Wound infection after hysterectomy

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I had a hysterectomy 8 days ago and my dressings were removed yesterday. The nurse said everything looked fine but overnight one of the wounds (they tried keyhole but converted to open) has become increasingly sore. Today it's red, swollen and full of pus. If I squeeze it (v v gently) it oozes.

I've tried 111 but their first suggestion was our only walk in centre (an hour away in the car and in a very busy city so parking will be v hard) and I said I wasn't sure I was up to the journey. They've said they'll arrange a GP call back but that was hours ago.

I rang the ward I was on and they couldn't help, just recommended A&E.

I'm so worried the infection will end up inside me and I'll become seriously ill. I'm quite overwhelmed and tearful post surgery anyway and now I'm verging on catastrophising.

Unfortunately I’d say you need to get to A&E, especially if that is the ward’s recommendation. Can anyone drive you?

They weren't recommending A&E but saying there was nobody available in the hospital otherwise. The gynae unit is closed and their other services aren't answering the phone so said that was the only thing they could think of.

I’d probably ring 111 back and say you need a prescription for antibiotics urgently for wound infection.

I had the same but luckily my GP surgery was open as I realised what was happening on a Thursday. Automatic antibiotic prescription.

Yes try 111 again - you shouldn’t have to go to the ED for antibiotics. I’m surprised a pharmacist couldn’t at least advise if not prescribe.

In the mean time, I had the same after a similar op. Don’t keep squeezing and bodging it. Do you have any sterile wipes? Wipe it over and try to keep it clean and exposed to the air so it stays dry - an excuse to lie down with not much on in this heat!

I've rung back 111 and they've just said that somebody will ring me back at some point.

We have an absolute dearth of services here and everything gets shunted to A&E. I can't sit on a plastic chair for 7hrs. I've had a really brutal hysterectomy and I'm black and blue and swollen still.

I've cleaned it with antiseptic wipes and I'm wearing huge knickers over it to stop it rubbing.

Hi OP how do you feel? Probably at this stage best to stick with 111, someone will get back to you. I don't know where you are but they have always been very good in terms of assistance in the past.

If you ring 111 again you can let them know no one has got back to you yet and you're still worried about the wound. They can either tell you what's happening or send paramedics round.

I've rung back and said this but they've said I just have to wait.

I can't afford for the infection to get into all the internal stitching and bits that are repairing.

Surely I just need antibiotics? DH is supposed to be taking the DC to Wales overnight to see Metallica tomorrow. They should have left hours ago.

I feel like such a weepy, vulnerable mess.

An on call nurse rang and recommended she send over a prescription for antibiotics to my local pharmacy. She asked if I felt I needed to see somebody but warned I could end up waiting until this evening for an appointment. She thinks that the antibiotics will be sufficient and if things get worse this evening or overnight or the antibiotics don't appear to be helping, I can seek further treatment.

I just pray the antibiotics will be enough.

Hope the antibiotics work ASAP.
Wishing you a speedy recovery 💐

That good. Can you double up the first dose? Or space the first two a bit closer? I did.

Hopefully the antibiotics will work quickly. I feel for you op, major surgery is a lot to go through and now an infection on top, not a surprise you feel vulnerable and tearful.
If you feel worse after two or three doses of the antibiotics you need to get seen.

get the antibiotics asap and if say it says 3 daily try to get all the doses in today then you can spread them tomorrow.
good suggestion someone made try and expose the wound help it dry out if its private lie in the shade in the garden or make yourself comfy on your bed with a fan and good film

I'm going to aim for taking them at 6am, midday, 6pm and midnight but I collected them and took my first at 3.30pm so will then take the next at 6pm which means a closer first 2 doses. I should be taking 4 a day for the next 7 days. Fingers crossed!

The wound is pretty dry apart from the pus when I squeeze it. It's still stitched neatly/tightly and is more hot, red and shiny than open iyswim. On the advice of the nurse, I've cleaned it with antiseptic wipes and covered it back up with a waterproof dressing as my clothes rub on it constantly.

I'm staying indoors with a fan and watching Marvel films. The neighbours are having a very boozy BBQ and have their pool out. I'm staying well away from the garden.

DH and DS have gone away to Cardiff as planned but DD has stayed here to keep a beady eye on me.

The last two years have been rubbish, particularly the last 14 months and the hysterectomy is supposed to be the start of a new chapter which isn't controlled by pain, bleeding, appointments and a tiny world where I can't go out or see friends or exercise. I'm finding the recovery period very anxious-making anyway and I'm still stuck in a cycle of needing pain relief, bed rest and endless medications to fix the shitfuckery my body continues to throw at me.

I'm glad you have antibiotics, I had the same after surgery last year and it's really panic inducing. I think the fact you can't ring the ward and go in for them to look is appalling and bordering on negligent and it made me very upset.

Keep a close eye on it . Take photos daily as a reminder. At the slightest change you get yourself to A and E,no fannying around with 111 or the GP or urgent care. Take snacks a cushion, be prepared for a wait.

Sounds like you have caught this in time so fingers crossed it'll be ok. Take it very easy. x

Thank you for keeping me company while I waited. I really hope that I'm back to some semblance of normal soon.

I have to say my infection set me back a bit with recovery and the antibiotics made me feel extremely tired on top of everything else so don't expect too much of yourself.

you will be fine soon. The best thing I ever done is have an hysterectomy no more pain heavy bleeding etc

I’m am always a big weepy mess about 7 days after the gynae ops I have had. I’m right there with you!

No big pants though - literally lay there with it exposed to the air. It needs it!

Hope you will be feeling a lot brighter by this time tomorrow.

How's things today OP?

I've had 6 doses of antibiotics and in the last couple of hours, the tight, hot, swollen feeling has really abated. I've had a shower using antimicrobial disinfectant wash, cleaned everything with antiseptic and redressed it and the red area has reduced and there's no longer any oozing pus. I'm hoping it's going to be a slow and steady improvement from here.

I've taken it really easy as well. The last few days I'd been doing laundry, loading the dishwasher, sweeping up etc, and just up and about quite a lot more but wonder if my body was telling me to slow down a bit. So today I've just done some work on my laptop, been for some short wanders round the garden a few times and watched a couple of films. Maybe a bit more rest is what I need.

Sounds like the antibiotics are working. Take it easy, it's tempting to push it but you end up taking longer to heal that way in my experience.

Jeeze, no wonder your wound was unhappy! You're less than a week after the surgery and bending over and lifting things, laundry, dishes, and sweeping??!! I couldn't even sit at a desk to try to do some typing after mine for probably a couple of weeks. Seriously, you need to let your body heal properly.

I pushed myself too much after gynae surgery and really set my recovery back - infection that needs antibiotics, weekly visits back to the hospital and overgranulation on the wound which looks horrible. You absolutely need to rest, take it easy and stay well fed and hydrated!

I know the temptation to get back to normal is so strong after so long feeling crap before the surgery, but your recovery will be so much quicker if you give yourself time to heal.