With Summer....

[dave87]

...comes mosquitos.

Now for most, they are a minor irritation, they bite you, it itches, the bites go away after a few days. But then theres me.

Me+Mosquito bites = swollen arm

Bloody things decided to eat me alive at a bbq I went to on friday, 5 large bites on my arm. Alls well untill about half way through Saturday, when my hand baloons up. Makes matters worse my elbow and wrist are inflamed, as are my fingers and the back of my hand. I can't even make a fist and its painfull even typing this. Still, at least I've still got my right arm.

So after being told by the pharmascist that all I needed was savlon, it was duly applied. Less than nothing happened.

So off to our friendly A&E (the last time I visited this particular one I'd just snapped my collarbone in half...so a good history ) where I was politely asked to take a seat. Great. I have an arm that resembles a baloon and is throbbing. Looked up at the board - expected wait 4 hours. Out comes the iPod and I settle in for the long haul.

Wait...here's the best bit.....

I was seen within 35 minutes...Amazed yet pleased (last time with the broken collarbone, if I hadn't have nearly fainted at reception then I would have been there for hours..) I'm told the GP'll see me in about 45 minutes (well...these GPs, always behind schedule...or at least all the ones I've met)

So came back, ready to again sit in for the longhaul... the doctors out before I've even got comfortable, and I'm the next in.

Very Nice bloke, I must admit I felt for him working on a Sunday, but quite cheerful. He says the ones at the top of your arm are just inflamed, the others are going infected. Ah bugger. Don't worry he said, are you allergic to penecillin? Nope says me, and out I walk two minutes later with a prescribtion for the medical equivalent of a nuclear bomb.

So what have I learnt today then?

Well firstly, don't let myself get bitten by mosquitos, even if it was rather relaxing sitting near a pond with a beer in my hand as the sun set.
Secondly, occasionally, the NHS does a bloody good job, and that they should be given all the credit they deserve.
Thirdly, paracetamol does nothing for pain

The final point that can be inferred from this experience, is that no matter how good the NHS is, I'm still screwed for the History exam I have tomorrow.

[YODA]Off in search of doctors note, I am[/YODA]

[XA04]

... Still, at least I've still got my right arm.

Yep!.



I never knew there were mosquitos in the UK... I remember seeing some coloured ones a year or two ago... thought it must of been a fly I haven't seen before...... have they been here for a long time or have they adapted to our weather or something?


I take it your left handed if you think your screwed for the exam tomorrow?



Hope it gets better soon btw.

[dave87]

I take it your left handed if you think your screwed for the exam tomorrow?

Nah, I'm right handed, but the problem with History Revision is that it invloves reading heavy ish books, and I cant even hold a cup with my left hand. Making it nigh on impossible to sit and read anything for any prolonged period of time. It has also had the effect of making me feel groggy, and so I'm not really absorbing as much of the information I need as I should. That, and how the hell am I gunna maintain concentration in a large hot exam hall for nigh on 2 hours

Lets just hope they will accept a doctors certificate after the exam, being monday morning I can't even get to the doctors before hand to get one, and they have to be issued by my GP

Hope it gets better soon btw.

I hope so too

[TeePee]

I have a similar reaction to the mozzies here in FL. I feel your pain. The solution is to soak yourself in DEET.

[XA04]

Ah. Nasty.

Maybe the medication will work well over night and sort it for the morning!

[dave87]

Ah. Nasty.

Maybe the medication will work well over night and sort it for the morning!

We can always hope - Its not asif I mind the itching, its the swelling that I'm objecting to. Hopefully the anti-hystamines I'm already taking and the antiBiotics I've been given will reduce the swelling. Wisdom teeth were a minor irritation compared to moving my swolen wrist atm.

I have a similar reaction to the mozzies here in FL. I feel your pain. The solution is to soak yourself in DEET.

What would DEET be when its at home? And when I went to florida last year the mozzies werent so bad, but France the year before, I was eaten alive, with a similarly bad reaction.

[nichomach]

I have to say, I went into our local A&E recently after effectively testing the hypothesis that almost anything is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick (you may now consider that proven), and I was treated rapidly - again, ahead of the projected wait time - efficiently, courteously and effectively. I've also visited with my wife and my daughter, and the same has applied. By the way, my wife is also allegic to mozzie bites; the last time she had some, her arms and legs ended up looking like ugli fruit...

[dave87]

I have to say, I went into our local A&E recently after effectively testing the hypothesis that almost anything is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick (you may now consider that proven), and I was treated rapidly - again, ahead of the projected wait time - efficiently, courteously and effectively. I've also visited with my wife and my daughter, and the same has applied. By the way, my wife is also allegic to mozzie bites; the last time she had some, her arms and legs ended up looking like ugli fruit...

As I said I was supprised - I mean whenever there is a story about the NHS in the news it makes it out to be diabolical, and in some places it may be, but here, today, I can't complain about the service I recieved.

I like your comparison with ugli fruit, that is exactly how my left hand is now.

[shelley bda]

.Me+Mosquito bites = swollen arm

Bloody things decided to eat me alive at a bbq I went to on friday, 5 large bites on my arm. Alls well untill about half way through Saturday, when my hand baloons up. Makes matters worse my elbow and wrist are inflamed, as are my fingers and the back of my hand. I can't even make a fist and its painfull even typing this. Still, at least I've still got my right arm.

The final point that can be inferred from this experience, is that no matter how good the NHS is, I'm still screwed for the History exam I have tomorrow.

Ouch!!! you poor thing that sounds really nasty, hope it all clears up soon

I agree about the NHS service, took my eldest into the day surgery unit to have some stubborn baby teeth out under general anaesthetic last Thursday, the theatre staff were fantastic, as were the recovery room staff, what impressed me the most though was everything was explained to Michael ( 12 ) not me and any decision was Michaels not mine, he was really nervous and they made such an effort at putting him at ease on the operating table, talking about football because he was wearing his England top, he predicted Englands 2-0 victory ( and Rooney as a sub, wish i put a bet on that one ) while on the table and when i blubbed my eyes out when Michael went under the Nurse was there comforting me.
I was just very impressed with the compassion we recieved even though they deal with loads of cases each day, they are amazing

[dave87]

Thanks to all for the kind words, the swelling isn't as painful as it was, but my hand is still swollen The anti-biotics I have been taking have reduced the pain a bit, but it is still a wierd feeling so hopefully it will get better as the week goes on

Dave

[TiMeZeRo]

ive got 2 bites on my arm that looks like golf balls now :*( and 2 on my back that just look normal hope the bites on my arm are moz bites not somin else :|

[Knoxville]

Ah. Nasty.

Maybe the medication will work well over night and sort it for the morning!

Don't wanna be the bad guy here but iirc antibiotics take 24-48 hours to kick in properly, can you not resit the exam at a later date in isolation? seeing as it sounds like your in a fairly bad way.

[dave87]

Don't wanna be the bad guy here but iirc antibiotics take 24-48 hours to kick in properly, can you not resit the exam at a later date in isolation? seeing as it sounds like your in a fairly bad way.

I think the best I can do is go sit it, and hand in a doctors note. Then if it turns out I don't get the grade I need then I'll have to resit it or talk to the university directly and see what they say. This week is pretty hectic however, so I doubt I'd be able to fit in this exam without rearranging everything else

[dave87]

Well, just returned for the exam, my essays werent bad - I got all the points I wanted accross, although some of the structuring left a little to be desired. I think I put in a logical reasoned arguement, but time will tell....bring on results day!!!

Otherwise the antibiotics seem to be working, its a little less swollen and a bit less painful, though as Knoxxy said, they take a while to work. At least I haven't got an exam until Weds now

Dave

[XA04]

Looks like it went better than you expected then, just keep positive!

[Moonshade]

Dave87, congrats to your essays! I'm so sorry about your mosquito bites! After reading your post I bet I shouldn't complain Yesterday I was out sailing with my parents and brother and I got 3 mosquito bites that was first these usual tiny ones, but when I scratched them...they started swelling but...although not as bad as your ones. But still it hurts a lot and does look kinda funny.

I hope you'll get better soon!
*comforting hug from moonshade*

-- Moon