Firstly, let me say that my post was not intended to disparage the medical professionals who contribute their opinion in this sub-forum. We are all here to learn and share. That is the first function of any online forum.
Second, let me offer my apologies as a new member who did-not properly read the sub-forum heading. I was surfing "new posts" and jumped into this one. I'm not a medical professional, nor do I play one on TV. So I should not have even made a comment in this forum, leaving it up to those qualified to answer.
Finally, a comment on why I did post and to answer DocVikingo's question. I was surprised that an individual would let acute presentation of symptoms wait for a week and only then choose to solicit comments online. It is my layman's opinion that an online medical forum such as this would not be used as your PRIMARY form of medical diagnosis and treatment. It should be used to supplement the information gathered during primary investigation OR to seek guidance on how to go about seeking medical treatment as well as any myriad of secondary and topical discussion on medical matters that are not immediately life threatening.
My opinion is that if you have a condition that is causing debilitating pain to the loss of functionality (OP: "I have had them almost a week and I
can barely grasp anything with my hands it hurts so much.") then why are you waiting a week to let the internet solve your problem. Why have you not already sought immediate primary care by a professional who can view and more reasonably be able to treat the problem first-hand (no pun intended).
What this forum cannot do is:
- Make a concrete diagnosis from a 3 sentence posting.
- Prescribe treatment
- Source and Administer medications.
This is simply my opinion in answer to DocVikingo's valid question. My appologies for hijacking the thread.
To the OP, I trust that your condition is improving and resolves swiftly. Take Care.
EDIT - Also, I am a Canadian. Perhaps this skews my perspective on seeking medical treatment. I had not considered that perhaps seeking medical advice from a physician at a clinic, office or hospital may result in a prohibitively expensive bill. The fact that my nation's medical fees ultimately come from our federal personal income tax means a visit to the Dr. only costs $25. For that price, I don't see a restriction preventing seeking care. Perhaps in this case, the OP is avoiding an expensive bill for something that a physician may tell him to get some $10 cortisone cream OTC.
Just curious, Rutger. What do you see as the appropriate function(s) of this Diving Medicine forum?
Thanks,
DocVikingo
PS: To those familiar with this forum the doctors who regularly contribute most certainly are not "random," and some would not consider us "strangers."