Here's another possibility- I recently whacked the upper part of my arm terrifically hard against something. As I expected, a bruise showed up in quick order. When I was feeling the bruise, I felt a nodule under it. Hmmmm.... a little internet sleuthing, and I suspected I might have a blood clot, so went to the dr., and sure enough that's what it was. She put me on meds and it was gone soon enough.

I have one feral-but-trying-hard-to-behave kitty. When she bites me, if it's in the right spot, I often get a bruise. So is it possible you've got a bit of a clot there?

How about just calling the doctor? "I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not, but my cat scratched me the other day and there's now a pea-sized knot under the skin..."

I am sure all offices are different, but if I called mine with that info, they'd say one of three things: (1) probably not an issue, but call us in X days if it doesn't go away; (2) a nurse will call you back and get more info; or (3) yes, can you come in at 2:00 today?

You've got nothing to lose by calling. You didn't ask for advice, but you're obviously concerned enough to bring it up here, so you're getting advice...whether you want it or not!? (I'm smiling while saying that, BTW. Not being snarky.)

Oakleyok, I don't really remember that a swollen lump developed at a scratch site. What sent me scurrying to the doctor was the terribly swollen glands under my jaw, my arm pits, and the back of my neck, PLUS the very tender spleen, constant fever, and bone/muscle aches.

My primary care doctor sent me to a specialist since we had no clue what the problem was....a couple of scratches had long since healed when the side effects kicked in. I was very sick for several months.

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This post was edited by jstell2008 on Fri, Sep 26, 14 at 20:16

I never thought about a clot. The spot is very hard though. Aren't clots soft?

Rhizo, had I not touched my arm that day, I never would have noticed I had a bump. I'm so glad I did though! I can't see the knot just by looking at it, it's under the skin, and just a tiny bit painful.

Wow, you got hit hard! I think you were the exception than the norm! If I get just a tad of pain in my glands, or another knot, I'm off to the doctor.

About a month ago I backed up and stepped on my cat's tail. She freaked out and scratched and bit me because I didn't get off it fast enough. I did what sueb20 said to do and called my doctor's office the next day to run it by them. They wanted me to come in and even though everything looked fine, the doctor put me on an antibiotic and said you don't want to fool around with these bites. I had read what you're reading about CSF clearing up on its own, but what if complications set in. I didn't want to take that risk.

Glad you are watching this closely Oakley.

O.K. ~ Let's get over it...............
Stop asking any one for opinions.
Go to the doc.~Why wait????
The only reason to be concerned is if you do not have insurance ..
You do right ???
Why wouldn't you ???
You just took on 2 pups that will out weight any cost to insurance premiums you currently pay.
People here have only shown concern.
Maybe the question here is "why do you not want to check in with your doc?'

oakley, hope your scratches will be okay-

jstell, sorry you had that experience! I am curious, though- why did they not want the scratches to heal over?

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This post was edited by jstell2008 on Fri, Sep 26, 14 at 20:17

Well, you titled your post correctly. This IS a STRANGE waiting game! Why would you wait for a 2nd lump and think that's more serious than 1 lump? I'd rather be told it's nothing to worry about (a doctor) than have regrets that I sought medical opinions from an online decor forum!

Really, go see a doc. Set your mind at ease.

Oakleyok, I understand you weren't asking for advice - but here you go anyway.

30 years ago we had a kitten attack DH. It clawed one paw's worth on his chest. They healed up just fine.

A month later he started feeling not so well - trouble sleeping, night sweats, really weird dreams. He did have an occasional fever - but only about 99 degrees, so he thought nothing of it.

Then he developed an enormous lump in his armpit which finally sent him to a doctor.

Yep, cat scratch fever. It had made a diffuse infection in his lymph nodes, and the infection had spread to other soft tissues. He ended up having a radical mastectomy - all lymph nodes, and much of the breast tissue on that one side. Then home with IV antibiotics for weeks. And, of course, physical therapy to regain full range of motion of his arm.

It's not something to ignore.

So, you're not going to the doctor because. . .?

Thank you for the info, jstell!

Wow, forboys, I didn't expect such vitriol from you of all people. Had you read my OP and my reply befor this one, you would have read I didn't ask anyone for their advice, although I don't mind at all if they give it to me, or if I disagree. I thought I was telling a somewhat funny story.

I thought I was perfectly clear (about ten times) why I wasn't going to the doctor right now. It's *normal* to get another knot, or several. Most cases go away with no need for medical treatment. In fact, the majority of cases heal on their own. Nowhere did I read "If you find a knot (3-5 days after the scratch), go to the doctor ASAP!"

Please read all you can on the disease which I did..which is why I decided not to go to the doctor just yet and maybe you'll see what I'm talking about. It's a really weird disease to explain, my son is reading it with me to translate, and he agrees to keep a watch for other symptoms to appear.

OTOH, reading what Mary wrote may have changed my mind! lol

Mary, did your husband notice a knot shortly after the scratch? See, that's the first symptom...if found. I'm lucky I found my knot because now if I feel the slightest bit different, even a low grade fever, I'll go to the doctor. I know what to look for.

I've been reading on this for days now. Not one website has alarmed me with my one symptom. It's when OTHER symptoms start to appear, IF they appear, then you need to go to the doctor to get on antibiotics.

Thank you all for your concern though, I know you mean well.

Unfortunately, I am kind of a "been there" expert on cat bites & scratches. Six years ago, I took our sweet kitty in for her one-year check. All went well, and home we came. She happens to love riding in the car, so I didn't have her in her carry case in the car & when I was getting her out of the car once we got home, I inadvertently slammed her tail in the car door.

Because of this fiasco, she started biting the heck out of handâ¦I've never had anything hurt so badly, but I finally got the car door open & her tail was freed. I came in & cleaned my hand really well, but it was still killing me. The next day, I had an appt. with my rheumatologist & she said there was some streaking up the arm from the bites & sent me to my internist who was not in that day. Her medical asst. called her at home & they rx'd Doxycycline, but by the next day, I was in terrible pain, so went in & the internist sent me directly to a hand specialist. Seems like I waited forever, but they finally numbed it up & opened it up in their office treatment room & then admitted me to the hospital for three days where I was on IV heavy duty antibiotics for & pain meds (which I don't tolerate very well), then inserted a pick (sp) line & discharged me. Luckily my DD was visiting, so she & my GD took care of me for three weeks, including giving me the antibiotics through the pick line.

The organism that most cat scratches & bites contain starts with a "p"â¦can't remember the name, but it is wicked. The other problem is that cat bites tend to close up quickly, & that's not good either. You want them to bleed as much as possible.

I had to do OT for my index finger & to this day it is crooked at the end. I never want anyone to go through this if they don't have to. I know you've done lots of reading, but I really think you should get it checked now instead of waiting for symptoms other than those you already have, to occur. I also am a nurse (retired) & would never fool around with this again. Not telling you this to scare you, but it's just not worth it.

Oh Lizzie, that's horrible! Yeah, I'm starting to change my mind. Not sure if this is real or just power of suggestion, but when I was bending over to set the dog's water bowl down, I felt pain in the gland area under my right jaw. lol.

DGD has surgery tomorrow so I'll try to go on Wednesday, unless things really start to go downhill!

Hi Oakleyok - I can't remember if we saw any lumps under the scratches. It was 30 years ago, LOL. It wasn't an area moved much during normal activities. He was sore for a couple of days, but the the scratches seemed to heal.

When we finally did get him to a doctor, cat scratch fever was pretty low on the list of possible diagnoses given. The most likely were lymphoma, metastasized breast cancer, HIV...all of those
scared the crap out of me.

It was only after the surgery and pathology results did we know the actual diagnosis, and were able to backtrack to the event.

Many of you are suggesting Oak call her doctor. My experience with calling the doctor is that they never give an opinion over the phone. The answer wil be go to the ER or make an appointment. She's watchfully waiting. That sounds prudent to me.

Gray, you're right, I'm being very prudent, and that's a good thing. if I called my doctor, who is new because my long time doctor passed away, they'd want me to come in. That's why I haven't called.

I think the painful gland thing last night had to be my imagination. I feel great this morning.

Mary, that is just an amazing story. I'm guessing when your husband's symptoms began one by one he probably thought he was just sick until it was just a bit too much?

Like I said, that's why I'm glad I found the knot. It may be nothing, but I know to go to the doctor pronto if I get just one little side effect from the disease. According to all the websites, that's the key to recovery because many people aren't aware of all the symptoms and they don't go to the doctor soon enough to get on antibiotics.

My husband goes on pre-dawn bike rides. I used to fuss at him because he would just throw on clothes and hop on his bike. Depending on what was clean, sometimes his clothes were dark. He had no light, no reflective clothing or anything that would help drivers see him.

One day I said, "what would you think if you read a newspaper story about a guy who was riding in the dark and got hit by a car because he had no light or reflective clothing?". He smiled and said " I would think the guy was an idiot." That afternoon, DH bought a light and reflective clothing.

Oakley, you are ignoring that fact that the bacteria can do damage before you get the more serious symptoms. That is why you need to see the Dr. Would you rather have a small dose of preventive antibiotic that you can do at home or wait and see it you have to be hospitalized?

It's like eating potato salad that has been sitting out all day or going into a dangerous neighborhood covered with jewelry. You could be okay but why tempt fate?

Unfortunately, hearing about others' experiences with symptoms and illnesses on the internet or IRL can result in unnecessary anxiety about one's health. I highly recommend the Mayo Clinic's website for information and links to other resources.

"Please read all you can on the disease which I did..which is why I decided not to go to the doctor just yet and maybe you'll see what I'm talking about. It's a really weird disease to explain, my son is reading it with me to translate, and he agrees to keep a watch for other symptoms to appear. "

I'm really not one to go to the internet for information on a suspected disease, infection, etc. I do agree with KSWL about the Mayo site though.

I'm not sure I could just call my dr. and get any info either. My internist (in a group) has a NP that you can almost always see either that day or the next and they do hold a few "emergency" appointments open, so if I had a problem, I would be seen quickly. If all else failed, we do have an after hours clinic nearby (which is through one of the local hospitals).

I agree though that if you do develop symptoms, by that time you can already have a serious problem. Honestly, the scratches didn't look like much at all. The knot would be of concern to me. What do you have to lose? A co-pay? It would be worth it to me to have checked out.

Oakley I have experienced the other side of the coin lol. My daughter got badly scratched when she was eight. I cleaned it all up, applied antibiotic and relaxed until someone told me about cat scratch fever, she told me at a dinner party at nine at night. I left the table and called the pediatrician immediately who actually started laughing. He said to calm down, wait it out, if you see any symptoms bring her in. She never did get it but I was on pins and needles for a while there. I actually went to the library (before internet) to learn about it and she didn't help when she said "I'm starting to feel like a cat" hahahahhaha

Tina, I've diagnosed myself twice in the past thanks to the Internet. I went to the doctor and had surgery both times. The Internet has come a long long way.

Kswl, the Mayo site doesn't have anything about it except the disease can cause swollen glands.

Here is a snippet from the NY Times, which is what all the websites say, which is why I'm not ready to go to the doctor just yet.

"Generally, cat scratch disease is not serious. Medical treatment is not usually needed. In severe cases, treatment with antibiotics such as azithromycin can be helpful. "

If I should get a swollen gland, it's normal because it sucks away the liquid from the nodule under the scratch. But I can assure you, the moment I think my glands are swollen (neck, armpit, etc." I wil hightail it to the doctor.

Yaya, that's funny! She would fit right in my house. My family keeps saying, "Let us know if you get the urge to climb a tree." LOL!

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your concern. I'm not taking this lightly at all, please know that. I can't defend myself any more than I have already though. I don't mind talking about it, but before you tell me to go to the doctor, please read up on the disease and if you find something I may have overlooked, please tell me.

The knot is still there. I'll give myself a once-over before bedtime, unless I'm sitting up on a tree branch looking for birds. ;)

Well carp. I have another knot forming on a different scratch area, the scratch that was worse than in the picture above. She got me GOOD. lol

I discovered it the same way. I felt an itch, rubbed the scratch and noticed it was red (but the skin is almost healed) and a bump is growing as I type this. It doubled in size within 5 minutes, but it's no bigger than a pea, if that.

If it's not down by morning (in case it's a mosquito bite) I'll go see the doctor. I promise!

Good, if for no other reason than peace of mind...

We were lucky that when we went to the doc's, the doc had familiarity with cat bites and said they can go south really really fast. So she gave DH 2 shots of antibios immediately and then started him on oral meds. Even with that, he was on a lot of other antibios and needed to spend a month seeing an infectious specialist to finally get it cured...pick line down to his heart. He's so fortunate that the antibios don't bother him....I have side effects from many of them. If it weren't for the antibios, I'm sure he would've lost his hand....

Oakley, I think what you are not understanding is that BY THE TIME YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS - you could have a serious infection. I just don't understand why you would take that chance, especially since you have the knot (well two now) and you felt some tenderness under your jaw, etc.

I know there is alot of medical information on the internet and it can be very helpful. Believe me, when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and now that my MIL is undergoing treatment, I have researched extensively about their treatment. But I'm not going to look up symptoms and try to diagnose myself. I have a wonderful doctor for that.

Anyhoo, hope you are seeing the doctor today.

Tina, I think what you are not understanding is that if you don't read up on the disease then you have no right to tell me I should go to the doctor with just one minor symptom, when I've told you most people don't even need medical treatment, and those that do usually wait until they've had a myriad of symptoms, which is not me.

And I'm not running to a doctor everytime I get a tummy ache or a cough. That would be silly.

I'm done defending myself, if you want to read up on it then do so and come back and disagree if you still feel the same. Again, I did not ask for anyone's advice or lectures. You all act like I just fell off the turnip truck. I'm not stupid, and this will be my last reply on what I thought would be a funny topic.

This would be a sad and pathetic topic if I were an idiot and was taking this lightly.

Oakleyok, I think the problem you are running into here is that when you post something on a topic like this, you are putting it out there and inviting discussion. And what you will get is a variety of views, some adamant (and against your point of view), which are based on a wide variety of personalities, beliefs, experiences, etc.

You said you posted this thinking it would be a "funny" topic, but I don't think it read that way. And it's clear that people didn't interpret it that way either. I think this is a good example of why, before one posts something (especially something personal), it's best to think things through and understand that often the likely responses you will get are not the ones you are looking for. And let that guide you in deciding whether to post the information in the first place.

I've followed this post with interest. I'm with oakleyok on this. Many people tend to run to the doctor ASAP on every issue "just in case" and that's causing our health care costs to soar.

We all make decisions every day, weighing pros and cons. Oakleyok is most intimately aware of the situation and willing to take a wait and see approach regarding the risk, whereas it sounds like many others would err on the side of caution and run to the doctor. That's what makes us all different.

In a previous post regarding drinking alcohol someone was upset with a friend trying to force alcohol on them. To me this is a case of others trying to push a doctor visit on someone. Let's all back off. Oakleyok is capable and entitled to make her own decision.

I'd like to add a bit further to hilltop's thoughts as I'm of the same opinion. If oakleyok ends up going to see her doctor, I hope I don't see any righteous "I told you so" type of posts, because you would not in fact have any reason to gloat. oakleyok has stated numerous times that she WILL go see a doctor if she exhibits any further symptoms.

I realize that she could be harboring an infection that hasn't yet expressed itself, but all the medical sites direct one to observe cautiously, UNLESS one starts to see secondary symptoms, which is exactly what oakleyok is doing. She is not being remiss or ignorant, simply following the correct protocol, rather than panically (made up that word, lol) assuming.

Hilltop, I see your point. Thanks for pointing things out. I do want to make clear that I am not one "to run to the doctor". However, I'm not willing to diagnose myself via the internet. But you are right - we are all different. I certainly don't want to push anyone into anything.

Oakleyâ¦you have made yourself very clear, but when I read your initial entry & saw the pic of your arm, red flags started going off for me right & left because of my personal serious experience with my cat bites. Would have felt remiss if I didn't mention what happened to me just as a precaution for you.

Stay well!

And yet another topic that demonstrates why posting personal medical information usually turns out poorly .....for a variety of reasons.

Not to be accused of attacking, but a reminder to make sure you're up to date on your tetanus shots. I had a similar bad scratch a couple of years ago and it was close to 10 years since I'd had a shot. I went to the doctor and got a tetanus shot and they looked at my scratches and said to come back if there was any additional swelling or other symptoms. There weren't and everything healed fine except for a couple of barely noticeable scars.

I wanted to share my experiences with seeking medical information online. In the first instance, thanks to the 'net, I called an opthamalogist after hours on a Friday night. Describing my symptoms, he reiterated what I learned online: I most likely had a detached retina which needed almost immediate repairing.
On another occasion, researching my symptoms online sent me quickly to urgent care on a Sunday. The doctor there sent me immediately to the emergency room, thank goodness. Like Oakley, and others, I don't go to the doctor for colds, flu, etc., and, before this amazing techno marvel came along, I probably put my health at risk more than once by not seeking help.
My last example concerned my DH who suffered with a long lasting cough and general exhaustion. He saw our internist who did not diagnose what my online sleuthing discovered: he had pertussis : whooping cough.
I learned my grandson had ringworm, my nice had rosella, and on and on.
I am better about seeing a doctor now than before the web came along.
Good luck, Oakley. Hope you heal quickly.
Marti

Thank you Hilltop and Picky. After I did a lot of research on the subject and explained myself a thousand times, the constant harping was wearing me down so I took a little break from here.

Like I said, I'm not stupid and I don't take my health lightly.

Lizzie, no problem. The picture I showed was a few days after the scratch. It's mostly healed now.

Msventoux, I'm definitely going to ask about a tetanus shot, I thought the same thing. With cats digging in dirt...well, that's another concern.

KSWL, with all due respect, this topic would have been fine had some people actually read all that I wrote, instead of me having to repeat it a 1000 times, and also looked up the disease. But thank you for your words of wisdom.

Martinca, I'm such an alarmist, if I think I have something serious from reading things online, I'm off the the doctor asap! lol. I love how we can find out stuff from the Net these days.

The 2 times I was sick and had surgery, the symptoms had just appeared, so I got on the Net, then brushed my teeth and drove to the ER, since I was alone. Once I did it in my jammies! I was admitted both times, and I thank the Internet for pointing me in the right direction. I could have mistaken the pain for something mild.

I go to the doc in the morning, she is out today. Still just two knots and no other symptoms. I bet she puts me on antibiotics just to be safe. I read these knots can last a long time though.

I'll let you all know what she says.

Update: I went to the doctor this morning. I'll be nice and not say I told you so. hahahah.

It's wait and see. If I start feeling bad, get a fever or sore glands, then I go back. If any of that does happen, it should begin in a week or so. In the meantime she wants me to put heat on the knots to see if they go away.

OTOH, I am so glad I went! Since spring I have noticed all of my shoes got tight on me and I had to buy new ones. I thought my feel just got fat over winter, but I have Edema. It looks like I sprang both ankles!

So that's what we're treating for now.

Again, thanks so much! Before I forget, since many of us have cats, if you do get scratched, check for a knot under them a few days after it happens, just to be safe.

I couldn't find this thread on my phone today when I was posting. Thought it might have been deleted. :)

I'm glad you went to the doctor. I was worried about you! Please keep us posted how you are doing.

Glad you went and glad you are getting your edema addressed. And now doc is on early notice about your cat scratch so should it turn out to be something, you can get right on it.

I had swollen ankles once...turned out it was from a side effect of medication I was on...my kidneys were failing. Fortunately, when I stopped the meds, my kidneys came back to normal. But it was frightening. They put me on diuretics and I lost 8 lbs of water in 2 days. My ankles used to actually jiggle when I walked they were so full of water!

It's nice to hear even with two lumps, you've not got Cat Scratch Fever. However, I'm sorry about the edema. I think I need to get to the doctor since I've noticed my ankles swollen lately. I figured it was just the few pounds I've gained with the added stress I've been under lately, but maybe the reason for the swelling is the reason for the weight gain.
I just did the pitting test and it popped right back, so maybe I just need to watch my salt and food intake.

Cat Scratch Fever hasn't been ruled out. Its' wait and see. It can take a few weeks for other symptoms to appear, that's why this disease is so complicated & why I wasn't ready to go to the doctor just yet.

I need to cut down on salt. We have No Salt but I hate it. lol.

After sleeping all night my feet are still swollen, but not as bad. I also need to walk more today.

Go to the doctor if they stay swollen for more than a few days. I'm such an idiot, I thought they just got fat. :)

Appreciate this thread, as i've been scratched before, and did not know about the risk...I'll know what to look for in the future.....the internet can be soooo helpful!

I am newbie to this forum, i would like to gain/share knowledge and information about Home decor/ improvement items

Annaleena, below is a link to the decorating board. This is for off topic discussions.

Peegee, I asked the doctor about finding info from the Internet, and she said it's fine, just don't use WebMD. If I want as much info as I can, like with the cat scratch, I hit as many websites as possible.

I wonder why WebMD is so unpopular? I may have to look it up! lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Decorating Message Board

I don't think there is anything wrong with searching for (credible) info on the net. After my mom's cancer diagnosis, researching treatments, even other hospitals that offered treatments, etc. was a valuable tool for us. And now in my MIL's case, I have read up a good bit on her lymphoma. I have gone to most of her dr's appts with her and researching has helped me to know what to ask the doctors. It can also be very helpful if you are looking for clinical trials, etc.

My point is that is can be dangerous to diagnosis and/or treat yourself. I can see alot of unnecessary alarm, worrying, etc. if you researched symptoms and thought you had a serious, even life-threatening problem.

I'm sure seeing your doctor must have brought some relief. And she directed you in what to do about the knots. Hopefully that is the worst of it. Sounds like you needed to see her anyway - with the edema. If I were in your shoes I would be trying to learn about that and what causes it, as I don't know much about it. Hopefully she will get to the root of the problem.

tina

Oak, drink more water and elevate your legs above your heart as often as you can to alleviate the edema. You can also buy some light compression socks that would Mine is not water, however, and no measures used to treat 'edema' will work for me, but I'm well educated on how to treat regular edema. LoL.

My lymphedema also causes me to get infections very, very easily. My cat recently scratched me pretty badly on my chest and it also left a lump-but I never did develop the secondary infection that I'd have expected. The lump might just be localized swelling reaction to the trauma.

Pesky, I'm glad you checked in, I was actually going to email you about the swelling. It mostly happens when I sit but takes forever to go down. I've been elevating it above the heart, boy that's uncomfortable! lol. I upped my water intake too.

I don't have swelling where the cat scratched me, it's a hard knot under the skin. It's not noticeable unless I press on it.

I am glad you went, it is OK, and that you are getting the edema addressed!

Weird about WebMD. I am curious, too!