wet-to-dry dressing

FutureMrsTowns

so i have two spots that my incision has come apart a bit and needs a wet-to-dry dressing that DH will have to change for me twice  day for three days and then one a day after that... *sigh* as if i hadn't had enough complications... but anyways, has anyone else had this? it didn't hurt too bad today when they packed it for the first time (and i didn't realize it til after but i was completely unmedicated) my mom is a wound care nurse and will be here Saturday to take over for DH for a week, but in the mean time she says that it hurts a lot when the dressing is changed.... how bad? should i take a Vicodin? i have to drive to the doctor before the first change, where they will be teaching DH what to do.. , and I'll often have to drive hubby to work after any morning change he does... so I'm kind scared to take Vicodin... would the ibuprofen be enough? should i just try to figure out a way to not drive this week at all?

 

FutureMrsTowns

oh my doctor already has me on Vicodin, just for post-op pain management, I'm just not good at taking it, and have been able to manage the pain thus far with the ibuprofen mostly, and I'm supposed to avoid it for four hours before driving.

j_bri

Do you mean packing the open part of the incision with packing strip/gauze? If so, I've had to do this for the past 2 weeks and it's not terribly painful. When the wound was first healing I would take Motrin but now do not need any pain medication.  The worst part was the first couple of days when it was still draining and just looked gross.  I also have been able to do the packing on my own, just took a couple of times to get the hang of it. Good luck! 

FutureMrsTowns

j_bri:

Do you mean packing the open part of the incision with packing strip/gauze? If so, I've had to do this for the past 2 weeks and it's not terribly painful. When the wound was first healing I would take Motrin but now do not need any pain medication.  The worst part was the first couple of days when it was still draining and just looked gross.  I also have been able to do the packing on my own, just took a couple of times to get the hang of it. Good luck! 

i wish I could do it myself, but I can't even really see my incision without a mirror just because of the way my skin is kind of folded over along with the infection causing some swelling to remain there. 

jb2rn

Hi. I am sorry you are having issues

I am an RN, and I would just see how it goes. Some patients have a lot of pain, it will depend how deep and how sensitive the area is. I would pre medicate with 800 mg of Ibuprophen and then see how it goes. You may not need the Vicodin.

laurenmae1228

jb2rn:

Hi. I am sorry you are having issues

I am an RN, and I would just see how it goes. Some patients have a lot of pain, it will depend how deep and how sensitive the area is. I would pre medicate with 800 mg of Ibuprophen and then see how it goes. You may not need the Vicodin.

My incision opened up all the way to the muscle fascia; it was incredibly painful. It had to be packed twice daily (alternated iotoform and aquacell silver), and had to be debrieded a few times in the hospital. This went on for 14 weeks, until I finally saw another (MUCH better) doctor who realized that a seroma had formed, and got rid of my systemic staph & strep b infection before cutting out the seroma pocket and FINALLY closing me up more than 4 1/2 months after my DS's birth. I am pretty much the worst case scenario. The whole point of which was to tell you that I would pro-actively take some tylenol beforehand. Honestly, if they are small areas though and after the third day, you're allowed to only change the packing once a day, try not to worry too much. You'll be able to handle it. It sucks, but think of it just like pregnancy/labor; some finite moments of being uncomfortable; they'll be over soon, and you'll be back to having nothing else to concentrate on besides doting on your brand new little love.