I broke down yesterday, and made an appointment to see the doctor. I cant even describe how much pain I was in, it was immense none the less. I would elevate my leg, which would make it feel much better, but once I lowered my foot the pain came shooting back, so bad, that I couldn’t even walk on that foot.
I Googled how to take care of wounds and burns, and I couldn’t find a single straight answer, I read that I should cover it, use Neosporin, use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, saline washes, soap; and then of course I read in other places,that I shouldn’t do any of those. I tried all of them over the past 4 days, and none of them seemed to help, the pain just got worse, and my ankle and foot had gotten really swollen.
I sucked up my pride, and got into the doctor the same day. Of course, being in a small town, the nurse looked at me like I was nuts after I explained what I was doing, and looked even more shocked when I showed her my sorry excuse for an ankle. After a very long two hours of sitting in the doctors office waiting for second opinions on what to do, I was given a few prescriptions…and get to go back for another visit this Thursday.
$130.00 worth of prescription drugs later…
- Silver Sulfadiazine 1% (Topical Antibiotic for burns)
- Levaquin 500mg (Oral Antibiotic)
- Darvocet (Pain reliever)
The doctor covered by tattoo with silver sulfa and bandaged it, so I wasn’t able to get a picture of what my tattoo looked like right before using the prescription ointment, but I will keep on blogging the healing process. Just now, keep in mind for the next 7 days I’m on prescriptions. I will try to take pictures everyday, to see what kind of impact the prescriptions may have.
***One Day After Doctors Visit
(Silver Sulfa/Once a Day, Levaquin/Once a Day, Pain Relievers-As Needed)
The Nurse made it very clear that this is going to probably scar terribly. I am going to stay optimistic about it. Funny thing was she asked my if I knew how to post information on the Internet, she said that I really should warn people about the dangers of using Nuviderm…Ha. I am one step ahead of that!
I got to thinking, everyone I have talked to had a lot of trouble during their second application. I honestly haven’t talked to anyone that was on their third or so application, since they all stopped after their second application. I have a feeling that treating the same area twice or more times, is just too much trauma for the skin to handle. I don’t know if maybe waiting twice as long in between applications would help that or not.
On my previous post ‘L’ commented on using colloidal silver bandages; No one in town carries those here, but I think that is a great recommendation for anyone whose in the healing process. I would have to also agree, that 50% is way to strong. I used 46% this last time, and I’m really regretting that. I would definitely recommend using a lower strength…I would personally rather have to do many weak applications, than go through this mess again.
And to think the thought of *hmmm a facial peel might be nice* crossed my mind when I was researching TCA before I purchased nuviderm. I am SO glad that was just merely a thought…Can you imagine putting 12-30% strength on your face…It makes me cringe just thinking about it!
I almost forgot. What would this post be without a nasty bandage picture? My tattoo is still oozing.
***Bandage after day one of using Silver Sulfa. The discharge color is orange/brown.
I’m glad you went to a doctor, I have been taking keflex (antibiotic) just to be on the safe side. I do not plan to use this product any longer, and you are right no one seems to be able to stand a third try. I have only treated once, also on my ankle, which is swollen and painful to walk on after 6 days. No matter how much Nuviderm instructions are followed, I personally feel from my experience and others posted on the web that it is not worth risking the infection. I work in a professional environment and feel self conscious wearing a skirt because my non-offensive blue/green sea turtle still draws questions I get tired of answering. The tattoo is a 22 year old faded piece of artwork that wasn’t really that ugly when I got it at 17, but time changes many things. I feel foolish even attempting removal myself, should have known better. The swelling is going down as I’ve been icing it, and who knows what the results will be, still not going to try this further. I feel especially dumb because I have turned down chemical peels for the face that were offered for free before because I am very health conscious, and here I am doing toxic things to myself out of desperation and lack of thousands of dollars to spend. Even in a controlled environment laser is nasty and painful from what I’ve heard. Anything invasive is, if more women saw blogs on what happens during a boob job and down the road they might think twice. Well lesson learned, hope others will avoid the potential damage to your body. Nuviderm should really not sell this stuff “over the counter” the disclaimer may not save them from the FDA.
sorry that your having so much trouble. I hope your ankle feels better soon. I did one treatment about 10 days ago. The tattoo is on my chest and of course the stuff ran. I kept dabbing it with a wet washcloth but it still burned that area. At first I didnt think it was working because it hardly stung at all. Then it took day or for it to start to blister . The area is almost completely healed but the new skin is really white. I dont know if the pigment will come back or not. I mixed it at 50% but then got nervous and added a few more drops of water to it for safe measure. LOL. When I saw your latest blog I almost just threw the stuff out. I dont think I will do another treatment. If I do, I will wait at least a month and a half and do it at a much lower potency. (maybe 25%) Obviously the new skin cannot take the higher does. They really should warn people about that. I hope you heal quickly and thanks for keeping us informed.
The instructions say start at the lowest strength. I started with 17% and I’m on my third treatment. It seems to be working well. I may move to the next level (25%) my next treatment. Beyond itching I have had no problems. I think when you use excessive strength is when you get into trouble – 2 beers is fine but 6 is to much. Like you said, it’s better to do more treatments at lower strength and not be in such a hurry. Eight layers your last treatment was to much.
For my money Nuviderm has been worth it.
Honestly I used a low dose and few layers, but had problems with dripping, the areas where it dripped are actually causing the problem, even though I rinsed and also used baking soda paste to neutralize. I was fine for the first 3 days, but I am on day 5 and really don’t want to go through this process again at all. I think an ankle site, putting pressure by walking etc. also caused a problem. I would never use this on my face as it is commonly used. I wonder if jdeter has any before and after photos and if you expect complete removal or if you will laser it off in the future. I really would like to see some successful cases.
helpppppppp
i had a little tattoo mole on the top of my lip, i failed to read the instructions because i just wanted to get rid of it. Well i kicked myself in the ass, because all around the area of the mole is turning very dark almost black, is this just old skik that is going to fall off or is it hyperpigmentation. I am in serious need of some serious advice. No jokes please this is not intended to be funny. I need someones advice.
Lisa
OMG, that’s sick!!!
I’d rather go through life with a crap tattoo (I’ve got a few) than share what’s happening to you
I am healing from my second app, it was burned severly but when it heals i should be tattoo free, i may do a thied app with an extremeeeeeely light dose just to remove any remaining remnants of ink, otherwise people must remember this is an ACID BURN… it is used for things such as wart removal because it goes deep into the layers of your skin and burns away at them…. will post more…good thread
WELL I HAVE 3 TATTOS IN TOTAL I WAS THINKING OF BUYING THIS 2 TAKE THE ONE IN MY HAND AND IN MY STAR I REGET GETTING THEM RIGHT NOW CUZ IMMA HAVE A BABY AND THAT LOOK BAD … BUT W/ ALL THIS I’M NOT SURE NOW..
So I was the retard that decided to get a guys name on me… anyhow Ive started the process of removing it because of course we broke up. Ive had 5 laser sessions and its not coming off as fast as the dr. said it would. Im considering purchasing this product to use in combination with the laser.. Would this make it come off faster? is it worth it?