Stiff neck/Swollen area and temp increase

[Dzimy]

Its been almost 4 weeks and not many problems since surgery.  Until last night.  Stiff neck in area behind ear and it seems swollen.  Took my temp tonight and it's 99.5 after tylenol and pain meds.  It's got me a little scared.  Of course I'll call House first thing in the morning but has anyone else had problems like infection 4 weeks post op?  Scar in only half way healed it seems a little troubled in certain areas.  My glasses both reading and sunglasses irratated the healing process.  I don't want to think negative thoughts but having increased temp must mean that somethings wrong.  Thanks for listening....Donna

[Patti UT]

Best to get to a doctor to be sure.  Hope it goes Ok. maybe just an antibiotic if there's a slight infection in your incesion.
Glad your doing Ok otherwise. Glad the surgery is behind you
Patti UT

[amymeri]

Could be a local infection in the suture or a suture abscess.  Antibiotics would help that.  I would monitor your temp and call House just like you planned.  Infections can be scary but are manageable.  Good Luck!!

[Dzimy]

Went to see Dr. Fayad at House and it seems my body is spitting out the sutures.  So infection cause fever and antibiotics should do the job as well.  He sure scrubbed my head until it was a bloody mess.  Kinda feel like I'm at square one again.  Saw a Neuro Opthamoligist for my vision problems also last week.  The head Dr. at Doheny Eye Clinic (USC).  My optic nerve swelling of the last several months was finally diagnosed.  Brain pressure caused by the tumor which hasn't changed since the surgery caused blood clot behind the optic nerve.  Boy do I feel lucky.  Just got to dissolve that blood clot and hope my vision improves.  This whole AN thing started when I went to the eye Dr. in June and he ordered a MRI.I just hoped all the vision problems could be due to the AN.   Just needed to vent.  Donna

[nancyann]

Donna - It takes so much time to heal, you're only 4 weeks post-op - -  the ups and downs are expected.  You're doing everything right: checking with the docs, etc.   My thoughts are with you.  This to me was the toughest time - during the healing process. 
Nancy

[Gennysmom]

Donna...I'm doing the same thing...spitting out the subdural sutures...I'm almost 4 months out and I can feel another one working it's way out....need to go have it pulled.  I think this is the last one though.  Seemed like forever before I had any real healing around the wound site because of these darn things coming out.  Doc says it's not unusual, and just keeps taking the curette to it and pulling them out.  Could be worse, I suppose.........

[Dzimy]

Gennysmom...wow 4 months post op and still spitting out the subdural stiches.  Do you have fever and swelling associated with this?   Donna