HysterSisters.com is a massive online community with over 475,000 members and over 5 million posts.
Our community is filled with women who have been through the
Hysterectomy experience providing both advice and support from our active members and moderators.
HysterSisters.com is located at 111 Peter St, Toronto, Canada, M5V2H1 and is part of the VerticalScope network of websites.
With free registration, you can ask and answer questions in our HYSTERECTOMY forum community, get our FREE BOOKLET, access Hysterectomy Checkpoints and more.
You are not alone. The HysterSisters are here for you. Join us today!
|
|
rejecting stitches in Vaginal Cuff and infection
|
06-03-2005, 11:52 PM
|
Guest
|
|
Posts: 55
Hysterectomy: April 27th, 2005
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
rejecting stitches in Vaginal Cuff and infection
Hi...I'm new to the site and have just passed my 5th week mark. I'm 48 yrs. old and had an open-port LAVH. I've had 3 c-sections and a tubal ligation years ago. My surgery was done because I've had an enlarged, prolapsed uterus (totally backwards and laying on my tailbone) for years and had cysts on the cervix so bad that they couldn't do regular pap tests anymore. They had to do biopsies to get to the opening of the cervix. My ovaries had been relocated and smashed by the large uterus (confirmed by ultrasounds). Then a few months ago, I started hemorrhaging and was severly anemic. After surgery, I was feeling fine the first 2 weeks, then started having yellowish-brown discharge with no pain. By the end of the 2nd week, I had intense lower abdominal and vaginal burning and went to see the doc. He said I was rejecting my stitches, which hadn't disintegrated yet and had a vaginal cuff infection. Gave me Ceclor, which did nothing. So at 3 weeks, he gave me Flagyl and Macrobid (just in case I had a UTI). Symptoms improved, but within 2 days of finishing the antibiotics, burning and discharge returned. Went to see the doc again and he said the same thing was happening, so started me on Flagyl again. He thinks I will be better in a couple of days, but I'm having my doubts now. I'm having more aching in my back and my belly seems more swollen than before, although the burning has improved, especially after the iodine he put on the cuff. Anyone have these symptoms and can give me some comfort/advice on the length of recovery. Other than all that, I'm feeling better with a little more energy and appetite returning a little. Hot flashes have improved with Premarin, which I started 10 days ago. I'm supposed to go back to work part-time on Wed. (my 6 wk date) but I can't imagine having the energy at this point. Looking forward to being free of pain and feeling better.
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
06-04-2005, 01:53 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 153
Hysterectomy: September 10th, 2001
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
rejecting stitches in Vaginal Cuff and infection
Hi, sorry for this lengthy suffering---
Sounds like you're getting nowhere fast with post op problems.
Frustrating!!
I think a number of sisters were treated with silver nitrate for
granulation--(a quick fix for me) However, you seem to be dealing
with and infection due to the stiches, right? Is this why you're having the discharge? Did you ask the doc
how long it takes for stiches to dissolve ?
not to push, but.....
Have you considered another doctor?? Might be worth your
healing. Keep us posted on your recovery.
Leigh
|
|
06-04-2005, 11:48 AM
|
Guest
|
|
Posts: 55
Hysterectomy: April 27th, 2005
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
Vaginal Cuff Infection and stitches
Thanks for your reply, Leigh! My doc did put silver nitrate on the stitches 2 weeks ago, plus iodine. This time, he just used iodine and said they looked a little better than last time...just that the healing is going very slowly and the anaerobic bacteria is hard to kill so sometimes it takes multiple rounds of antibiotic (how many is based on each body's reaction I guess). Yes, he said the discharge is a seeping from the wound in response to the bacteria. The Flagyl seems to be helping (again) and I'm feeling a little better today--except for the muscle soreness from driving one and a half hours to get to his office then back again. But my main concern is how long this type of thing can go on. When it flares up it's so painful and HOT! Feels like someone put BenGay on my insides. Hopefully, the healing will progress more swiftly after the stitches come out. He said they usually disolve between the 3rd and 4th weeks. I'm at 5 1/2 weeks now and they're still there. He said sometimes this happens, and thinks it'll be okay soon. Hope he's right. My doctor is my OB/GYN's doc. He did her hysterectomy a couple of years ago and she was very pleased. He also did a LAVH for my friend, but he left her cervix so she didn't have the problem I'm having. He is in a bigger city 75 mi. away and has 20 yrs. experience in LAVH's and teaches the procedure. So I guess I trust him more than most of the docs around my area, most of whom don't do LAVH's, only TAH's. It's hard for me to trust any doctors fully because they're so busy and seem to treat generalities most of the time and I've had a lot of misdiagnosises (sp?) because of that over the years. So I'm cautious to say the least. But I don't think I'd want to change docs at this time cause he really seems experienced and confident. But he really can't take the time to tell me all the possible outcomes and healing times of a cuff infection the way other women who have been through it can. So I'm just hoping to compare a few experiences to see if I'm responding differently than most. If anyone has similar experiences, I'd be happy to hear about them. Also, Leigh, you mentioned granulation...I don't know what that is. Can someone explain?
|
|
06-05-2005, 03:44 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 153
Hysterectomy: September 10th, 2001
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
rejecting stitches in Vaginal Cuff and infection
Good you have such confidence in your doc. and evidently he
doesn't seem that concerned with the remaining stitches. Sounds like when they dissolve, so will your infection, pain, and discharge.
Read that granulation is an overgrowth of scar tissue..prevents
proper healing. Recall it giving me some pain, but not after one
treatment with silver nitrate.
Perhaps one of the more savvy sisters can respond to your
situation.....Hope you recoup quickly and don't suffer further
problems. Frankly, wish I'd tried other options instead of a hyst.
take care!
Leigh
|
|
Similar Threads
|
From This Forum |
From Other Forums |
3 Replies, Last Reply 03-03-2010, Started By taurascc 4 Replies, Last Reply 01-28-2010, Started By HeidiLynnM 5 Replies, Last Reply 07-02-2009, Started By bliss6307 3 Replies, Last Reply 02-23-2009, Started By medic10b 16 Replies, Last Reply 12-07-2008, Started By candace0208 4 Replies, Last Reply 10-14-2008, Started By jhfield4 0 Reply, Started By tex777 13 Replies, Last Reply 08-26-2008, Started By liberty794 2 Replies, Last Reply 07-30-2008, Started By jellybean54 7 Replies, Last Reply 07-17-2008, Started By emd1126 1 Reply, Last Reply 03-27-2008, Started By tooyoungforendo 7 Replies, Last Reply 04-10-2007, Started By PinkTulip 21 Replies, Last Reply 05-26-2006, Started By iwanticecream29 2 Replies, Last Reply 03-06-2006, Started By donnakay31 2 Replies, Last Reply 11-28-2005, Started By Ferrin 2 Replies, Last Reply 08-05-2005, Started By SCAREDTODEATH 8 Replies, Last Reply 06-25-2005, Started By LINDA1964 1 Reply, Last Reply 06-17-2005, Started By GreenGlassGal 2 Replies, Last Reply 06-08-2003, Started By wwwendywoo |
3 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) |
|
Advertisement
Hysterectomy News
TODAY'S EVENTS
Calendar -
Hysterectomies -
Birthdays
Request Information
I am a HysterSister
Your Hysterectomy Date
$vbulletin->featuredvideos is not an array!
Advertisement
Advertisement
|