Long/Complicated Recovery

[Bluedaisy]

I've noticed on several other threads people mentioning various complications or recovery delays and just wanted to start a thread where we could discuss them and support each other since I'm feeling really awful today.

I'm almost two months pp and two weeks ago we found infection in my c-section incision.  I was put on antibiotics to try clear it.  It still hasn't completely healed but physically I feel fine, no pain or fever.

Today I saw my doctor again and he said the antibiotics didn't work and now the infection is deep enough that I have to go to wound care at the hospital.  He thinks that they will have to open the incision to clean it and then possibly restitch it and dress it.  I will have to go to the hospital every few days.

I just wanted to throw up when he told me that.  

Anyone else dealing with complications still?

[missjenniebean]

I'm sorry that this has happened! Hope it heals quickly.

[jessila]

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry.
My csection was sealed using something similar to glue. I found that easier and less intimidating to take care of than stitches. It made a solid and complete seam without stitches to snag.
Maybe it could be an option to have that used instead of actual stitches?

[hannahl201477]

SO SORRY! That really sucks! My incision became infected also but luckily meds fixed it.

[dogmama22]

That sounds awful. I'm so sorry to hear. My incision area has been sore lately, but it was completely closed at my check-up at 7 weeks. Also, if you aren't already, I would highly recommend you take a probiotic. Since you already had a course of antibiotics and they'll probably give you more, that will help prevent thrush.

[kemdupuis]

Ugh- that sounds awful Bluedaisy. FX you get well and heal quickly!

[alayne926]

Oh my gosh, I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Hoping they can clear up the infection quickly!

[musicfrk2002]

I'm still dealing with complications from the heart failure and pulmonary embolisms. I have an echo in a few weeks to see how/if my heart function has improved, and if it is up to at least 41%, I can get rid of this stupid defibrilator...if not, then they want to put in either a LVAD or an ICD...DNW heart surgery.

[baytosa2013]

Bluedaisy that really sucks, I'm so sorry. I was really paranoid about infection with my incision as well. It's all healed up and as a PP said, my DR used a glue instead of stitches on the very outside incision. I can still feel it deep inside after I run and sometimes after sex but I figure it's going to take a while before all the aches and pains fully go away. I hope that they can get this cleared up for you ASAP!

[Bluedaisy]

Aug 31, 2015 20:16:54 GMT -5 dogmama22 said:

That sounds awful. I'm so sorry to hear. My incision area has been sore lately, but it was completely closed at my check-up at 7 weeks. Also, if you aren't already, I would highly recommend you take a probiotic. Since you already had a course of antibiotics and they'll probably give you more, that will help prevent thrush.

This may be a really stupid question but is thrush a concern if I'm not breast feeding?

[Bluedaisy]

Aug 31, 2015 21:46:28 GMT -5 musicfrk2002 said:

I'm still dealing with complications from the heart failure and pulmonary embolisms. I have an echo in a few weeks to see how/if my heart function has improved, and if it is up to at least 41%, I can get rid of this stupid defibrilator...if not, then they want to put in either a LVAD or an ICD...DNW heart surgery.

OMG that is terrifying!

Have you always had heart problems (if I'm being too nosy feel free to tell me to mind my own business but I'm curious if it was all brought on by pregnancy/childbirth).

You will definitely be in my thoughts, I'm so sorry you have to go through that!

[Bluedaisy]

Thanks for the support (as always) ladies! You all rock! I'm so glad I have you guys to talk to.

I had internal stitches and I'm wondering if this was partially caused because my body maybe absorbed them too fast.

I'm nervous about tomorrow but glad that I insisted I had infection and didn't listen to the first doctor who said it was just wet and to check in with my family doctor in a month- that would have been another two weeks!

[dogmama22]

Aug 31, 2015 21:56:50 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Aug 31, 2015 20:16:54 GMT -5 dogmama22 said:

That sounds awful. I'm so sorry to hear. My incision area has been sore lately, but it was completely closed at my check-up at 7 weeks. Also, if you aren't already, I would highly recommend you take a probiotic. Since you already had a course of antibiotics and they'll probably give you more, that will help prevent thrush.

This may be a really stupid question but is thrush a concern if I'm not breast feeding?

Nope - sorry about that.  I thought you did a mix of both BF and FF for some reason.  If you're prone to yeast infections, that could be a reason to take them, but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it, then!

[musicfrk2002]

Aug 31, 2015 21:58:36 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

Aug 31, 2015 21:46:28 GMT -5 musicfrk2002 said:

I'm still dealing with complications from the heart failure and pulmonary embolisms. I have an echo in a few weeks to see how/if my heart function has improved, and if it is up to at least 41%, I can get rid of this stupid defibrilator...if not, then they want to put in either a LVAD or an ICD...DNW heart surgery.

OMG that is terrifying!

Have you always had heart problems (if I'm being too nosy feel free to tell me to mind my own business but I'm curious if it was all brought on by pregnancy/childbirth).

You will definitely be in my thoughts, I'm so sorry you have to go through that!

Never had any heart problems before, although heart disease runs in both sides of my family. My cardiologist says this was brought on by pregnancy and that its not from genetics. I am just one of the lucky 1 in 3000 or so to get it.

[Deleted]

Bluedaisy sorry you are going through this. I'm glad you followed your instincts to get a 2nd opinion

[Bluedaisy]

Aug 31, 2015 22:15:18 GMT -5 dogmama22 said:

Aug 31, 2015 21:56:50 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

This may be a really stupid question but is thrush a concern if I'm not breast feeding?

Nope - sorry about that.  I thought you did a mix of both BF and FF for some reason.  If you're prone to yeast infections, that could be a reason to take them, but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it, then!

I was originally but then my milk (despite trying everything under the sun) completely dried up so we're completely formula now.

[Bluedaisy]

musicfrk2002, that is the scariest thing I've ever heard! I feel terrible for whining about my little infection now lol! Fingers are crossed for a speedy recovery for you!

[erbear]

musicfrk2002 - I know someone who had heart issues with her first pregnancy and she's doing very well now. Fingers crossed the same will happen for you!

[musicfrk2002]

Aug 31, 2015 23:24:19 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

musicfrk2002, that is the scariest thing I've ever heard! I feel terrible for whining about my little infection now lol! Fingers are crossed for a speedy recovery for you!

Don't feel bad--infections are no joke either, especially since you have to go back in and essentially have another c section to take care of it all. T&p that they can clear it up and that you heal quickly.

[musicfrk2002]

Sept 1, 2015 1:34:14 GMT -5 erbear said:

musicfrk2002 - I know someone who had heart issues with her first pregnancy and she's doing very well now. Fingers crossed the same will happen for you!

Thanks, I hope so too. I feel normal most of the time, just an occasional dizzy spell for a few minutes from my meds dropping my blood pressure too much.

[Bluedaisy]

Sept 1, 2015 9:41:03 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

Wow, I really need to stop complaining about my 10 week long pp bleed. I can't believe what you ladies have gone through! Bluedaisy & musicfrk2002 You are in my thoughts and I am so sorry you have had to deal with those issues. You are both incredibly strong women! And @badwolf321 I'm glad everything worked out okay for you, hopefully you are fully healed now, or at least close to being so.

The ten week bleed sounds pretty grim!  And honestly I have always FELT fine...we're lucky we caught it because I've never actually felt sick or had a fever.

[Bluedaisy]

Just got back from "Wound Care" at the hospital and they said they don't think it's actually as bad as my doctor thought. Infected definitely but said it looks pretty clean and I'm doing a great job taking care of it. They decided that they don't think it's deep and as of right now don't think it needs to be opened. They cleaned it really well and want to see if that plus antiseptic gauze and the antibiotic can kill it. If it's not better by Friday I will see the surgeon.

It's frustrating to get different answers but was a huge relief when they told me. Now ladies PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep your fingers crossed for me this week!

[Bluedaisy]

Sept 1, 2015 10:56:40 GMT -5 @badwolf321 said:

Thanks @jemomma ! I am better in the sense that they finally let my wound close up. It took a few weeks before they'd let it. I still swell up around my incision but I think that's pretty common. I read they close up eighteen layers or something huge like that. And you have every right to complain about ten weeks of bleeding. We all have our trials we have to go through.

I'm glad you are healing now and hope things continue to get better!

[Bluedaisy]

@badwolf321, dogmama22, jessila,

I have a stupid question for the c-section mammas. Have you had your first period yet? And if so were you totally worried something had opened inside or did you just know?

[baytosa2013]

Sept 2, 2015 12:10:39 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

@badwolf321, dogmama22, jessila,

I have a stupid question for the c-section mammas. Have you had your first period yet? And if so were you totally worried something had opened inside or did you just know?

I haven't gotten my period back yet...I don't think. I had some spotting around the 7 week mark that I thought might be my period but I haven't seen it yet this month so now I'm not so sure. I'm thinking it might take a bit for it to all level back out and get back to a normal cycle though.

[jessila]

No period yet and I'm 10 weeks pp. I'm breastfeeding and on the minipill.

[dogmama22]

Sept 2, 2015 12:10:39 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

@badwolf321, dogmama22, jessila,

I have a stupid question for the c-section mammas. Have you had your first period yet? And if so were you totally worried something had opened inside or did you just know?

I haven't gotten my period back yet either. I can definitely see being worried about that since I've heard the first few PP periods can be heavy, but I would imagine it would feel different.

[Bluedaisy]

I just started bleeding/ spotting today. It's really not heavy I just panicked a bit when I saw the blood on the tp. I will definitely mention it Friday when I see Wound Care again but I'm pretty sure it's nothing major.

I was just home alone and of course the imagination ran away a little...