Without going in to any of the really gruesome details, I had the whole toenail on my big toe removed (don't think about it). Done with local anesthetic injections. (Following several days of IV antibiotics)
I am on 3mg of pred (after 3 years) and wondered whether to take extra. I have been suffering with the dreaded deathly fatigue for months. I warned the doc about my lazy adrenals and that I had decided to see how I would cope. "I see," he said "you want to make life difficult for me"
No extra pred needed. And now a few days after the procedure, I don't have the drop off the energy-cliff fatigue.
Could the enormous stress (and pain!!) of the procedure helped kick the HPA into action???
BTW I am not recommending this to anyone! But maybe stress sometimes helps??? Any thoughts?
An opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone on this site. I begin every day reading the posts, with a cup of coffee. It is such an encouraging start to my day.
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Glad that’s over! An interesting theory. My fatigue has also lifted, reunited with daughters and grandchildren, sea and Australian sunshine and the change in the time zone.
That will definitely have done the trick. Similar strategies should be on patients' treatment plans 😁. We had a Zoom meeting earlier this morning with our one month old great grandson in Copenhagen. I so wanted to cuddle him 😌.
I don't think it would have done the waking up process, it takes a while - but it does suggest they have woken up at least a bit and did react when required.
I'm sitting here with my toes curled - really don't do feet!!!!!
I went to a doc who is a toenail specialist! He wasn't a very helpful doc. My GP gave me some details of how to look after it. I have taken a few days off work...but it is very sore and I won't be wearing normal shoes for a couple of months. Make sure you have a simple flat sandal that leaves your toes without any pressure on them. The beige one this link is close to what I have (needs to be slightly on the large size to get bandaged toe through it). I wear large size cotton socks for extra protection....at home I always wear non-slip socks (I have ceramic floors throughout)
Get some Epsom salts so you can soak your foot in warm water (to reduce swelling and to ease off bandages. Put a layer of paraffin gauze (jelonet) under thin gauze bandage , You need tape to fix it.
Keep your foot raised as much as possible.
Take paracetamol before the procedure...and use as necessary.
Anything else I can help with. Let me know how you get on. I think we can private message...not sure how to do it.
Will, by having the toe nail removed, the fungal growth issue I presume is the reason for the procedure be cured, end of story?
After four years of trying I cannot get rid of the fungus in my big toe. I can keep it in check, but not stop it.
But to have the whole nail removed seems so extreme, and wouldn't the growth of the new nail come with the spores of the fungus as it grows from the toe nail bed?
Any light you can shed on this will be very helpful.
I think you are very brave and thank you for posting.
I was told by my doctor that I am susceptible to fungus infections because the pred depresses the immune system. I had a problem with a fungal infection of my thumb nail last year. That was treated with antifungal medication...you take it for a few of weeks then stop for a couple of weeks before taking it again (you have a blood test for liver function during the holiday from the medication). It took months to clear up.
The fungal infection of big toe (which to be honest I was trying to ignore) was then accompanied by cellulitis and I needed IV antibiotics (the first time I have needed antibiotics in 35 years!
The removal of the toe nail does not mean the end of the fungal infection and when the toe nail begins to grow again (in 6months to a year) I will begin the anti-fungal medication again.
Please check with your doctor about what to do with your fungal infection...they do need treating because they can become systemic.
Do let me know how things progress? With every good wish to you.
I do believe our 'state of mind' has a powerful effect on our bodies...BUT.... as much as I want to have my adrenals kick in, I'm going to pass on that procedure. A hundred years ago when I was 25, I had both large toenails and bed removed and it was absolutely the most jarring pain. You have my compassion and congratulations that it has had a positive effect.💞
Warning . Graphic description…I had my big toenail removed & some of the nail bed, too, after recurring infections! If Faint of heart don’t read further…I opted for local anaesthetic, though general was recommended! All went well, as he cut down the middle of the nail…but then he got the pliers out, got hold of each side…& ripppppped each one off, while they talked about the curry night out they’d all had together the evening before! All over & bandaged, being wheeled out I enquired if there should be blood shooting out of toe & leaving trail on floor…whoops, back into theatre! The new bandaging was very very tight, so when the toe swelled up in the afternoon…let’s say I still remember the agony…& morphine didn’t help! But all is well. Our bodies do heal!! Hope you’re mended sooooon!
That is a very accurate description of what happened to me. I spared everyone the gory details! But I am pleased to know that my experience wasn't unique! Can I have some advice please?? I am changing the dressing every day...how long did you have to wait until you stopped having a dressing on it?
I just have to remember , it will pass. Although, the doc was already eying another toe nail suspiciously....this is definitely something I can blame steroids for (fungal infection and cellulitis)
I didn’t spare everyone, because sone may need to know…I had no prior warning, & didn’t expect something quite like that!! Well, gosh, I think it was six weeks. My nail grew a mess back, not a nail, but not just nail bed…I have to cut/rip bits off half way up the toe…specialist said I was lucky to have a partial nail, so I guess the norm is no nail, sorry! I needed two more nails doing, but they were willing to try the ‘cuts down the side’ method & see if that worked…and it did…with the added advantage of two nails that don’t grow into the foot & cause infection, a much simpler surgery indeed! They were going to do more but pandemic came along & all stopped…but no more infections or cellulitis…yet…yippee!
I was told by my doctor that I am susceptible to fungus infections because the pred depresses the immune system. I had a problem with a fungal infection of my thumb nail last year. That was treated with antifungal medication...you take it for a few of weeks then stop for a couple of weeks before taking it again (you have a blood test for liver function during the holiday from the medication). It took months to clear up.
The fungal infection of big toe (which to be honest I was trying to ignore) was then accompanied by cellulitis and I needed IV antibiotics (the first time I have needed antibiotics in 35 years!
The removal of the toe nail does not mean the end of the fungal infection and when the toe nail begins to grow again (in 6months to a year) I will begin the anti-fungal medication again.
Please check with your doctor about what to do with your fungal infection...they do need treating because they can become systemic.
Do let me know how things progress? With every good wish to you.
I ‘only’ had partial nail avultion (on both toes at the same time). I never faint but did on this occasion. The pre-op injections were horrendous. I didn’t increase my pred but needed more antibiotics as wouldn’t heal. Makes me sweat thinking about it. I wasn’t suffering with fatigue beforehand and it didn’t come on afterwards. Maybe it has ‘kicked the HPA into action’ for you - I wouldn’t know. I do know the procedure is a shock to the system - plenty of rest needed. Nursing Sister on the ward commented she wished it was understood (by doctors) it was more than just a normal procedure.
thank you so much for this...I certainly could have done with a heads up on what an awful procedure this is...I haven't been able to work for several days after it...and needed to warn work...just finished the antibiotics today...and I am feeling so fed up (I gather these antibiotics can cause depression) Just one ***** thing after another. Sorry to moan...it will pass.
We’re between a rock and a hard place in these situations. Don’t think I’d have really understood (if been told someone’s experience) and not had it done. My toes were always infected so something had to happen. With hindsight should have had a general. The eight injections beforehand were the killers. You’re not moaning - it’s quite distressing to say the least. I hope you heal nicely. Get some nice roomy boots. I wear Emu’s all winter long. It six years since mine were done and if I wear footwear just a little too cosy the nails break off. They’ll always be brittle - they grow in lines across and as they reach clipping point they can break off at the line lower than your aiming for. I had both sides of each nail taken out and I blame using too much of the substance ( forgotten the name) they use to cauterise the root as it dried the nails out completely. You might be lucky having had the whole nail off! Only time will tell. Regarding work if you’re on your feet a lot you’ll probably need a week off…..
fortunately only on the internet! Thanks for advice on boots... luckily I am not someone with many pairs of shoes...i can see that what I have will now be unwearable...a couple pair of summer sandals will survive...but four pairs of elegant, pointy toes will have to go...do you worry about hurting your toe if you wear open-toed sandals???
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