appendicitis

[anotherfinemess]

Has anyone had this?  I have had pain in right lower abdomen for four days.  also bloating and tenderness entire abdomen.  I went to dr, he suspects appendicitis.  I get a ct scan, and its questionable,  the appendix is inflamed, but borderline.  I talk to the surgeon, he says "lets operate now" (Thursday evening). I say, lets not, since I have no nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, or excrutiating pain (right lower abdomen only really hurts when you press on it).  The other possible diagnosis is that its a ruptured ovarian cyst.  So I decided to take an antibiotic for a week and see if it improves.  If not, I'm getting an appendectomy next week.  I'll have to spend the night in the hospital, I'll have to take a week off from work, and I'll have to get PAIN PILLS.
I don't even want to FLIRT with this after the hell I caused myself (now 60 days clean).
My question is- has anyone had appendicitis-- and what were your symptoms?  I don't want surgery, but I don't particularly want my appendix bursting at any moment either.

[lurker]

My professional opinion as a nurse is don't wait until it gets too bad to have it out or you'll be in real pain.  They can do it with a scope if it hasn't ruptured, which is doesn't sound like it has and there will be minimal pain because there are just three tiny little incisions.  You may be able to get by without pain meds.  It can be very subtle, but if it ruptures, you'll have a very big infection, open wound and tons of pain.  Just follow up closely wiht your doctor - make sure he knows your concerns about the meds and make sure he/she uses the laparoscope to take it out.  If you have the ruptured ovarian cyst, that will go away on it's own - get your hiney into the doctor if the pain gets worse, if you run a fever or start having diarrhea/vomiting.  
Keep us posted- I'll pray you'll be out of pain soon!!

[lurker]

Also, I had appendicitis 25 years ago - very subtle right lower quadrant pain, they thought it was a ruptured cyst and back then they always operated on them so when they went in, they found the appendicitis  the pain was really bad if you pressed on my abdomen and it was hard to stand up straight or sit - I laid in the fetal position.  But, that was my first experience with Demerol and it's been a long ride since so I really understand your concern.  Good luck!!   Shari

[anotherfinemess]

Thanks Shari.  I have been on the antibiotic for 3 days and the pain is subsiding.  I have  my surgeon on speed-dial, as well as the anesthesiologist I've requested, and my parents to pick me up and take me there if necessary. (I've assembled  my team!)
In the meantime, I feel just fine, my appetite is great, my bowels are normal, so I'm going to wait and see.  If there is any change (any nausea, vomiting, fever, increased pain, whatever) you bet I will get ball rolling on this. Thanks again for your help.
Lisa