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“Ask A Nurse”

post #1 of 50
8/5/02 at 2:18am
Thread Starter 
KimmerRn/Kim and Ouchywoo/Genie are nurses. I thought it would be helpful if you have a medical question you could Ask a Nurse first.
Kim’s specialty is Critical Care with an emphasis in Cardiac Care but I am sure she has helpful tips for other areas too. Genie’s specialty is general nursing she has studied labor and delivery (Midwifery is her major interest) she also has PCA work in the Emergency department
*Note*
Not intended to replace the advice of your doctor just some helpful tips.

Please post your questions here, thank you
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post #2 of 50
8/5/02 at 3:33am
Wow that is always nice to know
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post #3 of 50
8/5/02 at 3:49am
Thread Starter 
Thought I better add something to my post. It is nice to know Michele.
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post #4 of 50
8/11/02 at 3:56pm
Cool I am glad the idea went through!
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post #5 of 50
8/11/02 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
Glad you thought of it Meagan. WTG
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post #6 of 50
10/3/02 at 9:53pm
Hello Ladies!!

Just wanted to remind everyone of this informational resource!

I welcome you to post questions, comments, requests for special topics, etc. here!

I look forward to helping out!
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post #7 of 50
10/3/02 at 9:56pm
Any advice on how to get rid of shingles faster ???

I'm already using the cream and tablets, but is there anything else I could use as well. And do you know of anyway to reduce the scarring.
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post #8 of 50
10/3/02 at 10:46pm
Maree,

The patients I've worked with have been given the pills and creams.... This is just something that unfortunately has to run it course.

The main treatment I have given for my patients that have had shingles is PAIN meds, PAIN meds, PAIN meds. Diligent skin care should help reduce the scarring. Keeping the area clean & dry (use a mild soap & lukewarm water) and keeping up with the prescribed cream is usually what I practice w/patients. And, since many of my patiens can't move themselves, I make sure I turn them frequently & monitor them closely so they aren't sweating (room at good temp, adequate blankets, etc.)

I hope this helps some! Feel better soon!
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post #9 of 50
10/3/02 at 11:54pm
Oh wow...that is really neat...it'll help us get a different perspective knowing that they are members of the BabyU family
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post #10 of 50
10/4/02 at 12:02am
Hi Kim! I've got a question for you.
I have to have intramuscular injections of progesterone every day in my tush. For the past week or so I've been getting lumps under my skin that hurt and itch. (Not a place I want to scratch in public. ) Any suggestions on how to stop this from happening?

PS. I've been having these shots for a month or so, but the lumps and itching just started.
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post #11 of 50
10/4/02 at 12:05am
Oh yeah, I use a new clean needle (BD 25G) and syrenge every time. I clean the top of the vial with a fresh alchaol pad then toss the pad, and use a new alchaol pad to clean the skin before the injection.
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post #12 of 50
10/4/02 at 5:21pm
What is the length of the needle? If it isn't long enough, or isn't adquately inserted into muscle tissue, the medication could be depoting into the subcutaneous tissue that covers the muscle. Getting that specific medication into the subcutaneous tissue instead of muscle tissue could very well be causing the irritation and lumps.

Just a thought....
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post #13 of 50
10/6/02 at 12:44am
Thread Starter 
Hi Kim it has been awhile. Hope all is going well. Have a question for you. I have hemorrhoids and it is srunk now but the bleeding continues. Will this stop? or will it be this way everytime it is irritated? Is there any suggestions from you that will help me keep them from coming back. Thank you.
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post #14 of 50
10/6/02 at 9:14pm

Owwww...

Annie,

Things should settle down in about 2 weeks or so....

There are many ways to treat hemorrhoids, but I like to take the easy, non-surgical ways first.

I usually don't work with a lot of people w/this discomfort, so I'm sharing what I know and utilizing information from WebMD so I don't leave anything out. I want to be as accurate as possible.

To help with discomfort typical things are acetominophen, tucks pads (cooling shrinking) any brand's OK... sitz baths, etc. The main focus should be on prevention. This is the best hope LESS return visits.

The BIG thing to help is to eat a diet high in fiber and lower in refined sugars. This means adding veggies, fruits, nuts and whole grains.... make slow, gradual changes to let your body adjust (avoids gas). Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day... this REALLY will help! Also, watch your salt intake - it causes fluid retention which can cause swelling in all veins... including hemorrhoids!

Other things: Try not to sit for long times, use vaseline or witch hazel (just a dab) to reduce pain or itching, don't hold your breath when exerting yourself, don't spend more than 5 min at a time on the toilet (no straining) and be GENTLE when cleaning... avoid scrubbing or rough t.p.

These are just a few things to help, Annie. As always, If you don't see any improvement OR if you see an increase or reoccurance of bleeding. If bleeding doesn't stop, also see your MD.
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post #15 of 50
10/6/02 at 9:30pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Kim. Mine was caused by standing to long 3 hours straight. I have not done that in a long time. I read some of that to from Web MD but hearing it from you and you puting it into your own words helps me understand it better. Thanks.
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post #16 of 50
10/6/02 at 9:39pm
No problem, Annie!

Yep, they aren't really sure what pre-disposes people to having hemorrhoids, but they liken them to the vericose veins that many people have on their legs.

Anything that can reduce pressure on your abdomen has also been suggested to ease discomfort.... no straining, more fiber & water in the diet, no holding your breath when exerting self/working, etc. Standing in 1 spot for long, long times doesn't help either. I'm on my feet 8-14 hrs. a day (night, actually! ), so I understand fully!

Good luck, Annie!
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post #17 of 50
10/6/02 at 10:09pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Kim
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post #18 of 50
10/7/02 at 11:41pm
Kim or Genie - Deucey has had this rash for 3 weeks this past Saturday. I took him to the Dr two weeks ago and he said he thought it was "Milia" but DH and I have decided it is not. It's tiny little bumpies that started out on his forehead, and have spread to his head (under his hair!), cheeks, neck, behind his ears, the underside of his forearms, and some on his knees/fat little legs. IT ITCHES and he scratches and scratches, especially when he's nursing (because he sweats/gets hot then) and at night. They aren't really red unless he's been scratching them.
I have no idea what to do for him. I've washed all his bedding and clothing in ALL Baby Care, tried hydrocortizone cream for a week, then Benadryl anti-itch cream for a week, now we're on Caladryl which actually seems to help some. The Dr told us to give him Benadryl and that would help the itching, but he hates to take medicine and fights and spits and I'm not sure how much he actually got but it didn't seem to do much for him anyway. Also, in the event that it's food-related, he's only getting breastmilk, water, 100% white grape juice, saltines, fresh fruits/veggies that he's been eating for the last 6 months, and cheerios. All of these foods he's been eating for months and never reacted to them before. Normally he eats EVERYTHING we eat.
If it would help I can try to find the digital camera and post a picture of it.

Thanks in advance!
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post #19 of 50
10/8/02 at 8:54am
Have you changed his soap or used a different laundry detergent? Different lotion?
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post #20 of 50
10/8/02 at 11:16am
Nope- neither of those. I had started using Snuggle's free & clear (or pure & gentle, or whatever the white liquid non-allergenic one is) but I've stopped using it as well and rewashed everything that was washed in it just in case. I use either Aveeno baby lotion or Baby Magic- always have.
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post #21 of 50
10/8/02 at 10:56pm
Hmm.... has there been any opportunity to be outdoors?? Maybe he got into something?

Eczema? Psoriasis? Hmm... I was leaning toward the same thing Megan was thinking.... has ANYTHING in his environment changed in the last few weeks or so?? Has he been around a cat, dog, houseplants, etc. ??
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post #22 of 50
10/8/02 at 11:15pm
He has been outside a little on and off- he's walking now and likes to throw the mulch around the tree in the front yard. But he doesn't go outside every day (because I'm still waiting for DH to mow the backyard) and he didn't play outside at all last week while I was at my grandmother's, but it didn't get any better. We have two little dogs he plays with all the time- but there have been no changes that I can figure out.

This is the 4th week of it, and he has a wellbaby checkup next Friday so I guess I'll have her look at it then if it's still there. Thanks anyway.
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post #23 of 50
10/9/02 at 9:21am
Ok here is a question...what causes boils and how can you get rid of them and prevent them from coming back?
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post #24 of 50
10/9/02 at 6:49pm

Heavy periods

Hi! I have a question about heavy periods.

My periods started again when Henry was about nine months old (I was breastfeeding). Each one I've had seems so much heavier than they were before he was born. I have to change a super absorbent tampon every 1- 1 1/2 hours. I had a c-section delivery, and I'm not taking any medication (birth control pills). Also, I had a little bit of spotting between my last period and this one, which is something I've never had happen before.

My question is what do doctors consider a heavy period to be? I tried looking this up on webmd, but didn't find an answer to my question. My gynecologist moved at the beginning of the year, and I haven't gotten around to finding a new one. Is this something I should talk to a doctor about right away or can it wait a few more weeks?

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post #25 of 50
10/9/02 at 8:55pm
Jennifer,
If there has been no significant change in how you feel (except for the heavy periods), I think you'll be OK until you see a MD. However, I would be taking a good multivitamin & watching your diet (enough sources of iron). I would STRONGLY encourage you to look for another OB/GYN and make an appt. ASAP for the simple fact that it can take sometimes 6-8 wks. to get in to see them!! I have to wait now 3 weeks just for a consulation appointment!!

Good luck!
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post #26 of 50
10/9/02 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
Kim Don't forget Meagan's question if you did not see it.
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post #27 of 50
10/9/02 at 9:53pm
I don't know about the cause of boils, but I've heard severeal women say (on another board) that tehy usedrawing salve to bring them to a head and then release the goo. These women mostly have cystic acne due to PCOS.

On a side note, I've upped Deucey's well-baby visit to tomorrow morning at 10:30am- hopefully the Dr will think of something!
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post #28 of 50
10/9/02 at 10:29pm
Yep... I saw it.... just researching some things... want to be educated before opening my mouth!!

I was thinking more about what Deucey's skin problem might be... did your MD possibly mean "miliaria" or Prickly heat?? Milia is primarily seen in newborns, so I did a little research.... hmm...

I'll be back w/an answer for Meagan in a minute....
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post #29 of 50
10/9/02 at 10:38pm
He said milia or prickly heat- and he did say milia is more commonly seen in younger babies, but it looked like milia to him. Only he's still got it-- 4 weeks later!!!

You just don't know how warm natured I am... it's currently 56'f outside and we have our heater set at 65'f, just so the baby doesn't freeze to death!! Both windows are open in my bedroom, as well as the kitchen window. During the day (with a high of 58'f today) I also opened the living room window so a 'breeze' would pull through from the living room to the kitchen. I just don't see how it could be prickly heat, but I bathed him in oatmeal *and* baking soda again tonite, then put Caladryl all over him. I'm really hoping the Dr knows what it is or how to get rid of it!!

Thanks Kim!!
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post #30 of 50
10/9/02 at 11:01pm
Wow Angie... that's puzzling.... let me know what your MD says.
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