Pain after removeal of ruptured appendix

[Willyt]

  I am 45yrs old.  I have  pain and tenderness in my right abdomen and a warm uncomfortable feeling in my body and night sweats.  A little over 4 months ago, I had pain on my right side, vomiting and fever.  I went to the doc 4 days later and it turned out I had a ruptured appendix.  The doc performed laparscopic surgery.  He had trouble getting to the appendix and had to leave a stump in.  Complications developed after my hospital stay.  I formed a 8 cm by 7 cm phlegmon around the sutures.  I was readmitted for another 6 days(on heavy IV antibiotics)due to fever and high wbc count(21000).  The phlegmon eventually went away.  I was on augmentin, cipro and flagyl for 21 days.  After that, I had diarrhea and gastro doc thought I had c diff and gave my 2 separate rounds of Vanco (15 and 20 days)(tests came back neg). I have had 6 CT Scans (Abdomen and Pelvis), a colonoscopy and SBFT and gallbladder Ultrasound (sludge and crystals). The latest CT was unremarkable except for a very large amount of stool.  Later I had a small bowel follow through(normal) but again, the radiologist noted a "copious" amount of stool in my colon.
Will my pain and warm uncomfortble feeling ever go away? Any idea what is causing it? It seems to be better some mornings but always gets worse in the evening.    The Doctor sees what he thinks is the stump in the CT but says it is very small and should not be the problem. I am desperate.  I have wife and kids that I love and that depend on me.  Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

If the infection has been appropriate treated and resolved, there should be no reason why you should not heal appropriately.  This is especially true with the most recent unremarkable CT scan.

If constipation is a problem, a colonoscopy can be considered to look for anatomical abnormalities or strictures.

C Difficile can be difficult to treat, especially since you have been on so many antibiotics.  Repeat testing of the stool can be considered to ensure eradication.  If the Vanco and Flagyl are not helpful, medications like Rifaximin or cholestyramine may help.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Sheri627]

A related discussion, Peritonitis was started.