Advice please. post-op yeast/antibiotics

[girlygirl]

Ok. Its been just over 3 wks since surgery, cut out mass/abscess/fistula tract doesn't have a setton, so still open next to the incision below.. On 30day dose of cipro/flagyl, also sulfasalasine 500mg 4x's/dy, probiotics, BC, etc..
I've had to take warm/hot baths/w small mix of clorox to help keep the area free from bacteria. Was eating so so much the past few weeks since I was constantly hungry. Had been very swollen @ tumm. However, have developed a yeast infection in the process (have not had many ever!). Called in to fill a 1dose fluconazole 150mg tab (aka diflucan). Was very stressed last wk and think its contributed to this whole thing. My PCP didn't fill the rx for me after a few days. (Had a prev rx b4 so req'd a refill thru my pharmacy). My dr finally denied it. I called & left messages.. No call back. Wasnt feeling well.. On the 16th they finally approved it. I couldn't take the hot baths for a few days b/c the area next to my incision was inflamed and irritated. Also, I have to dress the area daily w peroxide, just to clean then apply a sml amt oh honey on the open part. Then just leave 100% cotton rope over the incision. I work a desk job all week so the area's constantly covered early am, to late pm.

The past few days I've had D and not been able to eat well. Tues didn't eat. Weds 1 ham cheese sandwich, same on thurs except w banana and bite of raw brocoli, and a little lettuce, and fri just a sandwich. I skipped my cycle for surgery and postop by taking BC continuous, then had a cycle later. Yesterday I started spotting a little, when I am now on BC again. Is this odd?
And is a 1day dose of diflucan enough to kill this? I feel terrible.. I've read through posts and am scared to eat or drink anything at this point! Please any advice is welcomed!
Also, I have a f/up visit w my CS on Thurs. However, I'm so newly dx'd that I don't know if the 1dose is ok/normal. Suppositories r not an option either b/c the incision is @ that area. IOW b4 surgery I could feel the lump @ the perineum area. Sorry 4 the long post & sorry 4 being so graphic. I just don't know what to do.

 

[Jennifer]

Sounds like you could have an infection either inside or near the incision site. Happened to me a week after my surgery. I'm sure its possible to have an infection 3 weeks after. If it is an infection then you should have it checked out right away (yeast infections, pain and swelling, etc. are all signs of an infection). I do not know if your current course of antibiotics will clear everything up. Make sure that you doctor knows ALL of you symptoms no matter how minor you think they are. As far as the BC goes, it depends. How long have you been taking it in general? I've never spotted while skipping a cycle. At most it'll start and end at a different time (like start early and end late but only by one day). But you should also take into account that you just had surgery and the BC may not be being absorbed properly right now so please use alternative methods if you are sexually active. Some of what you said didn't make sense to me because of all the abbreviations, so hopefully I didn't miss any of your questions or concerns.

 

[girlygirl]

Thanks Crabby!
I should be finished with 2 antibiotics on Thurs. I did get my Primary Care Physician to call in an prescription 1pill for yeast infection on the 16th. I'm hoping that was enough. I haven't been able to keep any food in my stomach for a few days. I've basically resorted to trying to starve whatever yeast is in my body, and I'm also taking the probiotics to restore good bacteria.

Well I haven't been sexually active for quite some time. (And I'm scared to even think about it just yet).. but I will surely keep that in mind!! I do have a birthday coming up.. So who knows.. Maybe I'll get lucky (giggle)..

I will talk to my colorectal surgeon on Thursday. So hopefully he will aleviate some of my worries. . Its just a scary time for me right now I guess.

Boy this IBD is quite a wild ride when it decides to poke its ugly head up!

 

[Dexky]

Hey M, I'm a little confused!!(Shut up Dusty) Which med did you have trouble getting the refill for? It must be tough working a desk job after such a surgery!! I hope you are getting it all figured out!!

 

[girlygirl]

Hi Dexky,

I had trouble getting my primary care physician to fill the diflucan pill (1 dose pill for yeast infection.) I knew there was some yeast problem going on in my body. And they wouldn't fill it at first. It took a few days and for me to call a few different times to get them to okay the prescription. In the mean time my infection got worse.

Since I still have an open fistula tract and had not taken the diflucan soon I wasn't sure if a 1 day dose was going to be good enough.

I've had some crazy tummy problems the past few days. And its hard to keep any food in. I think my body has lost its mind.. Idk. Although the yeast may be a speperate issue.. It would be nice to be able to rely on our General Practicioners!

 

[DustyKat]

Since you are still on 2 antibiotics the yeast infection may still be there or it may reappear, so keep an eye on that. The fact that you are on antibiotics is most likely the cause for the yeast infection.

How are your bowel motions with the antibiotics? If they are a little loose it may affect the absorption of the BC pill and result in spotting. Also as Crabby has said, it may be your body readjusting after surgery. Ah I have reread your post and see you have diarrhoea.

How is your wound now??

Dusty.

@ Dexky. Stop being so precious.

 

[girlygirl]

Hi Dusty,

The antibiotics were a 30day course of 1000mg/day cipro & 1000mg/day Flagyl. I will be finished with those in a few days. I've been okay on them until recently.

Ah, so the BC non-absorbtion/spotting. That makes perrfect sense!! Yes, I've had the dredfull D. But not until last week. I haven't been able to keep any food in (sorry) for about a week. Its progressivly gotten worse. Surprisingly my stomach's not making as much noise this morning..

The wound seems to be healing great. The fistula tract is almost closed now. Although it seems to have closed more over the past few days. And the incision seems to be all the way closed (thank goodness!)

My stomach has felt hot all weekend though. seems like my intestines have been on fire. I'm still on 2000mg/day of sulfasalazine and will be for at least a year. I'm hoping the doc doesn't raise my medication, or switch it altogether. Gosh.. Its a mess trying to keep up with medications, food diaries, etc,, my oh my..

Thanks again Dusty! It took me a few days to start this post initially. But it had been waying on my mind quite harsh.