What should I do about sharp right-side abdominal pain and possible appendicitis?

[AmeliaJL]

I’ve been getting these sharp, stabbing pains in my lower abdomen, mostly on the right side, that come and go. It’s not constant, but when it hits it’s intense enough to make me stop what I’m doing, and I’m wondering if it could be something like appendicitis or just a bad muscle cramp.

[Penelope78]

I hear you. Sharp stabbing pains on the right can be alarming, but they can also come from a muscle strain or gas. If the pain is severe, comes with fever, vomiting, or you can’t walk or keep fluids down, you should seek urgent care. I’ve been there and ended up in ER once when it wouldn’t quit.

[Jonathan.S]

I had a similar episode after a long run. The pain flared with movement and then faded. I tried resting, applying a warm compress, and drinking more water. It faded after a few hours, but I still scheduled a same day check with my doctor just in case.

[MasonBW]

Could it be something else entirely? Sometimes gas or a hernia or even a muscle strain mimics appendix pain. Gynecological issues can feel similar too, so location isn’t always definitive.

[Emma.P]

If you decide to check in, bring notes about when it started, what makes it worse, and any other symptoms. A quick summary helped me explain it to the nurse and get quicker guidance.