Aa
Yet another ER visit
Today was a busy day for me again. I had to take my truck in for service and since I was already 1/2 way to the VA ER I headed up there due to an inflamed and very sore index finger. I was actually surprised at how quickly I was going through the ER. Reminded me a lot of when I have been to an ER due to heart attack of bee stings. I checked in and was immediately taken back to the triage nurse. She took one look at my finger and said it was an ingrown nail and sent me off to the OPD (Don't have the slightest idea of what that stands for) clinic where surgeons take care of things like that. So 1 half hour after getting to the VA I was checked into the OPD clinic to have my finger worked on.
I did have to wait about 2 hours while there as the clinic was standing room only when I got there. I was seen by a young PA that was going through training in the department and an older Surgeon. When the Dr. asked the PA what she thought it was she told her Paronychia and the Dr. concurred. For those not familiar with that term it is an infection of the fold of tissue around a nail. My case was fairly acute and they informed me they would need to cut open my finger and drain it. When they doctor was having me sign the consent form she said that there are really no risks since the finger was already infected and besides I really had no choice. Both the PA and I laughed at that one. After all how often can a doctor make that kind of statement. LOL
While waiting for my finger to get numb I was talking to the PA and doctor about some of the weird things with me like that if I don't watch a needle being stuck into me I will pass out and also that some of my nerves are not where they are suppose to be. Of course they didn't believe me. So they started to cut open my finger and I'm jumping around in pain. Yes one of the nerves in my finger was not in the right place and didn't get numbed. So the doctor gave me another shot where I told her I was feeling the pain and we were again ready to go. She also commented that she has never had the problem of a nerve being missed like that in her career. So they now both believed what I told them about me being weird.
They spent about 1 hour cutting my finger open from the first knuckle to the tip and draining it out. They also took a culture to find out what had infected my finger. I'm also on an antibiotic since I take an immune suppressant drug for my MS.
I also seem to have gone through a short lived pseudo flare during this. the right side of my face went numb for a while and when I first got up after they finished working on my finger it felt like I was trying to walk on ice even though the floor wasn't slippery at all. By the time I finished flushing the opening under HOT running water ( which didn't feel hot at all since by then my entire hand was numb) the slippery floor was back to normal as was my face.
Surprisingly I am not really having any pain in that finger. I can feel the pulse in my finger and an occasional twinge of pain from that one nerve that was originally missed and that is about all so far. But I guess after all of my bouts of TN, MS Hug, and the other MS pain I have had for the last 20+ years this is nothing.
So overall this experience at the VA was very good (other than getting my finger cut open that is LOL). Both the PA and doctor were very nice, professional, and caring. The doctor went through all of my medications / supplements to make sure there would be no conflicts with the antibiotic which is something I've never seen any other doctor do. Speaking of antibiotics this one contained a warning I have never seen before. It states to not lay down within 10 minutes of taking the medication.
Dennis
I did have to wait about 2 hours while there as the clinic was standing room only when I got there. I was seen by a young PA that was going through training in the department and an older Surgeon. When the Dr. asked the PA what she thought it was she told her Paronychia and the Dr. concurred. For those not familiar with that term it is an infection of the fold of tissue around a nail. My case was fairly acute and they informed me they would need to cut open my finger and drain it. When they doctor was having me sign the consent form she said that there are really no risks since the finger was already infected and besides I really had no choice. Both the PA and I laughed at that one. After all how often can a doctor make that kind of statement. LOL
While waiting for my finger to get numb I was talking to the PA and doctor about some of the weird things with me like that if I don't watch a needle being stuck into me I will pass out and also that some of my nerves are not where they are suppose to be. Of course they didn't believe me. So they started to cut open my finger and I'm jumping around in pain. Yes one of the nerves in my finger was not in the right place and didn't get numbed. So the doctor gave me another shot where I told her I was feeling the pain and we were again ready to go. She also commented that she has never had the problem of a nerve being missed like that in her career. So they now both believed what I told them about me being weird.
They spent about 1 hour cutting my finger open from the first knuckle to the tip and draining it out. They also took a culture to find out what had infected my finger. I'm also on an antibiotic since I take an immune suppressant drug for my MS.
I also seem to have gone through a short lived pseudo flare during this. the right side of my face went numb for a while and when I first got up after they finished working on my finger it felt like I was trying to walk on ice even though the floor wasn't slippery at all. By the time I finished flushing the opening under HOT running water ( which didn't feel hot at all since by then my entire hand was numb) the slippery floor was back to normal as was my face.
Surprisingly I am not really having any pain in that finger. I can feel the pulse in my finger and an occasional twinge of pain from that one nerve that was originally missed and that is about all so far. But I guess after all of my bouts of TN, MS Hug, and the other MS pain I have had for the last 20+ years this is nothing.
So overall this experience at the VA was very good (other than getting my finger cut open that is LOL). Both the PA and doctor were very nice, professional, and caring. The doctor went through all of my medications / supplements to make sure there would be no conflicts with the antibiotic which is something I've never seen any other doctor do. Speaking of antibiotics this one contained a warning I have never seen before. It states to not lay down within 10 minutes of taking the medication.
Dennis
Best Answer
Ugh sorry your finger isn't healing, Dennis. Did you ever find out what the culture revealed in terms of type of infection it is?
yeah, Dennis, how goes the finger?
Diesel and I (LOL) heading out in the morning for AL…….should be interesting, she has to sit still and wear her training vest…..ha ha ha
Diesel and I (LOL) heading out in the morning for AL…….should be interesting, she has to sit still and wear her training vest…..ha ha ha
Forgot to add my husband's resting heart rate is also very low, has been for years...but he has high blood pressure..
Karry,
I am like you, my resting heart rate is doing great if it's in the 90's...and I have low blood pressure.
K
Karry,
I am like you, my resting heart rate is doing great if it's in the 90's...and I have low blood pressure.
K
Glad to here you're seeming to finally be healing! Staph, especially MRSA or other "Super Infections" (as in resistant, not "Hey, it's super I have an infection!! Wheee!! Haha) are often so difficult to get rid of!
Told my hubby there was another "Tim the Tool Man" club member...lol..
His accidents all began way prior to MS diagnosis as well...
Hope you continue on the road to wellness!
K
Told my hubby there was another "Tim the Tool Man" club member...lol..
His accidents all began way prior to MS diagnosis as well...
Hope you continue on the road to wellness!
K
That's good to hear Dennis. Let's hope the finger continues to improve.
I would be so happy to have a heart rate that low. I have spent most of my life with tachycardia & my resting HR is about 100 bpm. Goodness knows what it is when I'm moving about or exercising. Mind you it must be frustrating considering you are trying to get your HR up. I'm sure the exercise is still doing great things for you though regardless. :-)
Take Care.
Karry.
I would be so happy to have a heart rate that low. I have spent most of my life with tachycardia & my resting HR is about 100 bpm. Goodness knows what it is when I'm moving about or exercising. Mind you it must be frustrating considering you are trying to get your HR up. I'm sure the exercise is still doing great things for you though regardless. :-)
Take Care.
Karry.
Just home from seeing the doctor.
She felt that it looked better so for once she didn't cut it open again. She added another 10 days of antibiotics just to be safe and I'm to continue putting the antibiotic ointment on it to keep it moist so that it doesn't crack open and get re-infected. I see her again on the 16th of next month.
While there I talked to her about the strange reading I have been getting from the heart monitor of my exercise bike. I have been trying to get some exercise lately in order to take off some weight and keep myself mobile. But after just a short while while exercising my heart rate would drop to around 70-75 and stay there for the rest of the 20 minutes of exercise.
Seems my one BP med will try to keep my heart rate down even while exercising, but she also felt (though she admits not knowing anything about MS) that my MS might also be playing a role in this. Makes it kind of hard to get a cardio workout when you can't get your heart rate to go up. LOL
Dennis
She felt that it looked better so for once she didn't cut it open again. She added another 10 days of antibiotics just to be safe and I'm to continue putting the antibiotic ointment on it to keep it moist so that it doesn't crack open and get re-infected. I see her again on the 16th of next month.
While there I talked to her about the strange reading I have been getting from the heart monitor of my exercise bike. I have been trying to get some exercise lately in order to take off some weight and keep myself mobile. But after just a short while while exercising my heart rate would drop to around 70-75 and stay there for the rest of the 20 minutes of exercise.
Seems my one BP med will try to keep my heart rate down even while exercising, but she also felt (though she admits not knowing anything about MS) that my MS might also be playing a role in this. Makes it kind of hard to get a cardio workout when you can't get your heart rate to go up. LOL
Dennis
Let us know how its doing! If anyone fusses, tell them God invented fingers before forks and you are re-living your childhood LOL
I'm having my first full day after a 4 day flare and feeling better, Diesel is actually on the deck and leaving me alone, so know I am feeling better.
Now to get your finger better. Can you "pad" it more so the bumps to it don't hurt more? Sounds like when I cut my finger tip off 2 years ago, I was 6-8 weeks with it bandaged up and boy did that hurt……so know how you feel……….its still numb on the end!
I'm having my first full day after a 4 day flare and feeling better, Diesel is actually on the deck and leaving me alone, so know I am feeling better.
Now to get your finger better. Can you "pad" it more so the bumps to it don't hurt more? Sounds like when I cut my finger tip off 2 years ago, I was 6-8 weeks with it bandaged up and boy did that hurt……so know how you feel……….its still numb on the end!
I'm with Sarah on suggesting you pick the food up in your left hand & eat with your fingers. If your at home nobody can see other than the fly on the wall. :-)
I hope you are improving.
Karry.
I hope you are improving.
Karry.
Sorry the finger is still giving you a hard time but glad it didn't infect the bone. Is this the same finger that you were dealing with way back when? They told you it was sprained or something like that? My memory is on the blink today.
Guess you are going to use the fingers on the left hand and just eat with them! Nobody will look!
Guess you are going to use the fingers on the left hand and just eat with them! Nobody will look!
Karry,
How true about the fingers. I'm also right handed and it is the right index finger. But probably even more true with an index or thumb than the other fingers as they are used the most. Writing, going to the bathroom, getting dressed or undressed, picking up a cup or glass. You name it and it probably involves the thumb and index finger. But what is also a pain ( literally) is that I keep bumping it against things which is very painful. Tonight when I finished filling my tank with gas without thinking I went to put on the gas cap with my right hand. Of course I ended up bumping my finger against the door and was seeing stars for a while.
I've lost a couple of dinners because of the challenges of trying to cut things with my left hand in the month I have had this infected finger. Yes it has been a month that my finger has been infected and I almost wish the doctor would just cut it off so that I don't have to deal with this any more.
I'll keep you informed.
Dennis
How true about the fingers. I'm also right handed and it is the right index finger. But probably even more true with an index or thumb than the other fingers as they are used the most. Writing, going to the bathroom, getting dressed or undressed, picking up a cup or glass. You name it and it probably involves the thumb and index finger. But what is also a pain ( literally) is that I keep bumping it against things which is very painful. Tonight when I finished filling my tank with gas without thinking I went to put on the gas cap with my right hand. Of course I ended up bumping my finger against the door and was seeing stars for a while.
I've lost a couple of dinners because of the challenges of trying to cut things with my left hand in the month I have had this infected finger. Yes it has been a month that my finger has been infected and I almost wish the doctor would just cut it off so that I don't have to deal with this any more.
I'll keep you informed.
Dennis
I am glad the pain isn't too severe this is always reassuring to hear. I hope with stopping the Cellcept your body can fight the infection more readily. It's just keeping a close eye on it I guess.
The hard thing with fingers is that they never get much rest because we need them in daily life. When I was still in pain with my right thumb, I was trying to cut up an old joint of beef for my dog & being right handed it was challenging. I didn't get far because it went up in the air & on the floor where my dog swooped in & snatched it lol. I was having a tug of war with a dog & he wasn't letting go. He ended up swallowing half of it rather than give it to me lol. I was worried it would get stuck in his belly. He doesn't usually see food like that so I think he thought he'd never get that chance again lol.
I lost so much tissue from my thumb but it is so fascinating how we grow back the identical finger prints & knowing our prints are unique it is mind boggling really. Cool. :-)
Keep us updated Dennis.
Take care.
Karry.
The hard thing with fingers is that they never get much rest because we need them in daily life. When I was still in pain with my right thumb, I was trying to cut up an old joint of beef for my dog & being right handed it was challenging. I didn't get far because it went up in the air & on the floor where my dog swooped in & snatched it lol. I was having a tug of war with a dog & he wasn't letting go. He ended up swallowing half of it rather than give it to me lol. I was worried it would get stuck in his belly. He doesn't usually see food like that so I think he thought he'd never get that chance again lol.
I lost so much tissue from my thumb but it is so fascinating how we grow back the identical finger prints & knowing our prints are unique it is mind boggling really. Cool. :-)
Keep us updated Dennis.
Take care.
Karry.
Yes just an ordinary X-Ray. The doctor told me that the X-Ray isn't the best way to see if the bone was infected, but would show if it was compromised and required further investigation.
I haven't needed to keep my hand elevated at all. I do have constant pain in the finger, but it is below the level of pain I have constantly due to MS so it really doesn't bother me much. I can also bend the finger, but not fully due to swelling, without pain. The only time the finger really bothers me is when I try to cut something like with a knife or fork, or bump it against something.
I was the one that brought up my MS drug last time. She then told me she had meant to have me stop it last week but forgot to tell me. I'm PPMS and there is no real treatment yet for that. My Neuro has me on the CellCept in the hopes it will slow down my progression. But who really knows if it is doing that or not. It isn't like I can watch my progression with a clone of myself to see if it is doing that or not. LOL
It has been a little over 48 hours since the doctor worked on my finger and it still doesn't feel or look any better to me. But at least it doesn't seem to be getting worse.
Dennis
I haven't needed to keep my hand elevated at all. I do have constant pain in the finger, but it is below the level of pain I have constantly due to MS so it really doesn't bother me much. I can also bend the finger, but not fully due to swelling, without pain. The only time the finger really bothers me is when I try to cut something like with a knife or fork, or bump it against something.
I was the one that brought up my MS drug last time. She then told me she had meant to have me stop it last week but forgot to tell me. I'm PPMS and there is no real treatment yet for that. My Neuro has me on the CellCept in the hopes it will slow down my progression. But who really knows if it is doing that or not. It isn't like I can watch my progression with a clone of myself to see if it is doing that or not. LOL
It has been a little over 48 hours since the doctor worked on my finger and it still doesn't feel or look any better to me. But at least it doesn't seem to be getting worse.
Dennis
So they did an ordinary X-Ray? I had a bone scan which showed a pitch black thumb. I don't know if an X-Ray will pick it up that clearly but they are the docs.
I did have to have my arm up in a sling all the time because of the pain from the infection in the bone & I couldn't bend the thumb at all. I was also Neutropenic at the time so this probably made a big difference.
It's wise to come off the immunosuppressants because I think that is why it's not healing. I had spent most of my life on them until Rituximab came along & nothing would heal. I used to be on two at a time most of the time as well. I have scars all over me from wounds that were open for up to 6 months at a time. Lol most from a rather nasty cat that used to bite.
I just hope you don't have a flare up from ceasing them. It might help your chest to be off then for a while as well.
Good luck & whatever you do "don't hurt any other fingers lol".
Hugs,
Karry.
I did have to have my arm up in a sling all the time because of the pain from the infection in the bone & I couldn't bend the thumb at all. I was also Neutropenic at the time so this probably made a big difference.
It's wise to come off the immunosuppressants because I think that is why it's not healing. I had spent most of my life on them until Rituximab came along & nothing would heal. I used to be on two at a time most of the time as well. I have scars all over me from wounds that were open for up to 6 months at a time. Lol most from a rather nasty cat that used to bite.
I just hope you don't have a flare up from ceasing them. It might help your chest to be off then for a while as well.
Good luck & whatever you do "don't hurt any other fingers lol".
Hugs,
Karry.
Karry,
The good news is that the doctor didn't keep me in the hospital. She did order an X-Ray of my finger to see if the infection did get into the bone and it doesn't look like it did. She also felt it looked better than the last time I saw her.
So the treatment today consisted of soaking the finger for about 15 minutes and then she removed the scab for the cut and cleaned it out again. She then had me go over to the sink to rinse it out with running water. Just as I stopped that the sink decided to leak so I ended up with a soaked pant leg. If something can go wrong it will with me. LOL
It was then that I headed for the X-ray and then back to the OPD to have the finger dressed. I also had a acupuncture appt. so I headed for that. When I got back down to the OPD to talk to the doctor my ear was bleeding from the acupuncture so I had to explain that to the doctor.
The plan for this week is for me to stop taking my MS medication since it is an immune suppressant, also on another 14 days of antibiotic and an antibiotic ointment to put on the cut each time I change the dressing. I see her again next Wed. to see how things are going.
Dennis
The good news is that the doctor didn't keep me in the hospital. She did order an X-Ray of my finger to see if the infection did get into the bone and it doesn't look like it did. She also felt it looked better than the last time I saw her.
So the treatment today consisted of soaking the finger for about 15 minutes and then she removed the scab for the cut and cleaned it out again. She then had me go over to the sink to rinse it out with running water. Just as I stopped that the sink decided to leak so I ended up with a soaked pant leg. If something can go wrong it will with me. LOL
It was then that I headed for the X-ray and then back to the OPD to have the finger dressed. I also had a acupuncture appt. so I headed for that. When I got back down to the OPD to talk to the doctor my ear was bleeding from the acupuncture so I had to explain that to the doctor.
The plan for this week is for me to stop taking my MS medication since it is an immune suppressant, also on another 14 days of antibiotic and an antibiotic ointment to put on the cut each time I change the dressing. I see her again next Wed. to see how things are going.
Dennis
That doesn't sound very good to me Dennis. Good luck at the appointment & I really hope this can be resolved soon for you. Even if you have to be kept in hospital it's a much better prospect than losing a finger.
Keep us updated on how it goes.
Karry.
Keep us updated on how it goes.
Karry.
Karry,
It is very tender and very red right now. I go see the doctor in about 11 hours. The redness now goes all the way to the knuckle and along the side of my finger to the tip.
I don't know what the doctor will do this time. Since the cavity she found went almost to the bone I suspect she will be considering Osteomyelitis as why it is still infected. But if you don't hear from me by tomorrow night it probably means she kept me in the hospital in order to get this taken care of once and for all.
And here I thought I was doing good on Monday morning as other than the wound still being open slightly it looked normal in color. And to top things off I think I'm getting an upper respiratory infection since my nose is runny, sneezing and coughing a lot. Just what I need to stir up my MS. LOL
Dennis
It is very tender and very red right now. I go see the doctor in about 11 hours. The redness now goes all the way to the knuckle and along the side of my finger to the tip.
I don't know what the doctor will do this time. Since the cavity she found went almost to the bone I suspect she will be considering Osteomyelitis as why it is still infected. But if you don't hear from me by tomorrow night it probably means she kept me in the hospital in order to get this taken care of once and for all.
And here I thought I was doing good on Monday morning as other than the wound still being open slightly it looked normal in color. And to top things off I think I'm getting an upper respiratory infection since my nose is runny, sneezing and coughing a lot. Just what I need to stir up my MS. LOL
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
How is it today? I hope it's improving but if it isn't be careful because I left my thumb so long I got an infection in the bone (Osteomyelitis) so make sure you aren't getting any pain from anything other than the wounds.
Karry.
How is it today? I hope it's improving but if it isn't be careful because I left my thumb so long I got an infection in the bone (Osteomyelitis) so make sure you aren't getting any pain from anything other than the wounds.
Karry.
Thanks Karry and Sarah!
Well if you had asked me how my finger was doing this morning I would of said it was doing good. There was no sign of infection though there was still some blood on the dressing.
But this evening it again looks like it is getting infected again. It is also still very tender. So unless it gets better by Wed. morning I think I'll find out what the next step is. Not looking forward to that.
Dennis
Well if you had asked me how my finger was doing this morning I would of said it was doing good. There was no sign of infection though there was still some blood on the dressing.
But this evening it again looks like it is getting infected again. It is also still very tender. So unless it gets better by Wed. morning I think I'll find out what the next step is. Not looking forward to that.
Dennis
Dennis, I think sometimes you clock up more frequent flyer miles to the VA than anyone! LOL Just teasing you!
Glad they figured out what it was and sounds like you have a good surgeon instead of the usual …….blanks you get when you go there!
Hoping this will fix your finger and you don't have to find out what comes next if it does not…..
Sarah
Glad they figured out what it was and sounds like you have a good surgeon instead of the usual …….blanks you get when you go there!
Hoping this will fix your finger and you don't have to find out what comes next if it does not…..
Sarah
Yes they have been using the non-stick dressing and then regular gauze. Since I'm taking a blood thinner there is so much bleeding that is oozes out past the non-stick to the regular gauze and infuses with the gauze causing to stick to my finger. Just one of the hazards of taking blood thinners. LOL
Yes it is a good thing I'm on a diet as it wouldn't be long before I couldn't fit on my scooter either. LOL
Dennis
Yes it is a good thing I'm on a diet as it wouldn't be long before I couldn't fit on my scooter either. LOL
Dennis
Are they not putting some of the medicated jelly gauze dressing on your finger so it won't stick?
If not give it a try because if they use the correct dressings they shouldn't stick. It comes in foil wrapping & is really gauze with a petroleum jelly feel to it but it also contains antibacterial agents. This is what I had to use directly against the wound & then normal gauze & then a finger bandage. Hey presto no more stuck dressing lol.
It makes me cringe to hear you going through all of that Dennis. If I was not on the other side go the world I would sort it out for you. I just would have thought this was being done for you. A weeping finger is going to stick to a dry dressing. ;-)
Just a tip as well once you get all dressings off try & rub the finger gently across a rough & smooth surface occasionally to desensitise the area again. I was told to do this because I had lost so much function, skin & feeling & it worked really well for me.
Sorry I don't have any day old kittens lol. That is a really small scooter hey!
Karry.
If not give it a try because if they use the correct dressings they shouldn't stick. It comes in foil wrapping & is really gauze with a petroleum jelly feel to it but it also contains antibacterial agents. This is what I had to use directly against the wound & then normal gauze & then a finger bandage. Hey presto no more stuck dressing lol.
It makes me cringe to hear you going through all of that Dennis. If I was not on the other side go the world I would sort it out for you. I just would have thought this was being done for you. A weeping finger is going to stick to a dry dressing. ;-)
Just a tip as well once you get all dressings off try & rub the finger gently across a rough & smooth surface occasionally to desensitise the area again. I was told to do this because I had lost so much function, skin & feeling & it worked really well for me.
Sorry I don't have any day old kittens lol. That is a really small scooter hey!
Karry.
COMMUNITY LEADER
oh boy what a mess Dennis, i'm glad to here your a little better now but that finger oooooh owwwww don't do that again!!
Hugs......JJ
Hugs......JJ
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