Superficial Abscess at Incision, drain/packing

[acc929]

Hi all

So yesterday I went to the ER because my incision started draining a TON of puss and had been painful (though not red or hot to the touch) for days . They opened the incision about an inch, drained the remaining fluid, and packed it with gauze. From what I've seen around the forum, this is pretty standard for superficial abscesses. Still waiting for the culture to come back to see if I need to change from cipro/flagyl to something else. Anyway, my parents are both docs and so they'll be doing the packing for me (twice a day), but I'm just kind of freaked out by the whole thing. I don't understand how just sticking gauze soaked in sterile saline is not putting me at risk for another infection? It seems so DIY, ya know? They also told me it'd take 3-4 weeks to heal - the opening is about an inch long and not very deep (from what I saw before I had to stop looking). It's also just painful - perhaps just because it was opened and drained only yesterday? Anyone who's dealt with this before, your experiences would be helpful. Does the unpacking and packing get less skin-crawlingly-weird and uncomfortable? Does the pain lessen? Were you able to be up and about much more as time passed? The past two months (and years leading up to them) have been a nightmare for me and I was so hoping the surgery would be the end of an already-difficult road, but then this happened and I'm feeling down and discouraged. I'm 22 and I really want to be up and about - at least enough to get a coffee with my friends - I want my life back and I'm scared this will set me back even more. Anyway, as said, insights would be helpful, as would strategies for better healing.
Thanks

 

[Jennifer]

Hey acc929. Sorry you have to deal with the wound packing. Its not fun I know but I did get used to it and when I was feeling able I did go hang out with friends, just had to come back home for the next packing as I was also packing it twice a day.

I was told to scrub out the wound in the shower then my mom would pack it. As the packing was put in it hurt but it wasn't painful afterwards. Just felt weird but I did get used to it as it got smaller (mine was a little over 4 inches across and about 2 inches deep to start).

Packing is used to help it heal from the inside out and as long as you keep the area covered (I had a makeshift bandage out of gauze etc with tape) you shouldn't have a problem with infection. I don't have any tips on helping it heal faster other than don't poke at it, don't let your pets near it while its not completely covered and don't do anything that may make the healed portion open back up (lifting stuff etc.).

I know Afidz has done this as well so I'm going to tag her. Hope it heals well.

 

[afidz]

I am at the very end of my wound, it id about to scab over and I am allowed to let it. The gauze soaked in saline is to keep the wound moist and, since saline is sterile it reduces the chance of infection. By packing the wound you are not allowing the top of the wound and your skin heal prematurely. If this was not done the top would hall and the bottom wouldn't leaving you a cavity.
It is something to adjust to, when did you have surgery? the pain you feel may b4 more associated with that than the wound but its hard to say. I have had my wound for 3 Weeks and it'd just about healed. Eating a lot of protein can encourage healing. Hope you feel better, I'm sure you will be out with your friends in no time

 

[acc929]

Thanks guys! Saw my doc today and he said the infection is gone and to pack once a day and let water run over it in the shower. My op was last Monday so like ten days ago. Spiked a temp of 102 after the drive home though so now back at the hospital for yet another CT. on the bright side I got the clear and not Barium contrast. My doc told me to come off the flagyl and Cipro. Did you guys stay on antibiotics? It all feels a bit weird to me but maybe I'm just being paranoid. Fingers crossed I'm just addisonian and don't have another abscess or a leak

 

[afidz]

If the infection is gone, then its best to be off the antibiodics because you don't want your body to build immunities to them. That could make future treatments difficult. Are you still at the hospital now? How did the CT go? Do you still have a temperature?

 

[acc929]

I was re-admitted for another, non-superficial abscess near the anastomosis. They've got me on a bunch of different antibiotics until blood cultures come back, and we're waiting to see if the collection is fluid enough for interventional radiology to do anything about it. Bummed, discouraged, really at the end of my rope. This is my third abdominal abscess in two months, I know a lot of people here have been through much worse with their crohn's but this is just nightmare after nightmare. Also, if one more person wants to examine my abdomen or poke around my open wound I'm going to punch them. -_-

 

[afidz]

I'm sorry they found another one, I know it can be frustrating. I have been through similar things like this in the last few years. Just try to keep your head up. Let us know if you need anything or have any questions about anything. Or just to vent

 

[nickle2a5]

I am very glad you are paying attention to and taking care of your body amongst frustration and discouragement. That is a big deal and shows you are bigger than this thing*smile*. you can always read these forums to help past the time.