Calciphylaxis: An almost fatal disease.

[RadX]

NOTE: Some images may be disturbing. So see at your own risk

As rare as it is, it would be good to share with those that may encounter and perhaps enlighten those who may have it.

 

Started with an abrasion and developed redness

 

Did not go away and developed into an Eschar and swelling over the next few days:

 

Eschar got worse and I then suspected localised cellulitis and sought tx from polyclinic and was given antibiotics.

Got worse and did not subside, and then went to hospital and the wound was then getting bigger:

 

That was when they did a biopsy and found it to be Calciphylaxis.  An almost untreatable condition with 40-80% mortality and most succumb to secondary sepsis. The PAIN, was amost neuropathic...and one that you would never want to have.  

 

As there was nothing to be done, got discharged. That was when the worse started to happen: NExt sequence of images showed the extent of the growth of the wound:

 

This was when I took things into my own hands and changed strategy of dressing with hydrocolloids to remove the eschar . Progress shown in the subsequent images:

 

After a month, breakthrough and the end is shown:

 

Fully closed:

 

Conclusion and lessons learnt:

 

1. Identify the signs early. Cellulitis and calciphylaxis are often mixed up and is very common .

2. At all costs, keep the wound dry!

3. Seek assistance early. In my case , derma took too long so I had to manage the wound myself. Gd thing I’m knowledgeable in the area of wound mgt.

4. Be positive. The pain can almost make one go into depression so that needs serious managing.

 

Water under the bridge for this now but this episode is documented for the sheer notion of its rarity and to those that may encounter or face this, hope this helps.

I remain positive that I am in remission for this now until it surfaces again?  Then we see......

[ER-3682]

@RadXYou not careful is it.?Handling the Dead Bodies must be Careful.😪

[RadX]

On 12/1/2023 at 7:29 AM, ER-3682 said:

@RadXYou not careful is it.?Handling the Dead Bodies must be Careful.😪

eh...u think Zombie bite me ah....😁

[Windwaver]

On 12/1/2023 at 6:52 AM, RadX said:

NOTE: Some images may be disturbing. So see at your own risk

As rare as it is, it would be good to share with those that may encounter and perhaps enlighten those who may have it.

 

Started with an abrasion and developed redness

 

Did not go away and developed into an Eschar and swelling over the next few days:

 

Eschar got worse and I then suspected localised cellulitis and sought tx from polyclinic and was given antibiotics.

Got worse and did not subside, and then went to hospital and the wound was then getting bigger:

 

That was when they did a biopsy and found it to be Calciphylaxis.  An almost untreatable condition with 40-80% mortality and most succumb to secondary sepsis. The PAIN, was amost neuropathic...and one that you would never want to have.  

 

As there was nothing to be done, got discharged. That was when the worse started to happen: NExt sequence of images showed the extent of the growth of the wound:

 

This was when I took things into my own hands and changed strategy of dressing with hydrocolloids to remove the eschar . Progress shown in the subsequent images:

 

After a month, breakthrough and the end is shown:

 

Fully closed:

 

Conclusion and lessons learnt:

 

1. Identify the signs early. Cellulitis and calciphylaxis are often mixed up and is very common .

2. At all costs, keep the wound dry!

3. Seek assistance early. In my case , derma took too long so I had to manage the wound myself. Gd thing I’m knowledgeable in the area of wound mgt.

4. Be positive. The pain can almost make one go into depression so that needs serious managing.

 

Water under the bridge for this now but this episode is documented for the sheer notion of its rarity and to those that may encounter or face this, hope this helps.

I remain positive that I am in remission for this now until it surfaces again?  Then we see......

Yup, imagine a lifelong of neuropathic pain can really be dilapidating.

BTW, if it's not for your DIY, the hospital and doctors can't do anything for you as mentioned?

Rest well my friend.

[mersaylee]

Not sure if it's related...my advice to those green fingers...do wear gloves while gardening...have heard of peeps fingers gone after infestation...hazard a guess...there's already an open wound then catch the undesirable bacteria...

[RadX]

On 12/1/2023 at 9:00 AM, mersaylee said:

Not sure if it's related...my advice to those green fingers...do wear gloves while gardening...have heard of peeps fingers gone after infestation...hazard a guess...there's already an open wound then catch the undesirable bacteria...

Yes that was one of the plausible diagnoses that I considered but I never went to any forest etc… nor bush..

 

no @Freeder not your kind of bush 😂😂

[Rayleigh]

@RadX Glad that you have recovered. Thanks for sharing. 

[RadX]

On 12/1/2023 at 9:13 AM, Rayleigh said:

@RadX Glad that you have recovered. Thanks for sharing. 

Seeing how rare it is, the least I can do, and key is wound mgt.  Right strategy and antiseptics.  90% succumb to secondary sepsis due to wounds.  the other would succomb to the pain

[kobayashiGT]

On 12/1/2023 at 6:52 AM, RadX said:

NOTE: Some images may be disturbing. So see at your own risk

As rare as it is, it would be good to share with those that may encounter and perhaps enlighten those who may have it.

 

Started with an abrasion and developed redness

 

Did not go away and developed into an Eschar and swelling over the next few days:

 

Eschar got worse and I then suspected localised cellulitis and sought tx from polyclinic and was given antibiotics.

Got worse and did not subside, and then went to hospital and the wound was then getting bigger:

 

That was when they did a biopsy and found it to be Calciphylaxis.  An almost untreatable condition with 40-80% mortality and most succumb to secondary sepsis. The PAIN, was amost neuropathic...and one that you would never want to have.  

 

As there was nothing to be done, got discharged. That was when the worse started to happen: NExt sequence of images showed the extent of the growth of the wound:

 

This was when I took things into my own hands and changed strategy of dressing with hydrocolloids to remove the eschar . Progress shown in the subsequent images:

 

After a month, breakthrough and the end is shown:

 

Fully closed:

 

Conclusion and lessons learnt:

 

1. Identify the signs early. Cellulitis and calciphylaxis are often mixed up and is very common .

2. At all costs, keep the wound dry!

3. Seek assistance early. In my case , derma took too long so I had to manage the wound myself. Gd thing I’m knowledgeable in the area of wound mgt.

4. Be positive. The pain can almost make one go into depression so that needs serious managing.

 

Water under the bridge for this now but this episode is documented for the sheer notion of its rarity and to those that may encounter or face this, hope this helps.

I remain positive that I am in remission for this now until it surfaces again?  Then we see......

Woah boss, now the weather turn cold and wet, please keep the wound dry yah! 

 

[Tianmo]

On 12/1/2023 at 9:17 AM, RadX said:

Seeing how rare it is, the least I can do, and key is wound mgt.  Right strategy and antiseptics.  90% succumb to secondary sepsis due to wounds.  the other would succomb to the pain

My goodness!

Please take good care man! 

[Mkl22]

you said nothing could be done. so just manage with anti biotics to control the infection and then manage the wound via dressing daily?

all in about 2mths? ouch.....

Edited December 1, 2023 by Mkl22

[inlinesix]

On 12/1/2023 at 9:00 AM, mersaylee said:

Not sure if it's related...my advice to those green fingers...do wear gloves while gardening...have heard of peeps fingers gone after infestation...hazard a guess...there's already an open wound then catch the undesirable bacteria...

Even wear glove, it is advisable to use hand sanitizer immediately.

That includes touching soil.

[inlinesix]

@RadX Take good care.  We still need you here.

[Maxus-MIFA9]

On 12/1/2023 at 7:33 AM, RadX said:

eh...u think Zombie bite me ah....😁

Sort off .... 

Look like it but not likely..... 

[PSP415]

Glad you recovered. In this case, do you know what is the cause? Its good that you managed the wound well. 

Thanks for sharing. Take care and keep well. 

Cheers 

[ER-3682]

On 12/1/2023 at 10:13 AM, inlinesix said:

Even wear glove, it is advisable to use hand sanitizer immediately.

That includes touching soil.

Could be buried somebody He went down the Grave.

[t0y0ta]

I googled this term, and it says the risk factor is those who kidney failure/transplant etc

[mersaylee]

On 12/1/2023 at 10:50 AM, ER-3682 said:

Could be buried somebody He went down the Grave.

Only scenario I can tink of for that to happen is when he laughs too hard at the dead...probably a self pawn leotard...until his denture drops into the grave and he goes down to retrieve it...😂