That's good news, Dennis.  I would hate to have anything happen to you.

noss

Thank you Noss for those kind words!!!

Hey Dennis,

Hope you are feeling better.
I would put off snake hunting until you are better. 

I would give you 95% odds of it being a copperhead.  Rattlesnakes are very rare in this area and Water Moccasins are often stowaways from other regions.  Coral snakes are weak non-retractable fanged with a small mouth so typically they have to chew on you a while to get the venom in.

Copperheads are common around here. They count on their on camo to keep them safe but when you get to close they dry bite to drive you away.
Oddly enough you were luck it was an older one since the babies have less control over the venom release.  Most venomous snakes try not to waste venom on things they can't eat and that would be you. On the other hand I was surprised that a number of people have recipes for copperheads!! 

Anyway be careful and take care of yourself.

Did you locate the Fig Viper yet Dennis? Hope you are doing well my friend.

That's scary Dennis. Take care!!!

Hi Dennis
Hope you are well and out of danger. That was one of my concerns when I was moving to Florida.
Vito

Hope your ok. Some people inject them self with the venom they say it increase the Strength of the immune system. Remember to always keep the hand elavated above the head even to increase drainage and decrease swellling.

Thank You Marianna for your interesting report on snakes.

Dennis hope that your condition improved significantly by now.

At this late date, I imagine that the biggest threat is infection.  Dennis do the doctors have you on an antibiotic?  For some reason, snake bights and cat bights are just especially dangerous for causing serious infections.  God bless.

Marcus

Ok, here is an update.

The antibiotics the doctor gave me is working. The swelling is down and some itching. I've been in the bed since yesterday and I go back to work on Monday. I need to go outside and repot some trees but Jackie wants me to stay inside. She's pretty pissed that I didn't go to the doctor sooner. And the doctors are puzzled why the swelling did not start right after the bite. What most don't know is I've been taking a heavy dose of turmeric for over a year. I think that that had a lot to do with it.

Glad you're feeling better.  Interesting about the turmeric.  I remember Dr. Oz had a show where they were treating backaches with oil and herbs directly applied to the skin.  Turmeric was one of the herbs they used.

MEN!  Have to put a gun to your heads to get you to go to a doctor.  My theory is that women are the only reason there are any men that live to adulthood and old age.

Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm. 

Dennis, please hug your precious wife for us.

:D

noss

Noss, I think my wife would agree with you!

Agree with the comments above. Now is a time to take it easy and recuperate. The trees can wait. Thanks for the update and please continue to keep us informed.

Dennis,

it is always nice hearing good news...Hope you recover fully...
Mark

Dennis

You think the turmeric delayed the swelling? The curcumin in the turmeric is thought to be a anti-inflammatory so it could be the reason.  Sounds like people use it for arthritis which would make sense.  Maybe I will try some for my knees.

Glad you are feeling better but give yourself time to recover. Jackie is right on this one!  You should have gone to the doctor or ER as soon as you realized you were bitten.

Make sure you get a tumeric formula with black pepper. The pepper is needed to make the active ingredient in tumeric more available to the body. Not just good for arthritis but also very effective after knee surgery and similar surgeries to help with getting a full range of movement back.

Sharon, turmeric is great for inflammation.  I take Curcumasorb.  One capsule is 250mg.  I take 6 a day with food.  I'm pretty sure it delayed my reaction to the venom.  I've taking it for a little over a year.  Sharon, Jackie got rid of her knee pain taking it.  And you are so correct about the black pepper too Marianna.  It truly is a wonderfood!

I also take a lot of other supplements.  I think that's the reason I did not break my back in February when I fell down the steps.  I'm not in perfect health but I want to make sure I can enjoy life as I get older. 

Boy I tell you.....seems like I'm spending more money on health care these days!!!  But you can not put a price on health!

Glad you're feeling better, and very glad it wasn't worse than it was!  Scary.  Take it easy.

Denis you said you had a allergic reaction to the venom?
Did the actual venom not harm you?
I have read that copperheads do not have the quick killing
type venom like rattlers.
Just curious if your allergic reaction is normal with anybody getting bit by a copperhead.
The pain, the swelling, the bruising is quite usual for a copperhead bite.

I'm very happy you survived this incident.
If you do not kill it, next time you get bit I would go to ER
immediately. Take no chances, find it and eliminate it.

Doug

Dennis,

I'm so glad you got the attention you need.  Been so busy here, haven't been to the forum for a while and was shocked to read about your snake bite.  That must have been a pretty decent sized snake with the fangs so far apart. 

You are a good man!  You have angels watching over you.  Could have been a lot worse!

Suzi

I'm glad that you are feeling better.

Marcus

Sir,
we thank God,that you are ok.Ciao.
Giuseppe

Yeah, I'm much better.  However, I do need to go out and finish what I started.  Everyday I walk out to that same spot looking for that copperhead.  I do have to find it.  I have thicker gloves now.  What puzzles me is, I had been working in that same spot for at least 2 hours and I did not see the snake.  It must have moved from one pot to another.

Suzi, it is so good to see you posting again!  We missed you!

Wish I lived closer I'd help ya find it.


Doug

2 people can cover a large enough area to get that snake moving and spotted.

Anywhere shaded and cool.

Doug

Dennis,

Snakes can strike at least 1/3 of their body length, so be careful.

Re:  Turmeric w/Black pepper.  Acts as a snake repellent because the black pepper makes them sneeze so much they can't function to be able to bite you.  (Not.)

Please be careful.  The snake could have moved and is not where you think it will be.  Good hunting.  What Doug said.

noss

Hi, I'm late to the conversation but am so glad you are doing better. It has been a heavy snake season here in north central Arkansas this year as well. I would be willing to bet it is a copperhead bite too. I found a small copperhead curled up on top of a decorative stake in a pot, inches from my nose. In a two week period here we have dispatched 3 copperheads and a 4' timber rattler in and around my potted plants. This is a first, we have occasionally had copperheads near the house, but never this many, and never rattlers. Everyone please be careful and stay aware of your surroundings.

ive been studying herbs for most of 20yrs
turmeric is , in my estimation, one of the most powerful.
Aloe vera is up there as well.
eat a piece of aloe  leaf twice a week
(not the green stuff, just the clear stuff inside the leaf)
and a teaspoon of turmeric daily, and you can slow or prevent damn near any disease.

aloe may be useful with the bite too.
great for any skin condition or infection.

good luck.

I wonder why doctors do not prescribe?
Just reading the benefits of turmeric on line, amazing.
There are also many bad side effects.
Please read

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-662-TURMERIC.aspx?activeIngredientId=662&activeIngredientName=TURMERIC



Doug

Actual Copperhead Bites! These Snakes are sure enough Bad Boys!



https://www.google.com/search?q=copperhead+bites&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6sfm2ofvNAhVEGj4KHaizCtgQ_AUICCgB&biw=1920&bih=934

For sure.
Nothing to mess with.
If you can walk away from it at the state park, it's no big deal.
When they are around your property, it is totally a different situation.
They blend in so well to surroundings.
Be aware!

Doug

Its been a while since I have looked at commercial snake repellents but last I remember the primary ingredient in them was Cinnamon.  You might want to see if that is still true.  If so a large bottle of cinnamon might be something to include in your potting supplies and sprinkled in and around pots to make the area a bit less appealing. If the figs are attracting small rodents, it might deter them too the same way mothballs do. Fewer rodents, fewer snakes. It should not not hurt your figs.

Hi Dennis,

Sorry about your snake encounter, but glad to hear the worst is over.  Good luck with potting your plants.
Andrew