Dealing with re-packing an abcess?

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Sascot

Sascot

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
3,376
Andrew is due to go back to hospital on Monday to have his abcess re-packed. The nurses say it can be quite sore and I am worried about it.
Does anyone else have any experience with this? Was it very painful while the procedure is being done? The nurses are mentioning gas and air and other stronger pain meds which doesn't help my anxiety about it! It's not helping knowing he will have to have it done loads of times over the next few weeks.
 
Hey, you should have a look at my thread called "lots of blood/pus" It's about my abscess surgeries experiences. The second time I had my abscess cut I was left with a 7.5" incision so it hurt the very first time they took the packing out that was put in during surgery, but it didn't hurt putting the new stuff in, or taking it out after that. It's all about the nurse so make sure he/she is very gentle and doesn't rush through it. One thing I found too is to make sure the nurse soaks the area before pulling the old packing out because I found (with mine atleast) the pus from the drainage would dry out the packing and make it stick inside making it really uncomfortable to pull out.

I wouldn't be too worried personally. It's more uncomfortable than it is painful. Best of luck and feel free to ask if you have any questions!
 
I developed a severe mastitis w/staph when nursing my first child and had to have it drained and packed and had to change the packing myself, and I concur with Kwalker! WET with MUCH saline and it comes out far easier. Doing it in the shower is a good idea too, as for removing.
 
I was also going to ask where the abscess is on your son and if you have considered learning how to do it yourself? I had my fiancee learn to change mine after a really big problem with my nurses that actually led to needing the second surgery because they did it wrong, but also this way we could take as much time as needed, she was much more empathic than a nurse who really just wants to finish, get on with the next patient and go home. I just felt more comfortable with her doing it as well and I could help her along by telling her what hurt, what was okay, etc. Your son might as well. It's really easy to be honest.
 
Sascot,

I think a lot of it depends on how deep the abscess is. My son's was fairly wide but not that deep. He actually took the packing out himself in the bathtub. It was uncomfortable for him but he did it a little at a time. No repacking was necessary.

I on the other hand have had 2 umbilical abscesses that were very deep. My advice for a deep one would be to take the pain meds. The first unpacking is the worst. I did the rest of them at home and always removed the packing while in the bathtub allowing it to get wet which made it much easier. Each time you repack you put less and less in so it's less painful.

Hang in there!
 
Loads of fab advice already given! :thumleft:

I have not had any experience from the patient side of things but I am involved in wound management with my work.

If your boy does need something to reduce the pain when initially doing the dressings then that is a good thing to have. It is reassuring that have identified that that may be necessary!

Yes, definitely ensure that the packing is well moistened before removing.

The discomfort will reduce as the wound heals.

As has been suggested, would you be comfortable doing the dressings at a later time?
I can well understand you not wanting to do that straight up and to be honest I don't know that would want or allow you to. But maybe further down the track if you decide to it will allow you greater flexibility and I'm sure your son will be much happier with you doing it, of course you have to want to!

Easier said than done I know but try not to worry too much Mum...:hug:...all will be well and this is the first step on the road to recovery! :)

Dusty. xxx
 
Oh and if I'm not too late with advice giving... I once thought it would be smart to put some ice on the area to kind of freeze it so it wouldn't hurt as much. Bad idea! It is much better to be warm and have the area at a warm but comfortable room temperature. It seemed to be much more sensitive when it was cold.

As its already been said, the 1st unpacking is always the worst. My abscess was a large cut in a T shape with the longest side 7.5" like I said and the nurse could almost stick her whole finger in it (depth) so it was a bad one and even at that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Patience, patience, patience. If you (or your son) don't feel comfortable with a nurse for whatever reason don't hesitate to request a different one. It won't hurt them by changing the packing, make sure you have a nurse that cares about hurting him too.
 
I agree with what the others have said. Mine was not deep at all and used to fall out but it was uncomfortable for a couple of weeks afterwards. During that time I was constantly on paracetamol. It did used to sting while they cleaned it and put the new one in but for me it was nothing unbearable. I can understand how it would be if it was a lot deeper.
Also I think it is very important for the recovery that the packing is done properly. I saw a lot of different nurses with mine and I felt like everyone had a different opinion on how it should be done and what packing should be used. Which I found hard because I just wanted to be doing the right thing. Make sure you ask plenty of questions.
Good Luck!
 
Thanks everyone! That makes me feel better. Luckily they did the first one under general anaesthetic because it was alot bigger than they thought it would be!
The actual hole looks about 2 to 3cm wide but I believe it goes in quite deep. The IBD nurses are going to be doing the one tomorrow and a few after that. They will then transfer to my community nurse in a few weeks. She wasn't happy for me to do it for another couple of months at least - makes me think it must be quite bad.
I think the nurse mentioned gas and air for tomorrow so hopefully it will be ok.
 
Well the dressing change went well on Monday. The nurse kept telling him how great he was doing - that most kids wouldn't have manged it without alot more pain relief. He managed most of it without gas and air and only asked for it for the last few pushes of packing!
Back to the local hospital today for repacking. Hope it goes well. The little bit left out to pull the packing out has snapped off so she may need to "go fishing" - yuck!
 
Thanks for the update!

So pleased to hear that all went and what a champion Andrew is! :medal1:

Good luck with the next round! :goodluck:

Dusty. xxx
 
Packing done again today locally. Had the gas and air and was ok. However they are starting to push me on starting the Aza asap which I am really wishing I didn't have to deal with!!!!
I refused to just say yes without all the blood results, plus I want to see the MRI scan and report. Meeting the paediatrician tomorrow morning - dreading it!
 
Sascot,
Hang in there! You are doing great and so is your son. It's not easy what you are going through. My abscesses were on my breast. My husband tried to learn how to pack it for me, but he turned pale and had to leave the room. I had lots of nursing friends that were willing to take shifts and help me.
One time we had to travel, so we called the pastor of a local church and asked if they had any nurses willing to come and do my packing, and there was one kind soul that was able to do that for me.
Keep in mind that the packing material itself has medication on it that can sting. It's not just taking stuff out and putting stuff back in. You do get used to it after a while and a dose of OTC meds beforehand took the pain away until I was used to it.
Hang in there. You can do it!
 

Similar threads

M
7 year old in pain not diagnosed
Replies
4
Views
1K
my little penguin
my little penguin
R
Nearly 4.5 years in with Crohn's.
Replies
2
Views
1K
ras96mg
R
Papantoine
Neglect?
Replies
0
Views
241
Papantoine
Papantoine
A
New to Infliximab - side effects
Replies
0
Views
2K
AmyAtk
A
A
No Diagnosis
Replies
18
Views
2K
my little penguin
my little penguin

Latest posts

Back
Top