Reduction/infection/nerve block/update

Okay so my surgeon finally called back and she believes I am allergic to the tape used to reinforce the stitches- it is the same paper tape they sell in the first aid section. So I get to do 7 days of antibiotics and a run of steroids. I also get to take the generic ben. (can't recall spelling of name brand but you all know the one I mean). I had to remove the tape too. Imagine removing tape from delicate tissues that are still only held together by stitches, I mean this really was an unnerving thing to do but the infection was only going to get worse if the allergic reaction was allowed to continue causing irritation to the incision sites. We have to put triple antibiotic ointment on the stitched areas and as a protectant on the whole nipple area simply because they are in the most danger of damage from irritation. I am to use extremely soft paper towels (I got ones that feel like soft cloth and are really expensive) with a wrap instead of any tape or bandages. Then I am to wear the surgical bra over top of this make shift arrangement. It is the best that can be done given how irritated my skin is- apparently it is the irritation and allergic issues that caused the infection to develop. So now hopefully it will all clear up soon as we have a better idea what caused it, how to deal with it, and the proper medications. I am just really shocked at being allergic to the tape. This has never happened before- I mean I know my skin is really sensative and reacts to a lot of stuff but this tape is supposedly hypoallergenic. It would figure I would be allergic to stuff that is supposedly allergy proof. Yet despite this complication I still say the reduction was more than worth it- the back pain is definately decreased and my shirts actually fit darn it all. My nerve block went well and we will see how things are in 2 weeks because for now that is how long I have to wait for follow up on that. If they can fix the nerve issues in my hip maybe I will let them try and fix my tailbone and eventually the rest of the darned back pain.

The nerve block was on the right hip for a set of nerves they believe are inflammed. They hope that the temporary block coupled with steroids will knock out the inflammation and end more than a year of pain so bad I have been on heavy duty narcotic pain meds with very little relief. I did the physical therapy thing, chiropractic care, surgical consults for both spine and hip (both came up as not needing surgery for damage to bones or connective tissues). So this is basically one of 3 things we can try before they do exploratory surgery. The other two involve tests that use higher than normal amounts of radiation and/or nuclear dye. My doctors all agree I have had excessive exposure over my life to xrays and other tests involving radiation and nuclear dyes. So if we can avoid them we do. When we can't then we give in and do it. I just hate being forced into such a small corner. Heck the doctor who did the injection said flat out he believes my pelvic bones are slightly misaligned and that it is adding to the pain but that the nerves are most likely the major cause. The thing is a few of my symptoms don't fit for the nerve issue and many of the symptoms don't fit for the pelvic bone problem. So now I get to ask about having the pelvic bone positions checked because it could explain about 1/3 of the pain. Cute. Oh well, I figure it is par for the course. The bad thing is I had to take the first day of steroids all at once at 11pm so now I am awake when I need to be asleep. She has me doing a medrol dose pack. A minor infection had already developed from the irritation the allergic reaction was causing. Had we known sooner we could have avoided it entirely because she removed the first tape a week post-op and replaced it. If we had known then I was having an allergic reaction (it was hard to see it due to bruising) she would never have re-taped me and the infection would have been avoided. We could also have used regular dressings instead of this makeshift stuff we have to do now because I can't have any adhesive on the skin until the reaction has cleared up completely. I am so darned itchy too and can't itch which is miserable.

All I can say is OUCH!!!!! The infection and allergic reaction sound very painful as well as having to remove the tape from such a delicate area. And now you have to deal with the itching of the allergic reaction. Hopefully it will all get under control pretty soon so that you feel more comfortable. Hang in there and take care