Injury or Disease? Either way I'm out

[Kaiser]

I am out of bike riding and lifting, at least for this week. A spot on my arm has been swollen for about two weeks and two nights ago the arm thing migrated to the thumb tendon and the pain was so bad I couldn't sleep so I saw my doctor - he thinks it is fluid and swelling of a tendon; (forget the name of it), or perhaps an infection although he said he doubts that my profuse amount of cycling would have caused either. Still, I have to keep off of it for this week, so no riding or lifting for at least a week. I've got some new generation anti-inflammatory meds to take.

Oh yeah, I have to take a course of antibiotics while I wait for the Lyme Disease and West Nile blood tests to come back since I've been fatigued for that same amount of time. It's great to be me! At least it isn't like last year where I had the hernia and subsequent surgery that kept me out for 2 months.

Meds, meds, meds. Have to balance taking the antibiotic twice a day with the anti-inflammatory, with my vitamins. Now I know how the elderly feel.

[wauhawk]

Well maybe if someone gives you an enima you might know how the elderly feel.

Cheer up bud you will bounce back. You always do. Even if you don't you may still dream of Beth Horn

[russ]

he thinks it is fluid and swelling of a tendon; (forget the name of it)

Did he use the term 'tenosynovitis' (inflammation of the tendon and its sheath)?

or perhaps an infection although he said he doubts that my profuse amount of cycling would have caused either.

Hope not. I had cellulitis near my right elbow 3 years ago. Not much fun, though it cleared up after a few days of IV antibiotics (the pills didn't touch it..)

Oh yeah, I have to take a course of antibiotics while I wait for the Lyme Disease and West Nile blood tests to come back since I've been fatigued for that same amount of time.

Is West Nile in your neck of the woods as well?

Meds, meds, meds. Have to balance taking the antibiotic twice a day with the anti-inflammatory, with my vitamins. Now I know how the elderly feel.

Injuries blow, but you know you'll be back at it in no time [img]smile.gif[/img] . At least you don't have to balance your meds with a 'heart pill' and a 'diabetes pill' [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Kaiser]

Did he use the term 'tenosynovitis' (inflammation of the tendon and its sheath)?

I don't remember. Usually, I'm pretty good in noting that sort of thing too.

Is West Nile in your neck of the woods as well?

Yes, Illinois led the nation last year in WNV cases. Actually, that test came back negative - now I'm waiting for the Lyme test (which for some reason is taking longer).

[russ]

now I'm waiting for the Lyme test (which for some reason is taking longer).

Let's hope that it's negative as well [img]smile.gif[/img]

[gardener]

It's interesting that a search turns up only this thread as using the word "celluilitis"--which until last weekend I would have thought had to do with things women worried about on their thighs and abdomens.

I now know better. It started last Thursday morning with a funny metallic taste, and then in the evening wih a fairly local inguinal itch. Friday about 9 after a gym session in which everything was just off somehow, I noticed (couldn't miss it!) swelling and obvious inflamation throughout the groin. I considered ignoring it, but finally called my family physician. He saw me right away and after a very cursory exam called a urology group round the corner and got me in immediately. The urologist, who looked young enough to have just made Eagle Scout, said it was cellulitis, that it was serious and that I had two choices: antibioltic treatment at home with somewhat effective drugs or the more recommended course, inpatient hospital treatment with much, much stronger stuff. Cellulitis, he said, was no laughing matter, especially in the penile area. Two hours later (skipping emergency room admission procedures of five to seven hours) I was in a semi-private room, an IV dripping antibiotics into my arm.

More was involved, much more, than antibiotics, although stronger and stronger antibacterial and antiviral drugs were used for 3 1/2 days. I was tested for Lyme and other tick-related diseases, Herpes I and II, West Nile, and on an on and on. (I refused HIV tests, as completely unkeeping with my lifestyle from age 18 on.) I am very needle aversive, but was stuck 30 to 40 times. In two days the infection was much improved, and I could go on to oral antibiotics at home, but getting released from the hospital finally depended on the judgment of a nephrologist and an infectious disease nurse practitioner.In all, 8 doctors were involved.

Every aspect of my blood chemistry as of yesterday is now on record. Kidney function is slightly impaired but stable. Everything else is okay, including prostate.

The cause? Nobody knows, except that it's not herpes, Lyme, or West Nile. A tick bite still might be involved. All the blood and urine samples in the hospital lab turned up nothing, although the mystery might be solved with a couple more tests, and office visits to 3 doctors in the next couple of weeks.

There's much to be said about other stuff learned in those 4 days in the hospital, but I'll keep quiet now, except mentioning that $20,000 will probably be the bill and that I'm damned glad and lucky to have decent health insurance. And celllitis is serious stuff, Anyone who has an injury leading to marked inflamation should take notice, so it wouldn't be a bad idea for active persons to get acquained with the symptoms of cellulitis--and its potentially damaging, even life-threatening possible consequences.

[hard_rox]

Luckily you caught the infection as early as you did, Gardener. Sounds like a nasty condition.

[russ]

I'm sorry to hear about your illness, but glad to hear that you have recovered. Hopefully, your renal funcion will return to normal.

I had a nasty case of cellulitis involving my right elbow (and subsequently most of my right arm) about 6 years ago. I required IV antibiotics as well.