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Abscesses!!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/19/2009 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
So, as many of you know I've moaned and groaned about my abscesses that have resulted in open wounds.  They suck!!!  They hurt!!!  They are seriously a huge inconvenience b/c I have to cover them with plastic wrap before showers and my skin becomes so irritated with the medical tape. 

Anyway, after having an open wound one way or another since mid-October I finally showered for the first time without tape or plastic wrap last week...it was WONDERFUL!!!  I was simply giddy!!!

Today.  In the shower.  I felt it.  Another freakin' abscess!!!  Holy Hell!!!!  This time it's under my left armpit.  Now, how am I to put a tattoo there?  : )  I'm putting tats around each of my scars that have been from this horrible path I've been down.

I've made the call to my GI and left a message for my nurse.  I'm assuming I'll have to be squeezed in for my surgeon...again.  Then I'll have to either have this little lump of mine drained or removed...*faint* 

At first I was in shock...then I cried.  I did.  I normally don't, but this really sucks.  Now I'm just pissed.  I have to reschedule a very important appointment for my client, and hope that she has a phone that works so I can tell her I won't be able to make it.  Then the fact that we have a phone pyramid regarding my emergencies just makes me even more mad! 

TODAY IS NOT MY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you know what?  I'm going to Starbucks later and I am going to get a Cafe' Vanilla Frappaccino...yep.  I'm doing it.  I'm going to get a venti sized lactose and caffeine filled cup of goodness...and I'll be up all night anyway with urgencies, so I DON'T CARE!!!!!!

Okay...My Negative Nancy face is fading, and I'm working on my Happy Hatti ficade (sp). 

Have a great day y'all!!!

: )  Robin

Posted 1/19/2009 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Totally sucks for all you're going through. Are they staph or strep infections? I know how careful you have to be while having them...is there a reason you're getting them?

Are you on any meds for helping clearing them up?

I do hope this is a fast healing process for you....I can only imagine the frustration...I'd have no problem breaking down quickly with the experience you have in dealing with them.

Enjoy your latte!

quincy
Posted 1/19/2009 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
The only way to treat the problem of receiving the abscesses is by getting me off of Prednisone and Remicade...but the only way I can get off those medications is if we cure the disease. So, I am very fortunate to be getting in to see the colorectal surgeon tomorrow afternoon. My last Remicade infusion hasn't really made a huge difference...I guess the overall pain and discomfort is down, but I'm still in a pretty decent flare. We didn't want to up the Prednisone in fear of further immune difficulties, but look what's happening anyway.

Oh well...this should all be behind me the first of February, and from there I just have to focus on recovery and adjustment to the ileo. : )

But seriously? An abscess so close to the end?! I really hope they can treat it without having to do some major cutting and squeezing...yuck. How uncomfortable is a sore in the armpit going to be?! I've even avoided shaving for a few weeks...I know, thank goodness it's the winter!...just in fear of getting a cut and possibly a staph infection. And they are staph...I was hospitalized for MRSA a few months ago, and had another basic staph a month in a half ago...they're so not fun.

My frappaccino is coming tomorrow...I'm not leaving the house today. I have a long day tomorrow, so I'm going to rest today. My son finally fell asleep...he's been up since 8am...normally he naps long before now, but he's such a little go-getter. : ) So, now it's my turn!!!

: ) Robin
Posted 1/19/2009 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Just for the record, I have a tattoo in probably the exact spot you're describing and it HURRRT, probably one of the most painful tattoos I've gotten, but it's doable! Hehe
Posted 1/20/2009 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
How interesting...what kind of tattoo did you get there? I doubt I will put a tat in my armpit, but if I end up getting it lanced or something horrible, I'll probably do something on my shoulder or arm. : )

I just can't wait to get my tattoos!!! On the j-pouch site there's people talking about forming a design for UC and Crohn's...I think I'm going to draw up a few and submit them to see what people think. Do you have any ideas? I need to do some research on colors, symbols, etc.

: ) Robin
Posted 1/20/2009 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have a fairy under my arm that I drew, it was my third tattoo and even the artist was like "Are you SURE you want to do this? It's not a fun spot.." Of course I had my mind set, but as soon as he started I was like "Oh man, what was I thinking!" Haha. The shoulders are good though, those hardly hurt at all.

I decided if/when I ever get a jpouch, I'm going to get a phoenix around my stoma scar after the final surgery... The reason I decided that was on the ostomy association website, uoaa.org, they have a phoenix as their logo and under it, it says "Reborn from the ashes of disease" I just loved that so much I can't wait to get it someday when I'm free of UC. Not the logo, but just a colorful, happy looking bird :D
Posted 1/21/2009 3:11 AM (GMT 0)

 Hi Robin,

 I feel for you!   I just got over the largest abscesse in my life. I measured it, 31/2 inches by 2 inches. It started as a pain to a bump and was full blown in less than 24 hours. The culture was strep and I was in the hospital for 5 days with a fever they could not get under control. I'm allergic to penicillin which made it hard to get a hold of. I'm on Imuran and asacol now and will be getting my first  Remicade infusion this Thursday. I hate the way these abscesses come out of now where, at least that how they show up for me. I wish you all the luck in the world with the next step you take.

John

Posted 1/21/2009 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
mythreesons...

My largest abscess was 2 1/2 x 2 and 1 1/2 deep...along with and inch or more of tunneling along the right side...this one was located on my bicep...not fun!

The abscess I thought I had is actually a cyst...and my surgeon is keeping a close eye on it, so if it changes it's outta there! I'm hoping it goes away on it's own or can wait until my surgery and be done while I'm completely out.

I do have concerns regarding you starting Remicade and already experiences these infections. What does your GI say about this? Are you seeing an Infectious Disease specialist? Gosh, I wish you luck. I started getting abscesses after being on Prednisone and then starting Remicade. I really hope your immune system doesn't give way too much. I am just really worried about you!!! We actually opted for the surgery b/c I'm not finding remission with Remicade and my side effects of this drug with the prednisone is just horrible...the abscesses are so hard to live with.

As for the packing of my open wounds I originally used an algenate Ag+ with silver (to help fight infection), but then I started using a Johnson & Johnson product...I'll have to look that one up. It's somewhere on my vanity. : ) I hope you're using something soothing to your wound. I also was given lidocane (sp) cream and that was smeared in my wound and then wiped out before it was cleaned and packed. I LOVE IT!!! I wish I had it for my first two wounds. If you have any questions or just want to vent more I'll completely understand where you're coming from!!! Not many understand the constant burden of the open wounds, packing, visits to the wound clinic, the fear of getting another staph, or in your case a strep infection. It's all very stressful and overwhelming.

I so wish you the best of luck...I am just so worried about your immune system once starting the Remicade. Please be careful.

: ) Robin
Posted 1/21/2009 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the good thoughts Robin.  I am also concerned about what is to come with the Remicde as far as my immune system goes. The concensus I get is that the Immuran at the dose I was on (300mg) already supressed my immune system so the Remicade would no no worst in that area. I was also on Prednisone but they won't put me on that again. I developed Diabeties as a result so that form of treatment is out.  I think the GI thought is the Immuran and the pred together was the problem. With no more Pred perhaps I will do better. I also think he is at the point where I can try this and if it is not for me I have to consider surgery or some experimental clinical trail. This last one was on the bacl of my leg  just above the knee. I had to have visting nurses since I could not reach it to re pack. I used that Ag silver as well it was great and a derm dressing called  Tegaderm that took the place of gauze and tape much better to remove. These wounds are the worst. When they removed the packing and you see 16 inches of material come out of that wound it's increadable. the pain is like nothing I can describe. I was on liquid morphine in the hospital and strong pain killers at home. I stopped them now because the wound is healing and no longer needs to be packed.  I will keep you updated as the Remicade starts and if anything occurs because of it. It is so nice to be able to talk with someone that understands what it is like to go through something. I just wish none of us had to go through anything

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