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Posted 11/20/2009 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Gang,

The caste came off yesterday and boy was I ever in for a big surprise. Pain from hell when I attempted to move my arm!!! So bad I became nauseated. My bone looks great, it healed nicely per the xrays done. Its all muscular per my ortho. He has put me in a wrist splint to wear and the pressure helps the pain. I have lost all of the muscle in my upper arm, the skin hangs like flab and is totally disgusting. I am waiting to hear from the PT people, will be going for 4 weeks 2x7. That will get this arm moving again. But this arm business knocked a lot of my holiday work in the head, mainly getting my house back in clean order. I am really PO'd over this bit.

Now the appt w/PCP over the cellulitis. He discontinued the IV antibiotics therapy based on some of the swelling going down in my legs and feet. He did see the legs are still red, a little warm, still swollen and very painful to touch. Instead he wants me to take Ceftin for 10 days. I let him know that Ceftin and my ulcerative colitis do not mix well at all. I will try it and if it does it's normal I will not make myself stay on it because I have enough sense to know what is not best for my gut problems. If you are picking up a little anger here you are right. My B12 has bottomed out so back on B12 shots. Might get a little energy going. My blood pressure is still of the scale 178/102. He went nuts and said it's been way to high since August. So he added a third blood pressure pill to the mix, we will see. High BP has been a big problem for me. I have never heard of the new one and cannot remember how its spelled either. Ok, I am done griping. Hugs to all.
Posted 11/20/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Susie
It sure sounds like you are having a real hard time of it! I can understand why your Doctor is in a tizzzy over your BP that is way to high! I hope that new med works on getting it back down! And I hope your PT works quickly and get your arm back in shape too!

Gripe all you want, We are all here for you!



Take good care of yourself Susie!



White Beard
Posted 11/20/2009 6:50 AM (GMT 0)
Susie,
The other day I told my goddaughter that not only was it raining and pouring in my life, but I've moved into hurricane and tornado territory. Sounds like you have, too!

I hope that PT can help with the arm and doesn't take forever to work, and that the new meds from the doctor also help. Why the heck they won't listen to us when we tell them how our body responds to something I don't know. It would sure make life easier for us and in most cases for the docs, too!

((((((((((Straydog))))))))))

PaLady
Posted 11/20/2009 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
Susie, are you using a diuretic along with your blood pressure meds or possibly one of your meds has a diuretic in it. Just asking cause retaining fluids can really cause havoc on your blood pressure. I hope the new meds help get your problems in check.

When my son broke his arm he was unable to use it after the cast came off. My dad rigged up a pulley type device for him to use at home and I'd take him to the park to use the jungle gym to help straighten it out after the elbow started loosening up. It takes time to get your arm working properly after being in one position for so long.

I sure do hope the cellulitis clears up soon. I've seen it before in my clients during my stint as a home health aide and it is not pretty. Good Luck and try to stay positive!!!
Posted 11/20/2009 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
 

   Dear Susie,

 

     Good Morning *warm huggs* How are you feeling this morning? Is your pain level still out of control? I am a little frustraited with your doctor, and I dont even knwo the fellow. I had really hoped the antibiotics would help in some way.. but, now that they havnt done much, to put you on a med that will probably cause a flare, is very frustraiting. Does your doc have a back up plann if the med doesnt work and/or causes flares? The swelling is out of control, youve been dealing with this every darn day for MONTHS! I am sorry that your BP is still high, and gosh..... MORE meds. My frustration surely is nothing compared to what you are feeling. I am sorry I cannot do anything to help. please, keep us posted when you can. I know it must be rather painful to sit are your computer. Know your in our hearts and prayers here in new mexico.

 

*warm huggs*

   dani

Posted 11/20/2009 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Morning gang,

Palady I have no clue why these drs do not want to listen. It is way beyond me. I forgot to tell ya in the post he is all of a sudden real interested in neuropathy in my feet. I said hell yes, I have it, I have had it for years, thats nothing new. In three weeks he wants to talk about it again. I don't know, I think he gave me a script of neurotin now that I think about it. I have to take my scripts to have them filled today. I was not feeling good yesterday and was not in the best of humor either.

Cellulitis is usually a long term problem once you get it. Many people are put on antibiotics for maintenance. It is one of those things that once you get it, you are prone to be plagued with it over and over. That is exactly what has happened with me since 07. There are two forms of infection one being staph and the other strep. Thats why having the correct antibiotic is needed to kill the bug.

Jag, yes, I am on a diurectic and have been on one for years. I have had swelling problems for a very long time, long before cellulitis reared its ugly head. I have one that I take daily that is a real common name and the other is called Bumex, its used prn. I have to watch using the Bumex, its such a strong one that it messed up my kidneys for awhile and that was just taking 2 mg a day.

Dani, yes the backup plan will be going back on IV antibiotics but it will be one that works too.

WhiteBeard I have battled high BP since I was 28 yrs old, now 56. I have been on just about every kind out there. The years of uncontrolled blood pressure is what has caused my heart valve problems. My cardiologist just goes nuts every year when he see's me and I do all the testing on the valves. All three now leak but the aortic is the problem child. Like I told the cardiologist, I come from the bad gene pool and all I can do is take my meds and go on.

I am about ready to call early and see about an increase in my pump. I have major problems when I wake up in the mornings. It is so painful trying to get out of bed, the back pain and stiffness make me sick at my stomach. I take a muscle relaxer and a pain pill, Zofran for nausea, Lomotil for the diarhea, 4 Lialda for the gut, 1 Bentyl for the gut spasms. A hot drink to get this stuff to dissolve quicker and kick in. I have to sit and wait for all of this to kick in before I can get up and move around. Things are just not real good right now.

I feel quite certain PT will be able to get my arm back in shape.

This morning my legs are bright red and very warm to touch and it hurts to stand on them. I guess I have whined about all I can for the moment. I am just real frustrated right now. Hugs to all.
Posted 11/20/2009 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Susie I am so glad that you are healing hun. I know what it is like to see your apendage for the first time after a cast, its not pretty LOL! I had a cast on my left foot after surgery and when they took it off my foot looked like a weakling of what it once was. I sure hope that you get well soon. I've missed talking with ya!

Hugsssssssssss

Scarred
Posted 11/20/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Susie,
Just want to send you some hugs....

((((((((((Susie))))))))))))

PaLady
Posted 11/21/2009 3:20 AM (GMT 0)

Susie Wow what a deal you are going thru.  i hope your pt will help you to get back in shape.  Get those Muscles back.  yes I am looking forward to the holidays too.  And i figure if my house is a bit untidy I'll just throw some tinsel around and make it look like a theme. :)

Get well soon

Rhonda

Posted 11/21/2009 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Funnygirl,
Now that's a creative idea! Tinsel the entire house!! Susie could do that with one hand!

And I wouldn't mind doing it with my messy place!!

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 11/21/2009 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Awww Susie,

You are sure going through the wringer with all the problems that you are dealing with. I wish that I had some simple curative answer for you for dealing with the cellulitis, I think if you could get that on the road to going away, the rest would fall into line too.

You are having major issues with every area of your body at the moment. Have you given any thought to seeing a vascular guy? I know that the cardiologist that I saw has a vascular area of his practice too and it might help to get another perspective other than a gp's on dealing with the vasculitis.  I know it's an infection and all of that but maybe the vascular guy might have some different ideas that might help get the edema under control and maybe help get it healed faster.

Sometimes I think GP's because they need to be so diversified in what they have for knowledge that they don't get into the fine points of handling certain conditions and this is one of them.

I know that you really don't want to make an appointment with yet another doctor, but it might be a good idea.

I wish that I could do something to make you feel better. Do hot compresses help to relieve some of the pain in your legs?

If they do, maybe try that, a few times a day.

If that antibiotic is having negative effects on you, then make him change it..........don't argue, tell him that you can' t and won't take it.......and he  needs to change it.

Your arm is going to take some time to reutrn to how it was before you broke it. The muscles atrophy and it takes some time to get those muscles going again.

Hang in there sweetie,

Sandi

Posted 11/21/2009 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Susie,
I'm sorry you are having such a horrible time. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope your B/P goes down with your new med addition and your cellulitis clears up. I can just imagine you discomfort with legs, arms and high b/p to boot. Please take care. I care.
Posted 11/21/2009 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
Sandi. yes I have already been to the vascular guy with these legs. Started that back in August. He had the ultrasound done on both legs checking for any blockages and also checking the valves. I came back fine in those areas. He was surprised considering how bad my legs look. I have developed some bad varicose veins from all of this swelling.The veins are just under the surface. I have nicked them shaving and filled my shower floor with blood and those things were just spurting, what a mess. I now have an electric razor, lol. He had nothing to offer except to wear my compression hose provided the cellulitis is gone and to elevate my legs as much as I could. He did say he could inject this one area on the left foot around the ankle area, he said the tissue was necrotic whatever he meant by that. But usually only 15% get any relied so I declined that little deal.

Just the prayers coming and your fingers crossed. Life is just not much fun right now.
Posted 11/21/2009 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Susie
What kind of antibiotic do they have you on, or did he stop that? That cellulitis can get really nasty, You said:("He did say he could inject this one area on the left foot around the ankle area, he said the tissue was necrotic whatever he meant by that.") are you sure he said necrotic? As that means dead tissue? and if you have that going on then you really got problems! Anyway it sounds like you are more than familiar with this condition, but I think you ought to be pressing your Doc about the antibiotic, they really do need to get a handle on this cellulitis thing!

I will keep you in my prayers!

White Beard
Posted 11/21/2009 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Straydog,

Im very sorry to hear of all your difficulties, it sounds like a very hard time for you also.

I do really hope you are able to get your arm & blood pressure under control, that is very high, hopefully the new meds push it down.
How is your PM?I can understand your nausea problems with chronic pain, when i am having a really bad day, most of the time latley i to feel sick with nausea friom the pain,How is your arm today?

Have you seen the specialsit yet? My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
maybe Santa will grant us all a pain free xmas day!
Take care.

Leisa - Puchfit xx
Posted 11/21/2009 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
WhiteBeard he put me on oral Ceftin which I have to pick up today. I am not sure but I am thinking I tried it once and got hives and my throating started swelling shut. The pharmacist is not real happy he wrote the script she says Ceftin is a cousin to penicillin which I am highly allergic to, along with Cipro and Avelox.

After leaving the vascular dr that day I kept going over in my head what he said about "necrotic tissue" and that was what I was thinking meaning not such a good thing. All in all, I don't quite agree with his theory on that. The area he was speaking of was very sore to touch and quite red and hot at the time.

Leisa the arm is ok as long as I stay in the splint. I cannot leave it off except long enough to shower. Yes, I see specialists alot, lol. More than I want to actually. My gastro says my pain pump is the source of my nausea. He says this happens alot with pumps, but said a PM dr will never tell a patient this!!!. Hope all have a low pain weekend.
Posted 11/22/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
We just can't win somedays, can we?

Hugs,

PaLady
Posted 11/22/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
White Beard is correct, necrotic tissue means dead tissue, just like avn is dead bone. Sheesh, I am getting the feeling that some of your doctors don't know their heads from their buttocks when it comes to some of the issues you are dealing with.
They really do need to make sure that they get that cellulitis cleared up , and Stray, please make sure that you don't take that antibiotic when someone else is home and you have plenty of liquid benedryl close at hand if you think you may have an allergic ( anaphylactic reaction) to it. If you start swelling or getting hives and have difficulty breathing, take a large dose of benedryl while your husband or another family member is calling the ambulance......
I can't believe that your doctor would prescribe a drug like that when he knows that you have had a reaction in the past.
You need new doctors Susie......I'm serious about this.
Sandi
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