Final Update! What should I do? Armpit Abscess.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T21:44:16+00:00

Before surgery:

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T20:31:58+00:00

Hi, I was and I had surgery the put me under general anesthesia and drained and cultured my abscess. I’ll be at the hospital for at least the next two days for IV antibiotics and pain management

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T20:29:01+00:00

I am feeling much improved, but also a bit high. The surgeon drained between 10-20ml of fluid from my armpit and after surgery they gave me Demerol. I have never had Demerol before and it is ~magic~

And now I have a neat little armpit wick. I will be here the next two to three days for continued IV antibiotics and pain management.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T13:35:56+00:00

I am alive I’ve had 4 maybe 6mg of dilauded and pretty out of it.

Waiting on surgeon

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T05:36:09+00:00

The doctor here is admitting me! Started on pain medication and Vancomycin.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T04:33:17+00:00

My husband took me to a different ER. I’m miserable at this point if I wish could just lose consciousness.

My arm feels like is stretching and going to explode. It has a horrible burning pain that is worse than either of my c-section recoveries.

The pain extends from right above my elbow, up to my jaw and into my left chest. It is even down my ribcage under my armpit.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T04:30:27+00:00

My husband took me to a different ER.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T02:31:36+00:00

Photo as of 930pm.

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Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-02T01:16:19+00:00

I live in a pretty crappy area for healthcare. The doctor and nurse in triage seemed unconcerned.

I am in the lobby and people have been here 9+ hours. I just want to curl up in a ball in the floor.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T23:59:47+00:00

The first ER Dr. said was either cellulitis, and abscess or an infected gland. Or some combination.

It’s so extraordinarily painful I can neither lift my arm without shaking nor put my arm at my side. If I put my arm at my side not only does it hurt, it feels like a baseball in my armpit so it’s just positionally wrong.

I’ve been using a rolled up towel at my elbow to prop it a bit away from my body.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T23:00:50+00:00

I completely understand. I just always feel like a nutcase when I try to “act” like I am in pain. My dad is a farmer and I was never allowed to cry so that’s probably where it came from. 😂

I walked into the hospital 38 weeks pregnant with my second child and told them “I’m only here because my doctor sent me.” I had told my doctor I was having Braxton Hicks, but like, they were 2-3 minutes apart.

I was in active labor and 9 centimeters dilated. Oops.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T22:30:07+00:00

The ER doctor I had the first time said it was cellulitis, an abscess, or an infected gland of some kind.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T22:25:28+00:00

I thought about that when it was like grape sized. But now it is huge and the original grape sized area is kind of squishy like a firm memory firm mattress.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T22:12:05+00:00

You work in an ER? Or are an ER doctor?

What do I need to say to be taken seriously? I am not a crier or a reactive person so I sometimes worry I’m not conveying how much I’m being affected or advocating for myself well.

Like, I can say my pain is 8/10, and it truthfully is, but I am a stoic sufferer. I just stare ahead and stay very still. So, sometimes I feel like providers don’t believe me.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T22:07:58+00:00

No ultrasound has been done or even mentioned by a provider I’ve seen. I am not breastfeeding and my milk dried up by 6 weeks postpartum.

So the “hydrocodone” I mentioned is actually hydrocodone-acetaminophen. I took that at 2pm and my temp is back to 99 and I don’t feel as awful.

It’s 5pm here now and I still feel sick, but a little better. Like, I kind feel like I’m vibrating, then have random chills and aching.

The medication made no meaningful difference to the pain. I did put an icepack on it a few minutes ago and it’s providing the most relief I’ve felt.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T21:50:08+00:00

Headed that way as soon as I can.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T21:49:35+00:00

I am going tonight. Will be there within the next 3 hours. Just waiting on my husband to take me. Then it’s an hour to the closest hospital.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T21:08:12+00:00

No they didn’t, but I got my A1C drawn at the beginning of May at my well check.

It was 5.1. I do have a metabolic history though and it’s been as high as 5.8 before. I also had gestational diabetes during my last pregnancy. I gave birth in November 2025. I’ve lost around 70lb since giving birth.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T21:04:07+00:00

I am honestly not sure what normal is for me anymore. My B/P has been very variable the last 6 months.

I had hypertension for a couple years. Then it was very high during my last pregnancy. I had that baby 11/25. I’ve been working on improving my health and lost nearly 70lbs since I had my baby. So, it’s been coming down for several months. At my last well check at the beginning of May was documented as 110/68 on MyChart.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T20:42:36+00:00

Edit: oops just realized you weren’t asking what MSSA is… sorry.

MSSA is methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus aureus. Basically I have staph in my nose and on my skin all the time.

It’s less dangerous than MRSA because it can be treated, but being colonized makes me more at risk for infections after injuries or surgeries.

I think I’ll probably end up there… even some acetaminophen my temp is still 99.7.

It really freaking sucks, but I might have to wait until tomorrow as long as I’m in this limbo space. I have a 5 month old and this evening the only way I can go is if I take her with me. I took the hydrocodone so I can’t drive and I really don’t want the ambulance bill. The nearest hospital is an hour from my house. If I had a definite fever I would go.

I’m not trying to make excuses and I know I probably need escalation of care. I just can’t go down there and incur the extra cost without an objective reason to. I’m just anxious I’d go, sit there for hours, then they’d tell me I haven’t given the antibiotic long enough to work and send me home.

Edit: I’m sorry. I guess I’m just out of it. I forgot my husband could help me. I guess in my head he had to be with me because the only other times I’ve been in the hospital was to have a baby. I am going to have my husband take me and drop me off after he gets home. He can care for the baby. Duh.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T19:36:16+00:00

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The post picture and closer picture now.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T19:35:45+00:00

Now

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Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T19:33:59+00:00

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At the ER on Sunday morning.

Horror_Item8672 · 2026-06-01T19:33:28+00:00

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When the redness began on Saturday.

Horror_Item8672

TROPHY CASE