Sorry to hear about your circulatory problems. In my case it started six or seven years ago when I accidentally turned my wheelchair over and scraped my ankle. The scrape refused to heal. We washed it daily and applied antibiotic creams but it didn’t do much good. My doctor prescribed oral antibiotics but they didn’t help either.
Eventually my feet and ankles started swelling up. The swelling would come and go. The doctor said it was edema caused by poor circulation and that was probably due to sitting in a wheelchair all the time.
Then last fall it took a turn for the worse. My right lower leg started developing blisters that would pop and drain water. Went to the doctor and he prescribed more antibiotics. This prescription included penicillin and I broke out into a terrible hot itchy red rash over most of my body. So then I had to take pills to counteract that, and creams to soothe the rash and itching. Took about a week or more to get rid of that.
In the meantime a second course of antibiotics didn’t help. Then the left foot and leg began swelling. My left foot is now so swollen I can’t put my shoe on.
Then by Christmas I had water and gunk coming out of both lower legs and a layer of skin came off a 6 inch swath over my lower left leg and my right leg developed oozing sores.
My doctor said that I’d probably have to have bypass surgery and if that didn’t cure it, I might lose my legs. He sent me to a cardiovascular surgeon who said basically the same thing.
The cardiovascular surgeon sent me to the VA hospital where he said they had a great cardiovascular team. The first VA doctor who examined me sent me home with antibiotics to fight the cellulitis that was creeping up my legs nearly to the knees and ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
I went back to the VA ten days later for a follow-up and this doctor was so concerned about the swelling, redness and weeping/oozing that she didn’t want to send me home. She wanted to admit me right there on the spot either for emergency surgery or intravenous antibiotics. She was worried my blood would get infected and then I’d really have some serious problems.
She called in a surgeon to have a look and he listened to my arteries with a Doppler device, measured blood pressures in my arms and legs and came to the conclusion that it was not an emergency situation. A second surgeon came in and concurred. Then the chief cardiovascular surgeon came in and and ran some tests, asked a lot of questions and concluded it probably was not arterial, but a venous problem that could be solved without surgery. He said, don’t worry Mr. Robinson, we know your legs are important to you and we will save them. Thank God!
He wrapped my feet and legs in a compression bandage and sent me home.
In the meantime, the doctor had taken a culture of some stuff oozing out of my sore left big toe that I had smashed and lost the toenail on, and she called my yesterday to say it was definitely infected. She prescribed antibiotics to fight that infection.
I went in yesterday for ultrasound and x-rays. Don’t have the results on those yet. The nurse changed my compression dressings while I was there and scheduled me in twice a week for regular changes.
Have an appointment next Tuesday for a follow-up on the infection and another in three weeks at the surgery clinic. So, we’re sitting here waiting and praying.
Thank you all very much for your prayers.
And I’ll offer prayers for you, my friend.
Prayers for you Mr. Robinson.
Jim
I have prayed that You will continue to shine as a light in the darkness,even in all of your troubles. And it will make those around you realize their trouble’s aren’t so bad.
God Bless you.
RB<><
Having gone through a lot of these kinds of things with my Dad, I know it can be a long process.
And the VA does have good people. My GF is a nurse at the VA here in Indy, met a lot of her co-workers. Good, smart people.
As an aside; Did you happen to read the article posted here: Green Tea helps beat superbugs. Couldn't hurt.
Best wishes and prayers for you, Jim.
Prayers sent for your recoveries.
Glad to hear of the progress. Have any of the Dr's suggested hyperbaric chamber treatments? I have heard of good results in similar cases.
Mad
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please heal your servant and comfort him and his family.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Prayers — and you can see how much you’re loved here!
Wow...all that because of an ankle scrape....sometimes little things can really get out of control. I hope you have a complete recovery as soon as possible.......
Prayers sent for your recovery.
Jim - have they tried any cortisone?
We will pray most fervently for a complete healing and resolution of all these problems, and for wisdom and judgment for your physician team.
UNTO God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The LORD bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.
Prayers up.
And we are all sitting out here waiting and praying along with you. Also praying for Exsoldier as well. God bless both of you and may you both get well and soon.
Jim, you are in my prayers.
Wishing best of health to you Mr. Robinson.
Prayers continue, Jim. Get well soon.
Prayers will be offered for good news on your tests and some relief from the ongoing discomfort and pain.
I hope this has a more positive resolution than what happened to my grandfather. He too was suffering swelling and ulceration caused by poor circulation, but compounded with diabetes. After several years of sores and moderate swelling, necrotic tissue developed, turned gangrenous, and finally appointments with specialists were made. Since it was considered “high priority” at that point, he was examined by a specialist a mere 7 months after the gangrene appeared, during which time a GP had prescribed treatment. Did I mention this is Canada? I’d hate to have “low priority” gangrene (or low-priority anything in a country with socialized health-care)!
So yeah, by then the consensus was for amputation of his bad leg. We played phone tag and eventually contacted another specialist in Canada, who, over the phone stated that the leg could probably be saved - until we told him the size, extent, and physical description of the sores, and that my grandfather had deteriorated to that state over more than half a year under a specific treatment (a treatment regiment he was aghast at - he was shocked that surgical removal of of the necrotic tissue was not undertaken immediately upon its detection). They amputated at the knee.
I’m trying to tell my folks that if a time-critical health crisis emerges, they should come to America, or go international elsewhere, and pay out of pocket and via workplace insurance for rapid care. When days count, domestic health-care is only months away!
It sounds like the VA hospital is not playing games with health-care rationing, and that you are getting it nipped in the bud. I think you have a good case for optimism.