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

No, not fair at all. I'll add you to my prayers, if you don't mind.

ferry23

Depending on what happens today, I may have to make a complaint to the Practice Manager.

In readiness, I checked the procedure on the practice website. It does indeed tell you to contact the practice manager but gives no contact details. I'm not prepared to go into my personal details via what seems to be the generic email address - I don't know who monitors this.

I'm not sure if this is a very silly error, or whether they intentionally don't give the email address for complaints in the hope you won't bother.

Either way, it's not very impressive. I shall find out the right email address when I get in there this morning.

So I'm about to embark on what feels like a marathon mission to get to chemist, then to the surgery, with a nasty dressing falling out of the bottom of the stockinette sock, wet trousers and feeling decidedly grumpy.

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't think twice about doing that. Today it seems like a bl**dy mointain in front of me.

But thanks for all youir words of support - you've spurred me on to get something done today. (Not that I haven't tried before)

If you do make a complaint to the Practice Manager, send a traditional letter in an envelope marked "Private and Confidential/Urgent". Keep a copy for yourself.

I've just got home.

I don't know how the system works these days but the nurse I saw today clearly knew I'd submitted an online form earlier today and said I was scheduled for a call later today.

She's been the best and most consistent nurse for me at the surgery. We had a long chat about the whole situation and she went into the appointments system and jiggled a load of stuff about so that I'm only seeing her every day this week.

She also said I mustn't hold back when a Dr. calls me later, I must be very clear that it's affecting my mental health - although she also said is that in reality, Dr.'s don't really treat wounds - they pass them on to the nursing team. I accept that but for me, going to a surgery for 8 months with no end in sight warrants a bit of investigation.

Apparently the nurse I saw on Friday should have taken a swab, but she didn't. So that was done. Today's nurse did warn me that the trimovate cream might sting (I have ridiculously sensitive skin) so she put a little bit on and we had a chat about her weekend for a few minutes to see if there was any adverse reaction. She was altogether very kind and understanding, but then this particular nurse always has been. Not the others aren't - I just feel the whole system is so much a "one size fit for all" these days - and it isn't fitting me.

Thanks to all of you for your early morning support sytem - it made a huge difference, it really did.

How absolutely dreadful, Ferry. I am so sorry, and don't think you are being unreasonable at all. You should not have to put up with this.
I wish I could offer some advice, but do send you my fervent good wishes for a big improvement very soon.

My local pharmacy will bring your medication out to your car, you just ring when you get there.

Ask for a district nurse referral, or to the leg ulcer clinic. You need specialist care from an expert. I think you are doing the correct thing in asking for the GP to discuss this . Lower leg wounds are extremely difficult and need to have knowledgeable professionals input . Be prepared to fight your corner for what you are entitled to.

You are absolutely not being unreasonable.

If this has been caused by a mistake made by someone in the practice, have you considered saying that you will make a legal complaint if they don't sort it out in a more humane manner? I am not usually in favour of litigation, but this is exactly the sort of case where it would (IMO) be justified. At the very least you should see a GP as a matter of urgency, and ongoing treatment should happen in your home, housebound or not.

You could start with the Practice Manager, and take things from there. PALS should be able to advise if you get nowhere with the PM.

I hope things improve very soon. .

Come back and let us know if things improve for you?

ferry23

that should read MOUNTAIN not mointain

Thought you were going all Irish on us there 😄I can just hear Father Ted saying that.

that should read MOUNTAIN not mointain

Depending on what happens today, I may have to make a complaint to the Practice Manager.

In readiness, I checked the procedure on the practice website. It does indeed tell you to contact the practice manager but gives no contact details. I'm not prepared to go into my personal details via what seems to be the generic email address - I don't know who monitors this.

I'm not sure if this is a very silly error, or whether they intentionally don't give the email address for complaints in the hope you won't bother.

Either way, it's not very impressive. I shall find out the right email address when I get in there this morning.

So I'm about to embark on what feels like a marathon mission to get to chemist, then to the surgery, with a nasty dressing falling out of the bottom of the stockinette sock, wet trousers and feeling decidedly grumpy.

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't think twice about doing that. Today it seems like a bl**dy mointain in front of me.

But thanks for all youir words of support - you've spurred me on to get something done today. (Not that I haven't tried before)

Oh, ferry, your posts have reduced me almost to tears. Your description reminds me so much of what was happening to my husband until we moved house.

Is there a specialist Leg Clinic in your area? If so, ask for a referral because the leg clinic here worked wonders on my husband when we moved. There was no such clinic where we used to live and he'd endured months of misery with the GP practice, much as you describe and nobody, in the 21st century should have to live the way you're doing.

But you should have seen a doctor. If they won't give you an appointment, could you get your MP to take an interest?
Sending you hugs and good wishes because I have some idea of what you're enduring and can only wish you the strength to carry on fighting the battle.

I find it incredible that in all this time you haven’t been seen by a GP.
Ask to speak to the Practice Manager and tell them all you have told us and say very firmly you want to see one.
I do wonder about the NHS these days.
It is not unusual in my surgery to appear that no GP is actually in.
They seemed like the bad old days when you just turned up between 8:30am and 10, and just sat and waited to see aDr but at least you saw one that day and it was always a Dr.
They seemed like the like the good old days now.
I hope you get some help soon Ferry.

Not really - I've not seen a GP at all

That is just terrible.

At least with me, I was seeing GPs[eventually], even if it did take 8 to diagnose me with quite a straight forward thing in the end.

Charleygirl5

ferry My personal opinion is that you should be hospitalised because you cannot cope with the wound as it oozes fluid very quickly. Hospitalisation would at least get the would dressed x6 if needed.

You need to see a GP asap and get this sorted. I would love him to see your wound at its worst, and not beautifully dressed and intact for five minutes,

I cannot believe the way you have been treated and you should not be paying £20 to get to the surgery and home again.

That was a lovely offer from another GN. Please give it some thought.

Oh ferry23 that’s just dreadful for you, and I think you shouldn’t have to get to the surgery either, the nurse should come out to you!
I agree with Charleygirl5 the GP should see you at your worst.
Meanwhile have you tried keeping the leg elevated as much as possible and not living a busy life?
Sending you a hug and

Mt61

What about the district nurse?

Only if you're totally housebound. Even if you can only get there by someone taking you or getting a taxi that apparently doesn't count as being housebound.

What about the district nurse?

fancythat

I also agree with Charleygirl5.

Vascular Unit.
Have you been told what to expect there?
I was on the waiting list to see the Dermatologist Consultant.
For what it is worth, what the GP told me was likely to happen, did happen.

Not really - I've not seen a GP at all and we're now approaching month 8. Only ever seen nurses or health care assistants and the nurse has told me that they'll probably want me to have a scan at the vascular unit.

With the last course of antibiotics I started on one type and then when the results of a swab came back the nurse said I'd probably need a more appropriate antibiotic to treat the specific infection and next thing I knew the chemist turned up with a new prescription 2 days later. No phone call from a Doctor with an explanation for changing the antibiotics- no idea whether I should have left a gap between taking the originally prescribed ones and the new ones, whether it was safe to take two different types. Nothing.

The chemist also arrived with Tramadol - which I assume is because I told the nurse how painful it was and she said I maybe needed a stronger painkiller. But as it tuned out, I shouldn't be taking Tramadol with the new antibiotics - good job I checked with the pharmacist

I also agree with Charleygirl5.

Vascular Unit.
Have you been told what to expect there?
I was on the waiting list to see the Dermatologist Consultant.
For what it is worth, what the GP told me was likely to happen, did happen.

blue14

What a kind and thoughtful offer from Chocolatelovinggran!

I agree.

No, it is NOT fair, and I am so so sorry you have to experience this. hugs

I can only wish you well and that your appointment and request for more robust treatment yields results today. You really shouldn't have to live like this.

One point, I wonder if it's possible to take a photo of your problem at its worst and forward to the surgery, so they get to see if and realise just what you're having to deal with - before your next appointment if you can.

Thanks for all your comments and ideas.

It's so embarassing and undignified - the dressing pad is now slipping out of the bottom of the yellow line and you can see it. sort of hanging over my foot- it looks absolutely horrible, but I've somehow got to get to the chemist, find somewhere to park and pick up my prescription to take to the surgery and then get to the surgery, find somewhere to park again and walk to the surgery, all the time dreading that the whole shebang is going to fall out over my foot and it's truly not very pleasant to look at. I've got my trouser leg rolled up at the moment to stop it getting wet before I go out, but I can't go out with it rolled up.

I'm trying to gather some inner strength to make sure I don't leave that surgery today without someone listening to me and taking some positive action, but tbh, I feel like I'm losing the will to live here.

I've just finished my 4th course of antibiotics this year

So sad to read your OP ferry23

I have no answers other than to ask if the nurse can come to you. When my late mum had this problem whilst living with us after a lot of badgering we had home visits and some sort of silver dressing which helped speed up the healing process.

Take care and I hope your problem can be solved 🌸