Feeling better, then suddenly not

6 days after surgery I was feeling great, moving easily, almost no pain. Abruptly that changed. The site became sore, even to the touch. Several areas around the incisions have a burning sensation, while at the same time having a kind of numbness right on the surface. Nerve damage? No fever or sign of infection.

I am concerned that I might have unknowingly done a little too much and dislodged something. 

Apparently the wound is healing nicely, staples removed, no sign of infection. 

My question: do I chalk it up to the healing process? Is it just a 2 steps forward, 1 step backward situation. My husband keeps reminding me that my body (7 days post surgery) is still adjusting. Since the pain reappeared, should I be worried and contact my doctor, or is this all par for the course? I feel as though I am starting to get paranoid!

3 Comments

sudden changes

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-29 11:23:02

I'd call you EP's nurse and ask if you should be seen by the doctor. Describe the symptoms as accurately as possible. I wouldn't worry that you damaged something but infections are nothing to play around with. You may not think that it's infected but let (make) them tell you that. It is that serious.

healing

by Tracey_E - 2018-08-29 12:58:17

When in doubt, get your doctor to look at it because new pain should always be checked out, but 6 days is probably too early for infection to set in. When were the staples taken out? You might be feeling that. It's more likely you are doing more because you're feeling better, which makes it sore again.

Is the incision still dressed? Adhesive can cause problems a few days in. 

Numbness is normal, nerves were cut. All sorts of weird sensations will happen over the next weeks/months as they knit back together. Burning, aching, zinging. Or sometimes it stays numb. 

It's highly unlikely you dislodged anything, even if you did that's not how it would manifest. It would stop pacing and you'd feel like you did before. 

Feeling better..suddenly not

by dorothys56 - 2018-08-29 15:02:50

That you all so much. Very helpful information. I don't feel as though an infection is forming. No discharge, no fever, no real redness around the incision. Robin, good advice about USING the arm. I have been moving it around (below shoulder height) because I've feared losing mobility and atrophy setting in. 

I am definitely going to speak with the nurse,but don't want to find myself making an unnecessary visit if what I am experiencing is common or because I'm not back to normal quite yet! I had the staples removed this past Friday, and everything looked fine. Still have the steri strips on. Thanks again everyone. I love this site!

 

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

Member Quotes

It made a HUGE difference in my life. Once I got it, I was finally able to run, and ride my bike long distances.