Yesterday around 10:30 a.m. I started to notice i was scratching my hand and it was burning. I look down later on and saw my pinkie had blown up. Then it started to spread through out the entire hand and it was getting bigger and filled with fluid.
I told my boss and he sent me to the 'heath and wellness' center at my job. They gave me some benedril and took my temp and it was at 100. Said it would be best if i went home.
I waited a bit because I didn't want to lose out on pay but then the pills kicked in and i got soo tired. So i went home and my hand hurt all night. This morning I woke up and the hand is still just as swollen as yesterday and hurts but I am going to work but unsure if something is really wrong.
What should i do? I have no insurance and I don't need another bill to pay. I think its just a insect bite I took a reaction too so it should go away right?
mRm2008
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
OMG I hope it feels better soon! It also sounds like a skin reaction! Did you come in contact with anything you normally wouldn't be around???
heathermatt
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wow...that seems weird...hope you feel better
truelove5803
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It sounds like a spider bite or something to me....Is it still itchy?
Espo22
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that happens to me ALOT with spider bites...and i also had a fever one time i went to the doctor. Benadryl usually helps but sometimes it needs something a little more. They just gave me i think a hydrocortisone shot mixed with something else. PLUS that one time it was real bad, i had to take about 7-10 pills a day for 2 weeks bc of how bad it was.
how much does your doc charge for a visit? bc all theyll do is give you a shot so if the visit fee is not alot then it wont be bad. Some docs will charge you less if you dont have insurance and try to help you out
nifheim
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
it itches only a tiny amount. My joints hurt though in my hand and i type for a living so it makes it worse . I guess if it doesn't go down even more tomorrow I will go to a doctor. DAMN IT go figure after next month I will have insurance thanks to FH!!! Grrrr
Espo22
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Posted by nifheim
it itches only a tiny amount. My joints hurt though in my hand and i type for a living so it makes it worse . I guess if it doesn't go down even more tomorrow I will go to a doctor. DAMN IT go figure after next month I will have insurance thanks to FH!!! Grrrr
do you or fh have a doc that will help you out?
feel better soon
AR31
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you had an allergic reaction.. bendaryl should bring it down.. however, if you notice any further swelling on your pinky, so the rash spreading please go to the hospital..
and of course, any chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizzyness, severe cramps, nausea call 911.. people become allergic to things overnight.. hope you are feeling better..
BNBride60
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
Oh boy - I can relate to this SO much. It sounds like what you are experiencing is known as 'Angioedema' and yes, it sounds like an allergic reaction. Aside from the benadryl, the best thing you can do for yourself is go to Walgreen's right now and by Zyrtec, this is one of the strongest anithistamines available AND its nondrowsy AND it just went over the counter on January 24th!! That should really help you, especially since you have no insurance.
If your lips, mouth, tongue or throat swell - IMMEDIATELY go to the hospital.
KarinAmanda
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
wow sounds EXACTLY like what happened to me about a month ago. it started in my hand (like i had brushed it against something i was allergic to) it was swollen, itchy and then my fingers blew up. it went to me knees, lips, and then i broke out in hives...
google 'angioedema' and see if it looks like what you have
FM me if you have questions, mine turned out to be an autoimmune disease called A.I. Chronic Urtercaria
HTH I know your pain girl, it ***** ... go to the doc, they may prescribe prednisone
KarinAmanda
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Posted by JB1122
Oh boy - I can relate to this SO much. It sounds like what you are experiencing is known as 'Angioedema' and yes, it sounds like an allergic reaction. Aside from the benadryl, the best thing you can do for yourself is go to Walgreen's right now and by Zyrtec, this is one of the strongest anithistamines available AND its nondrowsy AND it just went over the counter on January 24th!! That should really help you, especially since you have no insurance.
If your lips, mouth, tongue or throat swell - IMMEDIATELY go to the hospital.
wow, i didnt even read this post before i responded
AR31
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I carry an epi w/ at all times.. i've had multiple anaphylactic reactions and close calls after i excercise in any form after i eat any products with wheat or gluten.. otherwise, I can eat all the wheat I want and i'll be fine..
i can totally relate.. so you feel anything weird, just get yourself to a hospital..
KarinAmanda
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Posted by AR31
I carry an epi w/ at all times.. i've had multiple anaphylactic reactions and close calls after i excercise in any form after i eat any products with wheat or gluten.. otherwise, I can eat all the wheat I want and i'll be fine..
i can totally relate.. so you feel anything weird, just get yourself to a hospital..
i now carry one also
AR31
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Posted by KarinAmanda
Posted by AR31
I carry an epi w/ at all times.. i've had multiple anaphylactic reactions and close calls after i excercise in any form after i eat any products with wheat or gluten.. otherwise, I can eat all the wheat I want and i'll be fine..
i can totally relate.. so you feel anything weird, just get yourself to a hospital..
i now carry one also
KarinAmanda
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
Posted by KarinAmanda
wow sounds EXACTLY like what happened to me about a month ago. it started in my hand (like i had brushed it against something i was allergic to) it was swollen, itchy and then my fingers blew up. it went to me knees, lips, and then i broke out in hives...
google 'angioedema' and see if it looks like what you have
FM me if you have questions, mine turned out to be an autoimmune disease called A.I. Chronic Urtercaria
HTH I know your pain girl, it ***** ... go to the doc, they may prescribe prednisone
ETS ... i diagnosed myself before anyone else did. i went to the hospital about 8 days into the hives, swelling etc. because my lips started swelling (it was actually on xmas day). The docs at the hospital were really no help, they told me it was an allergic reaction, fed me benidryl and sent me home with a script for prednisone (which was ok b/c i ended up needed the prednisone for the AICU anyway.) My symptoms persisted, but would get better and worse. I thought it was an allergic reaction to synthroid. There wasnt anything else that changed in my diet, soaps, perfume etc. All in all, my symptoms lasted for about 2 weeks, i was on prednisone for 5 weeks, saw 3 different docs and was in the hospital 2 times.
Go with your gut, dont let a doc or hospital tell you its nothing or simply 'an allergic reaction.' Since my lips were swollen, it could have easily gone to my throad I havent had any symptoms in about 4 weeks...
I had 4 sets of bloodwork done in 10 days. Finally, they did a test called CU Index which determined that I have an autoimmune disease which caused the hives, swelling, pain (angioedema). My body creates antibodies against mast cells or allergic receptors which caused extreme allergic reaction... NOT FUN... and the worst part is that this is something ill have to look out for, for the rest of my life....
STRESS is a major cause of a lot of hives and angioedema, try to relax, dont stress about it or the wedding. See an allergist. If you need a recommendation, let me know!!!
youll be fine!
jenlen
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
Try taking a Zantac or a Pepcid in addition to the benadryl. This is kind of a 'should work in theory' type thing in the pharmacy world, but there hasn't been concrete proof...it works in some people though (like myself).
Benadryl/zyrtec blocks one type of histamine receptors and Zantac/Pepcid blocks a different type...so the theory is that you're blocking almost all the histamine receptors instead of just one (and histamine is what causes that inflammation reaction).
mrsjpc3
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Re: NWR - Q for all you nurses/docs out there
It sounds like cellulitis or something along those lines. Esp if you have a fever. Is it hot, and itchy. Do you notice it traveling up to your hand/arm?
