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jimnyc said:I had to see the doctor 2x in the past couple of months to get an 'I & D of the pilonidal cyst'. He did an injection in what felt like the cysts itself! I'm sure it was just in the general area. That stuff works quickly as he started cutting about 1 minute after the injection and I didn't really feel anything other than a little pressure. I also slammed my finger in the car door a few years back. The blood built up in the finger nail until I couldn't stand the pain anymore. When I went to the ER to have it drained he gave me a shot of lidocaine and it was instant relief!
Your not the first who recommended the pain meds exactly 45 minutes beforehand. I've actually been doubling them up around that time.
Joan said:Little Addict!!
Bullypulpit said:As for the pain you're having with the wound packing coming out, it's what's known as mechanical debridement. As the dressing dries out, it tends to stick to the wound bed, and any tissue adhereing to it when it is removed is pulled out with the packing. I know it doesn't help the pain, but knowing the mechanics might make it a little easier to bear. Good luck, and hang in there. As the wound heals, it'll get easier and less painful.
jimnyc said:I bought some special dressing called 'Kaltostat'. I guess that's why this one hurts a little less than before, they are specially medicated and kept moist at all times. And it does in fact make it a bit easier when you understand. I've been doing tons of reading about this and was fully prepared going in. I spent about $200 on gauze, dressings, bandages, tape & saline.
Bullypulpit said:Kaltostat is good stuff. It forms a gel as it absorbes drainage from the wound bed, so it keeps the wound bed moist and prevents the packing from sticking to it. The wound bed doesn't get traumatized so much when the packing is removed so the wound tends to heal more quickly.
jimnyc said:I'm glad you've heard of it! I was a little taken back that my surgeon never heard of it and suggested I avoid it and stick with regular gauze and saline. As you stated, these pads collect all the unwanted crap and the whole things turns into a ball of gel, and is easily removed.
Do you think it's normal that it would hurt so much today, 4 days after the surgery? Tuesday was obviously bad, but it has gotten better each day. Today seems like a setback and it's hurting like hell!
Nobody really wants to see a picture?
Bullypulpit said:Most of the surgeons I have dealt with know quite alot about making surgical wounds and squat about healing them. There's a nursing specialty called "enterostomal therapy" these nurses know more about wound healing than most surgery departments combined.
Are you keeping on top on the pain with your pain meds? That is crucial. Take them as directed, I don't know what you're taking, but take them when you first start to feel the pain. Keep the pain under control, your body is less stressed, and you tend to heal more quickly.If your pain meds aren't keeping it under control, see about something more potent. And don't worry about addiction...Unless you have had past history of drug/alcohol abuse, it's just not an issue. Most often, post-op pain seems to get worse due to poor pain management. Unless there is some problem with the wound bed such as infection, you should be alright. Good luck, and take care.
wade said:As for the pictures, I'm interested. Why don't you update the website. I'm not squimish about such things, I've seen it all. It's just an unfortunate condition you've suffered, and I applaud you for not being ashamed to share it with us in such detail.
wade said:Is there to be future surgery to pull the skin back together over the wound?
I had a wound on the sole of my foot (radiation burn) that took a very long time to heal, and still occassionaly comes back. For about a year, I was seriously considering amputation.
I cannot imagine how nasty it must be to have the wound in that position. Do you like on your stomach 24/7?