AIBU - Is it fair for me to live like this?

Just to say I hope you get some answers and at least the promise of effective treatment this afternoon. You do realise that there are lots of us Gransnetters in the consulting room with you, don't you? 🙂

Ferry 23
This is such a sad story but leg ulcers are so so hard to heal. The best advice is to sit with your feet up almost 24/7.
So only up on feet for essentials….this is so hard to do but it really does in some cases make all the difference

My hubby had Bullous Pemphigoid - a rare skin condition which caused weeping blisters on arms. After dressing, then bandage, they added a tubular bandage which helped keep it all together. Woukd that help?
He also had medication to help dry it up but can't recall what that wS - sorry.

Oh dear Ferry23, there is no way you should be putting up with this at all. I really feel for you and think you need to rattle a few cages here and make a fuss. I am not assertive at all but finding as I get older I need to stand my ground more and be more forceful. Have you got any back up with a friend/relative/neighbour who can go with you today for your appointment? Two heads better than one as they say.

Have you thought of taking a higher dose of Vit C tablets to aid the healing?

We all wish you well, truly we do.

Just wondering, does your hospital have a wound clinic?
The one at our local district hospital was very good. After seeing about 4 different nurses at the GP surgery who all used different treatments for my wound over several weeks, I got consistency from the wound clinic and the wound eventually healed.

Goodness my heartfelt good wishes to you. Back in the day (70s) as a District nurse in Brixton changing dressings on leg ulcers was the thing we did the most. I really would try to get an appt with a sympathetic GP and get a workable (to you) plan in progress. All the very best in getting things sorted.

What a wonderful supportive bunch you ladies are. It must feel very lonely when experiencing pain and worry and you can’t see the wood from the trees. More than touching to read of all your help, care and wisdom for ferry23.
I hope sincerely that things have improved for her today.

It might be worth asking if you could see a Wound Care Nurse Specialist. They are up to date with the best treatments for wounds and leg ulcers. They may be based in the hospital or run by Community Services

Ferry, you are being treated very poorly and no wonder you are fed up. Where are the district nurses? They're usually real whizzes when it comes to dressings.
Keeping your legs elevated is very important. Incontinence pads are really absorbent and they could sit on top of the bandage as an extra padding with an elastic stocking to hold it in place. It's called tubinette i think.

ferry23 hope your wound improves and you get the treatment you so deserve..

I had heard my surgery had a 'social prescriber' after Covid - I requested a call/appt to see said 'social prescriber' and I'm still waiting...

“Your surgery may also have a "social" sort of nurse, where they do not deal with medicine but are very good at directing you to groups or whatever may help you”.

Called a Social Prescriber 😊

Do you havea patients panel in your area? They are good to use to state what is happening and to ask their advice on how you may proceed. Here we have a community group which does a variety of things, taking people in cars to whatever, visiting people, playing whist or bridge there etc. I really think that this is the way to get some help. Your surgery may also have a "social" sort of nurse, where they do not deal with medicine but are very good at directing you to groups or whatever may help you . To have something good to look forward to each week, is both in itself beneficial but also galvanises you to get ready for that day and start to organise your weeks a bit better.

Do hope you find some assistance

Best wishes Ferry23, this is all very miserable for you as health matters are. We all trundle along without a care in the world until it’s our turn to be felled by something.

I'm so pleased you managed to sleep well last night.
This certainly sounds like you may at last be on the right course of treatment.
Please do update us after the appointment this afternoon.

That sounds cautiously optimistic.

I did speak about inititally seeing someone privately with the GP yesterday. He wants to look at it today and depending on the outcome of that he will do one of 3 things

- attempt to expedite the referral by speaking to the appropriate person in the vascular unit

- talk to me about private treatment

- advise me to stick to the new treatment for three weeks and then review the situation

I don't want to jinx anything, so I'm almost reluctant to say this out loud, but, apart from a little episode of pain about 10 last night which 2 paracetamol zapped quite quickly, I've had no pain since the trimovate cream was applied yesterday morning. I've had little sleep due to the constant pain - usually waking after an hour or 2. Last night I was able to sleep for over 5 hours.

This is the first time in around 5 months that I haven't been in almost constant burning pain. Many times I've sat and cried with the pain.

There is some dampness but nothing like I've recently been experiencing and I'm back for the cream and a dressing change this afternoon.

We shall see.

Maybe the "flipping" depends on what the issue is?? As I've "flipped" myself before now.

If the money can be found to pay - then perhaps an initial "This is what is needed" report sent back to the NHS doctor might help and then the NHS supplying the dressings???? From a latter post on this thread - maybe the NHS has now been sufficiently "kicked up the backside" - considering an NHS doctor has made contact now finally...and perhaps that's a tactic that can be held in reserve in case of need.....

It is not a case of seeing a private doctor. One cannot flip backwards and forwards between private and NHS and dressings are expensive.

Things are now moving in the right direction and I would emphasise this has been going on for 8 months and you have had enough.

It's not cheap - ie seeing a private doctor. But may be better than feared? It's between £80-£110 for the one I've seen here a couple of times and the appointment slot is 20-30 minutes.

Well we can't all afford to do that......

There's not the remotest chance I'd "suck it up and put up" in your position. I'd be on the case and stay on the case until it was sorted once and for all in your position.

By now I'd be livid in your position.....and would have long since been googling for the nearest private doctor....

Hoping for some more positive news now, ferry23

Cheers 🍷

I hope you managed to consume half of the bottle!

I cannot believe this has been going on for 8 months- the practice manager must be made aware of this situation.

Good luck tomorrow.

On the suggestion of someone earlier today, I took some photos before I went out this morning, so I'm armed and ready.

Grannynannywanny

Pleased to read your update ferry23.
If it’s possible could you maybe take a photo on your phone of the dressing and bandages looking their worst before you leave the house tomorrow?

The doctor is likely to arrive in the room once the nurse has removed the dressings ready for him to examine your leg. It might be helpful for him to see the predicament you are enduring between visits when the dressings are sodden and slipping down your leg.

Please try to tell the GP how much this situation is affecting you just as you’ve bravely shared on this thread. Tell the doctor how difficult it is for you to dress and make your way to the health centre with your dressings sodden and ask why you cannot be visited by the district nurse.

Good advice!

Thanks for telling us your better news ferry23.