Yet another ER visit

[Sailorsong]

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

[Sailorsong]

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

[karryon55]

So how is the finger feeling now Dennis?

Karry.

[SarahL2491]

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

[Sailorsong]

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

[karryon55]

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.

[supermum_ms]

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