Quick question re: foot problems

[HLW]

Not posted here for a while but got a very quick question, I've got a problem with one of my big toes, it's infected at the side of the nail. I've got some antibiotics left over from the last time this happened a few months ago (doc prescribed me 2 courses last time, told me to take the 2nd course if it happened again). The doctor said I should go back if it happened again / kept happening.

My question is, how urgent is this? Will it wait till next week (they've only got emergancy appointments for tomorrow) ? I think it will, just don't want to risk my big toe dropping off...

 

[ChocFish]

What is your bg like, with a high bg and a septic toe things can go rapidly nasty overnight, honest, I am not scaremongering, PLEASE GO TO HAVE THIS SEEN TO TODAY!

Please dont delay, an infection can spread so fast you have no idea, I had a septic toe coupled with high bg and thought its just a minor thing, next morning I was in a very serious condition, the infection had spread up my leg, it was touch and go for a while on whether my leg should be amputated or not, but antibiotics kicked in, I was lucky. That was 9 years ago and I have never forgotten.

You should also not mess around with antibiotics or antibiotic creams that have been prescribed some time ago, they may no longer have antibiotic qualities. PLEASE I am begging you, have this toe seen to.

All the best

Karen

 

[hanadr]

You might do better to go to the podiatry department. they specialise in feet. You can refer yourself. Just look up the number on your hospital or PCT website and give them a call.

 

[HLW]

The antiboitics are still in date (they expire 2011, I wouldn't have thought they last that long to be honest).

Blood sugar is 11.3 on fingerprick test (that's about 90min after I last ate). Higher than normal, I suspect because of stress + worry re: coursework and more likely because of eating rubbish things when procrastinating doing said coursework.

Last time, the doctor said he thought it was an ingrowing toenail and if it kept happening, they'd have to do something. Last time I left it a week before seeing the doctor, and it didn't seem to be getting any worse, but it wasn't getting any better which was why I went. Same this time, it's been like this for a few days.

Have made an appointment for today. Will see what they say.

 

[ChocFish]

Yes mine was an ingrown toenail too, and 11.3 is too high, it could be due to stress and what you have been eating but could also be the infection, I hope you get seen today, this is making me really nervous , I am telling you I went to bed with just an infected toe, I put on some cicatrin powder, I woke up at gone 4am, I had a high temperature and the entire foot way past up my ankle was bright red and throbbing, we drove to A&E and I was admitted to hospital straight away and put on antibiotic drips and what not else.

When are you doing exams, poor you with course work, my bg used to go haywire whenever I was stressed with studying, getting assignments in on time and taking exams, its hard to get it all under one hat sometimes isnt it.

I hope you get sorted quick, please come back and let us know.

Karen x

 

[HLW]

Just got back from appt, yes it is infected, got to continue with the antibiotics, and make appointment for when it's cleared up so they can talk about what to do with the nail.

Which is worse than I thought, not only are they going to cut bits of my foot out, they are doing to do it when I am awake, my hands are still shaking from being told about that. What if I move my foot when they are doing it? I hate injections, it even takes about 10 sec for my to pluck up the curage to do a fingerprick test. But it's getting better at least they don't have to take blood for blood tests from my wrist (because all the other viens are contracted because I'm worried about the needle) anymore. argh. Well I'm sure they have had people who don't like needles etc so it will be fine I'm sure. But I really don't like the thought of it.

Also it was the other foot last time, so I assume they are going to want to cut back both nails

re: coursework and exams, luckily I have done all the exams now, just this coursework to do, but shame it's essays, I'm really not good at writing essays. I get ok marks for them, they just take a long time to write.

 

[ChocFish]

Aww darling, I am just so pleased that you have had this toe seen to, I know its scary to think that you will have some surgery, I had this done on both toes and I am absolutely fine now, I wear nail polish and sandals (when the weather allows), I am squeamish and as for needles I think I need an anaesthetic to have an injection!!!

Serious here is a link to tell you a little bit more about the surgery, if you are brave there is some youtube videos of that operation carried out, but this looks worse than it is, honest! Read here http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html ... val.html#4.

Hope all goes well with your essays too and when you have your toe done make sure that you have lots of people around to give you TLC and people you can summon (get a little bell LOL) to bring you endless cups of tea and what not and you do know that red wine and dark chocolate do have anti-oxidants and they are meant to help recovery....

Karen x

 

[hanadr]

I had ingrowing toenail several times a coupleof years ago. Not from my shoes, but because my feet are a funny shape.( born that way)
I got antibiotics from the doctor, but the trouble kept coming back. then Iwent to the podiatrists, who cleaned it up put iodine on it. I watched how they clipped the nail. It healed in a week and I've been able to stop it happening again, by clipping in the way she did. I'm not going to have the surgery even though a podiatrist told me I should have it whilst my circulation is still good. I just told her that it's not going to get any worse while I keep BG down properly.