Yikes, what should I do?

**Lizzie** · 04-30-2006, 05:18 PM

This is ridiculous. It doesn't make any sense for any doctor to be reluctant to give antiobiotics in a case such as this. We are not talking about a viral infection where antibiotics are used more to help secondary infections, but an infection of the type antibiotics were created to treat. I knew a doctor who didn't take cat bites seriously and became very ill as a result. He was my husband and had tried to separate our two cats who were fighting. He simply cleaned the wound, went to bed, and went to work at the hospital next day. He came home with a sheet-white face, his arm elevated on a drip stand, full of drugs and furious with the cat because he'd been told that the septicemia could affect his heart. He had worked in emergency rooms for 2 years when this happened, so I'm afraid I know that doctors can be really dumb about cat bites.

Do you have a teaching hospital near you that you can go to? Oral antibiotics will take a day or two to really get to work, at least that's what I remember.

**rg_girlca** · 04-30-2006, 09:02 PM

I cannot believe this.

AAAARRRRGGGGG!!!!!! It won't do any good to rant and rave about this.
The main thing Marie is that I pray that you will be okay.

Do as Grace says and mark a line where the red is now and if it goes any higher, get yourself to a different hospital if you can, or clinic, because like Catty 1 said, this could signal blood poisoning.

I'll be praying for you my dear.

((((((HUGS))))))

***JTM*Coco*pi*Caramel*** · 04-30-2006, 09:21 PM

I drew a line around it right after I got back from the hospital, and it has grown around it a bit, especially in one area. The pain is still the same and I still have trouble moving it. That is the only hospital in our city but Im going to go to the walk in clinic tomorrow to see what they can do I guess. There is red streaking and it worries me a lot. You can actually see the red streaking going from a couple of the punctures up to a vein in my arm

This is just so frustrating! Thanks again for the prayers and I will keep you all updated.

**rg_girlca** · 04-30-2006, 09:38 PM

Oh Marie, to say that I am worried about you, is an understatement.

I still cannot believe the treatment, or I should say, lack of treatment that you have received from these so called doctors.

How I feel for you and will continue with my prayers until I hear a good update from you. We do care.

Please go first thing in the morning to the clinic and I pray that you get a competent doctor this time.

Gentle ((((((HUGS))))))

**Grace** · 04-30-2006, 09:52 PM

I'm glad you have an alternative facility for care.

Another thing you should do - go to the Medical Records Department in the hospital you went to the other two times. Request that they supply you with copies of both E.R. visits. You might have to fill out a form, and might have to pay a small fee for them to copy the records.

I'm assuming it works the same in Canada as in the USA. These are YOUR records, and you have every right to a copy of them. Then if there are any complications due to their stupidity, you have a copy of what they didn't do.

**Laura's Babies** · 04-30-2006, 09:55 PM

Keep at it until someone "MEDICAL" gets as alarmed as we are! This is not sounding good, I am also worried and praying. I am so sorry you are not getting the treatment you deserve to get, total MALPRACTICE! Please keep us posted, I will be checking in the morning FIRST thing on you so post as soon as you can.. Grrrrrr! Prayers going up for you!

**kb2yjx** · 05-01-2006, 06:30 AM

Am Worried!!! Are You Ok??? What Happened??? Please Let Us Know!!!!

**sandragonfly** · 05-01-2006, 07:09 AM

wha??! oh my..

please, please go to somewhere else who will help you! ASAP! and we'll hear back from you really soon..

just almost two years ago now, I got bitten by a very little baby raccoon who was behind me watching 15-20 stray cats eating on my thumb.. (I laid on my hands back). I had my thumb up immediately, he was hanging on it, I scruffed his back neck, pressed it against my thumb until he let it go. a few minutes after I ran in bathroom, two punctures won't stop bleeding, I got really dizzy and felt so nauseaous - I passed out.

nobody was home, I lived alone, red streaks grew in a day and half. luckily, a worried classmate/friend bothered to stop by, found me laying very pale (had my arm under my neck, head down on toilet rim - was going to throw up! - pressured the vessels), took me to hospital. my blood was posioned a bit, and my reaction to the bite was very common, serve allergic! just to a bite. quick dirty parasites from teeth/salvia you can't see went inside and had a festival. scary.

anyway, so glad your dad is around with you and BE OK! I sure hope you'll write a couple of complaints! we'll help. superunbelievable.

**rg_girlca** · 05-02-2006, 08:27 AM

I just popped in before going to work and I was so glad to see your post Marie.
I'm happy to hear that your arm is looking much better today.
I pray that tomorrow will be an even better day for you.

((((((HUGS))))))

**kb2yjx** · 05-02-2006, 01:44 PM

Yes, Grace is correct to say to take ALL the pills, and elevate your arm, and may I add warm soaks for 5-10 minutes a few times a day. Yes, if you should eat yogurt. If you do not like yogurt, take some acidiphilos(sp) caps. Keep drinking lots of fluids, water is the best!!! Did I leave anything out???
Sandra, the other RN

**Lizzie** · 05-02-2006, 01:44 PM

I'm very relieved to hear there has been some improvement. I suggested yogurt because the antibiotics will kill off the good-for-you flora in your gut and the yogurt will help to put it back. The antibiotics may also cause a certain looseness of the bowels (sorry!) and that's why it is best to avoid all dairy except yogurt, which you are doing anyway. Apparently, dairy products draw liquid to the small intestines and so make things worse (funnily enough, it was the doctor who was bitten who told me that).

It is hard to complain, but very necessary. Doctors and nurses can be incredibly good, but even the best make silly mistakes or have off days

**Laura's Babies** · 05-02-2006, 04:07 PM

I am checking on you again today too! Glad to hear it is better today, keep up with the meds.... Those antibotics are making you feel bad, make SURE you do not take on a empty stomach! One round of some I took wacked me out so bad that I came in from work one day at 2 pm, fell on the couch in my uniform and did not wake up until the next norning...

***JTM*Coco*pi*Caramel*** · 05-02-2006, 05:16 PM

Thanks for checking! Yes Im taking my pills and eating the right things, staying away from dairy besides the yogourt

My body is still ummmmmmm doing some strange things though lol! Im feeling a lot better though and the redness in my arm is going down. I can move it a lot better now too! The antibiotics still upset my stomach even though I eat with them but I guess thats just the way it is!

Thanks for caring and checking in everyone

**rg_girlca** · 05-02-2006, 10:30 PM

Just checking in before I'm off to bed and I must say I am very happy to hear that your arm is doing much better.

"PHEW"

Antibiotics play havoc on my system also. Hopefully it will ease off for you in a day or so.

Take care and ((((((HUGS)))))))

***JTM*Coco*pi*Caramel*** · 05-03-2006, 09:07 AM

Ahhhh I think Im heading to being healthy again soon

The redness is only a little around the punctures now!
The majority of my forearm is bruised though in all different colors!
At least I can move it though! I was able to go back to the gym today but I stayed away from working my arms.
Im still struggling with the anitbiotics though and it is weird they have never bothered me before

Maybe it is the type and strength that is doing it?
But I am for sure feeling better! Just thought I would check in and let you know!
Thanks again everyone

PS-Only 6 more days of antibiotics to go