What does appendix pain feel like? - David R. Flum

Explore what we know about the function of the appendix, what leads to appendicitis, and why the organ is so prone to bursting.

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In 1961, an Antarctic expedition took a harrowing turn: Dr. Leonid Rogozov began feeling feverish, with an excruciating pain in his right side. It soon became clear that he had appendicitis. While Rogozov’s predicament was extreme, appendicitis is not uncommon; affecting roughly one in 12 people. So, what causes appendicitis? And why is this organ so prone to bursting? David R. Flum investigates.

Lesson by David R. Flum, directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio.

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[ariellll-vbnm]

As I was 15, I had appendicitis. I had to throw up several times and stomach ache. My Mom drove me to the ER, but I was sent home because the doctor assumed it to be nothing serious. Long story short, one week after, I had to go to the ER again because, meanwhile, the pain was unbearable. We found out that my appendix ruptured, and I had to undergo surgery immediately. The surgeon said afterwards that I was in a life-threatening situation and that I should have come earlier. I was like: Dude, I came but your colleague sent me home 😭😭

[alexandradelliou]

Wow, Dr. Rogozov is an absolute BEAST of a human being. Just, wow

[ellier.]

I had appendicitis, but they just gave me really strong antibiotics. I didnt need surgery. They gave me the antibiotics in the ER, and then i stayed at hospital for a few days, just like in the video. I was amazed that i didnt need surgery. Im still grateful.

[callofgears]

Dear god the explanation of it all gave me intense anxiety, condolences to anyone that has suffered from it

[shalanefriesen]

I was 36 weeks pregnant when my appendix ruptured. The medical team thought it was just labour pain, and I gave birth. But I was still in so much pain after delivery, they rushed me for a CT scan and then to the ER for surgery, as I was going septic.

Definitely had a guardian angel watching me that day- and so grateful for the medical team for saving my life!

[artificialcode]

I had appendicitis, about 6 years ago, and the pain mentioned in the video is literally on point. It hurts so much, whether you move, or you dont, I was just rolling around on the floor from the pain. I had to get surgery immediately, and the one with the 3 holes procedure was what the doctor went with. The doctor, after surgery, told me that the operation took a lot of time, not because the appendix had already burst, but because it BURST OPEN DURING THE OPERATION!!!. He said it was a dangerous situation, even for him, but fortunately they removed it. I dont have any health issues since

[joshuagcwong]

My appendicitis was what we thought to be food poisoning when I got it as a kid. Eventually the pain got so severe that I could not stand up, that lasted about 3 days before it got so intense my family finally took me to hospital. The doctors said the infection was so bad if I hadn't come in in the next 48 hours I could have died. Was in hospital for a week after they rushed me to surgery to get my appendix removed. The reason we didn't go sooner is 2 years before I had food poisoning so assumed it was that again. We theorise that the food poisoning 2 years prior likely made me more susceptible somehow to gut issues, as to this day in my twenties I still suffer a temperamental gut.

[Yodelling_Bibble]

The last time I was this early, I still had my appendix

[addypxi]

when people ask me what my worst fear is, ITS THIS. Every time I even feel pain where my appendix is, trust, I will burst into tears😭

[Lumosnight]

Rogozov is such a king for operating on himself and saving his own life. Big respect

[TITANUSxGOJIRA]

Consider how our ancestors in ancient times endured the agony of a burst appendix, suffering immensely without the benefit of surgical

[nodevillivedon]

My scar throbbing while watching this. I get an appendicitis when I was 5 or 6 yo (2001ish). I still remember the agony of that day like it just yesterday as it was so severe I couldn't stand straight. I still can remember everything: the clinic I was first diagnosed, that time when the nurse tried to put an IV in me, the post operation rehab. But most of all was the fact that my parents were being told by my doctor that if I was a little too late, I won't be here typing this comment.

[Sharky-]

The fact that everyone is carrying it without much use of it only to randomly have a painful experience is a bit scary.

[jarls]

Had this happen to me two years ago, almost to the day (sept 16.).
Tuesday evening I had a meal. Felt very full. But what was odd was that the feeling of fullness did not go away - not even hours later. Thought perhaps I over ate or was constipated. No pain - just felt bloated and distended.

Day after (Wednesday) - same feeling. Tried to eat a little but very quickly lost appetite. Also quickly felt full when trying to drink. Like if one overeats on xmas dinner.
Thursday - again same feeling. Had not been "to the toilet" since Tuesday morning. Still feeling full. Started to realize this was not normal.
Friday morning - called my doc and asked him to see me.
Luckily he said he was available within 30 mins of me calling. Showed up - took blood sample - blood sample showed high infection values.
Doc squeezed my belly a little. Some pain - but not terrible.
Then he listened to the belly and said "you have no gut sounds...none whatsoever - you are going to the hospital now!".
Ambulance picked me up and rushed me to hospital ER.

CT was done of abdomen and ....yep, burst appendix.

Later that day was operated (by keyhole surgery). Surgeon said it was a "a real battle" and took 2 hours (normal appendectomy is 30 mins or so). Entire abdominal cavity had to be flushed and cleaned (one "highlight" form the surgery report was "tool not long enough to flush above liver").
Then 5 days recovery at hospital - with a lot of intravenous antibiotics, nasogastric drain (turns out that when bile cannot "go down" - it "comes up"), abdominal drain, urin drain, etc.
Took a long time before my gut started to work as normal again - almost a week after returning from the hospital.


The odd thing is - I was never in much pain!

[jin_cotl]

Jesus. He’s an absolutely champ for doing that. I could never operate surgery on myself

[goawaygosh]

My Dad’s appendix burst while he was in the Australian Navy. At first they thought he was lying about the pain and sent him away. They eventually let him see a doctor after his appendix burst and he collapsed. Unfortunately the only doctor they had available at the time was drunk. He still performed the surgery. When the doctor cut him open, the man holding the light vomited, directly into the fresh cut.
My Dad was dead on the table for 4 minutes.

[edymations]

i was around 16 when my appendix decided to fail on me, i fell sick and family thought it was some kind of flu. I laid in bed all day just trying my best to get better but got only got worse as the days went on, I just kept on throwing up over and over, i couldnt eat a bite of food it got so bad that i actually litterally had to get up and tell my family i love them cause i felt like i was dying. They then called my cousin who is a doctor and he asked me if i was also feeling an internal pain when i touch my lower right abdomen i said no then checked and then said yeah kinda, to this day I thank God for him because he instanly knew what is was. I was able to get help before it ruptured and now im 19 and living happliy and peacfuly. I thank God for the fortunate situation i was in because i have friends that werent able to survive appendicitis.

(Moral of the story, dont eat Nigerian Jollof rice from a Ghanaian wedding)

[chlorinesoda]

One time I pretended to be sick so I didn’t have to go to school, few hours later I was at the Hospital, getting ready to get surgery to get my appendix removed. Safe to say I never pretended to be sick again.

[rogerzalos]

An decade ago my younger brother got appendicitis, back then I never understood what was an appendix (We were 10 and 9) and my selfishness refused to see him, to this day I'm glad that he's still here

[sankeerthanaraju]

I had appendicitis when I was a little kid! The doctors told my parents that it was good that they got me in, on time! I still have the scar of the operation! I was really lucky that my mother used to work in a hospital and the doctors really took care of me like their own!