Resolved question:
Hello, I'm Sue, and I'm writing in regard to my husband, a 49 yr old whom 2 weeks ago underwent surgery on a perianal cyst located on his right inside cheek of the buttocks, and this area has developed fistulas.He had been suffering with this since November of last year, with monthly flare-ups where it would become inflamed, then over a few days it would burst and drain. Last January my husband received extensive doses of antibiotics, which gave him "C diff" infection, sorry I don't know how to spell that. When he saw his MD yesterday, the MD wouldn't put him on anymore antibiotics. I should add that he received large doses of antibiotics when they performed the surgery 2 weeks ago. Now..after the surgery my husband had 2 drainage tubes coming out of the surgery site. His MD stated yesterday that it is very infected and is referring him back to the surgeon, we are waiting for a call for an appt. My husband is in horrible pain. It has been hinted to us that the infection is now into his other organs. When My husband asked the MD yesterday if he thought it was cancerous, he didn't receive a reply. I realize how dire a situation this is, and I am not going to share what you say to my husband, unless of course you can give me some good news, so I guess my question is: will he survive this? And, what are your thoughts? Thank-you P.S my husband is an alcoholic, chews tobacco, has hypertension, and has asthma.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
You mentioned in your history, you never had any problems sleeping on sides up before this. Do you have a habit of sleeping on your sides rather than sleeping on your back or prone?
Is there any radiating pain from your neck to your arms, when you lie on your sides? Is there any feeling of numbness?
When you try moving your neck from side to side, do you feel giddiness?
The most possible explanation of your symptoms is due to a pinched or compressed nerve in your neck area. Since nerves pass through very small areas, they are prone for compression. Pinched nerve in the neck, apart from light headedness and uncomfortable sensation, will also lead to numbness along the extremities, with severe pain radiating towards the arms.
Normally it is self resolvable, however if it does not get better, an X-RAY will be required to check the level of compression.
Also is it possible for you to get your BP checked?
Even though it does not seem to be cardiac related issue, an ECG will also be helpful.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.
my normal sleeping habit is laying on my back first, then would eventually roll over on my right side, i do not have pain, my blood pressure is fine , took it this morning it was 113/75, would a pinch nerve make your heart beat abnormal? like mine does when laying on my side? if i get an x ray and it is a pinched nerve, what is the treatment normally?
Hello,
Pinched nerve and symptoms arising from it is slightly difficult to treat, however you need to avoid the posture that is causing the discomfort, and a course of NSAIDS will also be helpful to reduce the associated inflammation.
But pinched nerve does not cause heart beat related abnormalities. Since you're already on Toprol for your tachycardia, i will advise you to get an ECG done too. Some patients experience what is known as ' Positional Premature Ventricular Contractions ( PVCs ), for example on turning their head, or on laying on the sides, an abnormal rhythm in the heart is triggered off. These seem to come and go, but if it's persistent a cardiac evaluation with 24 hour holter monitoring is required for making the diagnosis.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.