Infected bite, when to get further help?

[HamHand]

Forgive the name change, this is hugely outing as many of my friends are now aware of my ham hand. I emptied the paddling pool yesterday morning and in the process got a tiny little cut, it looked like a very fine paper cut, about 2mm long. By the late afternoon it had swollen slightly, and by evening it was a definite lump. I’ve woken this morning to a hugely swollen hand with a very obvious, weeping bite. I’ve been to the minor injuries unit and have antibiotics but since I’ve been it’s got much worse, I can now see it tracking down my wrist and I’ve had to take my watch off to accommodate the swelling. I also feel a bit shivery and unwell in the last half hour. Is it safe to assume that the antibiotics will get this under control, or should I be thinking A & E? Picture of both hands was this morning, one ham hand is just now, I can’t make a fist at all, and when my arm is down my hand is agony.

I would too x unfortunately we’re fairly rural so this hospital isn’t just a quick nip over for any of my friends, who all have dc at home like us. I ALWAYS bring a worst case scenario backpack when I come to hospital so I have charger and earplugs and so on, but it’s just too loud and bright, I have insomnia at the best of times. I’m struggling with the lack of privacy as everyone is taking so so loudly about the other patients, I feel I know more about these people than I should. It doesn’t feel anyone has any dignity. Someone 2 beds along has tested positive for covid. I want to ask if I’m due to have any more medicine but I think I’m already pinned as a pain in the arse as I asked 3 times before my IV was eventually put in.

Ok you need to disappear into another world inside your mind. Is there WiFi? Do you have the BBC Sounds app? I prescribe a dose of desert island discs.

That’s not a bad call @mistopheles I’ve never actually listened before, any particular episodes you’d recommend?

I’ve just asked, apparently I’m not having any other meds til 6. I asked why on earth they’d kept me in then when I could have gone home with my husband, I was told patronisingly to they can check on me. Noones been in to check me at all. Then I was told in hushed tones that by staying I had the chance to see the CONSULTANT, the BOSS so basically run along. I’m so fucking done with being here

Just tell them matter of factly that you’re going to try to sleep now and want to check if you need any more meds before you do.

X post.

It sounds miserable but until they are sure what it is you’re probably best of there.

Nurses are always impressively relaxed about things but if you suddenly deteriorated they’d spring into action.

They wouldn’t know I’d deteriorated though. No one's checking!

I didn’t feel I could ask?

Well, there you go then.

That’s really helpful thanks. I’m alone here, tired and quite afraid actually. Hope you feel better for that though

All sounds a bit grim. Even if you can’t sleep just rest your eyes and listen to your desert island discs for now.

I read a horror story earlier of a poor elderly man who was lying on the floor (outdoors) for 15 hours waiting for an ambulance. So sad. He had lots of broken bones so couldn’t go in a car.

If you start to feel worse or weird, tell them and don’t worry about being embarrassed.

The two most absorbing podcasts I’ve listened to recently are this;

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0016pq1

And The Teachers Pet podcast, which the following up series is now airing for (forget what it’s called) so plenty of it if it grabs you. That’s investigative journalism about an Australian cold case.

Do either of those appeal?

Hope you manage to get some sleep. I am wide awake as it's DS's A Level results tomorrow and my brain is in overdrive.

I know you can feel really lonely in a busy ward. Like others have suggested plug your headphones in. I like a talking book

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnmr

Have an explore and pick people you find interesting. Best insomniac escape ever!

Hoping you feel better soon op. Your hand must be painful, no doubt you'll be feeling better soon 💐🌻

How are you now, Ham? I hope you've been thoroughly checked over, allowed to go home, stopping for something delicious to eat on the way and can catch up with your sleep in the comfort of your own bed

Oh @VanillaParkersBowl I wish! Staff changeover has happened and they’ve realised the doctors DID prescribe me several things yesterday but no one’s actioned it, and they don’t actually have the medicine or cream which was prescribed. I don’t know wether to laugh or cry. Ive just even given an ice pack for my hand which is heaven. It’s hotter than the sun in here and they’re apparently still expecting me to be moved up to a ward. My hand is no better and I’m starting to get quite worried how this is going to end

Oh that’s just rubbish, sounds quite shambolic, it needs fixing though so fingers crossed that they sort it all out.

Bloody hell, Ham, that is no good at all, I hope you are a bit further forward now.

Been thinking of you @HamHand how are you?
I’ve had nasty infections twice from horse flies, I hope you are being looked after

Oh Ham, that's so frustrating.

I've been in hospital more times than I can count and I know it feels like you're being put in your place when you ask things, but they're usually so busy that if you don't ask they tend to think you're ok. So keep pushing for what you need.

I always end up crying, from frustration but mainly exhaustion. I don't think people realise how little sleep you get in hospital unless you're really lucky! So solidarity with you.

Any update? I really hope you're getting sorted now

You poor thing, your hand looks really sore. Have they been of any help since your last update?

@HamHand gosh I hope you're sorted now

Thanks for keeping me company everyone. Finally a decent update, I have cellulitis which is what they’ve been treating. I’ve now had 3 lots of antibiotics since coming in and the last lot seemed to really help, hand is a bit less lump of meat, my wrinkles are just about reappearing! I’ve been moved onto the MAU which seems a bit of a halfway house, but far preferable to the surgical ward they wanted me on last night. I’ve had a shower and am sitting in a chair rather than in bed and I feel much more human. I’m still here for at least another day though.

You poor thing. You're sounding a bit more lucid too which is good! I hope you're on the mend now!

That’s much better news, I’m glad it seems like things are moving forward