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I have an infection

Posted , 15 users are following.

CelsB
CelsB

I took myself to A & E last night because I was anxious my wound was becoming infected.  It was feeling hot, sore and getting a little red along the incision line.  The doctor agreed and has put me on antibiotics.  He says it is a soft tissue infection and not a deep wound infection but I am terrified after reading horror stories about people needing operations and worst possible scenario having to have their hip joint removed.  I am 6 weeks post op.

I have no idea how this has occurred.  Everything was going well for the first few weeks.  I knew I had some fluid under the skin, the physio said so last week but at that point the wound looked clean and sealed and he advised me to massage it with E45.  Whether this has introduced infection I don't know .  

I am due to see my surgeon for my 6 week check up on Monday.  In the meantime I am looking for (hopefully) words of reassurance.  I am on Clarithromycin 250mg twice daily.

I am worrying myself sick.

Cels xxx

2 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

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  • helen34404
    helen34404 CelsB

    Posted

    Hi CelsB,

    Oh no you poor thing! Can't offer advice but can offer big hugs and hope you're on the mend soon

    Xx

  • khippie
    khippie CelsB

    Posted

    Oh no cels ,what a shame , you have been doing so well . Sending you healing hugs n huge hippie best wishes - try not to worry .

    Xx

    • CelsB
      CelsB khippie

      Posted

      I'll try Khippie, but worrying os what I do best x
  • mark26805
    mark26805 CelsB

    Posted

    You did the right thing and quickly; so the slight problem was sorted by your Dr with the correct antibiotics. They could put everyone on them after each major operation, but we are building up a resistance to antibiotics by using them too often!

    All is now good again, so don't worry. Use the cream when you can, it'll help the scar and keep up the exercises.

    Good luck, Mark

     

    • CelsB
      CelsB mark26805

      Posted

      Thanks Mark.  I really do hope it's only a slight problem.  I will keep up the exercises but will probably lay off the cream until the soreness eases off a bit.

      Thanks x

  • bini31328
    bini31328 CelsB

    Posted

    Hi Cels 

    you are on the right treatment , and did the right thing seeing someone as soon as you noticed a problem. Am sure massaging it has not caused or contributed to the infection and I am sure it will clear up pretty quickly. Soft tissue infections are very different from the deep wound / joint infections a very few people are unlucky enough to get - so please dont worry.  I would suggest you also take yakult or similar probitiotic youghurt drink while on antibiotics to protect the gut flora . Am sure all will be well xxxxxx

    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      Thanks so much for the reassurance Bini x

      Are you back at work yet?  

      Cels xxx

    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      I go back next Wednesday after seein Consultant Tuesday for 6 week check. As I had leaky wound he,s been very good and seen me every two weeks - i was paranoid about the leaksge although he checked my bloods twice ( no sign of infection) no leakage for last ten days and wound looks fine - I, sure it stopped when I stopped the blood thinning injections so could gave been related. Must admit I am looking forward to getting back yo work and seeing everyone xxxx
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      Good luck with that then.  Don't overdo it.

      I must admit I would have welcomed someone checking my wound in the interim.  I have been concerned ever since the physio commented on the fluid build-up last week, but at that time there were no signs of infection. I wonder where these infections come from when the wound has closed unless it has been quietly simmering in the background all this time ???

      Xxx

    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      I,m not sure but if you had a collection  of fluid then its a potential reservoir for any infection and I guess even if a wound looks quite healed there,ll always be a microscopic space for germs to get in until it really is fully healed - my consultants view re the clear fluid leaking from mine was 'its better out than in' although im very glad its stopped now - also we have bacteria circulating around our bodys all the time and they could just as well have contributed- theres a large number of antbiotics available these days for your sort of infection - clarithomycin should work ( its the only one i can take as allergic to penecillin) but your consultant may change you to something else if it doesnt clear up fast - they al have their own preferences ! Xxxxxxxx
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      I'm allergic to penicillin too.  I'm hoping when I see my consultant on Monday that there will be some improvement, but I'm not sure how long these antibiotics take to work.  I started tham last night, but I only have to take one twice a day Xxx
    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      Can take 48-72 hours for blood serum levels to be at 'theurapeutic' or effective levels for any antibiotic - a dose twice a day is the norm for this drug , although it could be increased to 500 twice a day ( by your doctor !) its important that you take them as exact to 12 hrs apart as you can so that the blood level stays consistent . Its a good drug and has always worked for me - its a pain when u r allergic to penecillin as youre then limited to what you can take but there loads of others if this one doesnt work - however i,m very sure this will work for you and in a few days you'll wonder what you were worrying for ( not that that will stop you doing so i,m sure - id be the same ) big hugs xxxxxxxx
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      Great to have a nurse on the forum, thanks Bini biggrin

      Yes, I'll still worry but less so with all the support from the lovely people on here.  When you live on your own it's easy to work yourself up into ridiculous levels of anxiety but I'm calmer now, knowing these antibiotics are making their way into my system.  I saw that they also come in a 500mg dose, and in a way it reassured my somewhat thay the doctor didn't feel it necessary to give me the higher dose.  That may be warped logic but it makes sense to me (I think) Xxx  

    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      Makes total sense - like all drugs they have a list of side effects as long as your arm so always best to start on the lower dose - if your doctor was really worried hed be doing blood tests / admitting you for IV antibiotics and you would have a raging temperature and be feeling ill - it is difficult when you are on your own , am sure every worry gets magnfied enormously - but this will get betterI promise xxx
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      Thanks.  You have a wonderful bedside manner cheesygrin
    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      Lol, im told im a very good nurse but my family say I,m a dreadful patient 😅😅😅😅😅
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      They always say doctors and nurses make the worse patients cheesygrin
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