Although I have no idea how it happened, I have an abscess on the back of my knee. It is PAINFUL. So much so that I am walking with a limp at times.
I woke up Monday morning and felt a bit of pain behind my knee. There was a small bump but I didn't think much of it. I figured it was an ingrown hair and would go away. Well, slowly but surely, it grew to the size of a nickel (although more oblong than round) and has since become more painful, red, and swollen.
I went to the urgent care center and they diagnosed me with an abscess, or cutaneous skin infection, and put me on antibiotics (Keflex, to be exact). I have to take the antibiotics 2x a day for 10 days and press warm, moist rags on the infected area for 20 minutes 3-4x a day. This will help to bring the bacteria to the surface and make the wound softer so it can "drain". Yummy. I'm so looking forward to that.
I heard the word infection and automatically thought of Sunshine. Could it have spread throughout my blood and crossed the placenta? Could it even do that? The doc said it was highly unlikely that this would affect the baby. She did say that it was good I came in when I did so I could get it treated in its early stages before it spread any further into my deep tissue.
I asked the doc how this could have happened and she said it could be a multitude of things: I could have nicked myself shaving, gotten a small puncture wound, scratched myself, etc. and it got infected with bacteria. Winning the lottery of suck again, I suppose.
My body has a penchant for creating ovarian cysts. Now it is beginning with other sacs of gunk.
Body - let's just call a truce, okay?
ETA: It seems to be responding to the antibiotics. The redness is almost gone. The only thing left is the raised skin and it is only painful now if I press on it. Hopefully, it will drain on its own and soon. I'll be glad when this is over.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Infected
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
18 comments:
what a fluke thng. I hope you start feeling better
Did they take a swab and test for MRSA?
If you don't see an improvement within 24 hrs, go back and request a test.
I don't mean to scare you, but it's happening pretty frequently and you want to be on the safe side.
I actually had that happen with my last pregnancy. Only it wasn't on my knee, it was in a very uncomfortable place that makes sitting impossible. That was the worst week ever! Thankfully the Keflex worked like a charm.
Good luck!!
Ouch, sorry about the infection. Hope the antibiotics kick it quickly
That's crappy! I hope you start to feel much better very soon.
Hugs!
Thank goodness it wasn't a Bartholin's Gland Cyst.
Oweee. Glad to hear you're feeling better
Yikes! Well, I'm glad to hear that you went and got it taken care of. I hope it goes away quickly and you start feeling better soon! :)
Ouch!!! That does NOT sound fun!
Yikes! Feel better soon hon!
Sounds painful. And bad luck. Glad to hear the anti's appear to be doing the trick,
J
Oh ouch!! I hope you start feeling better ASAP! You poor thing. :(
So glad to hear that your infection is clearing up and that your little one is safe and sound!
Ouch. I hope you feel better!
Eww.
Though ditto to tipsymarie.
Seems like everywhere I turn someone has the MRSA.
*backs away slowly*
Glad it's improving, though!
umm...if it does open and start to drain here is something to help it go faster...nuke for about 12 seconds two or three peeled cloves of garlic...when they are nice and soft smush them into a mush paste and press it into the area of the abscess...hold it in place with a bandage or gauze. It will draw the infection out....believe it or not they do this with horses that have infections on their legs...it may sound kooky but it works and garlic is not bad for the baby. This works well for infections in the mouth / teeth abscess when you can't get to the dentist till morning. Just my two cents worth.
Did they culture it?
Hope you feel better soon!
Also...you can do this before it begins to drain to again pull the infection out.
Yeah, body, give her a break!
Post a Comment