Abscess Prevention

[Eve]

Further to previous posts I've had a groin abcess for the best part of 2 months.

After 2 rounds of antibiotics, it still wouldn't go away and I ended up seeing a surgeon last night and having it removed after they were concerned the infection could have spread into my blood stream.

I opted for a local as the general they were suggesting would have meant a stay in hospital for a few days and I have my cats to look after and can't afford to be missing work. They surgeon did an incision and drainage and packed and dressed it and back on the co-amoxiclav antibiotics. Got to have the dressing sorted every other day initially so local clinic keeping an eye on it (my GP practice apparantly doesn't do dressings either).

I'm have to say I'm worried about it healing properly as I've had a number of skin infections over the past year or so including a nasty bout of cellulitis which took a while to heal, even on strong antibiotics and some infected skin wounds. Am wondering if I had some kind of bacterial problem, something I need to kill off my skin???

I'm desperate to avoid getting any more abcesses or infections, had quite a few abcesses before though none have been this bad, I really need to get back on my arthritis drugs which are a no go at the moment as they are immunosuppressants.

As for some of the usual suspects, I've been tested for diabetes so many times so it's not that. I'm being investigated for Crohns and saw gastro consultant last week who said they haven't found the relevant things on my scans 'yet' but that that's not to say they won't in time, and referred me for a small bowel MRI. He has a standard 10 month waiting list so will be a while before any more progress there.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd be very grateful, feeling pretty fed up at the moment.

[Sqad]

The treatment that you are getting is the standard and universally accepted as for an inguinal abscess (groin abscess). I do indeed remember your previous posts and the ongoing treatment to prevent further abscesses depends upon the culture, identity and sensitivity of the organism that caused your abscess....almost certainly a staphylococcus.
When the sensitivity to this organism is identified, then a prolonged course of the appropriate antibiotic id indicated.
You medical advisers know this and i fail to see how ABers can help further.

[Eve]

Thanks sqad, that helps, will catch up with my GP once the notes are through from the hospital (my GP practice doesn't deal with removal or dressing or anything like that), see if they tested it and have identified what the organism is to make sure I'm getting the right stuff to get shot.

Think I'm just over stressing at the moment as fed up after 2 months of this one and antibiotics which don't help and really don't need the time off work. Got sent home from work today after throwing up, going in less than 9 hours after leaving the hospital last night maybe wasn't the best plan.

[anneasquith]

im sorry jenna, that you are having such a horrible time. i hope your mri gets done quicker than they say, obviously im in no possition to advise you on your problem,,,, have you ever asked anyone what the swab results actually show, ie what organism is causing the infections.?

[Eve]

Thank you Anne. I'm not sure whether they did a swap last night (I didn't look when he was getting rid of it). Wish I'd thought to ask if he had.

They haven't done before, just sent me off with antibiotics though one or two lots have worked before this one so was all fine. They did some blood tests.

Will check with my GP if they tested the stuff they removed last night, hopefully that might shed some light :)

[Sqad]

jenna....it is totally inconceivable that they would drain an abscess without taking a swab for culture and sensitivity.

[Eve]

That's great :) Hopefully will be able to find out the culprit and get sorted soon. Thank you both, I now have a plan of action :)

[bednobs]

hello Jenna, ive been looking out for a post from you because i was wondering how your appt went - i have always unfortunately found that when i work myself up for an appointment where i have loads of q's or i think something significant will happen, it tends to be the appt where the consultant is off sick, or i wait 3 hours and get seen for about 2 minutes!

Anyway, not sure about the answer to your question, but i do know 2 things
1) your health is more of a priority than your work. I have spent years thinking that full time work was the primary thing for me as it made me feel "normal" and not disabled. I also used to worry that only i know certain things and if i was off sick, everything would be rubbish. My recent experience of losing my daughter has made me realise that although it's nice to work i actually just at the moment couldn't care less about it. i know it's a bit different for me because i am married and we probably could just about survive on my hiusbans wages, but you should really consider what is most important - YOUR HEALTH. PS i had to leave work with no notice and they are managing fine without me.
2) you need to get some strategies for looking after yourself better. I really belive that eating a good diet really helps general health, as does getting a good balance between exercise and rest; work and lesuire (i am making assumptions, but from previous posts you seem to work v hard and not look after yourself very well!)

[anneasquith]

hi jenna , how are you today ?

[Eve]

Getting there, thank you Anne. Getting less sore and feeling brighter in myself.

You're completely right bednobs. I am useless at looking after myself (went into work less than 9 hours after leaving the hospital on Sunday night and worked some mad hours this week. I even rang my boss before my mother! I am my own worse enemy, will work myself into the ground and then just keep going.

I have to learn that my health is more important and that looking after myself should be my priority. I find it harder and harder with my health problems but let other things suffer rather than my work and need to get my priorities right.

I hold back way more than I should at Drs appointments, never want to seem to be rude by questioning them or taking up too much time.

Had my second re-dressing now and saw the nurse earlier today and he wants to see me again tomorrow though not quite sure why as only meant to be every other day for the first week. Will see what they say then.