I could use some of your thoughts and prayers ***UPDATE*** 10-2-08 post #16

[Catlady711]

I have to go to a specialist!!!:(

I've had problems with ingrown toenails for many, many years. They've never been a big deal before, I just dig out the ingrown part, put some antibiotic cream on it and wait until the nail grows back in, repeat. I've never had to go to the doctor for them before.

About a year ago I smacked my large toenail on a wall and it lifted it up. Since then it's become yellowed, and looks very strange. The last couple months I noticed it was curling under on the sides, which it's never done before. I still didn't think to much about it. I had looked up online that nail fungus is fairly common and can be cause by such an injury.

Because of that I didn't think to much about it when I had a round of athletes foot about a month or so ago. I treated that like I had in the past rare occasions I've gotten it, chalked it up to the nail and walking barefoot around the public pool. The athletes foot didn't go completely away though like it had before.

So you're wondering what all this has to do with the title, a specialist, or an ingrown nail? :confused:

Well my nail has ingrown again, but this time because of the curling I can't get to it to get it cut back out and with the fungus I'm afraid to go digging in there anyways.

So at 5a.m. this morning my toe throbbing woke me up. I'm not a happy camper when anything wakes me up that early, let alone a painful toe I can't fix. I made an appt with my doctor and scheduled at work to get a lengthy lunch so I could go today. Well my regular doctor said he can't do anything for it because of the fungus and depth of ingrown and I need to see a foot specialist!

I've never had to go to a specialist for anything before. I just figured my regular doctor could just make a cut in the nail, remove the offending piece, give me some antibiotics and anti fungal stuff and boom, be on my way. But no such luck. I did get something for pain/swelling though.

I had to call my insurance to make sure the foot dr. is covered. Well turns out she is but I've only met $200 (counting today) of my $800 deductable for the year, so most of this if not all is going to be out of pocket expense.

And to boot I'm told she'll probably have to numb my toe and remove the entire nail!!!!:eek::eek: I'm having flashbacks of the screaming and hyperventelating I did when they numbed my finger for the stitches in the spring. My regular doctor gave me something for anxiety and said to not drive myself and be sure to take the medication before my appt. with the specialist.

I have an appt with the specialist this Thursday at 2p.m. I'm so nervous about this. How much is it gonna hurt? Will I still be able to walk, wear shoes when they're done? How much is this going to set me back financially?

Basically I'm a worried wreck about it and could really use your thoughts and prayers please!

[joycenalex]

i'll keep you in my thoughts.

[Moesha]

I've never experience any problems like you are describing, but my brother had ingrown nails that he had surgically removed. He didn't have a nail fungus though, so I don't know how much that complicates things. What they did for him, was to go down and remove the nail root at the sides of his toes, where it would become ingrown. He was able to keep the rest of his toenails though. He said that the first shot to numb the foot was the worst part but he didn't feel anything after that. And that the whole procedure was well worth not having ingrown toenails anymore. I don't recall how long he had the bandage on his toes though. It has been several years ago. Perhaps you could wear shoes with larger toe boxes, like crocs, while you are healing. I always try to get shoes with wide or very round toe boxes. That helps prevent your toes being smashed in shoes and increasing the chances of ingrown toenails.

I have also heard of soaking feet in either vinegar or Listerine to help get rid of nail fungus. It can take several weeks or a few months to get rid of it completely. Although from what I have heard about the anti-fungal medicines, you have to take them for several weeks also and have your liver checked, since they can cause liver problems.

[Karen]

You will probably not want to wear closed shoes for a few days at least. If this will be an issue at work, ask your doctor to write a note. In fact, if you have some sandals that keep your toes free, try to find another shoe you can wear on the other foot that's the same height heel if it's gonna be cold weather.

You'll likely not feel a thing after the initial shot. When the anesthesia wear off, it'll probably ache for a few days, but I doubt it will hurt nearly as much as it does now. Make sure you follow all the post-op instructions to the letter, as feet are a long way from the heart, so can be problematic in terms of circulation. It will SOOOO be worth it, though. Imagine - walking without pain. Isn't that a happy thought?

[RICHARD]

If you find a shoe-sometimes they will give you a shoe/sandal that is made of hard rubber/plastic and has blue velcro straps to secure it to your foot- Make sure you have some powder to put on the bottom of your foot and area where your sole touches the bed of the sandal.

The bed of the shoe had a LOT OF GRIP and if you walk around on it starts to feel like your calluses are being pulled off the bottom of your feet. I really feels nasty and hurts.

Another thing is that you do not realize how many times you bump your foot during the day so be really careful!

Good Luck.

[Grace]

I had an ingrown toe nail removed several years ago. Once the toe was numb, I truly did not feel any pain.

It was warm weather so I just wore my Birkies as usual - kept a loose band aid on when out of the house. I don't remember needing anything stronger than ASA or Motrin for the pain.

[K9karen]

I finally gave in to the torture of an ingrown toenail years ago and saw a podiatrist. The worse part was the d*** needle, which I hate anyway. (They say digit pain, injections are always the worse). Beside that, I felt nothing. It was worth it, really. I got permission to wear sneakers to work for a few days.

I have fungus on my right 3 toes. No clue how I got it, but it's been years. My podiatrist advised NOT taking the prescription drugs, as they don't always work and can have dangerous side effects on the liver. My family doc gave me a local cream to use 2x a day and it started to work after a while, until I kept forgetting to use it. None of the docs knew the reason for the fungus. it may be from decades of wearing nylons, socks....anything that keeps your feet aired out. I think I'm the only one that really notices it.

How'd your appointment go????

[Grace]

I finally gave in to the torture of an ingrown toenail years ago and saw a podiatrist. The worse part was the d*** needle, which I hate anyway. (They say digit pain, injections are always the worse). Beside that, I felt nothing. It was worth it, really. I got permission to wear sneakers to work for a few days.

I have fungus on my right 3 toes. No clue how I got it, but it's been years. My podiatrist advised NOT taking the prescription drugs, as they don't always work and can have dangerous side effects on the liver. My family doc gave me a local cream to use 2x a day and it started to work after a while, until I kept forgetting to use it. None of the docs knew the reason for the fungus. it may be from decades of wearing nylons, socks....anything that keeps your feet aired out. I think I'm the only one that really notices it.

How'd your appointment go????

Have you ever tried PENLAC (http://www.penlac.com/)? It's a fungal treatment that you apply like nail polish. I had a fungal infection once, and my MD prescribed it. Worked great!!

[Catlady711]

Thank you all for the support! It's always nice to know there are people who help make you feel better when you really need it.

I'm def. more nervous about the numbing injections rather than what they'll do after that. I was fine when they did the stitches in my finger once it was numb, but the getting there had me screaming and hyperventilating. *shivers* Actually I'm planning on taking my camera so I can get a couple pix for myself of whatever they do. Wonder how they'll take that from someone who screams over an injection? LOL

The appt with the specialist isn't until 2p.m. this Thursday.

For those of you that have had a toenail removed before, did it grow back? Did you have problems with it again if it did?

[Catty1]

I haven't had this, but have had mild nail fungus...heard that Vick's works great and have used that. It worked.

BUT...gotta do a few more rounds now. ;)

[Grace]

For those of you that have had a toenail removed before, did it grow back? Did you have problems with it again if it did?

Absolutely it grew back; and no, no further problems with it. If there is a fungal infection in the nail bed that would have to be treated, of course.

[Medusa]

I've never experienced this or known anyone who has but I just wanted to offer my support and tell you that prayers are going up that you will feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure. Foot problems are sometimes tough to deal w/because your weight is on them all day. At least you'll more than likely get to sit w/your feet up for a little bit. :)

[RICHARD]

Losing nails ain't so bad, Yes they do grow back and if you 'train' them as the go along you won't have any problems.

To keep the ends from curling down you can file across the top of the nail-
Parallel to the toe.

DO THIS IN STAGES! OR better yet, Ask the doc about how to this!!!!!

What that does it weakens the nail and forces the ends that grow downward to grow flat.

[Freedom]

Never had to deal with any of that. Just want to let you know I am praying for you, that it is all going to be easy, smooth, relatively painfree!

[sparks19]

Catlady... I am in the same boat as you are right now so I am interested to see how it goes for you.

I have actually had this ingrown nail for about 9 months. I know I have to get it removed but I'm too nervous and don't have the money for it right now. it was REALLY painful at first but I seem to be able to get enough of it out from time to time to take the majority of the pain away but it's still there and causes discomfort and then when it grows back it's really painful again until I can get some of it out.

Prayers for you...

[Catlady711]

Well I had my appt with the specialist today. I found that the Motrin really did help with the pain while waiting for today to come, so at least I haven't been so miserable in that dept as I was. My regular doctor did give me some anti-anxiety meds to take before the appt. and I'm happy to report that they helped quite a bit!!!

The foot dr. was really a nice lady. She explained things very well and wasn't pushy or overly technical, and very patient when I explained my fear of needles.

She said the fungus most likely is from my hubby who has cronic athletes foot and doesn't keep it treated. She prescribed a more powerful antifungal cream in a HUGE tube so both of us could use it.

She also offered a surgery for my flat feet that would correct my ankles turning inwards which could cause many more problems if let go later in life. I passed on that one for now.

As far as the ingrown nail went. I had two choices once I got there:

I could have had the whole nail pulled out and it would grow back, most likely ingrown again, and may or may not have still had the fungal infection which could cause the regrown nail to possibly be deformed.

OR

She could do a partial removal just along the side where it's ingrown, treat it with acid and most likely would never have an ingrown toenail again.

Well I debated for a while on that and finally decided I'd just have her do the partial removal and do both big toenails since I was already going to be tortured. Not sure she cared for my remark on the tortured. lol

Anyways, so she only had to give one shot to numb it and it was not near the joint like they did for my finger stitches. She also sprayed it with something extremely cold to help dull the pain of the needle. I actually didn't feel the needle, but I DID very definately feel the sting of the medicine for which she kept appologizing all while she's injecting me. I found that to be much easier to tolerate than with my finger. Of course I cried like a banshee, and hyperventalated, then held my breath until the nurse helping kept repeating over and over to me 'BREATH'! LOL

The dr. said she'd just do the one toe first and see if I still wanted to do both. When she was done she asked if I still wanted that other toe done. I said yes since I was already crying anyways and told her to just freeze the heck out of the sucker and I'd be fine. LOL So a repeat of the above scenario including the nurse repeating 'BREATH'. lol

Once that part was done she left the room for a bit so it could really get numb. She also said that I didn't have to watch the surgery part or if it bothered me to just close my eyes and lay back. Well instead I got out my camera so I could take pix. ROFL She said she's never had a client taking pix of their toes being operated on before. lol I think she kinda enjoyed it though because when she put the long stick with the acid on it at the base of the missing nail she stopped, leaned back and said 'that would make a good picture for you'. ROFL It did too. I did spare you guys by NOT posting the gross pix though. ;)

Once she got in there working she said the bad one was really badly infected and prescribed some antibiotics for 10 days, and when she started in on the second toenail (which I thought wasn't too bad at the time) turns out it had pus in it as well. Hmm, so much for what I used to think of as doing just fine huh?

So anyways I'm supposed to unwrap them tonight, soak them in warm vinegar water, wipe them with peroxide, then put neosporin on them TWICE a day for at least a week when I go back in for my recheck. I'm supposed to keep a bandaid on it all the time, and can wear normal shoes, and still even go to my water aerobics classes!

She said the nail could grow back, not a guarantee it won't, but if it did they could repeat the procedure then she didn't think it would grow back again after that.

It doesn't hurt now at all. She said the numbing would probably last a whole day, which is fine with me.

On my whimp scale for pain: this rated as more painful than having the dentist do a crown on my teeth without novicaine (yes I'm that paranoid of needles) but since it was only 1 injection each and didn't last nearly as long as the dentist drills, overall I'd say it's something I could do again if necessary as long as I had my anti-anxiety pills before the appt. Not sure overall I'd prefer it over the dentist though. ROFL

So here are some before and after pix. I told her when she was done it looked like Christmas decorations with my green bandaged toes with her red wall in the background. ROFL

Here was my toes this morning. The red on the nail is leftover nail polish I tried to remove so my dr. could see the nails. I was afraid to get too close to the nail bed so some of the polish was still there.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/Catlady711/IMG_0401Small.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/Catlady711/IMG_0404Small.jpg

Here's my toes getting numb waiting to be fixed.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/Catlady711/IMG_0406Small.jpg

Here's my Christmas bandages. LOL
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/Catlady711/IMG_0425Small.jpg


So anyways, I'll have to keep you updated on the progress of healing and pictures of it when it's not likely to gross anyone out. lol

Thanks again for the support and prayers, much appreciated!

[Medusa]

Good grief, that description of your ordeal made childbirth sound like brushing your teeth! I'm getting the vapors here! I'm glad you're not in any pain, though. You definitely are a brave one. I think I'd need to be put under for that. We'll keep the prayers going that you heal nicely and quickly. Whew! I'm shaking!

[Catlady711]

it was REALLY painful at first but I seem to be able to get enough of it out from time to time to take the majority of the pain away but it's still there and causes discomfort and then when it grows back it's really painful again until I can get some of it out.


I used to be able to do that to mine too, but after years of doing that the nail bed gets deeper making it even harder and more painful to get it back out. Also I'm told that there can be a 'spur' in your nail that is what's causing it to keep digging in and that part is waaay down there where you're not likely to be able to dig out.

I'll have to see how long before everything heals and if the nail grows back there, but if I never have to put up with swollen painful toe the whole thing will be well worth it.

Good luck with your toenails.

[K9karen]

I'm jealous..you got your toes Christmas wrapped! I got plain white gauze and bandage. How boring. If you're going to suffer, might as well have some fun.

Thanks for the pictures (not! :D) I think it's hysterically funny that you took them while sitting there! I never thought of that!

I opted for a partial removal too. I had forgotten. I've been fine for umpty ump years. I think my right big toe will need help one day.

:D:D:D:D BREATH!!! I take it you hold your breathe in anticipation like I do??? *Smacks you 5* I despise needles too. Just looking at them makes my head spin. Ick.

I'm happy you survived your ordeal! And glad you went! I hope you feel better and that it was a good solution for you!!! Keep wiggling those feetsies!!! :love:

[K9karen]

Have you ever tried PENLAC (http://www.penlac.com/)? It's a fungal treatment that you apply like nail polish. I had a fungal infection once, and my MD prescribed it. Worked great!!

No I haven't. I think my girlfriend used that..the nailpolish part sounds right. She said it worked great too, She used it as the podiatrist kept cutting off the nail. Her feet are beautiful and gets pedicures now!!!

I wrote this down and will ask the doc. Thanks Grace!!

[Catlady711]

I think it's hysterically funny that you took them while sitting there! I never thought of that!

:D:D:D:D BREATH!!! I take it you hold your breathe in anticipation like I do??? *Smacks you 5* I despise needles too. Just looking at them makes my head spin. Ick.


Maybe it's just the photographer in me, or the fact until recently I've never had to have any type of surgery on myself to speak of that I take pictures. Either way it's different.

I don't hold my breath in anticipation so much. Mostly when I'm done hyperventalating I get to crying so hard during the injection that sound and air come out until I'm breathless then I just plain hold it rather than breath back in. Not quite sure if that's normal but I had already told them if I pass out just let me lay there, but wake me up before they start doing anything interesting. ROFL