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8 replies

Itching and tingling around takedown scar?

P PluotMember
Hi j-pouch family,

It's 11 months since my takedown! Wow, can't believe it! Time flies :-)

I have always had some nerve weirdness around my old ostomy site, like itching, tingling, numbness, etc. I recently been easing back into weight training (very slowly) and I'm sure I'm partly paranoid (hypochondria is another one of those lovely legacies of UC), but it seems like I've been having those weird feelings around my scar more often, and it ALWAYS itches after a workout. I can't see anything on the skin to explain the itching (like a rash)... just the scar!

Can anyone relate to this? Is there any way this could be a sign of an incisional hernia? There is definitely no lump and no pain, just the itching and occasionally a little soreness. I am so excited to be more active and get some muscle back but I've psyched myself out and am afraid to continue. Would love any reassurances or stories of similar experiences Smiler
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skn69skn69Member
Hi Liz,
So glad that you are working out again and feeling stronger.
My mom always told me that it was just increased blood flow to the area and a healthy response from your body...it can also be sweat or the rubbing of your clothing (or weight belt) to the zone.
I personally have a couple of my most recent scars that still do that after very long walks or intense exercise...or on very hot days. You might try to cover them with something like a wide, soft cotton belt ( like the maternity ones) or Vaseline and a light gauze.
The itching can also be the nerves healing so it is usually a good sign.
By the way, my hernias never itched...popped, pain, cramped...yes, but never itched.
Sharon
P PluotMember
Thank you Sharon! You are always so helpful with this stuff Smiler I went to the gym again today and took it easy but no problems that I could see. I do find that when I do things that are overhead, like shoulder press or chin ups, I sometimes feel some "pulling" in the area. Do you have any thoughts about that? Maybe it's the scar tissue?
skn69skn69Member
I applaud the initiative in taking control of your health but I follow only one major rule when I take control of mine....if it hurts...stop.
Pulling + Pain = not a good idea. Pulling + No pain = not such a bad idea.
Push to where you are getting a good workout but do not push to were surgical regions are over taxed or stress.
You want to get healthy, not an appt with another surgeon!
Sharon
P phonix2gMember
Hey Liz. First off congratulations on starting weight training again. I am 1 year and 3 months from takedown and you are right time does fly. I also started exercising and lifting weights again which has gone very well so far but to address your question, yes I have experienced the same many times. There is still a lot of weird feelings there depending on what types of exercising you are doing. I would only be worried if you have a long lasting pain there after a workout. Just down push it too hard take it slow and ease back into things because you are doing awesome and you don't want to take any steps backwards at this point. Good Luck. It's great to hear that everything is going well.
P PluotMember
Thanks for the replies, guys! phonix it is so great to hear you are doing well too, I remember reading about your surgery like it was yesterday Wink

Sharon, I know this sounds silly but I have a hard time telling if something is "pain" or not. I have a really high pain tolerance, it served me well during UC and surgeries but sometimes I don't notice warning signs that other people do. It leaves me wondering a lot of the time, especially after a workout, if what I'm feeling is soreness or actually pain. I think I will keep at it but slow down even more and see what happens.
W wsh6745Member
Good job Liz. I'm only 12 weeks from takedown so surgeon says no weights yet.

I get weird feelings around my old stoma sight too. A couple of times it almost felt like there was a bag sitting there when I knew, of course, there wasn't.

I have wondered several times if that was a normal part if healing but I never of thought of posting the question so thank you, this was very helpful.

Keep up the good work!
P PluotMember
Hi guys... thank you for all the notes... so I've been taking it very easy, and am still not sure if it's really pain or not, but I'm at the point where I feel like wondering if I have a hernia or not is having an unacceptable effect on my quality of life.

So here is my question: what kind of doctor should I go to? I've moved away from the city where I had my surgery, and I was "released" from my surgeon's care right after takedown anyway. Should I go see a GI? Or make an appointment with a surgeon in my new city? Is this something that a regular internist could diagnose?

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