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I can't handle the pain from having abscess incision packed, what should I do?

Posted , 8 users are following.

paul94760
paul94760

I had an anal abscess incised and drained a few days ago. Now the incision has a wick removed and a new one packed every day. It is absolute agony and I just cant face it again today. I have been prescribed oxynorm for the pain and xanax to keep me calm during the procedure but they are not working as I get a big adrenaline rush before the procedure and it negates the effects of the medication. I don't know what to do, does anyone have any advice please?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • AnalAbscess
    AnalAbscess paul94760

    Posted

    Can you ask them to give you morphine. I have heard some people use this for short term pain relief. Not really what you want. I don't understand why they didn't send you for an MRI and give you a fistulotomy or place a seton rather than just drain the abscess. This is the most painful thing that ever happened to me. I had weeks of misery, but it does get better. I hope the doctor has some more options for you. Don't be shy tell them you can't do it. best wishes. 

    • paul94760
      paul94760 AnalAbscess

      Posted

      Thank you for the reply, during the first re-dressing I had 2 of those morphine lolipops and they had no effect at all, I cancelled my appointment for dressing today as I was in such agony I couldnt even touch the incision. I have a panic attack even thinking about it. I lost control so much during the first redressing I had a spasm and kicked the nurse in the side of the face. It took 4 people to hold me down.
  • jo39075
    jo39075 paul94760

    Posted

    You need to ask for oramorph, it's stronger than the lollies, unfortunately I have had this problem for a long while, also it's quite important that you have it changed when they say due to infection. Good luck 

    • paul94760
      paul94760 jo39075

      Posted

      Thank you, I am not sure how often I need this changed as I have had a different set of instructions from every doctor and nurse I have seen in the past week. One said it needs changing every 72 hours, one said 48 hours, one said 24, one said twice a day. One nurse told me it would have to be changed 4 times, another said 12 another said 10, it is difficult to know which to follow. I am considering having a bath in the morning and hope the wick falls out before the nurse calls and then half the pain will be gone, is this a bad idea?
  • AnalAbscess
    AnalAbscess paul94760

    Posted

    I hope you have someone to give it a good clean first (not implying it is not, just mean you have to be careful of further infection) and then add plenty of salt to the water. Try the fistula colorectal group on facebook. you will find lots of support there. It's 2017. Sometimes I think it is still 1917. Sorry you have had such a hard time of it. 

    • paul94760
      paul94760 AnalAbscess

      Posted

      The salty bath is working great, it removes the dressing so I have it just before the nurse calls. The doctor gave me stronger xanax and naprosyn 500mg, the pain is considerably less with this combination, feeling much better but still a long way to go, thanks all for the advice and support
  • singh53260
    singh53260 paul94760

    Posted

    Hi mr Paul 

    This is like horror I also face it from three month even after operation it will take time to cure and it will cure very slowly sometimes no pain make u very happy but next day pain disappointed you kindly be strong and it liquid food and green leaf to cure wound fast 

    No need to worry doctor say u get ready in two weeks four weeks like this but that's not true it take sometimes so be strong it get ready 

  • jo39075
    jo39075 paul94760

    Posted

    Hi all I can say is mine was changed every day. I really feel for you, the pain is horrific and people just don't understand.

    • paul94760
      paul94760 jo39075

      Posted

      I have been getting great support from family, I wouldn't complain unless I had a real issue and they know this, they keep telling me they can see the pain from my facial expressions.

  • jo39075
    jo39075 paul94760

    Posted

    I'm so glad that you are getting on a bit better, fingers crossed it continues and heal with speed 

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