Stupid Really Hurts!!!

[Parched]

I am 46 years old and have always considered my self to have common sense.

Well yesterday morning I thought I would mow just a little bit of the lawn.  For some really STUPID reason I did not change into my tennis shoes.  The one and only time I don't wear tennis shoes, a rock shot out the back of the mower and hit me on the big toe.   I dropped to the ground, it felt like my toe was split in half and the pain shot all the way up my calf.  I was afraid to look, I was sure my toe was split in half or at least bleeding.   To my surprise my toe was Raynauds white.   Now it is purple, black, blue and red.   Dang STUPID REALLY HURTS

I do actually have a question?   This injury is to the foot I have Raynauds in, normally I would put an ice pack on a bruise, but not sure if that is a good ideal with Raynauds... Has anyone ever used ice pack with having Raynauds?

I called the doctor this AM but still waiting to hear back from them.

Parched

[Katybarstool]

oooh! that sounds painful. I have Raynauds, and I wouldn't use ice. Have you any witch hazel you could bathe it with?

Hope it feels better soon.

Kathyx

[Piebird]

I was going to make a stupid joke about you calling the "tow/toe truck" for help.

Instead I will just send you hugs.

Man toes can be sensitive! I think I grimaced while reading your post.

[irish]

I would imagine that the sudden injury and stress threw your vessels into spasm and thus the white color. I would not put ice on it either. I would elevate it and see if that will keep the swelling down and it might also relieve a little of the pain.

This could be a problem pain wise. I don't know if NSAIDS should be taken in this kind of injury. You might want to call your doctor. Also, keep a close watch on it and check for any changes in the tissue that could indicate decrease in circulation. That would not be good. The swelling along with the decreased circulation cause a double whammy on the total circulation to the toe.

Also, do you think that your toe could be broken or cracked??? We all have done things that can be included under the heading of "Stupid really hurts." It comes with being human. Good luck. Irish

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Oh man.....

I'm right there with ya. I HATE wearing shoes in the house....even slippers. Just can't stand it. I'm also 5'10" and really uncoordinated....and a bad housekeeper, LOL, so I am CONSTANTLY breaking toes. I don't even go in to the doc anymore unless I can't walk at all...last time I went in and they x-rayed my foot the radiologist cracked up - she said "holy cow - you don't really like that foot very much, do you?!" (I have a plate in that ankle from an old injury and multiple toe fractures over the years) - I guess the pinky toe is just kind of a little sac of bone chips and scar tissue at this point - still hurts when I pop it, though. I just loosely "buddy tape" it to the toe next door and put my foot up for a while every day....

But with Raynaud's (I have that too) ice is NOT a great idea. Elevation is - keep the foot cool but not cold when you elevate it. If the color stays bad, see a doc. When I bang them (I also work with horses and they get stepped on sometimes), they usually will blanch like that for a while and then turn all colors of the rainbow. As the bruise heals, it even looks green sometimes.  If it bruises badly, at least you know blood is getting through to it....

A doc told me that with something like Raynaud's you can expect the trauma to take up to 3-4 times as long as normal to heal - but as long as you are making progress, that's good. Ulcerations of the skin should be monitored really closely....that's definitely a problem.

After the first couple of days, warm (not hot) Epsom salt baths might help draw out some of the swelling and encourage circulation. Elevate it if it hurts or gets swollen....and elevating your foot at the end of the day (I do it while I watch TV for a while before bed) can help alleviate swelling from being on your feet during the day.

Don't elevate it so much it turns white....I find that if I am stretched out on the couch, kinda sitting half up against the arm, putting the foot on a pile of pillows until it's about the same height as my shoulders works well enough. I just throw a light blanket over the bare foot. If Dear Husband is kind enough to massage my foot and ankle (but not the affected toe, of course....), it feels like it kinda helps get stuff circulating in there. It also feels pretty nice!

I hope some of that helps. Everybody is different, of course - but that's my (sadly, quite extensive) experience of toe injuries with Raynaud's.....

[Parched]

I was going to make a stupid joke about you calling the "tow/toe truck" for help.

Instead I will just send you hugs.

Man toes can be sensitive! I think I grimaced while reading your post.

Piebird, Thank you for the hugs and the joke I really did chuckle....

[Parched]

Katybarstool, Irish and Sleepy in Seattle,

Thank you so much for stressing not to ice my foot.  I was so close to putting ice on it before your replies.

It took my primary doctor two days to call me back, I think she thought I was an idiot for calling her.  All I could say was Raynauds is fairly new to me and I did not know what to do.

I ended up with a two day migraine so that kept me in bed and made it easier to keep my foot up. 

I think I will survive my stupidity, Thank you all

Parched

[brokentoe]

Hello!  I don't have Sjogrens, but I *do* have Raynauds.  This is the second time in 10 years that I've broken my pinky toe.  Everything I use to buddy tape my toe is either very uncomfortable or just doesn't work.  Coban is hard to put on and no matter how much I stretch it before hand, it constricts too much with my Raynauds.  I try regular cloth tape, but it doesn't hold during the night.  I've tried foam tape, but its too heavy, if that makes sense.  What have you guys used?  I'm at a total loss. 
Parched - I hope your toe is doing much better at this point. 

[slccom]

I have to "sister" a toe and found that 3/4 inch wide elastic sewn just tight enough does the job without pain. Also, they sell a little padded toe comfort thing for high heels that is great.

That said, please, run (ok, hobble) to a podiatrist NOW. I hurt my right big toe, and ended up losing it after three miserable, pain-filled years. Had I gotten it treated right away, I would still have an intact right foot.

Hugs, Sharon

[iraisin]

Oh Gah!!! I just read this and had an electrical impulse travel from my spine to the tips of my toes and fingers. Goodness girl! That sounds so painful. eh eh eh. I wish I hadn't read this post.

I'm so sorry, so, so sorry. ouch, ouch, ouch.

I hope you get some relief soon, really soon. so sorry.

[jazzlover]

Sounds horribly painful!!! The ice would have made you HURT even more. You would have learned quite quickly that it was a "no-go."

Amen to making an appointment with a podiatrist ASAP...esp since it takes a long time to get in to see one.

Hugs and love....!!!!!

[Luna]

Ouch!! I hope your toe is feeling a little better by now. Im so sorry that happend to you. I hate wearing shoes also,so I do understand. I must say that im impressed you can still cut grass. Im jelouse..

Luna

[jazzlover]

Arnica gel from your local health food store should help the pain and bruising!!

[sass]

sorry about your toe and I am sorry but I just have to do it anyway....

sounds like you were in a real toejam!   and with a migraine no less...toe be or not toe be!!
well I am signing off for toenight!       ~sass~

[iraisin]

LOL! LOL! LOL!

Sass, I love you dear lady!