Nerve pain/regeneration?

[acc929]

Hi all!

So in the past couple months I've had two resections - the first being open w/ a 4-inch incision down from my bellybutton that got infected and was then opened to drain. Then I got an anastomotic leak/abscess and they went back in to fix it when it didn't resolve w/ drain and antibiotics, resecting the open (at that point mostly closed) wound and leaving a 6-inch incision. I'm 9 days out now and feeling more or less alright, all things considered (and damn antibiotics I mean thank goodness for them but feeling so yuck!), but some low-grade weird stuff is happening. First off, I'm getting crazy chills and sweats during the day - no bad night sweats - I was on a PCA in hospital and like 200mg/24hrs oxycodone post-op when I switched to oral for a few days there, not to mention some light oxycodone-taking for my drain pre-op. Could these chills possibly be due to some kind of withdrawal? Is that horrifying? Also, about three inches out on either side of my incision was numb and firm post-op. The firmness is receding in towards the wound - good, I know - and I'm finding I get these fairly-superficial-feeling (maybe muscle-level?) shooting pains and hypersensitivity on and around my incision (stapled btw) (like I have no idea what to wear - *fabric* touching it is driving me crazy). I also feel like I've got a bit of a stitch that acts up when I lie on either side near the top of my incision. Has anyone experienced this kind of thing? It's not a big deal really but it's getting a bit annoying, especially the hypersensitivity bit, and I'd like to feel like at least it's normal! Anyone know when it might start to fade?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

The chills are not a good sign and shouldn't be ignored. Your body is fighting an infection and it shouldn't be the one being drained causing chills. I think you definitely need to contact your doctor.

 

[Jennifer]

Could be some minor withdrawal symptoms from coming off the pain meds yet when dealing with infections we can't assume. Even if you have been treated with antibiotics or are still on them you may still be dealing with the infection. Check your temp as soon as possible and let your doctor know about your symptoms. Its possible they wont need you to come in but its important that they're aware of how you're doing.

As for the numbness, that feeling may never come back. I have numbness around my incision and the surgery was 14 years ago. Occasionally I have what my GI said back then was phantom pain. He said that my nerves were misfiring which was the cause of the pain. It was never horrible and didn't happen all the time. Still happens even now 14 years later but far less often (maybe once every 3-6 months and lasts for 10 seconds maybe as kind of a throbbing poking/stinging pain).

As for the hypersensitivity, you mean its painful? My husband has nerve damage in his foot after his surgery and even a sock hurts it. That surgery was a few years ago and he's gotten somewhat used to it (still hurts but he's able to work past/through it for the most part). You may not have the same problem as him where it wont go away ever. I don't recall being hypersensitive but my surgery was a while back. Is it possible to place a bandage over it for now? Not completely taped up to where it can't breathe. Yes its will touch it but it shouldn't move about like regular clothing would. If that's a no go the only other thing I can think of is to wear very loose/baggy clothing for now. Also let your doctor/surgeon know about it just in case.

I'm going to tag Afidz as she's been through the mill when it comes to complications after surgery. Take care and keep us posted.

 

[acc929]

Thanks so much to both of you! As for the chills, I definitely agree with nogutsnoglory at first, but I'm taking my temp like a madman and haven't spiked a single fever, which the past few months have shown me that I quite reliably do every time there's a problem. I also have a normal heart rate and blood pressure, and do feel a little better every day. So I don't think I have an infection - last time I got them post-op I really felt like crap. Still, fingers crossed. I told my doc about them yesterday and she didn't seem concerned. As for the hypersensitivity, I don't know if I'd go so far as to call it real pain? It's weird. I haven't felt anything like it before. It seems a bit better today for some reason. I was worried about bandaging it and trapping moisture by accident underneath but did so yesterday when I had to go out. Thanks guys

 

[723crossroads]

When I had my kidney surgery I experienced a very similar feeling. It actually took two yrs. for the feeling to come back all the way and my stitch that pinched went away after ten days or so. Hope this helps.

 

[afidz]

Hello, sorry to hear your having a hard time. Like said above, the hyper sensitivity is just your nerves either trying to heal or misfiring from damage. Did they give you an abdominal binder? If they didn't five you one, ask for it next time you see your doctor. Keep it on around the clock. The tightness will reduce fluid build up from your muscles and that itself can prevent future infections. Also because its tight it won't rub your skin as often as your short and may be less irritating to your skin. As for the pain you feel in certain positions, if it hurts, change positions. Your muscles are still healing, and the pain is from them being stretched in a way they are not ready to be in yet. Take things show so you don't risk getting a hernia. Hope this helps