!!!TURNS OUT MY MY TANK WAS TRYING TO KILL ME AFTER ALL/or it was simply mimicking cartoon spinach...

[rennjidk]

yeah I am not going to lie here. The few folks that contacted me directly with some very relatable stories of pretty scary outcomes, succeeded in freaking me out a lot. In this case was probably for the better. I agree this is a seldom discussed topic. One of those, you just don't even consider it, till it happens to you situations.

Glad you guys are all right but yikes! eye opener x 100

Here I am yesterday, still red and puffy. And again today. better, my forearm swelling is way down. Elbow's still puffy . I think I'm out of the woods though. It definitely got redder and a little bigger after my first post, but seems to have started to ebb now. I mean I think the medicine is working. Going back on Monday morning for a follow up.


yesterday

today over 48 hours on antibiotics (serious face)

I'm glad things are starting to work. Hope you feel better!

 

[Chris Hufham]

The bad thing is we will not always put on gloves every time we touch the water in our tanks! Even though I believe there is always something in your tank that can hurt you! And I am one that takes that gamble every day. Rock are very scary, I do try not to play with them! I do wash after every time I'm in the tank, not because I think what could happen, but hate the feel of salt water on me. Lol

 

[rennjidk]

The bad thing is we will not always put on gloves every time we touch the water in our tanks! Even though I believe there is always something in your tank that can hurt you! And I am one that takes that gamble every day. Rock are very scary, I do try not to play with them! I do wash after every time I'm in the tank, not because I think what could happen, but hate the feel of salt water on me. Lol

I'm in the gloves only camp as well. I still sometimes get small scratches when working in the tank (usually doing something it shouldn't be). I get super paranoid about them and end up scrubbing them, disinfecting, and then wearing multiple bandaids slathered in antibiotic ointment.

My lfs will bag up a bunch of frags and then take a bite out of a sandwich with still wet hands. Makes me cringe everytime I see it happen.

 

[Mark-Stover]

So happy you are improving! I had a Dino outbreak so got a microscope. I had no idea that all those little buggers were in my tank. It’s shocking! My wife who specialized in microbiology kept telling me that it was there, but I was still using my mouth to restart siphons..what does she know? . Makes me wonder if recent intestinal issues I had were from the tank. I’m really paranoid now.

 

[Chris Hufham]

You know millions of aquariums are out there and you only here about this kind of thing very little! so what do you think. 1% get into this kind of thing. Now if you have an open wound then odds go way up! I have surf all my life and have had some strange rashes before, But the Ocean would not be concentrated like in an aquarium.
This topic makes you think!

 

[Velcro]

The word doxycycline flashed through my head as soon as I read your title lol. My wife knows the first thing that she has to say to my colleagues at work if she has to bring me in for some ailment is 1) palytoxin and 2) vibrio.

 

[Jay6363]

This, vibrio, is one of the most potentially deadly bacteria in our aquariums. Then there are the neurotoxins of palytoxins that are equally as bad.
Bites, by critters in our aquarium, cuts, scrapes, abrasions can cause some severe and potentially fatal illnesses.
A topic rarely discussed in this hobby. Must be taken seriously.

Vibrio causing necrotizing faciaitis - flesh eating bacteria is 100% fatal if not caught in time. I was lucky bc I knew what it was almost immediately.
And you are right in certain situations palytoxins could land you in the ICU on a ventilator ( extreme case)
But a lot of the vibrio has been caused by a beach goer cutting their foot in the ocean (warming waters= more common) and it’s been fatal.
I find this topic comes up, not enough as you pointed out.
But as another pointed out- if you ever get something like Adam did outline it, if it breaches the boarder and is hot and painful go to the doc immediately. And be weary if they turn you away with cellulitis, but in Adam’s case they gave him a pretty strong antibiotic. So I’m confident it will be good, plus I told him what to look out for.

But you’re absolutely right. Should be brought up more especially with all the new individuals entering the hobby.

 

[Velcro]

Vibrio causing necrotizing faciaitis - flesh eating bacteria is 100% fatal if not caught in time. I was lucky bc I knew what it was almost immediately.
And you are right in certain situations palytoxins could land you in the ICU on a ventilator ( extreme case)
But a lot of the vibrio has been caused by a beach goer cutting their foot in the ocean (warming waters= more common) and it’s been fatal.
I find this topic comes up, not enough as you pointed out.
But as another pointed out- if you ever get something like Adam did outline it, if it breaches the boarder and is hot and painful go to the doc immediately. And be weary if they turn you away with cellulitis, but in Adam’s case they gave him a pretty strong antibiotic. So I’m confident it will be good, plus I told him what to look out for.

But you’re absolutely right. Should be brought up more especially with all the new individuals entering the hobby.

Doxy isn’t really all that “strong.” It’s just good at the weird stuff.

 

[pjr]

My LFS owner has experienced vibrio twice, the last time resulting in 3 weeks of hospital care and IV antibiotics.

Do a search on a guy named Steven Pro.... he made the rounds at marine conferences talking about his experiences several years ago, which if i recall correctly wound up with nearly a year of intense antibiotics as his treatment course. And pictures of his hands were pretty nasty, so beware if those pop up.

 

[100gallonreefer]

yeah I am not going to lie here. The few folks that contacted me directly with some very relatable stories of pretty scary outcomes, succeeded in freaking me out a lot. In this case was probably for the better. I agree this is a seldom discussed topic. One of those, you just don't even consider it, till it happens to you situations.

Glad you guys are all right but yikes! eye opener x 100

Here I am yesterday, still red and puffy. And again today. better, my forearm swelling is way down. Elbow's still puffy . I think I'm out of the woods though. It definitely got redder and a little bigger after my first post, but seems to have started to ebb now. I mean I think the medicine is working. Going back on Monday morning for a follow up.


yesterday

today over 48 hours on antibiotics (serious face)

Looking like my favorite Superhero. Well done! @Battlecorals

 

[REEFRIED!]

Wow! Adam I am glad you are ok. Watch this video when you get a chance.

 

[Battlecorals]

Wow! Adam I am glad you are ok. Watch this video when you get a chance.

Truth is this thing is still not quite done with me unfortunately. The peripheral infection was definitely knocked down by the doxycycline, but late last week the red warm elbow came back.

After a few more dr visits since last Monday. They were going to drain the fluid yesterday but opted not to.

So, now I'm on a new antibiotic that should target the elbow better. With any luck. X-ray showed that it has not affected my bones at all which is apparently a really good thing at this stage.

Going back tomorrow for another follow up.

Certainly more of a problem than I originally thought.

Watching the vid now thanks a ton for the link. We will never know if my issue was from the tank fir sure, but think I goes with saying that this is a subject that could be discussed more often for sure.


I think it’s just one of those you don’t think it can happen to you, till it does.


Thanks for the link!

 

[Dburr1014]

Truth is this thing is still not quite done with me unfortunately. The peripheral infection was definitely knocked down by the doxycycline, but late last week the red warm elbow came back.

After a few more dr visits since last Monday. They were going to drain the fluid yesterday but opted not to.

So, now I'm on a new antibiotic that should target the elbow better. With any luck. X-ray showed that it has not affected my bones at all which is apparently a really good thing at this stage.

Going back tomorrow for another follow up.

Certainly more of a problem than I originally thought.

Watching the vid now thanks a ton for the link. We will never know if my issue was from the tank fir sure, but think I goes with saying that this is a subject that could be discussed more often for sure.


I think it’s just one of those you don’t think it can happen to you, till it does.


Thanks for the link!

Oh my, get well soon!

 

[REEFRIED!]

Truth is this thing is still not quite done with me unfortunately. The peripheral infection was definitely knocked down by the doxycycline, but late last week the red warm elbow came back.

After a few more dr visits since last Monday. They were going to drain the fluid yesterday but opted not to.

So, now I'm on a new antibiotic that should target the elbow better. With any luck. X-ray showed that it has not affected my bones at all which is apparently a really good thing at this stage.

Going back tomorrow for another follow up.

Certainly more of a problem than I originally thought.

Watching the vid now thanks a ton for the link. We will never know if my issue was from the tank fir sure, but think I goes with saying that this is a subject that could be discussed more often for sure.


I think it’s just one of those you don’t think it can happen to you, till it does.


Thanks for the link!

Wow, definitely keep an eye on it. Sometimes the body gets use to one type of antibiotic, and you need to switch it up.

I am honestly surprised more of these things don’t happen more often.

 

[Battlecorals]

So, here's the one month-ish update. Elbow is actually still infected. Definitely better,but not gone 100%.

Quite a few Dr visits now, (thanks for dealing with all the shipping quirks and delays I've had to throw at some of you) and 3 antibiotics later, I've still got a warm red elbow. lol.

I saw a specialist three weeks ago now that put me on another antibiotic, after the doxy wasn't clearing it up. took all 14 days worth though of the doxy.

Had a follow up two days after I saw her, and she stopped the new one and put me on Sulfamethoxazole, which is apparently a pretty heavy hitter. Took my last one of those last Thursday. Most of the swelling had gone away but the elbow was still red and warm, and is still today. just not quite knocking it out.

Going back again this Thursday, and this time they said if it's not showing clear signs of recovery the next phase would be surgery of some sort. Minor I'm guessing. But I'll be darned if this thing is still not giving up the fight. I don't think I'm in any serious danger at this point. And ultimately it's not causing me any pain or discomfort. Just kind of ready to not have an infected elbow anymore. lol

 

[tautog83]

What did the culture come back as? They should have identified it by now if they took a culture, and then they shpuld know exactly which antibiotic to use. Maybe it wasnt swollen and didnt have anything to drain but seems like throwing random antibiotics at it after 3 weeks is guessing at this point

 

[Battlecorals]

What did the culture come back as? They should have identified it by now if they took a culture, and then they shpuld know exactly which antibiotic to use. Maybe it wasnt swollen and didnt have anything to drain but seems like throwing random antibiotics at it after 3 weeks is guessing at this point

yeah I agree. they haven't done a culture yet. guessing this may be the direction we end up going if things don't look better on Thursday.

 

[Jasonak]

So, here's the one month-ish update. Elbow is actually still infected. Definitely better,but not gone 100%.

Quite a few Dr visits now, (thanks for dealing with all the shipping quirks and delays I've had to throw at some of you) and 3 antibiotics later, I've still got a warm red elbow. lol.

I saw a specialist three weeks ago now that put me on another antibiotic, after the doxy wasn't clearing it up. took all 14 days worth though of the doxy.

Had a follow up two days after I saw her, and she stopped the new one and put me on Sulfamethoxazole, which is apparently a pretty heavy hitter. Took my last one of those last Thursday. Most of the swelling had gone away but the elbow was still red and warm, and is still today. just not quite knocking it out.

Going back again this Thursday, and this time they said if it's not showing clear signs of recovery the next phase would be surgery of some sort. Minor I'm guessing. But I'll be darned if this thing is still not giving up the fight. I don't think I'm in any serious danger at this point. And ultimately it's not causing me any pain or discomfort. Just kind of ready to not have an infected elbow anymore. lol

dang man so sorry to hear! That really sucks ! Putting out good vibes to you ! DONT push yourself it can only make things worse.

 

[GlassMunky]

as someone with multiple medical people in the family, this is just wild IMO.... if after 14 days of Doxy didnt work and they havnt cultured it yet, just what the heck?! Id possibly mention that to your dr when you go back on Thursday like "why havnt we cultured this to see which AB we should be using if these havnt worked?"
Wishing you the best man, medical stuff can get messy

 

[tautog83]

^ 100 % demand it otherwise get a new doctor