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.
Thanks for the update. Good luck with everything, and I will certainly keep you in my prayers.
I’m no doctor and I don’t even play one on Free Republic, but my only advice would be vitamin supplements:
1. B-complex 100 (capsule)
2. Ester-C (1,000mg) (2x500mg capsules)
3. Coenzyme Q10 softgel (100mg)
4. A vitamins A (10,000iu) & D (400iu) combo softgel.
5. Fish oil softgel (1200mg)
Also, swallow a mouthful of raw bee pollen with some juice. All this stuff will help you feel better and get better. It’s been my regimen for twenty years+ and I swear by it.
FRegards,
LH
Continuing heartfelt prayers for your health and your family
I accidentally turned my wheelchair over and scraped my ankle. The scrape refused to heal./snip/
He wrapped my feet and legs in a compression bandage and sent me home.
My heart goes out to you JimRob, and my prayers are with you.
My dad fought with a similar issue for 4 years, which began from wearing a special boot he had to wear to take pressure off of his achilles tendon. The area turned black, skin sloughed off, and it oozed. Surrounding skin began to peel and deteriorate as well, from edema. He went through anti-biotics, creams, tests, infections, etc. Finally a VA Dr at the Urgent Care Clinic sent him to a Wound Care Specialist who ordered him to wear a compression bandage and gave him a salve. Wish I knew the name of that salve! The Wound Care Spec also ordered him to discontinue wearing the boot. In just 3 weeks his leg, ankle and foot showed signs of healing. After 2 months wearing the compression stocking all-day every day he was reduced to wearing it just 8 hours each day and was eventually withdrawn from the bandage. His leg is fully recovered now... and he still doesn't need the boot.
A rather long tale, but the point is to illustrate that miracles DO happen. I'm praying for you to receive a miracle. Keep the Faith!
Blessings your way and Prayers UP
I’ll pray for you, Jim.
Prayers for you, Jim.
Get well soon!
Heavenly Father we come today in the name of Jesus!
Father you have told us in your Word that whatever we bind on earth is bound in Heaven...Father we bind all the spirits of sickness and diseases that’s bothering our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Father You said in Your written Word that “we have not because we ask not”. You also said wherever two or three are gathered in Your Name...You will be there also.
We know Jesus restored the sight of the blind...He made the lame walk, the lepers were cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life.
We know Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Nothing is to bad that He can’t fix it.
Please Father in the precious Name of Jesus...His Name is the Name above all others...please...please heal ALL the sickness and diseases in these good folks. You know the one’s that need healed.
Thank you Father
AMEN & AMEN!!!
Prayers for you, Jim.
Prayers for you Jim. Lots for a long time beacon in my life.
Hey Jim, hope you get to feeling better. I’m no doctor, nor am I a hippie, but I use this site for myself and my family for home remedies. It’s not a sales site or some kind of snake oil gimmick. Check around and you might find a little relief. I’ve used many of the home remedies and some work, and some, not so much. It’s a whole lot of drink this and apply that, but it has good results.
Try honey for some of the sores or blisters, and try drinking natural Apple Cider Vinegar as well. Old fashioned Blackstrap Molasses works well also, and it’s good in coffee.
Here’s the link, and good luck and get well soon.
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/diabetes.html
Jim, you’re in our daily thoughts and prayers. Hang in there. No doubt in my mind you’ll pull through just fine — especially with these many freepers praying for you! You’re family here, keep that in mind. And keep us posted.
I am praying for you.