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Copperhead Bite Long Term Effects
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by Pooppah on July 23, 2007
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I was bitten by a small 18" copperhead on the top of my foot. Both fangs were involved. It was classified as a minimal envenomation and I was given NO anti-venom. This occured July 4th and it is now July 23rd... My question is: All the symptons etc have gone away, except for the swelling. In the morning before I get up, my foot is almost normal size and color. But by the afternoon, my foot and ankle have swollen pretty bad. Coloration is slightly dark, but no pain at all, not even soreness. Just tightness from the swelling. Any ideas on how long this could last, the swelling that is??
Thanks,
Bruce
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RE: Copperhead Bite Long Term Effects
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by Chris_Harper on July 23, 2007
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Give me the details. What city? How old are you? Why were you give no antivenom? Was that just the doctor's choice? Or yours? What were your symptoms? Any nausea, vomiting, chills??? What was your pain level in the ER? Did they consult with poison control?
CH
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RE: Copperhead Bite Long Term Effects
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by Pooppah on July 23, 2007
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Sorry, left out a lot of this... Here are your questions answered...
Details:
What city? Warner Robins, GA
How old are you? 47
Why were you give no antivenom? Few Symptoms... Doctor considered the bite as minimal/dry bite.
Was that just the doctor's choice? Or yours? Doctor's
What were your symptoms? Pain, burn, slight swelling for first 8 hours. Significant swelling next day, limited to ONLY my foot. none above the ankle.
Any nausea, vomiting, chills??? NO/NO/NO
What was your pain level in the ER? 4
Did they consult with poison control? NO
My foot did not react much at all, at first... slight swelling, slight discoloration... pain was manageable and was gone after 8 hours or so... Swelling started next day. Pain came back during swelling. At this point I am 20 days out... NO pain, just moderate swelling. Pretty clean and simple. OH, I had a tetnus shot and a regiment of antibiotics.
Now I am just wondering how long any of you think my swelling may last??
Thanks
Bruce
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RE: Copperhead Bite Long Term Effects
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by Chris_Harper on July 25, 2007
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There's no telling how long the swelling will last because I don't know the specific structures that were damaged:capillaries, veins, lymphatic structures, etc. I can't say that I would argue too much with your doctor, although these days, maybe a couple of vials of CroFab would've been better safe than sorry. You might want to take the time to elevate your foot to allow the swelling to dissipate. Additionally, if necessary you can wrap it with ACE wraps periodically to drive the excess fluid out (An hour at a time). If you allow it to stay swollen for long periods of time, the vessels and tissues of your foot will grow to accomodate it, and the swelling will become a permanent issue.
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RE: Copperhead Bite Long Term Effects
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by SnakeBiteSally on July 29, 2007
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I was bitten by a copperhead on my ankle back in early June. I immediately experienced instense pain and swelling. After identifying the snake was indeed a copperhead I sought medical attention. I was intially diagnosed with a minimial/dry bite, given ice and morphine for the pain, and admitted overnight for observation. After being home less than 24 hours the swelling and pain had increased dramatically, and I experienced a seizure of sorts, causing me to faint. It was at this point I returned to hospital where I was examined again, and it was suggested that I recieve antivenom. Three days, 8 vials of antivenom later I was allowed to return home. It was over two weeks before I could walk. Its been almost two months and I still have swelling, random shooting pains throughout my ankle and leg, and just general pain in my foot anytime it is jarred (such as riding an ATV or bumpy road).
Will I ever get better? I've researched and researched the long term effects with little success. Can you please shed some light on this for me? Please!!!
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