I am a 19 year old healthy women. I had an operation 4 and a half months ago to remove around 10 abscesses from my armpit. The surgery went well, however around three days later the stitches burst resulting in two deep open wounds. Since then the wounds have healed to the surface and now has stopped healing and hasn’t got any smaller. I am dressing them with Jelonet and Cosmopore. I have to change the dressings twice a day due to the amount of blood coming out.
Without being dramatic I am in constant severe pain 24/7. This is disturbing my sleep due to the pain. I am on strong pain relief prescribed by my GP. I also left hospital with morphine. Since the operation I have had around 6 infections and antibiotics to relieve that.
I visited my surgeon a few weeks ago and he said if it doesn’t get better in 6/7 weeks he will consider operating. He said he will cut the area out and start again. Last week I went to a&e due to the pain and the sister wanted to admit me and call the surgeon team to operate on me. However the registrar at a&e refused. I am constantly being advised to go to a&e because of the pain and recently the wound has been getting significantly wider. Is this bad?
I am just wondering if anyone has any advice? Should I go back to a&e tomorrow and demand to see a surgeon?
I would strongly recommend that you go back as soon as possible, as you have to watch that you don't get it infected and try to insist that something is done.
Unfortunately the surgeon can not see me until next month!
Go back to A&E as it sounds like you need treatment for the affected area. Also as it is the armpit, you need to make sure that it doesn't get infected. In the meantime change the dressing twice a day until it gets looked at.
But in A&E they are able to call any specialist to look at the wound and they will let your consultant know what has been wrong. So if it is troubling you in any way, then get it checked out.
If in doubt call 111 and they will give you good advice.
Let us know how you get on.
Hi, I think you should go back to A&E, don't demand anything though, you will achieve more if you are not aggressive.
Before you go, write down things like dates of op, drugs taken and visits to doctors/A&E. Mention that the Sister wanted to admit you. Ask if it is possible to see the Consultant on duty.
If you still achieve nothing, ask your GP to write to the Consultant who did the original op....................Have you tried ringing the Consultant's secretary and telling her how bad things are? If you are not certain where to ring, your GP will tell you.
Good luck!
My consultant is very firm and told me not to go back before the initial appointment. His receptionist said he has no appointments until mine. It's very frustrating!
In that case, I would suggest going to see your GP and perhaps your wound should be dressed by the practice nurse rather than you. It is much easier for another person to see, than for you to see and deal with yourself.
You could go back to your Gp and ask to be referred to the assessment clinic at the local hospital. This is not the same as A&E and you should see a specialist there. You may have to wait a few hours but worth it. The specialist can also admit you there and then if need be. Only your Dr can refer you there. My Gp done this a month ago for myself.
Good luck
I don't mean demand in the aggressive behavior, but even if you see the triage, then at least you are able to put across your problems and concern's.
Seeing you are in that much pain you must go to the emmergency in your hospital immediately. I think to wait another 6 to weeks is too long !! Sometimes we just have to be a nuicence to doctors to make them helo us and not go away !!
Where do you live sn75985?
I think that may be my problem! I'm too quiet to say over wise! I think it's time to put my foot down!
Go to the NHS choices website and search for PALS:
Patient advice and liaison services (PALS) services
You can put in the hospital you go to, then you will find a contact number, telephone them and ask for help.
Good Luck.
I forgot to say that your Dr will give you a letter to take to the Assessment center. After my Dr gave me the letter, I was in the Assessment center an hour later. Your GP should refer you straight away if they think it is urgent. You don't have to wait weeks and the center is not as full as the A&E because only your GP can refer you there. It is not a walk-in clinic.
I don't want to sound rude/impolite or pig headed, but you have a problem that you have told all who log on and read these messages, yet if you are in discomfort then why not look at all options and choose one. The first time I read your initial message, which was over a day and ask yourself what have you done about it ?
I apologies if this seems rude but when I had treatment over a couple of abscesses and then ignore the danger signs after. I then spent 16 days in hospital after surgery to clean up any infected tissue and lost 65% of muscle tissue as it had to be removed.
That only started with a change of dressing, twice a day, but the wound would not heal and kept weeping.
so what I am saying is don't leave it to long.
What I forgot to mention is that I now have a five and a half inch scar where 33 stitches was.
I had a very similar story after my cesareans and later a hysterectomy with an abdominal incision. Nothing helped until I saw a doctor who is an imunologiest but deals with allergies and health overall and he said a dose of 50mg of zinc three times aday would solve the problems and you know what, it did!!! and the wound closed and collections of fluid I had to have drained behind the wound have gone. He said that in his experience many people are very short of zinc and without it wouds cannot heal. I still cant believe it but it is early days yet for me. good luck and a big hug and may you get better soon.