Well that's a pain...

[thistlechaser]

Never before have I seen one doctor ready to hit another.

I went to see my surgeon today, who of course knew about my rash but didn't know what the allergist doctor put me on (prednisone/steroid). When he heard, he rushed out of the office looking like he was going to hunt the other doctor down and beat her.

Turns out prednisone slows healing and keeps scar tissue from forming. Scar tissue is what you want to seal the whole 'hey I cut your stomach in half' thing.

So not only am I still itchy as hell (he took me off it and told me to get an over the counter allergy medicine), now I'm back to the beginning healing-wise.

I don't even get my baby food mush chicken today. 12 days of no food, and now I have to go to 19 days. Annoyingly, that will take me right before returning to work, so that's going to be an extra pain.

I sure do wish something about this process would go smoothly. And I really, really wish I could stop itching.

Comments

[gonzostar.livejournal.com]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Seriously. UGH I wish I knew that so I could have told you when they gave you that med, but I'd never heard of it!

And WTF is it that is causing the itchy???

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I'd really like to know what's causing the itching, because it's driving me insane. Wakes me up 1-2 times a night, my whole body itchy.

I hadn't known about the med either! Blah.

[tersa.livejournal.com]

>.<

Doctors really need to consult with one another when you're being treated for more than one ailment at a time, especially something as serious as surgery.

What OTC drug does he have you on?

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I know, right? They're not even in the same system, they're in the same darned building!

Zyrtec is the over the counter replacement.

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

You'll get there.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I sure hope so...

[hamsterwoman]

Ugh, you'd think the allergist would've known this, or would've consulted with the other doctor before prescribing something... I hope the OTC drugs continue to help keep the rash down!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I know, seriously. These two work in the same building!

I do too. *fingers crossed*

Thanks!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

So sorry for the set back!
I hope the healing goes well! And, fast!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Argh, so frustrating!Hang in there. Few years from now you will look back at this and think it was all worth it. *hugs*

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

You're right, thanks! Just have to get through things until then. :)

[mayanas.livejournal.com]

Oh urgh. Wow, you just can't catch a break. :(

I hope the over-the-counter allergy stuff helps.

Yuck. So crappy. I'm so sorry. :(

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I really hope it does, too. Being itchy is so very annoying!

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Ugh, that's incredible! Nevermind consulting with your surgeon - shouldn't your allergist be aware of side effects that serious? Slowing healing is a major side effect in post-OP patients, I should think.

So sorry you're still dealing with all that crap.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I know, right? She was so nice, but she only had a year experience. But that's such a big side effect, you'd think she'd have thought about it...

Oh well, what's another week without food? Heh. :P

Thanks!

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Oh holy hell - that's...just bad. :(

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yep. So now I'm still itchy all over, and a week away from eating any food.

Oh well, not much I can do. Hopefully things will get better soon.

[aberdeen.livejournal.com]

Prednisone is the most common of the systemic steroids, and VERY effective at relieving systemic allergic reactions. But any steroid will interfere with healing -- it's why they make people stop taking them before surgery.

That's what they put me on when I had the allergic reaction at my incision sites (in addition to something I can't recall right now that was specifically to relieve the itchy, and the antibiotic for the infection that had set in). I was on a 5 day course, and was allowed to stop early if the symptoms resolved before then.

Given your description of the allergic reaction, I'm not sure there was a better option. Regular antihistamines won't touch something like that (I take Allegra daily already, and still had a massive reaction at the incision site). I think this was less a case of the allergist being wrong, and more a case of 'all the options are bad ones', and differing opinions about which is the least bad.

Still sucks, but at least the itchy is improving, and you're more than half-way through!

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Agreed. In the light of day (and somewhat less hungry than last night), I'm not sure what else she could have put me on. I had rash (bright red, ultra-itchy) on every bit of my skin other than my toes. I was miserable. I don't think that even sitting in an ice bath 24/7 would have helped (and would have made me even more miserable). Hopefully all this will be over soon!

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

I sure do wish something about this process would go smoothly. And I really, really wish I could stop itching.

... will keep my fingers crossed for you.

*hugs* you.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the crossed fingers! Hopefully after Thursday life will get smooth and easier.