Apologies for the picture! As you can see I have an infected toe, I've had a week on antibiotics but it's no better, worse in fact, my GP says he doesn't think it is infected and the fact it isn't healing is nothing to do with my ET or the HU! 😳 I managed to persuade him to take a swab for testing but I won't get the results until next week. I've soaked it once a day in salt water, anyone got any other advice?
On Sunday I couldn't put my foot down and it was quite puffy, I kept it up and put an ice pack on it and it did go down. It is very painful, feels like a burn.
One of my dogs stood on my bare foot and caught the nail bed with her claw, it was just a scratch so I put some antiseptic cream on and thought no more about it, however it gradually got worse, I didn't connect it to the ET or HU until a friend undergoing chemotherapy mentioned it. 😳
Written by
lizzziep
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Oh my that looks really painful you poor thing, hope you can get it sorted soon. Sounds as if you are doing everything possible to get it better, salt water is an amazing healer, lets hope the results show up something to explain why it is so red and puffy, although one of my friends cats bit me and drew blood my arm was very sore and inflamed for a few weeks, had to get an antibiotic cream to rub on it, mind you it is rather a nasty cat nothing like my two thank god. Let's hope it gets better soon.
ow lizzie, that does look sore. We should remember that our immune system is low while on the medication so we are susceptible to infections. I wouldn't let it get any worse than it is now as it could turn nasty. I understand the pain you felt when your dog dug its claw into it as my dogs are always doing the same thing. Hope you get some relief soon xx
I had an ulcerated toe after what was most likely to have been an ET related clot, but being overweight, the first medic reaction was leaning towards early diabetes problems - although in your case an infected scratch is the possible cause.
My toe was very sore at times - a stabbing needle like pain. It went away with chilled water, but that is not a good plan. The healthy muscle needs blood circulation. There are pain killers which can help.
I was very fortunate in that my Haematologist was on hand to advise. I am on double dose Clopidogrel to this day and it is working. He also took me off HC (HU) for a short while to help the healthy flesh heal. A heamatologist can do that - our GPs can't (with the greatest of respect). I still have 10 pinkies, but I was frightened and in pain at the time and because it was "just" a toe, I felt embarrassed and stupid to complain. I was wrong.
Hope that helps. Please be politely persistent with your GP and ask for a referral if you are worried in the slightest degree. Whatever happens you need TLC and professional care.
I am not sure if this is a related symptom in my own case. However, some time ago (c. 8-9 years) I developed what I was wrongly diagnosed as having a a fungal growth on one of my big toes. I was prescribed a topical application called Loceryl, that I believed at that time made the condition worse as it migrated to most of my fingertips, but not much on my toes... at that time.
After many tests and false starts later, it was then more recently diagnosed as Psoriasis, but still nothing could remove from my hands this unsightly affliction. I also noted that on occasion it would grow better and or worse but could never understand why...?
Since my diagnosis of high risk ET, I now take 100mg of Aspirin everyday with HU 1000mg, and my fingernails seem to slowly becoming a tad better than they have ever been for many years. Leading me to the conclusion that my clotting blood is somehow involved in these events... but that assumption is just speculation at the present.
On speaking with another ET sufferer here in Australia, he told me that he has suffered from severe Peripheral neuritis (PN) for many years. PN is a condition that eventually prevents us feeling and using the senses of our extremities such as our fingers and toes.
Hopefully, this is not going to be something I have to look forward to into the future...
Thank you for replying. It is still bad! I have been seeing a podiatrist and am waiting for an appointment with the dermatologist. The podiatrist said the horrendous pain I was getting in my foot was nerve damage. The GP prescribed some tablets for that, which are starting to work after 2 weeks of taking them.
The last few days I have left the dressing off, which has helped it dry up a bit. I still cannot get it wet, I wear a protective cover in the shower. It is still very painful but the nerve pain in the rest of my foot has lessened. I cannot bear the slightest pressure on it so can only wear some old adjustable sandals. Fortunately I haven't had to go anywhere special where they would be out of place!
I see the haematologist again in 4 weeks so I'll see what they say.
You should not have to wait another 4 weeks o see your Haem' try calling their rooms and ask if you can speak with her/him or for an email so you can share with them what is transpiring.... Just a thought.
I have made that type of access with my Haem' although I do tend to not use it unless I really need to etc. Play it safe, it is your health that matters...
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Doctor visits/year average with ET?
feeling quite fed up, is it possible that interferon doesn’t work for me? 
Is ET a blood cancer?
New ET Dx: night sweats and chills?
