So I'm about to lose my right foot.

[burritos]

Originally Posted by TJandGENESIS

Yeah, no joke. I got a new pair of boots for Christmas, and after a day of wearing them, developed a blister.

No problem, so I thought; I'll just wear my Chucks again; everything will be fine.

This was on Wednesday. On Thursday, the blister popped, and I was racked with a fever. I thought it might be the flu, and on Friday, yeah, I was driving the bowl, so to speak. But the fever broke, and I was feeling better on Saturday. But my right foot, the pinkie toe, well...

It was not pretty. In fact it was black, and had a hole of about the head of a Q-tip in it. Plus the foot had swollen up real bad.

Now, some of you might not know, but I am diabetic, and this is one of those fears you get. On Monday, the swelling was not down, the toe was not un black, and off to the doctor I went.

To be told that yeah, the whole foot was infected, and badly so. I mean, I can't even feel a THING on my foot; nothing. Nada.

The doctor shot me with some antibiotics, and then gave a script for some more, but said that it only had a 30% chance of working, and that I should return on Thursday...and be prepared to lose the pinkie toe, or, and this is what he stressed, more then likely the whole foot will have to be amputated.

I mean, he is serious, and I appreciate that. Now, while I have been mentally prepared for this for some time, I think I would still prefer to have all of my foot stay, although losing the toe would not be as bad as losing the whole foot, correct?

So any good thoughts, prayers, you know, hey, it's great if you have the time for them...

As I said to Antoine (a friend of mine who was over on NYE with his lovely wife and bouncing boy), that while I am very certain that I will lose the foot, I am also hoping I am wrong. Otherwise I will have to get used to nick names like 'Stubby' and 'Hop along TJ' and things like that...

If your foot doesn't look miraculously better this morning, then you shouldn't be seeking advice on PC, you should be at the nearest competent ER.

[Rae Vynn]

There's a candle lit for you.

I second, third, and eighteenth the advice to get yourself to a good wound hospital stat. My mother-in-law (also diabetic) almost died from an infection... however, a good hospital, IV antibiotics, and specialty care pulled her through.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by mojo

Im the guy whose sister went to Kaiser with the worst headache she'd ever had ,that felt like a spike in her head.
She was given some aspirin and an appointment to see a specialist a month later.She died in her car the next day of brain hemorrhage.
If my sister had looked up her symptoms in any home medical guide,she would have known that she needed an MRI immediately.
You have to be your own advocate and DEMAND treatment, because the HMOs dont want to spend money if they can avoid it.
For my sister they saved the cost of the MRI and any subsequent surgery.

I agree you have to be your own advocate. But "Demanding" will get you know where. Go to a doctor armed with information, questions, concerns, but demanding things may get you something you don't need, isn't in your best interest, and a pissed off doctor that won't be your best advocate.

If you feel your treament isn't appropriate seeking another opinion elsewhere is a good idea, but the demanding patient who doesn't know what they're talking about gets you a reputation and will ultimately work against you.

[Lola'05]

Would substituting the word "requesting" smooth your feathers? A patient has the right to expect correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment in a timely manner. I noticed that the OP didn't mention a wound culture being done. I would think that would have helped in prescribing the correct antibiotics.

I do hope he took the advice offered here this morning and got himself immediately to the nearest, best ER.

My prayers are with him.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by Lola'05

Would substituting the word "requesting" smooth your feathers? A patient has the right to expect correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment in a timely manner. I noticed that the OP didn't mention a wound culture being done. I would think that would have helped in prescribing the correct antibiotics.

I do hope he took the advice offered here this morning and got himself immediately to the nearest, best ER.

My prayers are with him.

Enquiring as to whether a particular test or treatment would be a good idea and if not then asking why it isn't would "smooth my feathers". Again, being your own advocate doesn't mean you should demand what you think you need or what you cousin Jake who went to nursing school for 3 months until he dropped out or your step sister who's a psychiatrist said you needed. It means being armed with as much information as you can reasonably collect and asking questions and assuring the physician you wish to do all you can to arrive at the proper diagnosis without any unnecessary or inappropriate tests, treatments or expense. Doing the wrong thing can lead to improper diagnosis, treatment, expense and delay the proper diagnosis and treatment.

But I suspect you're right. I'd bet that we haven't heard from the OP b/c he's currently "enjoying" the comforts of a hospital bed while savoring the fine hospital cuisine and the loving attention of any number of nurses attending his every need....and hopefully he's getting antibiotics most of us can't pronounce the names of and starting to heal up.

[viking31]

Although I have no reason to doubt TJ's story, the whole thing just doesn't make sense. Someone, who is a diabetic, shows up to a doctor with a toe infected so bad it is black with a deep ulcer (is that not extremely serious, perhaps the beginning stages of gangrene??) has no feeling in his entire foot, gets shot up full of antibiotics, told then to go home for the holidays, and also informed that we will most surely amputate your toe and most likely (70% chance) we'll amputate your entire foot in a few days.

My question is, would a situation such as this require inpatient hospitalization??? Are infections such as these not possible to treat more effectively with IV supervision in a hospital setting rather than just sending the patient home???



Rick
#4 2006

[Fibb222]

Originally Posted by viking31

My question is, would a situation such as this require inpatient hospitalization??? Are infections such as these not possible to treat more effectively with IV supervision in a hospital setting rather than just sending the patient home???

In Canada, you wouldn't be sent home that's for sure. Good luck TJ.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by viking31

Although I have no reason to doubt TJ's story, the whole thing just doesn't make sense. Someone, who is a diabetic, shows up to a doctor with a toe infected so bad it is black with a deep ulcer (is that not extremely serious, perhaps the beginning stages of gangrene??) has no feeling in his entire foot, gets shot up full of antibiotics, told then to go home for the holidays, and also informed that we will most surely amputate your toe and most likely (70% chance) we'll amputate your entire foot in a few days.

My question is, would a situation such as this require inpatient hospitalization??? Are infections such as these not possible to treat more effectively with IV supervision in a hospital setting rather than just sending the patient home???
Rick
#4 2006

Actually, the black toe, no feeling and symptoms of a localized infection would, often, result in a discharge home on oral antibiotics. However, once there's fever it's a new animal entirely and admission is usually (if not always) advised for a diabetic.

[TJandGENESIS]

Originally Posted by Godiva

I would so see someone else and real soon. "You're gonna lose your foot, here's a shot, take these pills and see you later"? Gee, I don't think so.

If this was so serious, why was it on an outpatient basis? Why weren't you admitted until the infection was under control?

I got a script for antibiotics...but it seems I am allergic to them. I have spent the day in agony; I just got sitting up. I may have to go to the ER, but we'll see.

The reason the doctor sent me home? Because I have no health insurance, as many American's don't, and a IV drip costs thousands, and will, in all likely hood, my foot will still have to be removed...so the doctor thinks it's a waste of money, to which I tend to agree.

Thanks for the thoughts; I'll keep everyone informed.

[patsparks]

Hey it's just a foot. Might mess up your football game but...

I hope it all goes well for you TJ. I'm shocked that you are at home not in a hospital receiving the best available care. Every centimetre of every limb is important for you and everyone around you, do everything possible to keep as much of you in tact as possible. At the same time I understand the doctor wanting to minimise the amount of flesh he needs to remove but still stop the infection. I somehow doubt your GP is a specialist in this area, that's why I thought you would be in a place specialists tend to hang out, a hospital.

Take care and avoid the people who pull chicken livers out of your leg.

My thoughts are with you.
Pat