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Bacterial Infection from Surgery

Sent to Health Experts September 8 2006 at 12:22 PM
   

I was diagnosed with cancer in October, 2005, and had a radical prostectomy in December. At the time of the surgery, I developed a bacterial infection that made me feel very low-energy and depressed. Any exercise made me exhausted. Finally, I got severe flu-like symptoms and was sent to the hospital. It had become an abscess that grew to 5 cm. in diameter. It was found 7 months later on a CT scan and aspirated in July, 2006. I had four weeks of antibiotic medicine. I feel OK now, but want to know if my life was in danger with all that bacteria in me (or still is?) Did I have a life-threatening condition, and to what extent? What could have happened?

 

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Male , Age: 68

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I am back at the gym, but lifting only about half my normal weight, and jogging slowly on the treadmill.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
September 8 2006 at 12:30 PM (8 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
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Hello,

Depending on what type of bacteria was causing the abscess, you could have developed sepsis which could be potentially life threatening.

I am not able to tell you precisely if you had a life threatening infection, but it is important to know that any infection is serious, especially after a surgical procedure.

Here is some info related to sepsis. Fortunately, you did not develop this condition, but I thought you would like to know what risks were associated with have this infection for such a long period of time:

http://www.sepsis.com/index.jsp

My husband had the same surgery in November 2004, his only issue now is that he is occasionally has incontinence of urine. A guess that is a small price to pay for being cancer free.

Edited by Two_Westies on September 8 2006 at 12:31 PM

Deborah -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2329 Health Accepts
Registered NP - Multispeciality
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September 8 2006 at 1:21 PM (51 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
Reply to Deborah's Post: Dear Deborah,
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate that you cannot know exactly what type of bacteria I had or to what extent my life was threatened. They took samples of the aspirated fluid to be cultured, but I was never informed about it. How do I find out?

The urologist who did the prostate surgery did not seem involved or concerned, and even had to be reminded to give me an Rx for the antibiotics. This REALLY bothered me. There are other concerns too. So I am asking my PCP to refer me to another urologist. The only thing worrying me now is if there was any residual organ damage or if I should restrict my level of exercise. Thanx for the sepsis website and any other information. Dave

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on September 8 2006 at 1:27 PM
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 8 2006 at 1:53 PM (31 minutes and 52 seconds later)
         
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I think that is the best idea. Your PCP is right, you need to have a second opinion by another urologist as a precaution.

On Monday, call the surgeon's office and let them know that you would like to have a copy of your medical records. You owe them no explanation as to why you want them. If they tell you there is a fee for this service, then find out what urologist your PCP will refer you to and have the records sent there. There is no fee charged to have medical records transferred from doctor to doctor. Sometimes, they will charge the patient for a copy. The culture results should be in the chart.

I think you will be ok, especially after you finally did receive the antibiotics, but after what transpired, a check-up with another urologist is your best defense.

Let me know if you have any other questions. If you want me to send you a list of urologists in your area, let me know.

Deborah -- Nurse (RN) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2329 Health Accepts
Registered NP - Multispeciality
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