Just a guess at a diagnosis????

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm sorry to do this, I know you guys probably get this all of the time. I was just wondering if this is something I should see a doc about or just wait to see if it goes away. Dont' go to the doc unless I'm half dead- (can't afford it!) Theres a little spot on top of my hand, very tiny, and it's very sore. It's been on there for about 7 weeks now, and the skin around my it is very numb. The numbness just spreads a little each week. My toes also go numb alot, but they regain sensation, it's not constant numbness like the skin on my hand. I know you guys aren't physicians, but I know you've probably seen about everything under the sun! Does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be? Any and all ideas and suggestions appreciated!

Thanks- [email protected]

Sandy

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

To answer your question: it sounds like some sort of neuropathy, but I'd have to know more about you to even take an intelligent guess. For instance, how old you are, whether you are diabetic, have recently had any kind of injury or surgical procedure, or if you have any cardiovascular problems.

For the record, you SHOULD see your doctor ASAP. I know how hard it is to fit medical care into a tight budget, but you're going to drive yourself crazy wondering about this anyway, so you might as well find out sooner than later. This way, if something IS wrong, you might have a chance of catching it before it gets worse; if it turns out to be nothing, the peace of mind is worth whatever you have to pay the doctor.

Hope this helps. Let me know how you're doing, OK?

Go to the doctor...it's been going on for a while now. Get it checked if for no other reason than your peace of mind.

If you do become a nurse, one thing you will learn is how dangerous legally for you to give medical advice to someone, or to attempt a diagnosis. People can, and will, hold you responsable for what you say. Avoid lawsuits!

I work in the ED, and whe people call asking for advice, our standard answer is to say, "Call your doctor and have the office contact the doctor on call, or come in and be seen in the ED."

No additional advice...

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

"If you do become a nurse, one thing you will learn is how dangerous legally for you to give medical advice to someone, or to attempt a diagnosis. People can, and will, hold you responsable for what you say. Avoid lawsuits! "

Exactly right. AND this also avoids giving someone information that might cause them further health problems.

Do you really think someone is going to sue you because they gave advice over the internet? We don't even know who each other are...don't know how well that would go over...but then again I live in Canada and things are not the same here. Just my point of view...

Amanda :)

Originally posted by panda_181

Do you really think someone is going to sue you because they gave advice over the internet? We don't even know who each other are...don't know how well that would go over...but then again I live in Canada and things are not the same here. Just my point of view...

You would be surprised how easy it would be to find out who anyone on this bulletin board is, especially if they live in the US.

This country has become so involved in law suits that it is getting out of hand. People will sue anyone if they think that they can get some money out of it.

Leigh

Mjlrn- I am 31 years old. I weigh 140 pounds, a little heavier than usual but not too much more. My grandmother and all of my aunts on my fathers side had diabetes. I dont' go to the doc often, but had my blood checked last year and everything seemed fine. Not sure how they check for diabetes. Anyway, no recent injuries or surgical procedures. I do tend to get chest pains on the left side when I get stressed or mad, but just a little twinging and nothing major, other than that, no cardiovascular probs known of. Do you think I possibly need to be checked for diabetes? And what is neuropathy?

sjoe- I can see your point, totally understandable! But I assure you that I'm not relying solely on what I'm told here, and I would in no way blame someone if they had a wrong idea. I know to get a full correct diagnosis you have to actually visit the doc, but I just knew I wouldn't get to until Janurary. Just trying to get a couple of vague ideas of what this could be. No biggie- so anyone who thinks they have an idea, I PROMISE NOT TO SUE, I DONT' EXPECT IT TO BE TOTALLY RIGHT OR RIGHT ON THE NOSE! :)

And I agree with the other that said you'd be surprised what can happen over the internet, you just never know.

Thanks to all of you- Take care

Specializes in OB.

Panda181 - people can and will sue for anything - remember the lawsuit by the woman who burned herself with McDonalds coffee? Now all coffee cups come with a warning "Contents are hot" Duh! Currently under consideration is a lawsuit because some guy is claiming they didn't warn him fast food would make him fat!

nurse2b,

If one of us said, this sounds very serious, do you think you could manage to get to a doctor sooner? Don't put this off. Why wait until it is an emergency? Please go.

I didn't get any ideas as I thought I would, but that's ok. Thanks for your concern, and I will be going to the doc in January. I'm just an idiot when it comes to illnesses, skin disorders, etc. Thank you for replying!

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

People in health care tend to be the WORST patients, but you don't have that excuse yet! (Even though I've been an RN for years, it doesn't fly with my doctor or my loved ones either.) I really think you should go ASAP. It's not that I think you have something terrible that will kill you in 30 days if you don't go, but you really need to re-read your signature statement about the Lord leading us through things. That statement indicates you trust God to provide for your needs. Why not trust Him to take care of this one?

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