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Author Topic: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!  (Read 3886 times)

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Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« on: March 25, 2012, 08:57:10 pm »
So, I developed a nasty, golf-ball sized furuncle (boil) under my left underarm. I finally got the courage up to go to Urgent Care today. The doctor said it was almost a Guinness world record breaker.

Had to give me four lidocaine shots in the armpit - as the infection wasn't letting it numb correctly. So, incision completed successfully. The incision is packed with guaze - have to go back Tuesday evening and get the packing removed.

On three scripts - cephalexin, bactrim, and hydrocodone.

Was given a doctors excuse not to return to work until Wednesday - but I am chairing a hiring committee and have 6 people coming for interviews tomorrow - so, I plan on going in. I should be able to take Tuesday off or at the very least work from home.

Little bit of pain right now - and the antibiotics have me feeling a little yucky - but other than that...... doing alright....  oh, and doc said the thing was loaded with puss...  YUCK!!!!!!   Nasty.

Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline Rev. Moon

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  • Posts: 3,787
  • Smart ass faggot ©
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2012, 09:22:23 pm »
Sounds awful, Phil.  Hope it heals well and without much pain.  Stay doped as needed and try to take Tuesday off if possible. 

Hugs.
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"I have tried hard--but life is difficult, and I am a very useless person. I can hardly be said to have an independent existence. I was just a screw or a cog in the great machine I called life, and when I dropped out of it I found I was of no use anywhere else."

Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2012, 09:44:06 pm »
Quote from: Rev. Moon on March 25, 2012, 09:22:23 pm
Sounds awful, Phil.  Hope it heals well and without much pain.  Stay doped as needed and try to take Tuesday off if possible. 

Hugs.

Thanks Rev!
I'm probably not making the best decision going in to work tomorrow - but, there are people who are counting on me to be there - both the  interview panel, and more importantly, those being interviewed. We also have a set time frame to conduct interviews and fill positions, so any delay causes issues.

I see my ID doc tomorrow afternoon also - to get my lab results - and I'm sure she will also take a look at the area where the procedure was done.

Just one of those things that happens - I'm just glad I got the nerve up to go and take care of it. The shots actually hurt more than the procedure. Now, it just feels like a have a bad stab wound in my armpit.....
Yes - I have been stabbed before, so I'm all too familiar with the feeling.

Thanks again for the well wishes.
Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline Miss Philicia

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  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2012, 09:56:17 pm »
Feel better, Phil!
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"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2012, 10:02:18 pm »
Quote from: Miss Philicia on March 25, 2012, 09:56:17 pm
Feel better, Phil!

Thanks Ms. P.
The hardest part is going to be taking the meds on time... every 6 hours for the one antibiotic, every 12 hours for the other, plus my Atripla once a day, and my Lopid every 12 hours..... oh, and the pain pills, as needed (hmmmmmmm......)......   ;D
Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline Miss Philicia

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  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2012, 10:10:09 pm »
You'll manage. I was just on cephalexin for my nasal surgery, and took bactrim when one of my foot surgery incisions became infected... twice. And pain killers both times. Plus four HIV meds and four non-HIV meds.

Set the timer on your phone.
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"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline bocker3

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  • Posts: 4,285
  • You gotta enjoy life......
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2012, 10:12:05 pm »
Hope you feel better Phil -- try not to overdue at the office.  Do what you must, then go home.

Oh -- and please, please work on your reluctance to see doctors when you have something going on.  Waiting until things get worse is a recipe for disaster.  Sometimes the "little" things can grow into great big things -- better to have them looked at when little.

Hugs,
Mike
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Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2012, 10:29:00 pm »
Quote from: bocker3 on March 25, 2012, 10:12:05 pm
Hope you feel better Phil -- try not to overdue at the office.  Do what you must, then go home.

Oh -- and please, please work on your reluctance to see doctors when you have something going on.  Waiting until things get worse is a recipe for disaster.  Sometimes the "little" things can grow into great big things -- better to have them looked at when little.

Hugs,
Mike

Thanks Mike -
You are right, I do need to get better at following up quicker... I'm adverse to pain - and the anxiety of feeling it causes me to delay doing things I need to when I need to.

I get done with interviews by 3 tomorrow - see my doc at 4 - then plan on coming home and working from home on Tuesday.

Thanks again for the well wishes.
Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline tednlou2

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Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2012, 11:24:24 pm »
Hope ya are back to norm quickly.  Golf ball size!  Wow, that is big.  I would have liked to see a pic of it.  I'm gross like that.  Boil porn.  I had a large ingrown hair or something on my inner thigh a few years back.  It was probably half-golf ball size.  I decided to squeeze it--probably not something I should have done.  I've never smelled something so awful when all the pus came out.  Armpit would be very sensitive area for something like that.  I'm sure that hurt like hell.  Glad you got it taken care of.   
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Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • Posts: 2,985
  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2012, 06:38:01 am »
Quote from: tednlou2 on March 25, 2012, 11:24:24 pm
Hope ya are back to norm quickly.  Golf ball size!  Wow, that is big.  I would have liked to see a pic of it.  I'm gross like that.  Boil porn.  I had a large ingrown hair or something on my inner thigh a few years back.  It was probably half-golf ball size.  I decided to squeeze it--probably not something I should have done.  I've never smelled something so awful when all the pus came out.  Armpit would be very sensitive area for something like that.  I'm sure that hurt like hell.  Glad you got it taken care of.   

Thanks for the well wishes!
Yes, I must admit that when the doc lanced it, I said, "ewwww, what is that smell?" and he said that was the puss coming out.... [okay, now I have really spoiled my appetite for breakfast....]

Not one of the better areas to have a boil - albeit a very common area.

Getting ready to head off to work - with my arm bandaged in the upper area, it makes me look extra muscular (at least on the left side of my body)..... Bad thing is, I can't put deodorant on that armpit. So, I will be making sure that those people I like and want to have continuing relationships stand on my right side and up wind; while those I despise shall be invited to stand on my left side or down wind.....  this is South Florida after all and next to impossible not to perspire at least sometime during the day.   8)
Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2012, 08:42:37 am »
Quote from: phildinftlaudy on March 26, 2012, 06:38:01 am
Thanks for the well wishes!
Yes, I must admit that when the doc lanced it, I said, "ewwww, what is that smell?" and he said that was the puss coming out....


I had one of these on my back years ago.  Actually, I think it was a cyst, about the size of a golf ball,  I laid on my stomach, at the dermatologist office, I think I had about 3 or 4 needles shoved into it, which was bringing me almost to the point of tears.  :o  I was flapping around on the table like a fish out of water.  :P

When the incision was made, ( no pain by this time),  this terrible/ nauseating stench, that smelled like rotting meat, came out of it. Then, after she scooped about a baby food bottle of material from it, she  put about three or 4 feet of packing into the cavity which was left. I remember laughing asking how she was going to manage to get all that into that space, but she had no problem.

About two days later she pulled all the packing back out of it, and put new packing in, but it was much less.

She had Ed ( my partner) watch, as she packed it one more time, and asked if he felt comfortable doing it one last time, the following day.  He had no problem.  It was amazing, how fast that cavity started closing up, and healing

Also, it was a major relief, having that pressure taken out .  :o

Sorry for the graphic detail  ::)


Wishing you fast healing----Ray

Logged
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 UPDATED: As of April, 2nd 2024,Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @593 /  CD4 % @ 18 %

Lymphocytes,total-3305 (within range)

cd4/cd8 ratio -0.31

cd8 %-57

72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2012, 08:10:50 pm »
Got the packing removed today -
they are waiting for the culture to come back - should be tomorrow. Docs want to make sure that the infection isn't MRSA. They believe it is regular staph.... but to be safe they ordered culture and have me on the two antibiotics.

It hurt like hell getting the packing out because it had gotten matted into my underarm hair... but, after a little snipping and some tugging and peroxide (which really feels great on a fresh incision) packing was all removed.

 :D
Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline phildinftlaudy

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,985
  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2012, 09:56:58 am »
So, the incision site appears to be healing up nicely. I have one day of antibiotics left. The worse part is I picked up a nasty cold being in the Urgent Care waiting room two different days with all kinds of sick people. I have learned my lesson. For any potential future visits I will: a) wear a mask before entering said waiting room; b) take my own pen to sign in and fill out paperwork; c) use plenty of hand sanitizer during the visit; and d) call ahead and respectfully request that ALL sick people be removed from the waiting room and treatment area prior to my arrival.

I should be able to easily accomplish a-c.

Worse thing is, I have a business trip to Chicago that I leave for on Wednesday - I do not want to be feeling this crappy while on the trip.   UGGGGHHHH!!!!

Off to the store in a bit to get some OTC meds, O.J., and chicken soup....

I also have to go into the office for a little bit today to prep for an important meeting I am hosting on Monday -- but, I don't plan on staying there any longer than I absolutely have to.

Logged
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

Offline OneTampa

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  • "Butterflies are free."
Re: Furuncles, Boils, and Bears.... OH MY!!!
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2012, 09:58:40 pm »
Phil,

Am late to post but hope you are feeling better.

Also, you are one fierce employee!  Hats off to you.
« Last Edit: April 01, 2012, 10:00:34 pm by OneTampa »
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"He is my oldest child. The shy and retiring one over there with the Haitian headdress serving pescaíto frito."
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