So, I haven't really been on YouChew much lately, or even on the computer much in general. The reason for this is because I have been feeling like total crap, being in and out of the hospital lately and taking pills that make me feel really, really shitty. Now, before you worry too much, I wasn't staying in the hospital, but just getting examined. (Skip to the bottom if you don't want to read the whole story) The thing is, about two and a half weeks ago I found a giant scratch on my leg that I had no recollection of receiving. Thinking nothing of it, I went about my business and forgot about it for a few days.
However, when I checked it next, the entire area around the scratch had swollen a considerable amount. It had to be an infection, we thought, so we tried to treat it with some neosporin. The next day, I woke up to find that my other leg had started to get red scratches all over it, too. I went to the doctor to get it checked out, and she told me that it was a poison ivy rash, despite telling her that I had had poison ivy before and it looked nothing like that. I don't have insurance, and despite being told a visit would only cost ~$50 by someone I know, it wasn't. So the visit cost me a whole bundle of money, and I was prescribed Pregnisone to deal with the rash. Which it says can worsen infections. Also, anyone who has ever had it can tell you one thing about Pregnisone--it makes you feel like total dogshit. For the entire week that I had to take large doses of it, I literally felt like I was dying every day. I also couldn't eat any salty foods or I would bloat and feel even worse.
After that week, we noticed that the rash really wasn't any better. The swelling was gone, but the rash was bright red and it seemed to have spread considerably. I went back in to the doctor, This time someone else checked my rash, and they immediately recognized that it wasn't poison ivy. They seemed to be trying to cover for how the other doctor had been practically shoving me out of the room by saying that dermatology is a "visual science, and we can be wrong all the time". This time, he said I had cellulitis (not sure if that's how it's spelled). It's a serious condition, and it can cause blood clots which can become fatal. I was literally scared for me life at this point. He prescribed me a new drug, and said that it should be better in three days, and not spread at all if the drug is working.
It seemed hopeful for a day or two, but after the third day it ended up just being worse, and was for sure spreading. I went to the hospital this time to hopefully get a more definitive answer as to what was going on, or if nothing else to get another antibiotic. This time they said it wasn't Cellulitis, but Dermatitis, which is a generic term for some sort of rash. They said they don't know how I got it or why, but I should use these two creams together to hopefully get rid of it.
At this point, between the pills and the visits, I am looking at ~$1000 this stupid, giant fucking rash is costing me. I am currently hoping that I can get medicaid insurance, which is currently pending and can take up to 45 days. If not, then all of my savings from the past year will be wiped out because of this. So besides feeling crappy, being very vulnerable to bruising and sickness, plus having mood swings because of medicine, I've been very stressed. I've had to work more hours than usual at work on top of this, as I had no option to have someone cover my shifts while recovering.
Now, just to clarify, this isn't just some regular rash. It's a giant red rash that covers both of my legs, and part of my arm. It isn't festering or anything, but it still looks gross, and more than likely it will scar me permanently. Luckily, they checked to be sure and I don't have Diabetes. If I did, this condition could potentially have caused me to lose my legs due to easily entering my blood stream and into my bones.
My advice coming out of this is simple: If you live in the US, get insurance. Even if you're healthy now and you never have to go, get it. You are going to be fucked over if anything stupid ever happens to you.
Next, always be wary of injuries, even minor. If you get a scratch, you might not think much about it, but for all you know that scratch could turn into a horrible infection under the wrong circumstance. I'm not saying to live in a giant bubble or to triple wrap your hand when you get a papercut, but just try and use "adhesive medical strips" and antibiotics when it's appropriate. Also wash your hands frequently, especially if you have a job like mine where you deal with a lot of people personally.
Finally, be healthy. If you're well overweight, try to lose it. I am an overweight person, and there is nothing wrong with being overweight aesthetically, but this is for the purpose of your own life. There are a ton of health issues that show up many times more frequently if you are overweight. Diabetes doesn't sound too horrible, but it can cause so many complications with other conditions that it's not even funny. Even a little bit of exercise and healthy snacking can go a long way.
TLDR: I have a bad rash that covers both my legs, high medical bills, and my meds make me feel like crap.
However, when I checked it next, the entire area around the scratch had swollen a considerable amount. It had to be an infection, we thought, so we tried to treat it with some neosporin. The next day, I woke up to find that my other leg had started to get red scratches all over it, too. I went to the doctor to get it checked out, and she told me that it was a poison ivy rash, despite telling her that I had had poison ivy before and it looked nothing like that. I don't have insurance, and despite being told a visit would only cost ~$50 by someone I know, it wasn't. So the visit cost me a whole bundle of money, and I was prescribed Pregnisone to deal with the rash. Which it says can worsen infections. Also, anyone who has ever had it can tell you one thing about Pregnisone--it makes you feel like total dogshit. For the entire week that I had to take large doses of it, I literally felt like I was dying every day. I also couldn't eat any salty foods or I would bloat and feel even worse.
After that week, we noticed that the rash really wasn't any better. The swelling was gone, but the rash was bright red and it seemed to have spread considerably. I went back in to the doctor, This time someone else checked my rash, and they immediately recognized that it wasn't poison ivy. They seemed to be trying to cover for how the other doctor had been practically shoving me out of the room by saying that dermatology is a "visual science, and we can be wrong all the time". This time, he said I had cellulitis (not sure if that's how it's spelled). It's a serious condition, and it can cause blood clots which can become fatal. I was literally scared for me life at this point. He prescribed me a new drug, and said that it should be better in three days, and not spread at all if the drug is working.
It seemed hopeful for a day or two, but after the third day it ended up just being worse, and was for sure spreading. I went to the hospital this time to hopefully get a more definitive answer as to what was going on, or if nothing else to get another antibiotic. This time they said it wasn't Cellulitis, but Dermatitis, which is a generic term for some sort of rash. They said they don't know how I got it or why, but I should use these two creams together to hopefully get rid of it.
At this point, between the pills and the visits, I am looking at ~$1000 this stupid, giant fucking rash is costing me. I am currently hoping that I can get medicaid insurance, which is currently pending and can take up to 45 days. If not, then all of my savings from the past year will be wiped out because of this. So besides feeling crappy, being very vulnerable to bruising and sickness, plus having mood swings because of medicine, I've been very stressed. I've had to work more hours than usual at work on top of this, as I had no option to have someone cover my shifts while recovering.
Now, just to clarify, this isn't just some regular rash. It's a giant red rash that covers both of my legs, and part of my arm. It isn't festering or anything, but it still looks gross, and more than likely it will scar me permanently. Luckily, they checked to be sure and I don't have Diabetes. If I did, this condition could potentially have caused me to lose my legs due to easily entering my blood stream and into my bones.
My advice coming out of this is simple: If you live in the US, get insurance. Even if you're healthy now and you never have to go, get it. You are going to be fucked over if anything stupid ever happens to you.
Next, always be wary of injuries, even minor. If you get a scratch, you might not think much about it, but for all you know that scratch could turn into a horrible infection under the wrong circumstance. I'm not saying to live in a giant bubble or to triple wrap your hand when you get a papercut, but just try and use "adhesive medical strips" and antibiotics when it's appropriate. Also wash your hands frequently, especially if you have a job like mine where you deal with a lot of people personally.
Finally, be healthy. If you're well overweight, try to lose it. I am an overweight person, and there is nothing wrong with being overweight aesthetically, but this is for the purpose of your own life. There are a ton of health issues that show up many times more frequently if you are overweight. Diabetes doesn't sound too horrible, but it can cause so many complications with other conditions that it's not even funny. Even a little bit of exercise and healthy snacking can go a long way.
TLDR: I have a bad rash that covers both my legs, high medical bills, and my meds make me feel like crap.