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?
Ouch! That sounds painful. I hope the finger is improving now.
I had to have my thumb nail removed because of an infection a couple of years ago. They couldn't figure out why I had such a bad infection that went to the bone resulting in osteomyelitis. It was actually a trainee doctor who discovered I had zero Neutrophils & was Neutropenic.
I had been in the hospital for 4 days before they realised. Sometimes you can see a bright spark in some trainee docs & that's a reassuring feeling.
I hope you pick up soon. It it starts to throb put your hand up it a sling. It worked for me before I had my nail removed. :-)
Take care,
Karry.
I had to have my thumb nail removed because of an infection a couple of years ago. They couldn't figure out why I had such a bad infection that went to the bone resulting in osteomyelitis. It was actually a trainee doctor who discovered I had zero Neutrophils & was Neutropenic.
I had been in the hospital for 4 days before they realised. Sometimes you can see a bright spark in some trainee docs & that's a reassuring feeling.
I hope you pick up soon. It it starts to throb put your hand up it a sling. It worked for me before I had my nail removed. :-)
Take care,
Karry.
Just wanted to say I hope your finger heals quickly and that you avoid any more trips to EF!! However nice they all were this time!
Karry & Joie
Thanks for the well wishes. I did end up at the ER again today because after soaking the finger for 2 hours I still could not get the gauze loose from my finger. But I was already up at the VA for a acupuncture treatment, followup for bladder problems, and PT appointment. Made for a VERY long day though.The triage nurse also tried soaking my finger and still the gauze would not budge so they called over to the OPD clinic and they told her to just send me over.
I ended up being seen by the same doctor and PA as had seen me on Monday. Again they were very nice to me and really remembered me from Monday. First the doctor looked at the gauze a tried a little pull on it and yes it was stuck to my finger good and tight. So then she told the PA to try running water on the finger to see if that would help. She then quickly said to the PA remember he has MS. So she remembered my trouble with walking from Monday.
What happened next was really weird. As soon as my hand hit the running I had super strong tremors in my right arm. As soon as I removed my hand from the water it stopped. Then the same thing again as soon as the water hit my hand back came the tremors. Even resting my forearm on the sink would not came the tremor as is usual with my tremors. So the PA ended up have to hold my hand to keep it from shaking like crazy. I still don't understand that one. I have never had my hand go crazy like that from running water.
Well after about 5 minutes of running water the gauze still wasn't coming loose so the doctor said "I guess will have to just yank it off." Once the gauze was off the doctor started examining my finger and pressed one spot on it and I jumped with pain. The PA immediately said that was where the errant nerve was. The doc replied "Oh yeah". So they both remembered my crazy nerves. After she finished examining my finger she told me it is healing up very good and I'll probably only need to keep it bandaged up for a couple more days.
Again thanks for the well wishes.
Dennis
Thanks for the well wishes. I did end up at the ER again today because after soaking the finger for 2 hours I still could not get the gauze loose from my finger. But I was already up at the VA for a acupuncture treatment, followup for bladder problems, and PT appointment. Made for a VERY long day though.The triage nurse also tried soaking my finger and still the gauze would not budge so they called over to the OPD clinic and they told her to just send me over.
I ended up being seen by the same doctor and PA as had seen me on Monday. Again they were very nice to me and really remembered me from Monday. First the doctor looked at the gauze a tried a little pull on it and yes it was stuck to my finger good and tight. So then she told the PA to try running water on the finger to see if that would help. She then quickly said to the PA remember he has MS. So she remembered my trouble with walking from Monday.
What happened next was really weird. As soon as my hand hit the running I had super strong tremors in my right arm. As soon as I removed my hand from the water it stopped. Then the same thing again as soon as the water hit my hand back came the tremors. Even resting my forearm on the sink would not came the tremor as is usual with my tremors. So the PA ended up have to hold my hand to keep it from shaking like crazy. I still don't understand that one. I have never had my hand go crazy like that from running water.
Well after about 5 minutes of running water the gauze still wasn't coming loose so the doctor said "I guess will have to just yank it off." Once the gauze was off the doctor started examining my finger and pressed one spot on it and I jumped with pain. The PA immediately said that was where the errant nerve was. The doc replied "Oh yeah". So they both remembered my crazy nerves. After she finished examining my finger she told me it is healing up very good and I'll probably only need to keep it bandaged up for a couple more days.
Again thanks for the well wishes.
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
You sound just about as unlucky as me with things like your finger dressing. Have they suggested you put your finger into some liquid that burns like crazy? This is supposed to remove the bacteria & I had to have it done between dressings. It's really awful & I don't recommend it lol.
So when they yanked at it was there any damage or pain? I'm glad it sounds like it's healing though. I get tremors/shakes on my right side as well but not with running it under water but I've learnt something with MS......Anything is possible.
Let us know how it's going?
Take Care,
Karry.
You sound just about as unlucky as me with things like your finger dressing. Have they suggested you put your finger into some liquid that burns like crazy? This is supposed to remove the bacteria & I had to have it done between dressings. It's really awful & I don't recommend it lol.
So when they yanked at it was there any damage or pain? I'm glad it sounds like it's healing though. I get tremors/shakes on my right side as well but not with running it under water but I've learnt something with MS......Anything is possible.
Let us know how it's going?
Take Care,
Karry.
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Hey Dennis,
I some how missed your latest walk on the wild side, errant nerves and water tremors :D could only happen to you my friend, cause you just like to confuse the heck out of your dr's. Kidding aside, hows your finger now?
Cheers...........JJ
I some how missed your latest walk on the wild side, errant nerves and water tremors :D could only happen to you my friend, cause you just like to confuse the heck out of your dr's. Kidding aside, hows your finger now?
Cheers...........JJ
Karry,
No burning liquid for me. I believe what you are talking about is peroxide. I actually was expecting that to be done and am glad that it didn't happen.
There was just a real quick shot of pain when she yanked it, but not too bad. They had some gauze at the ready in case it started to bleed again, but that didn't happen either.
Yes I seem to be in a phase of nothing but bad luck lately. A waitress at a Chinese restaurant that I go to every Friday night mentioned that as well when I came in with my finger bandaged. Friday I picked up my new scooter and while trying to bring in into my home I managed to get my left leg caught between the scooter and door frame and at the same time twisted my right ankle.
I no longer need to wear the bandage and can use my finger somewhat now. Though it is still very tender to the touch in the area of that errant nerve. Not sure why that is as it is not that near to where the doctor cut my finger open.
Thank you again for posting. It is nice to know at least a couple of people here care about how I am doing.
Dennis
No burning liquid for me. I believe what you are talking about is peroxide. I actually was expecting that to be done and am glad that it didn't happen.
There was just a real quick shot of pain when she yanked it, but not too bad. They had some gauze at the ready in case it started to bleed again, but that didn't happen either.
Yes I seem to be in a phase of nothing but bad luck lately. A waitress at a Chinese restaurant that I go to every Friday night mentioned that as well when I came in with my finger bandaged. Friday I picked up my new scooter and while trying to bring in into my home I managed to get my left leg caught between the scooter and door frame and at the same time twisted my right ankle.
I no longer need to wear the bandage and can use my finger somewhat now. Though it is still very tender to the touch in the area of that errant nerve. Not sure why that is as it is not that near to where the doctor cut my finger open.
Thank you again for posting. It is nice to know at least a couple of people here care about how I am doing.
Dennis
Glad your finger is feeling better! It's going to be tender for awhile, especially after that vivid description of how they sliced it open! Although I did enjoy it "from afar"…..LOL
Glad it is doing better and your scooter has arrived, now to learn to drive it LOL
Sarah
Glad it is doing better and your scooter has arrived, now to learn to drive it LOL
Sarah
Yikes! I was reading your initial post a loud to my husband (he's got MS, Addisons, few other "fun" diagnoses). When I got to "they opened my finger from the first knuckle to the tip" hubby and I both said "OW"!
Reminded us of time hubby was putting up a metal shed (years back, prior to MS). He wasn't wearing work gloves (why should he? Don't need them and all..lol). His hand slipped, sliced off good sized chunk of "hide" under his thumb cuticle area. We couldn't get it to stop bleeding. Ended up at Urgent Care. They had to cauterize the area, as there was nothing to stitch together, it had been sheared off. Worst thing was they didn't deaden it prior to cauterizing..said it would increase the bleeding that already wouldn't stop.
Faces hubby made during this were "interesting" to say the least..
Glad you're healing well...And sounds like you may need to join the club I have my hubby in...I nicknamed him "Tim the Tool man" yrs ago, when he seemed to have more than his share of injuries while working on things..
Take care,
C
Reminded us of time hubby was putting up a metal shed (years back, prior to MS). He wasn't wearing work gloves (why should he? Don't need them and all..lol). His hand slipped, sliced off good sized chunk of "hide" under his thumb cuticle area. We couldn't get it to stop bleeding. Ended up at Urgent Care. They had to cauterize the area, as there was nothing to stitch together, it had been sheared off. Worst thing was they didn't deaden it prior to cauterizing..said it would increase the bleeding that already wouldn't stop.
Faces hubby made during this were "interesting" to say the least..
Glad you're healing well...And sounds like you may need to join the club I have my hubby in...I nicknamed him "Tim the Tool man" yrs ago, when he seemed to have more than his share of injuries while working on things..
Take care,
C
C,
I joined that club years ago. I've never been mechanically inclined in my life so if there is any way you can get hurt doing something it happens to me. And this was before MS messed up my mind. Now I get hurt in ways that you should never be able to get hurt. LOL
Dennis
I joined that club years ago. I've never been mechanically inclined in my life so if there is any way you can get hurt doing something it happens to me. And this was before MS messed up my mind. Now I get hurt in ways that you should never be able to get hurt. LOL
Dennis
Alex,
Thanks. Yes I some times feel like it is unfair myself. But most of the time I just take it one day at a time. If everything is going wrong in one way or another I just say to myself that tomorrow is another day and it might be a good day.
Dennis
Thanks. Yes I some times feel like it is unfair myself. But most of the time I just take it one day at a time. If everything is going wrong in one way or another I just say to myself that tomorrow is another day and it might be a good day.
Dennis
Had my followup with the surgeon today for my finger. I kind of suspected what she going to tell me to an extent since my finger was still very tender. Turns out that the strain of bug that infected my finger is resistant to the antibiotic she had put me on.
So I'm on another antibiotic for a week since I'm allergic to penicillin which the doctor really wanted to use. If this doesn't clear things up, and with my luck lately it won't, she will be cutting my finger open again (in another spot).
Dennis
So I'm on another antibiotic for a week since I'm allergic to penicillin which the doctor really wanted to use. If this doesn't clear things up, and with my luck lately it won't, she will be cutting my finger open again (in another spot).
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Sorry to hear that the infection is not clearing up. How is it now? Did the doc cut it open again?
I have been in hospital for a while & thought about you & your finger so I chased up the tread to see what is happening. Let me know how it's going when you're able to.
How are you going with the scooter as well? I must say Dennis getting your foot stuck between the scooter & the door frame sounds like something only I would do lol but glad to know I'm not on my own. :-)
Did you get a 3 or 4 wheeler in the end?
Take Care.
Karry.
Sorry to hear that the infection is not clearing up. How is it now? Did the doc cut it open again?
I have been in hospital for a while & thought about you & your finger so I chased up the tread to see what is happening. Let me know how it's going when you're able to.
How are you going with the scooter as well? I must say Dennis getting your foot stuck between the scooter & the door frame sounds like something only I would do lol but glad to know I'm not on my own. :-)
Did you get a 3 or 4 wheeler in the end?
Take Care.
Karry.
First off sorry to hear you were in the hospital. Hopefully nothing too serious.
The finger is still infected and I only have one more day of antibiotics to go. So more than likely the doctor will be cutting my finger open again on Wed. 12th. In fact when I got up this morning I found that the skin in the area had cracked open on it's own.
The scooter is a 4 wheeler. I took it to a park around 30 minutes from my home to ride around on it and get use to it. Rode around for about half hour and I'm getting a little better at controlling the speed.
Dennis
The finger is still infected and I only have one more day of antibiotics to go. So more than likely the doctor will be cutting my finger open again on Wed. 12th. In fact when I got up this morning I found that the skin in the area had cracked open on it's own.
The scooter is a 4 wheeler. I took it to a park around 30 minutes from my home to ride around on it and get use to it. Rode around for about half hour and I'm getting a little better at controlling the speed.
Dennis
Dennis,
I am so sorry you are going to have to have your finger cut open again. Did they swab to see what bacteria is running the show here like DV said above?
Hopefully this time will be the last & it all heals up.
The scooters are pretty nifty really aren't they? The one thing I don't like is they beep when reversing unlike my electric wheelchair. I asked for it to be shut off but your not allowed apparently. They are quite big as well but I can fit my dog in the middle & he loves the ride lol. They certainly get you out & about a bit more which can only be a good thing. Keep plugging at it because it gets to the point where it becomes the new normal for you. It can be hard at first though I know.
Keep us updated on your finger situation though. At least the docs seem nice where your going so that is at least a refreshing change.
Karry.
I am so sorry you are going to have to have your finger cut open again. Did they swab to see what bacteria is running the show here like DV said above?
Hopefully this time will be the last & it all heals up.
The scooters are pretty nifty really aren't they? The one thing I don't like is they beep when reversing unlike my electric wheelchair. I asked for it to be shut off but your not allowed apparently. They are quite big as well but I can fit my dog in the middle & he loves the ride lol. They certainly get you out & about a bit more which can only be a good thing. Keep plugging at it because it gets to the point where it becomes the new normal for you. It can be hard at first though I know.
Keep us updated on your finger situation though. At least the docs seem nice where your going so that is at least a refreshing change.
Karry.
Just got back from VA and another cutting open of my finger for the infection. In answer to the question of what type of beast I have been fighting it is: STAPHYLOCOCCUS.
When I left for the VA it was 60+ at my house so I grabbed a light jacket. By the time I got to the VA it was 20 degrees colder and I was seeing some snow flacks every now and then. Just about froze getting my scooter off of my truck. I saw 9 deer on the way up.
This time the cutting was just behind the base of the fingernail. As soon as the doctor cut it ope she discovered a cavity running up under the finger nail bed and back down almost to the bone and back toward the first knuckle. That is why the infection didn't get cured with the second round of Antibiotics. I didn't think to ask the doctor, but I figure I must have had the infection for a lot longer than I knew due to the numbness in my hands so it had become quite severe.
Of course my errant nerves got to call the tune again. The doctor decided to give me the numbing shot right next to where she would be cutting, But again as soon as she start to cut I had severe pain so again she had to hit me with numbing meds in other locations which normally had nothing to do with where she was working.
Last time after the meds wore off I really didn't have any pain, but this time my finger is throbbing with pain. But the strange thing is the pain is not where she cut my finger open. Instead the pain is across my finger just behind the first knuckle and along the area where she had cut my finger open 2 weeks ago. Oh and also the tip of my middle finger. That is the strangest one.
She put me on another ten days of antibiotics and I go back to see her again next Wed. She also warned me that I better not come back next week with it still infected or else. I asked what the or else would be but she didn't say. LOL
Karry,
My scooter is actually fairly small. You couldn't fit a micro dog in the center of it. Also my scooter doesn't beep when backing up
Dennis
When I left for the VA it was 60+ at my house so I grabbed a light jacket. By the time I got to the VA it was 20 degrees colder and I was seeing some snow flacks every now and then. Just about froze getting my scooter off of my truck. I saw 9 deer on the way up.
This time the cutting was just behind the base of the fingernail. As soon as the doctor cut it ope she discovered a cavity running up under the finger nail bed and back down almost to the bone and back toward the first knuckle. That is why the infection didn't get cured with the second round of Antibiotics. I didn't think to ask the doctor, but I figure I must have had the infection for a lot longer than I knew due to the numbness in my hands so it had become quite severe.
Of course my errant nerves got to call the tune again. The doctor decided to give me the numbing shot right next to where she would be cutting, But again as soon as she start to cut I had severe pain so again she had to hit me with numbing meds in other locations which normally had nothing to do with where she was working.
Last time after the meds wore off I really didn't have any pain, but this time my finger is throbbing with pain. But the strange thing is the pain is not where she cut my finger open. Instead the pain is across my finger just behind the first knuckle and along the area where she had cut my finger open 2 weeks ago. Oh and also the tip of my middle finger. That is the strangest one.
She put me on another ten days of antibiotics and I go back to see her again next Wed. She also warned me that I better not come back next week with it still infected or else. I asked what the or else would be but she didn't say. LOL
Karry,
My scooter is actually fairly small. You couldn't fit a micro dog in the center of it. Also my scooter doesn't beep when backing up
Dennis
As far as I know Staph requires a totally different kind of antibiotic than the usual. Which probably explains why it's not healing up. I must say that sounded absolutely awful to have done. I'm not sure I would have been so brave.
I had Staph in another finger once & I had left it & left it. It had come up in a large blister & I put a dressing on it trying to get rid of whatever it was. I hadn't injured the finger but my Raynaud's was severe so they believe my icy hands played a roll in it. It didn't hurt much as far as I can remember & I only went to the doc when I actually smelt rotting flesh. By then I was a bit embarrassed about my situation.
My doc was pretty cross with me & said I should know better. Which I have to admit I did know better & have learnt to never leave something like that until it gets too bad.
I can imagine you will have some pain now because it has been sliced open in different places & is a long standing infection now. Let's hope this was the last & it all clears up.
Perhaps a Chihuahua is in order to accompany you on your scooter lol. It's good the scooter is small because you can get it into more places.
I hope things improve for you soon Dennis.
Karry.
I had Staph in another finger once & I had left it & left it. It had come up in a large blister & I put a dressing on it trying to get rid of whatever it was. I hadn't injured the finger but my Raynaud's was severe so they believe my icy hands played a roll in it. It didn't hurt much as far as I can remember & I only went to the doc when I actually smelt rotting flesh. By then I was a bit embarrassed about my situation.
My doc was pretty cross with me & said I should know better. Which I have to admit I did know better & have learnt to never leave something like that until it gets too bad.
I can imagine you will have some pain now because it has been sliced open in different places & is a long standing infection now. Let's hope this was the last & it all clears up.
Perhaps a Chihuahua is in order to accompany you on your scooter lol. It's good the scooter is small because you can get it into more places.
I hope things improve for you soon Dennis.
Karry.
No a Chihuahua would still be too big, 1 one day old kitten would probably have a hard time fitting. LOL
I just got home from spending another hour with the surgeon. Last night a developed severe tremors in my right hand and was feeling nauseated and light head, the pain was unbearable 10/10. But I had an appointment at the VA for my weekly acupuncture so I stuck it out for the morning. When I woke up (though I didn't get much sleep due to the pain) I was soaked in sweat and very dizzy. When I stood up my vision grayed out like I was going to pass out. So I decided to see the doctor while up there.
Went to my acupuncture appointment first as I didn't know what kind of shape I would be in after seeing the surgeon. I still don't understand how acupuncture works but it did reduce the pain a little bit. Maybe down to 9.5 out of 10, but also a smaller area hurt now.
Finally got into see the doctor around noon and when she saw my tremor she completely understood why I wasn't able to change the dressing the night before. She had to call in her nurse to hold my hand still why she tried to remove the dressing. It just would not budge, but finally after soaking it in water for about 10 minutes it finally came loose.
She then started to clean out the incision and after a little while she asked if I felt OK. I was feeling pretty nauseous so I guess I looked a little green or something. A couple minutes later she told the nurse to lower my head while the doctor pickup up my feet. I was about to pass out due to the pain. She made me lay there on my back for around 1/2 hour to make sure that I wouldn't pass out on her. My BP was actually slightly elevated.
She actually came up with a theory that makes sense to me. She figured that because the dressing had gotten stuck so hard to my finger any movement at all was pulling at the incision cause pain. And of course my hand was in constant movement due to the tremors I was in constant pain. She had the nurse lightly bandage my finger back up so that it wouldn't get so stuck and gave me an RX for pain med.
The pain has calmed down quite a bit and the tremors have stopped. So I guess the tremors were triggered by the pain which caused more pain. And around we go.
This kind of makes me wonder if at least some of the time when I'm feeling light head if it is because my pain threshold has been crossed.
Dennis
I just got home from spending another hour with the surgeon. Last night a developed severe tremors in my right hand and was feeling nauseated and light head, the pain was unbearable 10/10. But I had an appointment at the VA for my weekly acupuncture so I stuck it out for the morning. When I woke up (though I didn't get much sleep due to the pain) I was soaked in sweat and very dizzy. When I stood up my vision grayed out like I was going to pass out. So I decided to see the doctor while up there.
Went to my acupuncture appointment first as I didn't know what kind of shape I would be in after seeing the surgeon. I still don't understand how acupuncture works but it did reduce the pain a little bit. Maybe down to 9.5 out of 10, but also a smaller area hurt now.
Finally got into see the doctor around noon and when she saw my tremor she completely understood why I wasn't able to change the dressing the night before. She had to call in her nurse to hold my hand still why she tried to remove the dressing. It just would not budge, but finally after soaking it in water for about 10 minutes it finally came loose.
She then started to clean out the incision and after a little while she asked if I felt OK. I was feeling pretty nauseous so I guess I looked a little green or something. A couple minutes later she told the nurse to lower my head while the doctor pickup up my feet. I was about to pass out due to the pain. She made me lay there on my back for around 1/2 hour to make sure that I wouldn't pass out on her. My BP was actually slightly elevated.
She actually came up with a theory that makes sense to me. She figured that because the dressing had gotten stuck so hard to my finger any movement at all was pulling at the incision cause pain. And of course my hand was in constant movement due to the tremors I was in constant pain. She had the nurse lightly bandage my finger back up so that it wouldn't get so stuck and gave me an RX for pain med.
The pain has calmed down quite a bit and the tremors have stopped. So I guess the tremors were triggered by the pain which caused more pain. And around we go.
This kind of makes me wonder if at least some of the time when I'm feeling light head if it is because my pain threshold has been crossed.
Dennis
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
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.
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
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