3 months post-op OC fusion | Worsening incision pain, bleeding/oozing and other symptoms..infected? I'm so scared

[u/Poesraven444]

I'm a female, 30, USA with history of hEDS, craniocervical instability, MCAS. Currently on tylneol, gabapentin, buprenorphine transdermal, oxy as needed, baclafen, topical thc for joints (not near my head or neck) and bacatracin on incision (ok by plastic surgeon)

I am 3 months op from an occipital cervical (OC) fusion to c3. I am in touch with my neurosurgeon and plastic surgeon, but since it is the weekend, I won't hear back until Monday. I had a post-op infection a few weeks ago for which I was treated with cephalexin. I was ok'd to use nonstick gauze and bacitracin by plastic surgery PA.

I have a rigid foam collar on with nonstick gauze and bacitracin. There is definitely worsening pain, and my hardware has been hurting quite a bit on top of it. My husband noticed the blood seems to be coming from the area where my hair is growing back in, and I’ve noticed an unusual increase in bleeding/oozing today. I think the increased bleeding started after my shower this morning, as the hard foam collar I wear in the shower seems to irritate the incision, and I am not sure if I am allowed to remove it. I've attached photos of the incision and the discharge on the gauze. (More photos in comments)

I just don’t feel well overall; I am very run down and out of it with body aches, head pressure, and nausea, though I have no fever. I have been dealing with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) that worsened since surgery, and I am on Diamox, though the cause of the worsening ICP is currently unknown.

I went to the ER yesterday for heart palpitations, persistent head pressure, difficulty speaking, and other neurological symptoms, alongside mentioning the incision pain. My bloodwork was reassuring. ER doc saw my incision and wasn't overly concerned but it wasn't bleeding this much at the time.

Given my history of a recent infection, the worsening incision pain, increased bleeding, and systemic symptoms, how concerning is this presentation, does this look infected again? I'm so scared.

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[u/Poesraven444]

Clump to the right is a mix of bacatracin and whatever from my incision and hair

[u/Poesraven444 → u/Poesraven444]

Same piece of gauze.