Look at my most recent picture of my empty pocket infection or no?

no infection

by new to pace.... - 2021-05-25 20:36:31

i agree with your doctors not to give antibotic, just because you want one.  It will not do any good if no infection.   Just let it heal on it's own.

new to pace

Swollen but otherwise looks free from infection

by Gemita - 2021-05-25 21:20:29

Did they give you intravenous antibiotics during your procedure I wonder to cover you for a few days?  You are certainly in the best place to get answers and I suppose they are routinely taking bloods ?daily to check for any signs of infection?  

All I can suggest is speak to your doctors and tell them of your concerns.  No one can blame you for this very real fear.  They have to address your concerns and reassure you or prescribe appropriate treatment to help with your swelling and discomfort.

The wound looks more swollen now but doesn't look infected ASully but in your shoes I would want to err on the side of caution too, so I would need lots of reassurance that I was really safe to leave well alone.  I would keep pushing for answers since you sound as though you are not getting them and that you are far from happy with your treatment so far.  Are your team of doctors on duty.  Have you actually seen them and received adequate answers?

Please do not leave hospital until you feel safe to go home.  You are in the best place to get answers and treatment and I hope they can adjust your settings too, to help with your muscle stimulation.

I hope for the very best,

Gemita xx
 

ice ??

by Tulp - 2021-05-25 21:52:10

It looks swollen, but I guess they do know what they are doing.

Did you try to ask for ice ? I suppose that could help à little.

Remember the training

by crustyg - 2021-05-26 12:19:06

Dolor == pain, Rubor == redness, Tumor (ok, your spelling) == lump.  All three and you have an infection.

My guess is that it's not really painful, the tumor is impressive and it's not red, as you say.

Also progression: increasing swelling, +/- addition of pain => infection.

Right now I think it's probably mostly oedema from the tissues being mangled around and handled.  But I'd watch carefully.  *IF* there is a pool of accumulated trapped serum under there, it's an excellent culture medium, but as long as it stays sterile, it will dissipate over time.  Also sometimes worth putting some skin markers around the border with a waterproof pen, as a useful way to asses change in size.

The drawbacks of exhibiting antimicrobials are: a) disturbance of gut flora (you really want Clostridium difficile diarrhea from broad-spectrum antibiotics?), b) selection pressure to help promote MRSA or other similar nasties.  Don't misunderstand me - anti-microbials can be life-savers, but they come with a cost.

Well

by ROBO Pop - 2021-05-27 21:47:57

That picture ain't pretty, thats for sure. My advice get a second opinion. While the dr is probably right, I would not recommend getting an infection. I spent a week in the hospital and lost 6 months of my life when I got one in my pocket. They had to extract my CRT and all 3 leads. I had to do Daily visits to a hospital, an infusion clinic and home nurse visits cramp your style. 6 years later I still have a divot in my chest deep enough to hide a golf ball. In fact I'm agonizing over whether to get a replacement as its that time again.