post coccygectomy infection, dehisense and pain

[coccygectomyblues]

i had a coccygectomy last month after years of pain following several breaks and dislocations to my coccyx.the wound fully came undone 4days postoperatively and was excruciatingly painful.my surgeon used dermabond to put the wound back together but that failed the wound and underlying muscles and tissues came undone and i was admitted back into hospital.within 20minutes of arriving at the ward, i collapsed my blood pressure dropped to 90 over 48 my temp was 42.8 celcius i began shaking and was confused. I had a few patchy rashes on my arms and in my groin. I also went into urinal retention.i was treated with various antibiotics and analgesia and discharged after the wound was sewed up with thick sutures. I am now 1week post surgery and managing my pain but i am concerned about any long term pain i may experience in the operation site and i feel very traumatised after the whole ordeal.does this sound like i had toxic shock syndrome?small patches of skin on my body have become flaky and dry, my arms lips and face. Please advise me as i'm terrified i'll get ill again.i'm due to have my sutures out 2weeks postop but i'm afraid the wound will open after they've been removed.i've also got symptoms of a u.t.i. I'm very scared.  

[Tuckamore]

I'm watching for you new Question. You don't even need to leave this thread.

Near the top pf this page- where the title of this thread and the "tree" is located is a small green box that says, "Post A Question". Click on that at you may begin your question. I'd copy and paste what you wrote here.

I'll watch for it dear. If you need help please feel free to ask any of us. Click on our names and it will take you to our Profile Page where you can leave a Message or a Note.

Warm Regards,
~Tuck

[philnoir]

This is October of 2015 for anyone who is not oriented as to time.

Worried868 posted in 2009. So did the OP ,coccygectomyblues, who hasn't posted in MedHelp since 2010. Worried868 is still an active member,  but has different interests these days.  I believe her coccygeal. Problems have been resolved for many years.

We all have relevant,  important contributions to make. I would encourage everyone with a moderate to severe pain problem to click the Return to Community link, and then press the big green button and post you question or comment under a new, timely title.

Auto68, I sympathizer with w your  spine issues. -- 14 surgeries.. that's misery.

Has anyone diagnosed your open wound as a decubitus ulcer, because it sure sounds like one. You may need they specialized services of an excellent wound care center. If diabetes or circulatory comorbidty is interfering with healing, again, special care is needed.

ACDF causes a cascade of surgically induced disc failure -- failed back syndrome. It can also keep you on that bedsores for years, aggravating the problem.

Please address this problem with a new doctor, team , whatever can bring new ideas to the issue.

I am sorry to hear of so much suffering and of the failures of a medical system addicted to ineffective modes of care.

Best wishes to a speedy resolution to this problem.

[namnam46]

Hi auto68.  :)

I'm so sorry for what you are going thru and we want to try to help you but I'm going to ask you to please go to the top of this page and click on the "green" button that says Post a Question and re-post your question as this thread (or post) is from 2009, 6 years ago and most of the posters are no longer active on MH (MedHelp).  When a Post is old most people won't even take the time to look at it.  Once you re-post you should get the help that you deserve from our members here in the PM ( Pain Management ) Forum.  

I'm looking forward to trying to be of help to you.              .........      Sherry   :)

[auto68]

Hi my name is margaret Browne i am 46 years old.
In 2011 i had my coccyx removed due to have being born with spina bifida occulta, i spent years in pain with my coccyx before they finally decided to remove the bone , I still get pain in that area and down my legs if i do too much going but that i can deal with, what I can't deal with is the fact that my scar has opened 5 times since the operation the most recent being yesterday its 2cm long and 1 and a half cm deep i will now AGAIN spend the next 8 to 10 weeks getting it packed and dressed every 2nd day . As you can probably understand this is very hard to deal with as i have other issues with my health I am being tested at the moment for rheumatoid arthritis, I have had a total of 14 operations on my back to date most recent was march this year I had an ACDF cervical 4/5 5/6 6/7 with carbon fiber discs titanium mesh a steel bar and 6 screws to be quite honest my scar opening yesterday i feel is the final straw i dont know how much more I can take of this have you any idea what is causing the scar to open ,,,,
                                                       Yours sincerely,,( Desperate)

[worried878]

infection will cause a wound to dehisce...and so will poor nutrition...obesity is another cause due to the poor muscle tone of the person involved specially on the abdomen....protein helps as the wond needs this crucially to heal...getting rid of infection is another must..sepsis can be life threatening..it is good u had this taken care of

often wounds are left open to heal from the inside out when this occurs...cos stitching it back up closes the organisms back inside the body....I am a specialist in this area..funny i come to this forum...as i usually post on the addiction forum...and 2 wound peeps r here!...if they did a pre-albumin on u to see what ur nutritional level was...it is a good indicator if it is good enuf to support healing..as well as using the correct antibiotic to kill the organism causing the infection

[coccygectomyblues]

thanks so much for your advice. Its a comfort to know someone out there understands my fear. Its quite traumatic having a sudden onset of extreme symptoms following an operation and just the thought of my wound opening up again makes me cringe. I hope you made a full recovery and have gone from strength to strength. I shall let you know what happens when i see my surgeon next week. Peace and all the best for the new year x

[Tuckamore]

Hello and welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am so sorry to hear about all you have been through.

I am not a physician and far from an expert. It sounds like you may have had Severe Sepsis(by a whole-body inflammatory state) or Septicemia which is the presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood-stream, leading to sepsis. These terms are generally used interchangeable. Simply put you may have had in infection that went into your blood stream and became systemic most likely from a post-op infection. The term Toxic Shock Syndrome received a lot of publicity some years ago when it was discovered that the use of tampons can cause this condition.

I may not be saying this very well. Let me try to explain this as I understand it. There are three levels of Sepsis or Septicemia. There is 1. Sepsis, the earliest state 2. Severe Sepsis, the intermediate state and 3. Septic Shock. There are all whole body inflammatory states/reactions caused by the introduction of a bacteria into the blood stream.

I have had Sepsis once, Severe Sepsis several times and Septic Shock once all over a 2 1/2 month period of time. This was following a MVA where I suffered extreme, open internal bowel and kidney injuries. There is a difference in the three. I am guessing you had Severe Sepsis but only your physician could name it.  

Sepsis will not return unless you bacteria enters your blood stream again. Until your body heals I would not let any suggestion of infection go ignored. Report it to your physician immediately.

I have never had Sepsis before or since recovering from the wounds of the MVA.  I understand your fear. I had it also. Just be vigilant in reporting any signs of infections to your physician. Keep your wound clean and dry. Follow the directions given upon discharge to the T. You'll get through this.

Keep in touch and try not to be overly concerned. You need your strength to heal. Rest as often as you can. I will look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Take Care,
Tuck