticeable bump on the right side near the tip, which I believe may have been developing over time, although I'm not entirely sure about that timeline. Recently, I've been troubled by an unusual sensation, including dryness, an odd taste, and a slight decrease in my sense of taste. Additionally, I've observed a white coating that is more pronounced on the aforementioned side of my tongue. The bump in question: - Does not cause any pain. - May have increased slightly in size over the weeks, though I'm uncertain. - Appears smooth with a pink surface, free of bleeding or ulceration. Given that this issue has persisted for over a month, I am feeling quite anxious and am concerned that it may indicate a serious problem. I have no significant medical history, but I confess that my dental hygiene has not been up to par, as I haven’t been brushing regularly. At this moment, I’m also under medication for H. pylori, known as Pylera, but this tongue concern predates my treatment. I am a non-smoker and am reaching out for any insights on this condition. Has anyone experienced something similar? Could this be a sign of irritation, infection, or something benign? I really appreciate any guidance you could provide. Thank you!
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.