Problems from surgery 3.5yrs ago

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Hi everyone,

I suffered with a ruptured ectopic 3.5yrs ago and have suffered from the keyhole belly button entry ever since on and off. Anytime I exercise it came back, leaking and occasionally pain, pain could be worse or the same as the flare before depending on each different flare. I’ve been referred twice now back to surgery who have said as the ultrasound didn’t show anything I didn’t need surgery to open it back up to check. Its been 4 months since my last flare up, this one is a particularly bad one, the entry didn’t leak as it normally would, so the redness and pain just spread inside until the pressure built up so much it burst and a small lump has appeared inside (this has happened before on a flare up). I am on antibiotics and still waiting on my gyny referral to happen, I am phoning my doctor tomorrow to try to rush this through and ask for strong pain killers. The problem amongst other things is I’m being fobbed off from one medical professional to the next, no one wanting to admit there is something still inside the belly button entry, like I’m going to sue them or something!! Each time it happens it brings up all the memories of what I went through, the fact I nearly died, all that happened and my mental health plumits…all the while I’m a teacher so I’m still working and trying to get through the pain.

I’ve been told to basically shout and yell otherwise I will continue to be fobbed off. Has anyone else been through anything like this after their ectopic? I’m totally at my wits end, I’m sick of being in continuous pain, waiting for it to open again, and all the trauma flooding back.

Sorry this was a long rambled mess.

Thanks x

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Dear Emmy123,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss and continued concerns.

Unfortunately I am not medically trained so cannot give you specific advice on your queries.

You have had a ultrasound, which hasn’t shown anything, my other thought would be if you have had a swab taken of your bellybutton (the swab is like a big cotton bud). The swab would be sent to the hospital labs to see if there is any bacterial infection which is causing the recurrent symptoms.

I would definitely say to your GP about how it is affecting your mental health and hopefully they will be able to refer you.

Just to be aware that some hospital departments are only seeing emergency cases at the moment due to the covid-19 pandemic, however it may make you feel more positive knowing that you are at least waiting to be seen.

You are doing the correct thing in also contacting your GP about worsening pain. If you also develop a fever or feel unwell, it is important to seek urgent medical advice.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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