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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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  • Skidget
    Skidget CelsB

    Posted

    Cels!!!  I'm sure the antibiotics will do their job, but I'm totally with Bini on taking something for your gut while you're on them...natural yogurt products, some type of probiotic. I would also try spraying (i.e. misting) the incision with either tea tree oil or colloidal silver until the infection is gone, maybe a couple of times a day.
    • CelsB
      CelsB Skidget

      Posted

      Hiya Skidget,

      I take a product twice a day called Regucol for diverticular disease. Cutting and pasting from the web description ... "Lacobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum are two bacterial cultures included to help maintain the balance of bacteria within the intestinal tract".  I believe that's similar to the friendly bacteria in Yakult.  I don't have any tea tree oil or colloidal silver and won't risk driving again to get them (technically I'm not insured until I get the go-ahead from the consultant - last night was an exceptional case).  I'm not sure a topical treatment would work anyway as the wound is fully closed.  I do have apple cider vinegar which I believe is a natural antibiotic but will probaby make me smell like the local chippy.

       

    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      Lol, youve got a very posh local chippy then if they use apple cider vinegar 😂😂😂 but yes your supplement sounds like it will do the  same as yakult xx
    • Skidget
      Skidget CelsB

      Posted

      Cool! Im so glad to hear that you have that product! I'd increase the Regucol for the duration of the antibiotics...but that's just health freak me.  : )  I've never tried ACV topically...but we use it a lot in our house (not because I actually like the taste...just 'cause it's so good for us and I'm compliant that way..ha!). Raw honey would be great, too (e.g. unpasteurized) and would give some lubrication to the incision; raw  honey has been used for millenia as a natural antibiotic for wounds.
    • Skidget
      Skidget bini31328

      Posted

      hahaha!  New entrepreneurial idea...The Hippy Chippy. Kind of catchy. Two for one's for THR patients!  Not sure how the nag champa would blend with the wonderful smell of fish & chips, though...
    • CelsB
      CelsB Skidget

      Posted

      Yes, I was looking at Manuka honey dressings online when I first came out of hospital and I had some leakage from my wound.  It's supposed to kill some bacteria even antibiotics won't kill.  I wouldn't say I'm a health freak but I do like natural remedies.  I tried manuka honey with

      ACV for my arthritis.  It didn't work for me though.  I still have a bottle on ACV in the cupboard though.  

    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      They used to use honey , egg whites and oxygen  many years ago , but yes honey is back in 'fashion' but seems to work well, especially the manuka. I think the general premise is its too sweet for bacteria to thrive in. I once used a mix of honey and icing sugar to stop a wound that was never going to heal from smelling as the patient was too self concious to have visitors - it worked brilliantly . Didnt know about ACV though - will have to read up on my supplements😀
    • Skidget
      Skidget CelsB

      Posted

      am loving the manuka; honestly, though, I'm not so sure that I'd use ACV for a skin infection...maybe more googling is needed...
  • lynn66084
    lynn66084 CelsB

    Posted

    Hi Cels,

    One knock back but hopefully just a small one, at least you realised something was wrong and got yourself some help.  Hope you feel better soon.

    Lynn xx

  • Fernlady
    Fernlady CelsB

    Posted

    Big hugs Cels< hope those antibiotics kick in soon x hope="" those="" antibiotics="" kick="" in="" soon="">
  • Soos2016
    Soos2016 CelsB

    Posted

    How scary for you, Cels. Good that you were proactive and went to have it checked, & got an antibiotic. Best to you. 
    • CelsB
      CelsB Soos2016

      Posted

      Hi Soos,

      Yes it is scary.but with a bit of luck the antibiotics are doing their work smile   

  • renee01952
    renee01952 CelsB

    Posted

    Good morning Cels, 

    Checking in with you this morning - that is scary and good for you to go to the emergency room and get treatment - 

    I am so squeemish touching my scars that it took a while before I could massage them - Laura is right about the itching and sometimes tightening of both scar - like  too-tight zippers !!!

    Bio oil burnt my skin, or it fel like my skin was burning and not pleasant -

    I hope your worries are less now - you are on anti-biotics and hopefully the swelling and redness has gone down -

    All is well, Cels -

    big warm hug

    renee

    • CelsB
      CelsB renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee,

      The bio-oil burned my skin too, I had to jump in the shower and rinse it off.  Maybe the new skin is too tender just yet.  It doesn't burn if I use it anyhere else.

      I'm sure it's a little less a painful and although the swelling and redness have not gone down it certainly hasn't got any worse so hopefully something is working.

      How is your bursitis Renee?  I thought that's what I had at first.

      Hugs,  Cels xxx

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