Infections

[B.A._Bigmacus]

Hello everyone,

This is a little gross so apologies in advance if it does gross you out.

I have been incredibly ill since Sunday night. When I phoned the docs on Monday they said I was describing a viral infection and that I should just rest and recover.

On Sunday I had some pain in my lower groin area, where the leg attached to the butt. Right in the crease. I thought nothing of it. Come Tuesday I'm still hugely feverish, vomiting etc etc but feel down below and there's a 'pop' and lots of fluid from the area.

Now I'm in agony with it and the doc says it's infected - antibiotics prescribed and started.

I've always had massive issues with infection - I get them easily and heal terribly. The thing that's worrying me about this is the amount of fluid that is continually coming from it. There is a lot and it's constant.

Do I need to do anything about this or just put up and hope it clears soon?

P.S. type 2 diabetic for around 10 years and admittedly poorly controlled. Currently taking Glucophage as well as other bits that come with it. Also have terrible circulation in legs with neuropathy in feet/lower legs.

Thanks in advance and again, sorry if you got grossed out by this post!

 

[Rachox]

Welcome to the Forum Bigmacus! First let me tag in @daisy1 who will post loads of useful info for you.
I think you’ve answered your own question, In that you need to get your blood sugars under control to avoid these infections.
Do you just rely on your meds to control them as this isn’t the whole solution? Can you tell us what a typical daily menu of yours is like. We may be able to help you tweak it and improve things for you.

 

[Resurgam]

You gave me a shiver - when I was a child we lived with my father's parents and my mother nursed his mother as she slowly deteriorated due to uncontrolled diabetes melitus.
Boils on your butt are only the start of it - please - make changes for the better.

 

[Boo1979]

I totally agree with the need to control sugars
On an immediate practical note - (how) are you dressing the abscess?

 

[daisy1]

@B.A._Bigmacus

Hello Bigmacus and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

 

[B.A._Bigmacus]

I totally agree with the need to control sugars
On an immediate practical note - (how) are you dressing the abscess?

No dressings currently. It's in an awkward position that's difficult for me to see let alone reach, plus I think regular shop bought dressings wouldn't be up to the job with the amount of fluid coming out.

The doctor didn't offer any form of dressing, just to take antibiotics. It's just the fact that so much fluid is constantly being discharged that is worrying me slightly.

 

[B.A._Bigmacus]

You gave me a shiver - when I was a child we lived with my father's parents and my mother nursed his mother as she slowly deteriorated due to uncontrolled diabetes melitus.
Boils on your butt are only the start of it - please - make changes for the better.

This is scary.

 

[Rachox]

No dressings currently. It's in an awkward position that's difficult for me to see let alone reach, plus I think regular shop bought dressings wouldn't be up to the job with the amount of fluid coming out.

The doctor didn't offer any form of dressing, just to take antibiotics. It's just the fact that so much fluid is constantly being discharged that is worrying me slightly.

It sounds to me that it might be worth getting an urgent appointment with the practice nurse. I know it’s already infected but you need to protect it from getting other infections/contamination in it.

 

[B.A._Bigmacus]

Thanks @Rachox

They only stay until 3pm so will have to try get an appointment in the morning.

Kinda glad in a way this has happened. I've never looked after myself properly and now it's come to a head and I need to fix things

 

[Brunneria]

I would agree that seeing the nurse is a very wise thing to do.

They are the ones who regularly dress, change dressings and assess wounds, so a practice nurse will give you better advice than your doc.

Please don’t go into the weekend with an open wound without someone having a look at it and giving you some proper advice.

 

[joany1955]

No dressings currently. It's in an awkward position that's difficult for me to see let alone reach, plus I think regular shop bought dressings wouldn't be up to the job with the amount of fluid coming out.

The doctor didn't offer any form of dressing, just to take antibiotics. It's just the fact that so much fluid is constantly being discharged that is worrying me slightly.

It sounds to me like it might need packing , and that's a job for the nurse I'm afraid , agree with others you definitely need it looking even though your on antibiotics , if your can't get in can you get ab emergency app through 111, they've always been very helpful to me ?

 

[lucylocket61]

No dressings currently. It's in an awkward position that's difficult for me to see let alone reach, plus I think regular shop bought dressings wouldn't be up to the job with the amount of fluid coming out.

The doctor didn't offer any form of dressing, just to take antibiotics. It's just the fact that so much fluid is constantly being discharged that is worrying me slightly.

TMI WARNING:



are you in the UK? I had recurreing abscesses a couple of years ago. Yes, the fluid is a bit worrisome. What colour is the fluid? The best way to empty the boil and keep it clean is to put a hot compress on it as often as possible.

You get some boiled water and add a half teaspoon of salt to each pint of water. Cool to as hot as you can without any risk of scalding, the sort of temperature where you can have your fingers in it for a few mins without it being uncomfortably hot. Then you soak a clean flannel or towel in the water and squeeze out the excess, and hold it to your boil until it cools down. Repeat a few times. This will disinfect the cavity, and help the pus to come to the surface and come out. Maybe a mirror can be used?

Change your underwear each time you do this, and hot wash your undies if possible to kill any bacteria. If the whole infection hasnt gone 48 hours before your last antibiotic, go back to the doctors for more. I needed 5 lots to finally get on top of this infection. Your doctor should have taken a swab to identify the bacteria and tailor your antibiotics to your infection type. And in the Uk you should be seeing a nurse very day or two to keep an eye on it.

If you notice red streaks in any veins nearby, this is sepsis and needs urgent treatment. I got sepsis one time. Not nice.

Keeping your blood sugars down is vital to prevent or at least hold back a recurrence. All the best.

edited for atrocious spelling mistakes.

 

[ickihun]

How did you get on @B.A._Bigmacus?

 

[B.A._Bigmacus]

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I took your advice and managed to get seen by a nurse. A few hours later I was in surgery having the whole sore/abscess removed along with a big chunk of the area that was severely infected and partially dead. I'm currently sat in hospital and have been since Friday, sore but okay.

The trouble is my blood sugars. Even with the use of some sort insulin infusion type drip I've had since Sat morning I'm still having readings over 20mmol so I'm not allowed to leave until at least the diabetic specialist sees me tomorrow.

Internet access is a bit poor here unfortunately however I'll do my best to update everyone when I can.

If one good thing has come from this, its the fact that I need to get my act together and sort this out asap.

Thanks for all your support so far everyone.

 

[bulkbiker]

I'll hazard a guess that the hospital food isn't especially low carb so probably isn't helping and that alongside your infection is probably contributing quite a lot to your high readings. Hope you get better soon.

 

[ickihun]

Eat sandwich fillings only, if possible. Eggs for breakfast not porridge or toast. Avoid pasta or too much potato. Avoid desserts too. See what you can do.
Are you on insulin normally?

 

[lucylocket61]

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I took your advice and managed to get seen by a nurse. A few hours later I was in surgery having the whole sore/abscess removed along with a big chunk of the area that was severely infected and partially dead. I'm currently sat in hospital and have been since Friday, sore but okay.

The trouble is my blood sugars. Even with the use of some sort insulin infusion type drip I've had since Sat morning I'm still having readings over 20mmol so I'm not allowed to leave until at least the diabetic specialist sees me tomorrow.

Internet access is a bit poor here unfortunately however I'll do my best to update everyone when I can.

If one good thing has come from this, its the fact that I need to get my act together and sort this out asap.

Thanks for all your support so far everyone.

good to know you are safe and well and warm. The infection will be pushing your blood sugars up. I am a diet only type 2, and I was in the 13-15's most of the time when I was being treated for my abscesses. All the best : )

 

[Brunneria]

Am so glad you got it sorted, and are in good hands.
Thank you for the update

 

[Rachox]

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I took your advice and managed to get seen by a nurse. A few hours later I was in surgery having the whole sore/abscess removed along with a big chunk of the area that was severely infected and partially dead. I'm currently sat in hospital and have been since Friday, sore but okay.

The trouble is my blood sugars. Even with the use of some sort insulin infusion type drip I've had since Sat morning I'm still having readings over 20mmol so I'm not allowed to leave until at least the diabetic specialist sees me tomorrow.

Internet access is a bit poor here unfortunately however I'll do my best to update everyone when I can.

If one good thing has come from this, its the fact that I need to get my act together and sort this out asap.

Thanks for all your support so far everyone.

I’m so glad you got seen promptly, sorry it resulted in surgery but now it’s been treated you’ll be on the mend. I had surgery before Xmas and struggled with the hospital menus, they did a plain omelette every meal, so I lived on them with veggies or salad. It all got a bit boring!

 

[B.A._Bigmacus]

Hi everyone,

Another apologies for the delay in a further update. I'm afraid I've been quite ill the last few weeks.

So whilst in hospital I had went septic and was very poorly. Ended up staying in for nearly 2 weeks however back home now. Have been going to the hospital each day for dressings. They tell me the wound is very clean and healing so thats good news, however the sheer amount of fluid draining from it is incredible. I'm having to have my wife do replacement packing/dressing every 6 hours as they become too full after this and I leak all over my clothing and whatever else I happen to be say on at the time. Disgusting, I know.

With my blood sugars being so high I was having daily visits from the diabetic specialist whilst in hospital. He decided as well as the 4x Glucophage I was taking daily I should start taking insulin too. I now take 30 units of NovaMix 30 twice a day. Since being in hospital I've lost a lot of my appetite (probably from not eating for literally 2 weeks). I'm now eating twice a day and not as much as I used to, however my readings are still around 12-18 mmol. I suspect it will take some playing around to get it right. Due to see the specialist again next month. On the plus side, I've lost two stone in a month!

So, next steps are to learn what I need to regarding diet, exercise, keto etc. Wish me luck!!