Ithilien

I'm five weeks post release, and I'm now having reactions to the internal sutures (according to two doctors).

I thought I was getting infection, but I'm told that's not it.

I'm now having pain, where earlier healing was practically pain-free. Some redness, bumps that look like pus (possibly), and parts of the scar are so painful that breathing on the area sends me to the roof. Some burning, some shooting pain.

I was told that my body is rejecting the stitches inside, and they may push out (in which case I'm to go in and have them pulled, obviously).

Here's my problem: I can't find ANY information on the internet about this, and I've tried searching a gazillion ways and I can usually find anything, but not this time. I'm flummoxed, especially since both doctors told me that it's common (neither doctor was the one who performed the surgery).

If it's so common, I'd like to know what other people have done to make it less painful. The one doctor told me warm compresses, but it's burning and I'd rather put ice on it--but not if that will make more problems.

Does anyone have any suggestions on speeding this process up, either by stopping the reaction to the sutures or getting them OUT more quickly? It's rather driving me nuts, and I've had SO many health problems lately that I just can't take more!

Another note: this is my second CTR--the first one was 18 years ago and I didn't have any problems with that one. Additionally, this is my third surgery in a year (for three completely unrelated things), and while I've had post-surgical infection before (staph), and I have at least one autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's), I've never had a negative reaction to any kind of stitches in my life.

Thank you!
--Kj