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Had gallbladder surgery the old way 20 years ago. Scar twitching now

Posted by bradym @bradym, Jul 15, 2023

I had surgery 20 years ago the old way with about 8 inch scar. It has been twitching lately and bothers me when shirt rubs on it

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emo | @emo | Jul 15, 2023

I also has a spinal fusion and bone graft (across my low back) the old way (not with lasers) 20 years ago and it caused thickened scars and some are keloids. I’ve also had abdominal surgery and that scar can get itchy and ache.

I’ve had success getting my keloid type scars treated by a dermatologist. She prescribed topical clobetasol steroid gel. When that causes too much thinning of the skin, we switched to injections and it really helped with the itching. I think that would only work for a keloid though.

My other scars are what my PCP calls “reactive,” meaning they have altered nerve sensations. Scar tissue can go pretty deep and stack
on top of the tissue and keep stacking so that it pulls on nerves and tissues creating itching or really deep aching pain.

For those, my PT taught me “scar manipulation” techniques. They’re similar to this (it’s from a breast cancer page but it’s the first thing that came up and it’s the same idea):
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/breast-cancer-surgery/at-home/scar-massage
She also taught me scar desensitization to help with the irritation type sensation you’re describing with your shirt. That involves taking different materials and running them over the scar. For example, you can start with something soft and smooth like a tissue and rub it back and forth. When you get used to it, or if that’s too easy, move onto something with more texture. In that way, I was able to get used to the feeling of clothing on the scar.

You could either look up scar manipulation and desensitization techniques online and try them. My pelvic PT taught them to me. A dermatologist might also be able to help if something like the injections they use for keloids might help.

REPLY
1 reply
bradym | @bradym | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @emo "I also has a spinal fusion and bone graft (across my low back) the old way..." + (show)
@emo

I also has a spinal fusion and bone graft (across my low back) the old way (not with lasers) 20 years ago and it caused thickened scars and some are keloids. I’ve also had abdominal surgery and that scar can get itchy and ache.

I’ve had success getting my keloid type scars treated by a dermatologist. She prescribed topical clobetasol steroid gel. When that causes too much thinning of the skin, we switched to injections and it really helped with the itching. I think that would only work for a keloid though.

My other scars are what my PCP calls “reactive,” meaning they have altered nerve sensations. Scar tissue can go pretty deep and stack
on top of the tissue and keep stacking so that it pulls on nerves and tissues creating itching or really deep aching pain.

For those, my PT taught me “scar manipulation” techniques. They’re similar to this (it’s from a breast cancer page but it’s the first thing that came up and it’s the same idea):
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/breast-cancer-surgery/at-home/scar-massage
She also taught me scar desensitization to help with the irritation type sensation you’re describing with your shirt. That involves taking different materials and running them over the scar. For example, you can start with something soft and smooth like a tissue and rub it back and forth. When you get used to it, or if that’s too easy, move onto something with more texture. In that way, I was able to get used to the feeling of clothing on the scar.

You could either look up scar manipulation and desensitization techniques online and try them. My pelvic PT taught them to me. A dermatologist might also be able to help if something like the injections they use for keloids might help.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for replying, your info helped calm my anxiety and also gave me a great informative information I can use. You made my day thanks

REPLY
1 reply
emo | @emo | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @bradym "Thank you so much for replying, your info helped calm my anxiety and also gave me..." + (show)
@bradym

Thank you so much for replying, your info helped calm my anxiety and also gave me a great informative information I can use. You made my day thanks

Jump to this post

You’re so welcome! Your note just made my day too. I always thought I’d be stuck with the pain/itching, and I felt so relieved when my PT was completely unfazed, said it was very common and had a strategy! It took time, but it’s much better now. I hope it helps you too.

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