My MIL suffers from severe headache and vomiting post appendectomy surgery. Please suggest medication.

Question

Hello doctor,

My MIL is 60 years old. She just had an appendectomy and is having some complications, including a severe headache and vomiting. The first day she ate some food and was fine. Today, she tried to drink some milk and vomited repeatedly several times. We live in a developing country and the doctors are not knowledgeable about these things. What are the potential complications that could cause such vomiting, and what treatments should be given?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It would have been nice if you mentioned how many days over after the surgery. There are many causes for your symptoms but this would depend on the indication for which surgery was done and intraoperative findings. Some common causes and management I will explain. Post spinal headache: avoid using pillows, more liquids, and coffee will help. Some antiemetics can be added on. This is commonly seen in the first week after surgery. If you had a bad infected appendix, post-operative infected collections are common and this can cause your symptoms. But this will also cause fever and abdominal pain. Sometimes postoperative medications can cause small stomach ulcers and can cause these symptoms. You need to see your doctor and ask for antacids. Overall, if you are not having fever, loose stools, severe abdominal pain and vomiting and headache is not continuous, then nothing much to worry about. You can see your doctor if the symptoms are troubling you a lot. Simple Paracetamol should help you with headache.