Bowel resection not healing

[baxter247365]

I was recently diagnosed with Crohns, after a few years of dealing with the abdominal cramping. My first visit to the dr., I was prescribed Pentasa and Flagyl. The next day when I began taking the meds I had severe discomfort in the pelvic area, it felt like I had to urinate, but in actuality did not. The pain did not go away and over the next couple of days it began radiating down into the testicles. In the meantime I had stopped the Pentasa, as I had been on Flagyl once before with no issues. This was during Thanksgiving week so I had to wait for Monday to speak with the Dr., she then put me on prednisone. This took away the problems immediately. Next visit, I am put on 6mp and told to resume Pentasa. No problems until I start to taper the prednisone, within a few days of going down to 10 mgs of prednisone, I get the same pressurized feeling I had before, just now not so much in the bladder area, but appendix region. I go to the ER, where I am told they need to do a bowel resection or at least remove the appendix. Both of my Dr.'s insist there is no way Pentasa could have been related, but the timelines seem too coincidental. They did remove quite a bit of large intestine and a small amount of small. I was recovering very well, or so I thought. Had surgery on 2/25/10, was released on 3/2/10 and within 6 days was feeling super. May have overdone it and was pretty sore the next couple of days, but then on 3/13/10, abruptly began draining from the drain site from the surgery, mind you the subcutaneous healing drainage had stopped for days at this point. Went to ER, was admitted and discovered the internal connection of small to large intestine had opened slightly. I am now home, as the Dr. wants to let this heal naturally. He is saying that it is likely due to poor healing from the 6mp and prednisone. I believe him, but why did I recover so well and then get worse. Also the biggest question I have is that why does it appear to not be getting any better? The discharge has not abated at all in a week. I was wondering if it takes time for the prednisone to work its way out of the system, I was quickly tapered from the prednisone, but had none of the side effects listed for prednisone withdrawl. Has anyone dealt with something like this? Thanks.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Baxter welcome to the forum!!! Yes, I had the same thing happen on my second resection. My surgeon operated when I was heavily infected and no antibiotics. My incision became inflammed and oozing, even after removing the Penrose drainage. He wouldnt give me antibiotics and finally I demanded them and he basically threw the prescription at me because he was in denial. The lab result even came back abnormal, and the VON nurse was not impressed. If it wasnt for Cipro and Flagyl, I don't even know where I would be. 6mp and some other immuniosuppresants will cause a slower healing rate because you immune system is comprimised. But I heard that 6mp and Flaygl is the new combo for 4 months after surgery. Just a bit of help.. hope you feel better soon and above all, rest! No lifting or stress. Hang in there!

 

[Lydia]

I had my surgery wound open up and drain. It can happen after surgery. I had to pack it with calcicare until it filled in. Its a complication that can be over come with time.

Take it easy and listen to your doctor on this one. Sometimes complications just happen. Your body has been through a lot. Its probably less traumatic to let it heal on its own than to open you up and operate again. I dont think its anything you did, these things just happen.

Take care.

Oh yeah and dont be afraid to advocate for yourself. If you think something is serious, go back to your doctor and demand something be done.

It took about 2 months after each surgery before I was completely healed, maybe a little longer.

 

[Jennjenn]

Hi I just wanted to say welcome. I did have complications after my surgeries but not specifically like yours. If you are concerned from what I have learned is speak up and make your doctor listen to your concerns. If they tell you that it is normal and ok and you do not feel that it is get another opinion. I hope your recovery goes a little better and I hope that you feel well again soon.

 

[CDDad]

Hi Baxter - Wow, sorry to hear your story. I get the same feeling when on so many medications. You don't know which one is helping - or hurting. I hope you're feeling better at this point.

 

[Jennifer]

I had complications after my surgery as well. My sight burst open due to me vomiting constantly. I was being poisoned on the inside. If you start vomiting, go to the ER right away. They had to cut me back open and pack my wound and let it heal from the inside out (took over a month). For me, being on a high dose of Prednisone expanded my flesh so much that it was too deep to heal normally. If the tissue is thick, I'd imagine that a lot of people would have problems healing properly.

If it gets hot, produces more discharge, swells more, hurts a lot more or you begin vomiting, then you need to be seen (especially the vomiting, don't wait and go to the ER).

 

[Mazen]

For my surgery, I was cut twice because after my resection I was having so much pain and vomiting. But after they cut me again they said they found nothing. Who knows? But I'm feeling much better now, so hang on and go to ER immediately if you feel anything is wrong.