Static ulcer
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63233)
United States
March 9, 2010 9:36pm CST
My friend Maggiepie, before she retired, developed these weeping sores on her lower legs. It dripped not blood, but a clearish, yellowish fluid.
I took her to the doctor and he determined they were static ulcers and needed pressure bandages to heal.
Once a week for over a month, I took her in and had those darn bandages replaced.
Flash forward a few years and I was asked by a co-worker if I would look at a wound on her leg.
No, I'm not a doctor, but because of all of my and Maggie's medical problems I was pretty good at giving advice it seems. Kind of like guessing what could be wrong with a cat because I've had so many and so many sick ones.
I took one look and said, "Static ulcer, you need to see your doctor and get pressure bandages."
Then I saw a friend, the one who died recently, and I saw those weeping wounds on her legs. I told her that she needed to see the doctor before they got worse.
So, are you ever asked to "consult" your friends about medical problems? Are you ever right?
The annoying thing about being right often enough is that when you don't know something, people sometimes don't believe ya!
8 people like this
19 responses
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
10 Mar 10
there was something that came up recently...let me think.
Oh yes, I know. I had a problem with my elbow, and my husband had the exact same problem at one point, and he told me what the problem was, I'm going to see the doc in the next few days about it, and see if he's right. We're pretty sure he is.
As for me, there are some re-occuring things with myself that I know I'd be able to identify if someone came to me with the same symptoms. Friends with experience are handy things to have.
3 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Mar 10
IN New York State, it is illegal to practic medicine without a Drs. license. You can say, that looks like it may be something I've seen before like _________, but you can't say that's blah, blah, blah. Celuitis and some other stuff can have open wounds, too. All things like that tend to be dangerous and everyone should go see a Doctor. Wounds that don't heal could be diabetes and a person could loose his or her leg(s) and/or their lives. Why people would want to live with stuff like that and not go see a Dr. is beyond me. I knew a couple with weaping sores on their legs and they didn't want to go. Sticks to your clothes and nasty. Often stuff like that gets infected. Makes you wonder if they have something wrong with their brains. A normal person would want that taken care of. Trust me, this pair is not normal. Normal for sociopaths, con-artists, etc. Esp. judging by the way they lie, steal, cheat, etc. other people.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
10 Mar 10
Oh, I always told them they had to go to the doctor and said it looked like what Maggie had called a static ulcer.
I had also told them they couldn't treat it themselves.
and I wouldn't touch them, I doubt NY could've found me guilty of practicing medicine...
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Mar 10
Actually, they could. My friend runs an herb business. People walk up to her and ask, "I've got a headache, what would you use?" Her lawyer told her, she can't respond directly to that. She points to different things on her table and says, "Traditionally this has been used for a variety of things including __________. This over here has been used traditionally for a variety of things including __________." Plus you should go see a Dr., like you did, must also be stated. If someone says, I have a nagging pain in my side, she tells them to go see a Dr. She can't diagnose it. According to her lawyer, saying what something is, is diagnosing, that's illegal without a degree and certification. So you would not be covered here because you told them what it is. Even with telling them to go see a Doctor and that they shouldn't treat it themselves. You can say it might be any number of things including, but not limited to, and then you say about 3 different kind of weaping sores and that you absolutely must see a Doctor. Trust me, this is the sue me state. It shouldn't be NY State, it should be called the SUE ME state. Even kids as young as Kindergarten will tell you not to touch them or they'll sue you here. Trust me, I sub and I've heard it, repeatedly. There are people who teach their kids that the best way to have money is to sue someone else for it.
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
10 Mar 10
I have been my own and my families DOctor all my life and I am usually right.
JUST IF i CANT TREAT THEM WITH MY HOME REMIDIES OR IT ALL STARTS GETTING WORSE i TELL THEM TO GO TO A dOC.
tHEN HE CAN GIVE THE PILLS THAT ARE SURPOSE TO WORK.
liKE MY DAUGHTERS CAUGH GOT WORSE TRIED EVERy home remedy I could think of nothing worked I told her either pnuemonia or broncitis well Doc wasnt sure so he treated her for both then she got letter saying she had both but now after taking all the piulls she still has the cough?
grrrrr so now what those pi;s didnt help either altho the cough dont keep her awake all night like it did
oops sorry about caps fingers hit the cap botton and I didnt see it till ya see where I took it off lolololol
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
10 Mar 10
The thing was she wasnt even bringing anything up even when I did the back patting like htey do in massage threapy that ususally brings up all kinds of junk.
\ Not thins time she took pil;ls for 10 dys in the middle she finally got some stuff up but after all the pills she still has cough wiuth notihng comiong up.
glad ya dont mind the caps!
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
10 Mar 10
a cough is one of those things that pills don't work - unless its Tessalon cough perls (or the generic) those do
my doc will give me those because he knows I won't abuse them, I only take them at night to allow me to get a good nights sleep and not coughing all night
they really want you to cough when you are sick, that brings the junk up, its only when its interfering with sleep that they really want it to stop
so, if your daughter is sick, and on antibiotics, then you do want her to bring up the stuff so that she will recover
and I don't mind caps, I would leave cap lock on if people would not get all bent outta shape when I do it...
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
10 Mar 10
I have been asked on occasion but my reply has always been to go and see your own doctor. I can voice a suspicion and give a suggestion but admit I can be pretty clueless on occasions. Good for you for picking up on the problem hun
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
10 Mar 10
If I don't know, I'm not afraid to tell them that. Unless its something really minor, I'll also suggest they go to the doc - I can deal with minor wounds, but like the roomie's foot - well, I took one look, cleaned it, slapped a band-aid on it and told her to call her doc first thing in the morning!
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Mar 10
You've got my attention. What's a disc pump? I have disc problems.
3 people like this
@geniustiger (1694)
• Philippines
10 Mar 10
Health is wealth. You are true that if we have pains
and worst wound we should consult our doctor.
To have some cure early before it will going to worsen
and cannot be cured. I also encountered that one usually
of my friends asking what is this pain. And I know some
because I used to listen whatever instances I heard so that
I have an idea.Then they asked whatever problems they felt
and it is true it coincides always.It is good to share
some good things to everyone so that they felt getting well.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
11 Mar 10
my grandmother had one of those-it popped up after her fourth heart attack near her ankle.it never did heal right.it'd get smaller,than bigger again.
yea,friends have asked me before..if it's something i have experience with,i try to help them..but you're right,they often don't listen.or don't want to think about it anyway.
yea,friends have asked me before..if it's something i have experience with,i try to help them..but you're right,they often don't listen.or don't want to think about it anyway.1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
17 Mar 10
i'm not sure why it didn't work..they had a "sock" and then the bandage over it..
but it never seemed to fully close.they tested her for diabetes,but said she wasn't.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
11 Mar 10
My friends and family often ask me for medical advice. I worked for medical answering services for years and picked up just enough knowledge to be dangerous. 
A doctor once told me that it's mostly common sense with a bit of knowledge and that most people don't have the sense God gave a flea when it comes to their health. They'll call a doc at midnight for a fever they've had for days but won't call them at all for more serious things.
A doctor once told me that it's mostly common sense with a bit of knowledge and that most people don't have the sense God gave a flea when it comes to their health. They'll call a doc at midnight for a fever they've had for days but won't call them at all for more serious things. 1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
10 Mar 10
HI ElicBxn I haven't been asked by my friends but as I have lived through the onset of diabetes and have been a diabetic for years'I have
tried to caution people whenever I can when they complain of having to go the bathroom a zillion times a day and b eing horribly thirsty all the time, and sleepy. these are classic symptoms of onset of diabetes and if nothing else one should go and be checked so you know if you have diabetes or just something like a bladder infection. also if you have unknowingly had it for awhile you could get these sharp pricking sensations in your feet, its called neuropathy and that's pretty much a forgone conclusion you have advanced diabetes, also blurred vision too.
I have even cautioned some mylotters here as it pays to get checked out if you do have similar symptoms, the test is simple and it will let you know if you have it or if you do not have it.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
10 Mar 10
This is very true.
In fact, since my early 20's I've been being tested for diabetes, because I'm always thirsty.
But, on the one occasion where my sugar was a bit high - after an illness - that thirst was a whole other thing all together. Like the dunes of the desert had taken up residence in my throat.
What I actually have is a kind of dehydration, because what I was drinking was just making me more dehydrated.
I've cut back on that stuff, and while I'm still thirsty, I'm not as bad as I used to be.
1 person likes this
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
11 Mar 10
Years ago, I had a girlfriend who was a fourth year medical student.
I gained more medical training during those years, whether I wanted to or not, and of course since then, have diagnosed and consulted on several conditions, that my friends have asked me about.
Now...I'm no doctor either, and even though I'm grateful for what I learned back then, people ARE still amazed when they take my "medical advice", and go seek their doctor, only to find I was correct in the first place.
Sometimes, I feel it's curse in some way...though I suppose...COULD always keep my mouth shut, now couldn't I?
cdrxo
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
11 Mar 10
I don't normally volunteer advice, tho I did with the one friend because I saw them and I knew she wouldn't go to the doctor unless she were pressured to do so - she put off going to the doc for a BAD ingrown toe nail for months until someone made her go! - knew someone else like that too1 person likes this
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
14 Mar 10
I hear ya.
The thing that really bothers me though, is when they don't take your advice, but wind up going to the doctor anyway...the doctor tells them the same thing that YOU advised weeks before...and then, when your friend finally gets home, you find yourself saying the words; "I told you so."......and your friend gives you a smart-a$$ look of disgust.
...makes you wonder why you even bother sometimes...
cdrxo
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Mar 10
I am often asked medical questions about animals more so than for humans! I have a few pets and I have experienced the odd veterinary problem to say the least! I have also read a lot about pets so whenever my friends have animal problems they tend to ask me first and no I am not always right but I am a lot of the time! One of my friends had a cat who was having problems urinating sometimes and I told her to stop dry cat biscuits immediately, keep him on wet food only and take him to the vet for antibiotics a.s.a.p. because it sounds like F.L.U.T.D. to me and yes that was the vet’s diagnosis! I’ve paid a lot of money over the years to learn all this stuff!
1 person likes this
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
10 Mar 10
I think in the past I have been ask to decied if a person are a family member has a real preblem. I ussaly speak for my on experence and tell them what I think they sould do. somtimes I find out that i am right and sometimes I am wroug. but it depends. i always say the best thing to to see the doctor.
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
12 Mar 10
My family won't ask me, my brother knows all, he can't be wrong - he sure won't ask me - besides, his ex's mother & father were doctors, they had a built in referral until long after their divorce - now he's got his ex's brother, the doctor, living in town if he wants to ask something (this is the one member of the family besides his ex he's got much contact with.)
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
12 Mar 10
Every thing I have had wrong with me, I don't have the traditional symptoms. I guess that is why that has never happened to me. For instance I had my gallbladder removed and I didn't have the back pain most people have. It also didn't seem to be tied to anything I ate. My friend had hers removed also, but she had the back pain etc.
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
11 Mar 10
There is also the use of the WWW when you feel stumped about something, and want to help a friend. If something really stumps you, telling your friend to go to the doctor despite his or her kvetching is not a disservice. Doctors are educated in what can go wrong in the human body. Regardless of your experience, you do not have this extensive education.
@BarBaraPrz (45433)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Mar 10
Hmmm... maybe you could write a thesis on static ulcers, get the phd and be able to call yourself a doctor!
No? Well, it was a thought. (Obviously a silly one.)
1 person likes this
@DCMerkle (1281)
• United States
10 Mar 10
I've gone through the very same thing. I have venous stasis ulcers, same as static ulcers. I know that when my legs are starting to swell, because of edema, I'm going to see an ulcer or the current one I have is going to start to give me trouble. My ex. has diabetes and I have noticed that he has edema in both of his legs. I've tried t warn him that unless he starts wearing the pressure stockings he's going to be in the same boat as I am. His 1st and always answer is, that I'm not a Dr. and until he hears it from his Dr. then I can't make that call. He thinks that all he has to take is his water pill and that will take care of the problem.
Now I know that sometimes people have to learn the hard way, but when a diabetic gets the ulcers, if he thinks that I've had trouble in getting them to heal (and I'm not diabetic) then he is going to get slapped right up side the head with a baseball bat of reality.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
10 Mar 10
He Elic! Or should I say "What's up Doc?lol I do understand
because I get the same thing from friends too! I always loved
medicine and worked in the medical field, although mostly
doing paperwork, but some doctor assisting too! I went to
college, although briefly to become a medical assistant, but
left due to family issues. I have always been interested in
the latest medical stuff and just seem to "know" different
things so my friends are always asking me questions too. But,
when it comes to myself I am deathly afraid of something being
seriously wrong with me and always think the worst! Sometimes
too much knowledge can really screw with your mind!lol And
I do the same thing with my poor kitties! Since my last two
were very sick cats, I am always worried that the same thing
will happen to Star and Luna!
1 person likes this
@lifeafterdeath09 (2043)
• United States
11 Mar 10
that sounds pretty horrible what happened to your friend. i hope your friend is doing better. mabey your friend will feel better after a little while. hope that the pain will not last long. im sorry that happened to your friend.
1 person likes this
