Excruciating abscess

Honey, call the doctor and ask for some urgent pain relief. I don't think they realise just how horrendously painful these things can be. Don't let them put you off - tell them you need it TODAY.

Do you think that codeine would work for the pain? I still have those painkillers from last week (I had a tooth extracted).

I'm at work at the moment, and I work in Fortitude Valley, my Dr is about an hr's drive from here...

Of course it hurts, Phoebe, and of course you're down in the dumps about it. It's a horrible complication. Do try to hang in there.

I think I've been talking with you since just after you were diagnosed and I've been watching you go through the various stages of learning to live with this disease. Please, please, remember that what you're feeling right now is natural and a stage. It's a real emotion; it's understandable and legitimate; but it's also part of the process. Don't feel bad about yourself for feeling the way you do, and please don't feel that you are alone. It is something we all go through, and that's why I'm sending you an enormous ***hug***.

I am not sure about the codeine. I'd ring the doctor and hassle him. And you may not have to drive to see him. If he wants to prescribe you something, he could fax the order through to a pharmacist nearer to you. (Perhaps you could ring the pharmacist now and get their fax number, and then give it to the doctor if you do decide to ring and speak with him).

You can also buy an ointment called Proctosedyl. It contains local anaesthetic and may help you a little.

How I am - I'm in the wars too, but let's talk about you this afternoon . I, at least, have medicine coming.

*another hug*

Ivy.

That’s right, I do remember, I started posting on here just after I was diagnosed, and I think I really was in denial for a long time, and didn’t recognize how much worse things were about to get, because initially I ‘just’ had diahorrea and anemia – and thought it would go away. recently, with working full time, and not being able to afford a day in bed every now and then, its really hit home just how debilitating this thing can be, and how overwhelming it is to think ‘this is every day of my life’ – I just have to believe that it will, one day, settle down to some reasonable level. But when it gets even worse with things like this, I just can’t think positive any more, not at least until the pain has gone.

In one sense I wish that my coworkers knew what I was going through, but at the same time, I don’t want anyone ‘feeling sorry’ for me (in a way that people without crohn’s feel sorry for you, if you know what I mean) – I mean, I think us fellow ‘crohnnies’ can truly sympathise, without any falsities, because we know just how it feels. That’s why you’ve been such a huge help to me Ivy, I don’t know what I would have done without you and this place, especially in times like this.

Also, I don’t want anyone thinking I can’t do my job!! I am very much a perfectionist and won’t stand for that! Although I think I’m pretty hard on myself too, when in consider that the way I feel every day would have my coworkers calling in for a sick day!

I have some of that Proctosedyl cream, and its great for temporary relief, and I am using baby wipes, will have another hot bath when I get home, and see how it goes. I am hesitant about the codeine since it stirred up my stomach last week after having my tooth out. So I will see how I go. One thing I know is that it will be pure relief once it has popped! I have never felt anything this painful before! I just want it to drain already! I don’t understand why it wont drain on its own…

Is your remicade on its way? Did the doctors finally stop and listen? If so, that’s fabulous news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not Rem, Phoebe, we burnt that bridge ages ago :-( It's Humira and yes, it's coming. The next drama is to see if it will work again after having been stopped so abruptly.

I really do vote for calling your doctor. I have a feeling you may need something really strong to get you through the next few days, something like Tramal or Endone.

Sorry for short post - I post when I rest between chores - and have another job calling...

Back shortly, but do keep talking

Ivy.

ps. Are you putting salt in that bath?

Are you using epsom salt? That would be the preferred choice and use lots of it, epsom salt is famous for drawing toxins out and healing.

Make sure once you find a good probiotic that even after you're done taking antibiotics you continue with the probiotics daily and indefinitely..and take them at least 2 hours after you're done taking antibiotics for the day or the antis will just kill off the pros.

Try a soft food/liquid diet for a few days.

:)

Thanks for the Probiotic advice, PB4 - that's so useful! Will definitely do that!!

I think I will have to brave the pain and go to the supermarket tonight after work, to get some more probiotics and some epsom salts - as I only have table salt at the moment.


I'm so lucky to work with a great bunch of people, but often it makes me feel guilty that I'm not as social as I should or could be with the group, because I'm often in pain, feeling sick etc... and like today, I literally don't want to leave my seat. They really are lovely, I'm sure they'd understand if I explained it, but the thing that frustrates me the most is having this silent battle and it holding me back, I just want to have the same 'go' at things as everybody else - the same chances etc. I just feel like if it's not holding me back, its making me worry that it's holding me back, or that I'm not doing enough, or working as well as I could.

I guess this is just one of life's big challenges for me, and I have to think positively, I try to think that it's making me a better, stronger person. But on bad days, I don't really believe it, when I'm not talking to anyone, eating with everyone or taking part in the social scene because I'm hurting too much.

'putting on a happy face' is definitely something I can now put on my resume!

Hi, I cannot believe how your doctor is handling your abscess. I have had 2 peri-anal abscesses and know how excrutiating they are - I was limping at work. My surgeon admitted me into the hospital immediately and excised (opened) both of them which of course provided immediate relief. I was also given antibiotics. I wish you well.

Hi Gosh I cain't beleave he didn't admit you .You should be soaking and resting .Hope you get relief soon .lol gail

When you get to the store use one of those little scooters instead of walking!

As one who has had a HORRENDOUS abscess, I say go to the ER and let them take care of it. The last time I had one (not nearly as bad as the first one) I went to the ER so I wouldn't have to wait. These don't usually fix themselves and that pain is just awful. Also when they take it out, they can see if there is a fistula that they need to keep an eye on.

The last two they've removed they put me to sleep, but not the first one. Like you, my first one wasn't draining and just kept getting bigger. Mine got to about 3 cm. After it was removed everything was just fine.

pup

I vote for the hospital. If your abscess isn't draining there is the possibility that it is walling itself off. That can make it very difficult for antibiotics to actually get into the area of infection. The walling off process is the body's defence mechanism to protect itself from having poisons enter the bloodstream, but the bad part is that it's hard for antibiotics to get in to the abscess. And at some point, the abscess may spill out of the walled area.I don't like the sound of you feeling shivery and weak. What's your white cell count? With an abscess there is always a danger of it becoming septic and entering the blood stream. You might need infusion antibiotics and a drain.