Sick Nails, doctor sucks

[nailzoo]

What other title can I give this?

A client came to me a few weeks back, I have known her for many years, but she never came to me because of my prices.

Finally the NSS said they would not do her anymore.

She is a lovely lady and I have witnessed her going through cancer treatment (baldness and the whole lot).

I gave her a consultation and recommended she see her doctor for a nail scrape to determine the problem, I shortened the nails to make things easier for her.

When she went to see him (for other reasons), he didn't have time to do the scrape I had advised, so he gave her the specimen jar and said....... "your nail person should be able to do this".

It's almost like he fobbed her off .......

Anyways, I did the scrape and about a week later he gave her a prescription, I googled the prescription and saw it was anti-bacterial. I asked her for a copy of the report and she came in today with the results (which , to me are not finished as the "culture" is still being grown).

A fungal infection must be cultured and grown, so the medication is on the public system @$18.00 (otherwise it will cost $255).

I actually know the internal medication for fungal problems ...."Sporanox".

Anyways I saw her today and she had knocked one of her nails and was wearing a bandaid. I said "come on down after work and i'll have a look".

I couldn't ignore what I saw, I clipped the nail she had knocked as far back as I wanted to (she was almost in tears of embarrassment, not pain), and filled the rest of them to the best of my ability.

I used files that were ready for the bin (and of course binned them when finished).

I actually asked her if I could take some pictures (to which she agreed), she was so thankful for some educated advice and a hopeful solution to her problem.

I do feel I prepped and killed anything that was living on the nail, I used bleach, then Thymol, my usual prep and topped it off with some samples of Scrubfresh before applying.

I didn't want to overprescribe anything, so oddly enough I gave her a dropper bottle full of Original Listerine, gave her instructions to make sure the drop separates from the dropper under each nail twice a day (particularly at night).

She is coming back for a consult next week.

What astounds me is her doctors lack of compassion and the fact he said I could do the scrape.

On the pathology report it also says Test: Fun ........ (you can see for yourself)
what does this mean?

I am baffled, but could not ignore her situation or discomfort......

Your thoughts please ?.....

Beware ....Images are large and graphic
Click Here ----- sick nails

 

[fifitrix]

Blimey, the poor love. I am shocked that her doctor would treat her like this. Thank god that she came to you and you could advise her and do what you have done.

I am confused too as at the top of the result, it says no fungal element found and I am assuming by fun for the test they are meaning fungal, or fungal under nail?

I am really interested to see what happens with this poor lady.

 

[mely-bely]

OMG - that poor woman! I cannot believe her Doctor didn't take care of this woman better - its his/her freaking job to!

My hat is of to you, Carl - for taking care of this poor woman and showing her the real way to take care of a client. I am sure it won't be long until her nails are as beautiful as the rest of your clients'!

 

[adelekeegan1]

Good God, what a mess - I don't see what else you could have done.........poor lady

 

[nailzoo]

I am assuming by fun for the test they are meaning fungal, or fungal under nail?

Silly me, perhaps this is what it meant, I was so infuriated that I thought they treated it like "fun" after all, he did treat it very casually.

I also thought it may be code for her being a hypochondriac , just goes to show my insecurity and devious mind.....
I felt damned if I didn't and damned if I did !!!!

She is such a lovely lady..... I have known her for 20 years (yet she never came to me) ... it was a money issue (and I was her last resort), she is a pensioner working a few hours a week (working locally) to make ends meet.

 

[Jolicatellas]

The poor woman. I bet you're making this lady feel a million dollars with the interest and care you are giving her (give yourself a hug & a pat on the back).

Test : Fun - means the Test type if for a fungal infection. Which is disturbing for a few reasons. Firstly the doctor is assuming this IS what she has which means he's not testing for anything else that it could be. Secondly it states that 'no fungal elements seen' - which means it doesn't 'look' as though there is actual fungal infection yet he's testing and prescribing for this anyway. Thirdly, if the culture is still proceeding the doctor is prescribing something to a patient for something she may not even have.
I hope for her sake the medication works and she has some improvement.

You've baffled me though... did you say Listerine? Good ol' fashion mouth-wash Listerine?

 

[fifitrix]

Silly me, perhaps this is what it meant, I was so infuriated that I thought they treated it like "fun" after all, he did treat it very casually.

I also thought it may be code for her being a hypochondriac , just goes to show my insecurity and devious mind.....

I don't blame you for being so infuriated, it is shocking how some people are treated, especially after what this poor lady has been through already.

I could be wrong and it might not mean that at all. I have heard of some of the medical profession writing dubious things that only they can understand in patient's notes.

 

[glitz]

Oh my that is awful I feel that if the doctor can treat his patient in this manner he really should be reported, to me it says he may be as dismissive of any other matter which could turn out to be a serious condition. She has a right to be treated professionally and her condition investigated. You really are a gem for going out of your way to help this poor lady, Thumbs up to you Carl.

 

[sknight]

The poor woman, I think she needs a new doctor

 

[footwoman]

In this situation the doctor has acted correctly, medically.
You say that this lady had suffered with cancer, and has had chemotherapy, hence her immune system has been compromised, which is probably the reason she has succumbed to this problem.
Unless the nail sample is taken from the correct part of the nail it will produce a false negative. The doctor has not prescribed any antifungal treatment because he has no proof that a fungal infection is present.
In any case, oral antifungals are contraindicated in those with depleted immune systems as they can cause liver damage.
I would refer this lady to a podiatrist who should be able to supply a topical medicament that she can use.

 

[Kittensgotclaws]

I agree with what has been said, the doctor obviously didn't take the matter seriously at all, i cant imagine what this poor lady must be feeling, she is very lucky to have you as her nail tech and as a friend.:hug:
Jo.Xx

 

[footwoman]

Ok, so maybe the guy doesn't have much bedside manner, but that doesn't make him a negligent practitioner. His job as a doctor is to keep this lady alive as long as he can, to make sure that she attends all the oncologist appointments, monitor all the test results they keep sending back to him and prescribe accordingly. How her nails look is not on the top of his list pf priorities.
If you read my previous response,(which i don't think you have done) I have endevoured to explain the situation from a medical point of view. Remember, none of us have access to this lady's medical records so we have no knowledge of the details of her condition or drug regime.
In this situation the doctor can do nothing. Medical practitioners work by EBM = evidence based medicine. If there is no proof a disease exists, then they can't treat it.
If he has prescribed antibiotics then maybe there is a low-level infection in the pulp space of the nail that isn't apparently obvious.
Sp please don't knock medical practitioners when you don't have all the facts.
If the lady doesn't like her doc's attitude then I am sure it will be very easy to transfer to another.

 

[mercedes69]

I don't blame you for being so infuriated, it is shocking how some people are treated, especially after what this poor lady has been through already.

I could be wrong and it might not mean that at all. I have heard of some of the medical profession writing dubious things that only they can understand in patient's notes.

My first thought before reading the posts of this thread and just seeing the report was FUN meant fungal/fungus under nail....
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't mean fun in the funny sense....well I certainly hope not

The poor lady....that is dreadful...
and don't get me started on doctors....I've yet to come across one who knows what they are doing...seriously!!!

I do hope she gets sorted out....I feel sorry for the elderly generation....they just get pushed aside at times....

 

[trusim]

What a terrible illness this poor lady is going through. Although having Cancer, her treatments must surely (meds + chemo + radiation) must be causing her extreme pain, and actually is damaging her body, whilst trying to kill off the cancer cells.:cry::cry:

Doctors can only do what they feel is best for her at present, they may find the Nail situation not as important as her cancer.

You are a wonderful Nail Tech Carl, with a heart of gold. May this lady have good luck with her treatments.

At least you are caring enough to help with what ever means you can.

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

I think you should advise your client to seek a second opinion. There is obviously something wrong with her nails.

A cancer patient has a lower immune system, which could be why the condition seems so severe.

Also to address footwoman's comments, i understand that doctors have too many patients and too little time. However, this is no excuse for his treatment. What if she didn't know someone to do the scrape? Surely it only took a few moments. Cancer sufferers need more comfort and support at this time and appearance adds to this, look better feel better.

Nailzoo i am so glad that you're client had a friend like you xx

 

[Leah30]

Poor woman shes been through enough already. I know how it is to be really ill (not with cancer though).

You say this lovely lady did not come to you because of your prices. You do great work so you should charge a for your premium service.

Obv I dont know what your charging to help get this ladies nails back in a decent condition, wether or not your discounting you price for her, but as you have known her for 20 years and know what she has been through and is genuinely struggling can us geeks not help by donating a few quid towards your continiuing treatment for her.

I dont know if I have overstepped the mark by suggesting this but I would like to donate £10 pound towards this.

If I get canned for this idea then fine. Would just like to help her as I really feel for her.

If you could get in touch with me Nailzoo.

Thanks.

 

[adelekeegan1]

Ok, so maybe the guy doesn't have much bedside manner, but that doesn't make him a negligent practitioner. His job as a doctor is to keep this lady alive as long as he can, to make sure that she attends all the oncologist appointments, monitor all the test results they keep sending back to him and prescribe accordingly. How her nails look is not on the top of his list pf priorities.
If you read my previous response,(which i don't think you have done) I have endevoured to explain the situation from a medical point of view. Remember, none of us have access to this lady's medical records so we have no knowledge of the details of her condition or drug regime.
In this situation the doctor can do nothing. Medical practitioners work by EBM = evidence based medicine. If there is no proof a disease exists, then they can't treat it.
If he has prescribed antibiotics then maybe there is a low-level infection in the pulp space of the nail that isn't apparently obvious.
Sp please don't knock medical practitioners when you don't have all the facts.
If the lady doesn't like her doc's attitude then I am sure it will be very easy to transfer to another.

You seem to have very definite views here. I have had a look at your profile but you have not filled it in, so I am unsure of your experience in these matters. Perhaps you would be kind enough to explain on what experience you are basing this opinion.

 

[footwoman]

I am giving an opinion based on 35+ years experience as a chiropodist/podiatrist who has worked in both NHS and private practice.

 

[rouge]

I'm a bit baffled as to why the doctor would prescribe trimethoprim, as that is an antibiotic for bacterial infections, not fungal infections. Trimethoprim

I hope you can get this sorted for her, Nailzoo, she must be terribly upset, especially with everything else she's going through.

 

[footwoman]

There is no evidence of a fungal infection - the test came back negative.
There could however be something else developing that we are not aware of and the doctor could have prescribed an antibiotic as a propylactic measure.