appendicitis or not?

[brejim]

I have recently been experiencing right side pain and mentioned it to my GP. He sent me for a CT which confirmed mild appendicitis. Don't have typical appendicitis symptoms other than pain and some nausea. My doc says to get it taken out. I went for a consult with a general surgeon and he said he isn't 100% that's my appendix since I don't have all the acute symptoms. He said there is no such thing as chronic appendicitis and my doc says "oh yes there is". UGH...I am going to another top notch surgeon in Boston for a second opinion on Thursday? Any thoughts?

[CalGal]

Brejim, you may also want to consider talking to your physician about the use of antibiotics. Some physicians - depending upon the case - have turned to using antibiotics instead of immediate surgery.

There are two cases I know of in which the individuals have sporadic issues with their appendix and have had the issue for, in one case one year and in the other case about 2 years. The problem never escalates to a full-stage appendicitis 'attack' stage. Both individuals and their doctors have chosen to treat with antibiotics which seems to bring things back into line - at least for the time being.

One of the gentleman says he gets a 'dull' ache close to the right 'hip bone' and feels a little 'crummy,' but doesn't experience anything more serious. He's had scans to confirm the initial diagnosis.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

There was a local surgeon that apparently only removed part of the appendix in three patients in a month. They all returned with recurrent appendicitis and he was run out of town.

[patientconfused]

is there a such thing as a partial appendectomy? if you have your appendix removed would thre be any reason to not remove the whole thing?

[patient915]

There is such a think as a chronic appendicitis (its an appendicitis that progresses relatively slowly).  It is best to have it removed because if it bursts it can become life-threatening.