Well, unfortunately, athough I'm trying ( it's slow going) I'm having a difficult time completing today's project. I'm also having a hard time trying to type this post. You see, I suffer terrible every year this time from eczema and it always settles in the same place -- my left hand, right between the fingers. Last night, I lost some sleep because of the itching, and then came pain!!! And, throbbing! What little sleep I managed to get left me feeling physically drained, and I awoke with swelling so bad that several of my fingers wouldn't bend, and moe discoloration, pain and throbbing. I noticed a couple of days ago a little minor swelling and just keep applying the hydrocortizine I'd been prescribed thinking it would just go down; it was itching but not painful, so I just overlooked it as normal. I don't know if I was rubbing/scratching at the itching areas too much or what, but this infection definitely set in really quick. This is what I got up to this morning:
As you can see, during the night the infection worsened and spread below the knuckles of the fingers and down into the upper portion of my hand. My doctor prescribed an antiboitic to take for the usual 10 days; I took one when I got back home and I only awoke about an hour ago. She also gave me a prescription for Tylenol 3 with codein for the pain (which I probably won't take). Once the infection is gone, she said we'll deal with something to help re-soften the skin, which is sandpaper dry, and something to help get rid of the discoloration and bring the natural color back.
Thank God I had a doctor's appointment today and didn't have to go sit in an emergency room!!! I deal with the itching, discoloration and dryness every year; however, I've never had an infection to set in before. You wouldn't believe how painful it is!
Overall, I've decided I'm not going to let it keep me from doing what I enjoy -- but it will take me a bit longer, so please bear with me. I really hope to post something to share with you all tomorrow and if I don't get around to visiting you between this evening and tomorrow, I am on my way! It's not easy trying to type with 2 fingers that don't want to cooperate -- LOL!!!
I'll be seeing you!
23 comments:
OMG Audrey! that really looks painful! I came to thank you for the congrats and I can't believe you managed to post a comment with your poor had like that! What a true friend! Hope things get better FAST! (I was pretty darn excited about the Chirp thing too but I sure wish they'd start emailing me copies again!) xxD
Ahm ... is it OK to say Holy Crap! Your poor little digits! That DOES look painful.
I hope your project helps you to forget so you get at least a bit of mental relief.
In the meantime, might I offer a bit of what I'm sure will end up being miles of completely uneducated advice: Fill a sink with VERY cold water, stick your hand in a giant ziplock and dunk.
Cold is excellent help against swelling ... unless your physician has specifically said NO cold. Then, like I said, ignore my non-medically-educated advice. :)
Oh Audrey, that does look very very painful. You shouldn't be trying to be doing anything right now. You need to be resting that poor hand...I hope the antiboitics kick in real soon. hugs Sandy
Thank you all for your concer, I truly appreciate it. It's a little difficult to do things right now but this is helping a lot to keep my mind off the shooting pains and constant throbbing. It's harder to just lay down and ignore them.
CuddyBunny, thank you for your advice; unfortunately, the doctor said putting my hand on an icepack was probably what caused it to swell so quickly allowing the infection to spread. She also said no "heat", so go figure. I appreciate your advice though!
Like I said and always will!!! You guys are the greatest!!!
Isn't that a terrible condition?! My family suffers from that in different places. I found out it was hereditary. There are some great places out there doing research on this disease and I hope they figure it out! Prayers for you. Excitement for your blog! Keep pushing forward.
Oh dear Audrey. All that I can say is that I am sooooo sorry! I get little patches of exczema on my hands through the winter (nothing like yours) and it is painful and itchy (again, nothing like yours). My doctor prescribes Moisturel (a cream with Triamcinilone in it). I think that it is magic. I put it on the affected areas and wrap them, and they clear up in a few days. I wish you a speedy recovery and I toast your toughness!
Oh Audrey, It does look painful, I'll pray that it goes away soon.
I have a project to contribute to your showcase, but I'm trying to figure out how to keep my blog candy post up top. If you know, could you let me know? I'll try to post it tomorrow. Shari (cricutrookie)
Oh Audrey, I feel so bad for you. I do hope you'll recover quickly from this. If you don't mind I'd like to ask you a couple of questions about it because my youngest daughter (age 2 1/2) was diagnosed with eczema when she was only 6 weeks old and we've just had to "treat" it ever since.
Have you always had eczema?
Has your doctor recommended anything to prevent it from coming on so badly?
Is is cased by a reaction to anything? (I have a girl friend who gets blistering eczema on her hands and feet when she eats cresent rolls, of all things!)
Sorry for all the questions I'm just very concearned. Please don't feel you need to reply untill you're feeling well again if you want to answer them at all.
Hugs,
Kristina
OMG it looks like it hurts so bad, i hope you feel better real soon ,
Thank you guys, you're all wonderful!
To respond to several comments: I really hope researchers do find some relief for eczema because it really is uncomfortable. And, I'll definitely be asking about the Moisturel. Normally, my doc gives me a hydrocortizone injection between my fingers and the pill. This works in a couple of days too. However, this time I thought I'd just deal with it until it went away on it's own (NOT!!!) Anyway, with the swelling infection, she couldn't do the direct injection. She has to treat the that first, then we can work on the eczema.
I know this is long but I want to answer Kristina: I've had it from childhood, but then it was in my hair and other places. It has only been affecting my hand the last 10-15 years. They say it's hereditary, but I don't know of anyone else in my family that has it, and my doctor(s) have always treated mine with hydrocortizone. I believe that some food items aggravate it too, I seem to itch more when I have coffee, so caffein may stimulate it. Also, hot water, and soap! Definite no-no's. Also, I think if I'd just taken myself to the doctor at the onset of the breakout, it wouldn't have gotten this bad. My mistake was in being used to it coming and going, and thinking it would just go away on it's own without the hydrocortizone. Now I know for certain (the hard way) whatever prescription your doctor recommends is better than nothing!My doctor also recommends my using Eucerin between breakouts (?)and not lotions with perfume or harsh ingredientsa. She says it helps to keep the skin moist preventing the eczema from becoming so severe when breakout occurs. I guess because eczema is instigated from dry skin. Anyway, I feel badly for your daughter. So many children suffer with it and I can't imagine how it is for them to deal with, and I am so sorry. But, all I can recommend is to keep taking her to the doctor, hopefully they can find a good relief for her. I know you feel terrible when she goes through it. Wish I could help more.
OMG, Audrey. You poor thing. That looks really painful. My daughter suffers from that, too, but never to that extreme.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!
hope you get better real fast, take care of your self!!!
audrey, even in your physically challenged situation, you still think of others and share in an open, honest and sincere manner. we are inspired by your creations and your strength!!! i wish you a speedy recovery and painfree crafting! p.s. i received the flagbook and posted a thank you on my blog.
Oh my Audrey! That looks quite painful indeed.
Sending you fast healing thoughts so you can get back to your wonderful creativity.
OMG Audrey,
I am so sorry to hear about your hand and that you are in pain. I sure do hope you feel better soon. The "girl cramps" I woke up with this morning are nothing compared to what you are going through.
I will be praying for a speedy recovery for you.
Feel better soon
Stacy
Dang Audrey!!! That looks so painful. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
BTW, there is a book called the Inflamation Syndrome you might want to ask your doctor about. It might help you track down your triggers. MY BIL has terrible arthritis and it's helped him tremendously. Apparently different foods can really affect your immune system.
Oh honey ~ that looks so painful! I have had daycare kiddos with eczema, but on the back of their knees and other "warm" places. To not have use of your hand must be slowing you down so much!!
I admire you for keeping up with your crafting through the pain! I hope that nasty infection heals soon!!!
WOW Audrey! I am sorry to hear about your hand! What did the doctor say? Is it better now? I received your message on my blog! thanks for checking in! I do have an 8x8 LO of myself I completed for a sister to sister LO swap we just did on Sistas Scrap Too...but I have to wait til all the sistas receive theirs before I can take a pic and post....
I also completed an MLK LO in Feb that I have not posted yet...at least I don't think I did...I will post that as well...I am working on a card to send to my girlfriend that is serving in Iraq right now...will post when finished...I want to get it done this weekend so I can mail it out!
Take care of that hand and yourself Lady!!
OMGOSH you poor girl...hope it is getting better for you. My dear friend had that really bad that I worked with at the flower shop.
Thank you sooo much for coming in and checking on me!
hugs
Brenda
stop by my blog I have something for you!
I hope you feel better today...much better.
(AUDREY) Hugs are coming your way - it looks very painful and I'm praying for your quick recovery! You are such a special lady!
Hugs,
Bea
I've been w/o internet for over a week and was reading your posts on your hand today. I'm so sorry your going through this. I hope that it's getting better with the med's. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you (((HUGS)))
OMGoodness, Audrey! I totally feel for you. My little one has exzema that I think she is finally growing out of, but she used to get it so bad on her scalp and back of neck that one year just about all of her hair fell out and she just couldn't stop scratching. I don't have to tell you about the oozing sores she got as well. It was a miserable time. I hope you are doing much better now and the uncomfortable irritation is gone.
Big Hugs, RobinJ
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