6 months post op & developed abcess/fluid buildup

Hi girls,

I am 6 months after my TAH, and have had persistent pain & bladder infections. I had a post op abcess that was drained and left open to heal. It was repacked every day and took about 6 weeks to heal. I had my 3rd post op ultrasound on monday that showed a pocket of fluid about the size of a baseball. Had my consult with a different gyno because my operating gyno died last month. Both the operating doc and my GP have told me it was a very difficult surgery because of very large fibroids. The doc today put me on 2 different antibiotics for 2 weeks. I will have another ultrasound in 4 weeks. I was told that with any luck the meds will control the bacteria and eventually my body will absorb the fluid. He does not want to operate unless he absolutely has to because of the difficulties in the 1st surgery. If it doesn't shrink, he will have no choice. He painted a pretty scary picture tho, he said it would be major surgery and more difficult and with a lot more risk then the 1st surgery. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Silly me thought if it was an abcess, they could do day surgery and drain it.

Anyone else out there with this?

Thanks

Conner

((((((Conner)))))))


Honey...I'm so sorry your having to deal with this. I know the feeling well. I to suffered from post op abscess and ended up in the castle for 10 days. They had to drain mine to.

It took my doc almost 8 weeks to find mine and even after being admitted to the hospital he STILL didn't know what was going on till after the CT scan. After IV Levequan and a percutuneous drain ( THAT was NOT fun) I finally started to heal.

There aren't to many of us that end up with this complication and I've managed to do some fair amount of research on it. It is classified as an infection. It is dangerous if let go to long. And yes to have surgery for it is complicated but nessasary if meds don't work.

I was told one very important thing by a surgical tech when I had my drain done.....You have to be very careful for a long time after as these absecces CAN come back. He told me me that for the first few months to do no heavy lifting....drink a lot of water....and easy on the sex...the longer I can do without it the better off I would be. He told me that it really lays dormant after the fluid is released/drained and it has been known to come back on his other patients months down the road if they don't take the right steps.

Please work with your doc and ask questions questions questions......demand that something be done asap. I've been on the boards here now for two years and 98% of women like us have had to had surgery. My surgery consisted of having the percutueanus (sp) Cat Scan guided drain. The doc had told me right off that I couldn't handle another belly surgery so soon.

If I can offer a shoulder as you go thru this or just an ear to listen to the frustration of our bodies not cooperating....I'm here.

Hope it helps to know your not alone....



Dawn

Hey Dawn,

The gyno does not do that procedure here. I live in a small town just north of Toronto. The gyno yesterday offered to set me up with a sepcialist in Toronto and said they might try and ultrasound guided drainage simular to what you discribed. He was not confident that it would work. Apparently my thing is irregular with fingers of fluid running off it.

And just to complicate matters, I have shingles. And Fibromyalgia. I don't know whether to laugh, cry or just get my buddy to bring is hunting rifle over and put me outta my misery! Here in Canada, we have strict gun laws... so i don't own one! I can get a prescription for pot though!

Dear Conner...

Wow! I am so sorry to hear what has happened to you. . I am glad Dawn (toolgrl) saw your post and was able to provide such great insights.

Please keep on those doctors. I hope your condition gets better on the antibiotics... or you are able to go to see the specialist for the surgery.



Sarah

Conner & Sisters,
What symptoms did you have for your abcess? I have lots of back and pelvic pain 9 months after surgery. The pain is more in my hip and lower back, though, than abdomenal. Since it's also in my neck, and other places, I'm worried I also have fibromyalgia. Is that common after hysterectomy? I may have some bladder infections too because it usually hurts when I take my first pee in the morning and then it's okay the rest of the day. I'll ask my gyn the next time I go in about all this, but I was wondering what you thought in the mean time??? I really really don't want to go through any more treatments since I am finally getting my life back....Geese, I didn't expect any complications. I consider myself a health nut (lots of vitamins, exercise, mind-body work) and thought I was supposed to just bounce back.

Hey Mesa Sky,

I am not qualified to give ANY advice..

But, get youself to the doc. My situation right now is complicated by the fibro & the shingles, but what you describe sounds at least like a bladder infection. I had an ultrasound to find the abcess. Fibro is diagnosed by a doctor specializing in arthritis.

I too was an active athlectic person, and would love to be able to do all that now, but the fact is we have had major surgery and quite often there are complications. I have a great GP that I trust, and he has always steered me in the right direction.

Listen to your body..it is hurting for a reason

Conner

(((((((Conner))))))))


I know again what you mean when dealing with the Fibro!! I have fibro and have been dealing with the pain of that more and more recently.


You know....you might just want to take that doc up on his offer and go see the specialist....If there is any chance to avoid adominal surgery why not take it? The Specialist will be able to tell you if he is able to do it CT Scan guided or not.....It just might be worth a shot. And a whole lot less invasive!!!!!! I know after I had mine......I felt 110% better immediately after they did.

Please keep us posted.....I'd like to know what you decide and how your doing....

We'er here for you.....



Dawn