Here it is...not for the squeamish

[SubRosa]

OK here is a pic of the inside of my left forearm,after I lanced and debrided the lesion caused by a mycobacterium infection

 

[Dentoid]

That looks like a nasty abcess. How can you be so sure it's Mycobacterium without a culture? Have you seen a doctor? Are you taking an antibiotic? Incision and drainage is only part of the treatment. Get well soon!

 

[DaBird]

Do you know where you picked up the bad little bug?...

 

[blue_eyes53813]

Oh my gosh.... Is it better? That is gross

 

[sasquatch]

Now thats gonna leave a scar! Leaches Leaches Leaches!!!! lol go see the quack.OH its dated feb 2005, guess you survived.Steve

 

[SubRosa]

Well it was not cultured,but it was the second lesion that I had gotten.I treated the first with augmentin,and it healed,but another formed 5 wks later.Fortunately I had spoken to someone with some experience with mycobacterium,and he told me that it responded only to antibiotics with gram negative activity,like minocycline or rifampin.And who wants orange eyes and urine?After a six week course of minocycline I have been lesion free for over a year.Process of elimination!I am reasonably certain which tank I got it from,as every fish that went into it wasted away despite eating well.That is the main symptom in fish.After I sterilized that tank there were no further problems with fish or me.Combining that knowledge with my antibiotic experience pretty much proves the diagnosis in my book!

 

[murkywaters]

Thanks for posting that. It's good to know things like that can happen. It reinforces my SOP of always washing before and after putting my hands in the tank. Karma for your information.

 

[SubRosa]

Here is a pic of my arm today......not bad considering!

 

[2455coop]

You know...Chicks dig scars...

Well thats what Kenaue Reeves said in the movie "The Replacements"

I just might go and get some new ones for my wife ( or a toolbelt..I heard women like a working man)

 

[burning2nd]

what did that?

who had the 9mm in your tank man?

 

[murkywaters]

You know...Chicks dig scars...

Well thats what Kenaue Reeves said in the movie "The Replacements"

I just might go and get some new ones for my wife ( or a toolbelt..I heard women like a working man)

yeah baby, Love to see my baby in his tool belt.:snshne:

 

[murkywaters]

Here is a pic of my arm today......not bad considering!

Looks great considering.

 

[lcstorc]

Wow! That looks painful.
Glad you have recovered.

 

[KimPossible]

oooph!
Glad you recovered, and thanks for stating the particular antibiotic it responded to...it's good to have that info here.

 

[SubRosa]

Surprisingly it was not painful at all after the operation.Before I opened it it was very tender to the touch

 

[murkywaters]

You cut yourself open? dang

 

[SubRosa]

Burning obviously it was the pistol shrimp............

 

[boozeman]

On a side note :
Tuberculosis is also a mycobacterium. It is always best to have a doctor take a sample for culture...just in case

 

[SubRosa]

No doubt the best way to handle it would be professional medical care,but I had already incurred one bill that really hurt to pay.I would in no way recommend self diagnosis and treatment for anyone but myself!
John

 

[fishheads]

WAIT,what is mycobacterium??I can catch that from my tank??how do you get it??INFO PLEASE,THIS IS NEWS TO ME...SHOULD I BE SCARED OF MY TANK??WHAT ARE THE PREVENTIONS...AND SYMPTOMS.