Bad incision pain! (long)

(also posted on main board) I am currently flying high on 2 vicodin and am about to take a valium. What a ****tail, huh? I've been having increasing pain around my incision area for the last week or two. Well, this morning I woke up and could hardly get out of bed! The pain is VERY severe. It feels as bad as it did right after my surgery. I somehow managed to get ready this morning and get to work, but had to walk very slowly and kind of hunched over all day. It hurts to breathe, talk, laugh, and just move at all. God forbid I should have to sneeze or cough! So I called my doc's office at about 9:00 and ended up talking to the nurse in charge of the Bariatric Program--Karen, you're an angel! I told her what was going on and she touched base with the doc who was in surgery today. She asked me a few questions about redness, heat, swelling, or fever, all of which were negative at that point except for some slight swelling. Dr. and Karen (and I) think that I've probably been lifting too much (in between working myself to exhaustion with the beginning of the school year). So the doc wants to see me next week in his office just to rule out anything major. In the meantime, I'm to take 2 vicodin every 4-6 hours and 1 valium every 6 hours. I'm also supposed to call if things get worse or I start running a fever of over 101. Of course the timing is terrible. DH is out of town at a retreat for work tonight and I'm alone here with the 2 kiddos. NOBODY was available to come help me out, so I ended up carting my daughter to cheerleading practice and then when I came home I was FINALLY able to take the vicodin. Then I got both kids ready for bed and, by the time it was time to put my 2 year old in his crib, I was pretty drugged up and was able to lift him. It has been an extremely miserable day.

I know your feelings. A week after they took my Staples out, the Hernia Incision on my lower belly began to inflamingly swell in one spot then later about an inch above the other one. Well my surgeon was out of the U.S. doing charity work in Africa. So my Primary just dressed it and put me on Antibiotic. The next day it openned up draining big-time. 5 days later I finally saw my Surgeon. They reamed the hole open further to clean it out. Then put me on a G.P.C. Solution (cost $74.00 for 250cc. - not covered by Ins.) which a Packing Strip dressing is soaked in it, then pushed inside the wound(s). The wounds needed to heal from the inside outward. So I've been seeing Dr.Rehnke weekly for 10 weeks now so he can ream it some more to make sure it's cleanly draining. Well the 2nd hole healed-overfirst, just yesterday and the 1st hole should be healed by the end of next week. I've had a Home Care Nurse coming everyday. The first 2 weeks, twice a day. To repack and freshly dress my wounds. (Thanks for Humana Gold + /Medicare Ins.) I haven't been allowed to return to work, now 3 months. One more week at home. And no swimming either, which isn't good in the Sunshine states weather. I'm hoping you heal fast as it's a bummer not being able to do much waiting. Mike

OMG Mike! You've been through he!!. I hope everything is smooth sailing for you after this. Thanks for your well wishes. Jami

You poor thing - you must be feeling terrible. One of my incisions got infected with MRSA (the 'super' bug) about a month ago so I had to be readmitted to hospital for a while to be hit with major IV antibiotics. It became very painful and sore looking ghastly. Thankfully it's fully healed now. I hope your pain goes away quickly. It must be hard with a two year old - you certainly have to do a lot of lifting with them don't you. Ruth 'To live without risk is to risk not living'

Ruth, thanks so much for responding! I'm so glad you're all healed now. I'm feeling much better after resting a bit and taking my meds. Those little ones do demand a lot of attention, but it's worth it! Take care! Jami

You poor thing!! You're a trooper, though. Still taking care of the kids AND making it to work. I hope you're feeling better asap. *hugs* Hang in there/.

Thanks Megan. I'm feeling better now that I've had a couple of days to rest a bit. I'm hoping it doesn't worsen again when I go back to work tomorrow. Thanks for your sweet response! Jami