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

My advice is to go to the local A&E, where they should be able to see your leg at its worst. I wouldn't be surprised if you were hospitalised.

That leg needs high elevation, perhaps steroid cream applied, a light covering and allow the leakage to drain out where you do not have to worry about your bedding, floors etc.

Once the wound is on the mend, we will discuss the next steps regarding the surgery. I find it unbelievable.

Ask for the referral to be urgent - it can be done!

You need to see a Consultant, someone who knows what they are doing. Otherwise, do you have a friend who can take you to A&E?

This has gone on long enough and the surgery seems incapable of dealing with it. You need specialist help.
You could phone PALS for advice.

I feel very 😡 on your behalf.

Yes I also think hospital is the answer. Best not to drive and then they’ll have to think of a way forward. If they think you’re mobile less help is available. My mum had similar although not so bad, and she was in hospital with her leg. Regarding any scans, I’m sure they’d give you anaesthetic beforehand.

I find it unbelievable.
Me too, Charleygirl

I'm shocked.

Ferry23 I had hoped daily dressing change would help but it obviously hasn't. Your nurse can't be using the right dressings to absorb the fluid as they are allowing it to still be in contact with your skin.

What are they using to clean the wound? When my leg was like yours the DN used Prontosan(?) in tap water to bathe it.

Atrauman & Kliniderm dressings suited my skin and made me feel much more comfortable although at the beginning there were days when the dressings needed changing again later in the day.

Personally if I were in your situation I would tell the nurse today that I am feeling suicidal and cannot go on like this. They cannot ignore that. That I cannot afford taxis to the surgery and can no longer drive myself. Unsafe to be on the road as you cant operate the pedal properly.
Personally if in a bad state at night I would ring and talk to the Samaritans. Please dont feel no one cares as we all do here and Samaritans I am sure would be a sympathetic ear when you have no one else to actually talk to.

Have you family to ring?

Ferry please find a way to get to A&E. or at least call 111 for help, this simply can’t continue. Don’t minimise your situation, you need help now. I’m so sorry it’s got to this.

I’ve just read this whole thread and really can’t believe they’re allowing you to go on in this terrible situation. I agree with others that you should be seen by A&E. If your hospital is near enough go by taxi, you can’t possibly drive, for your own safety as well as others. I know a taxi might cost a lot but I can’t think of any other way. Could you PM the kind Gran who offered help on here? I think you should be hospitalised. I’m so sorry for you, but you’re not forgotten, we’re all behind you, I just wish someone could be there with you in person. Let us know how you get on.

I said I'd help if I lived nearby but unfortunately, I'm not.

My heart goes out to you, I also think it’s time to simply call for help, give in and tell the nearest A&E dept via taxi that you can’t cope alone.
Please don’t try driving yourself anywhere again this entails having your leg down and walking from car park to department. Enough is enough. Give this leg a healing chance and yourself a break.

GrannyGravy13

ferry23 I think you should ring 111, you cannot continue like this.

Please ring them 🙏🏻

GraanyGravy13. I wish we had a like button because your post would get several. This poor lady needs to be in hospital and refuse to leave until she has answers and sees some improvement.

Let us know, please, ferry23, if you are able to, we're all concerned about you.

I was with the nurse for ages and also GP came and looked again. I said to them pretty much what I put on here this morning. Despite the pain I was in, they both said it's looking much healthier and is much drier than it was on Monday. The nurse left the bandages off for a bit then massaged with barrier cream and applied trimovate. It is actually a lot more comfortable now. I came home and fell asleep so it must have eased off for me to do that. We've agreed a plan of action for the next 48 hours and a contingency for the weekend. Pain relief will be prescribed by GP this afternoon.
District Nurse will not accept a referral for anyone who can leave the home even if it is by taxi or with the help of a career, friend, relative. However....it may well be of course, that by Friday I may not even be able to manage to get down the step from my front door, in which case, I shall technically be housebound.....

District Nurse will not accept a referral for anyone who can leave the home even if it is by taxi or with the help of a career, friend, relative.
I remember that from when DH had a big operation. The District Nurses came to dress his wound, then I mentioned thst I'd damaged to get him to the car and taken him for a little run as he was fed up.
They refused to come again. It was about six steps to the car and it's a trek to get to the hospital, plus a long walk through the hospital to get to the surgery!
Rules is rules.

Sorry, but if it doesn't improve now, I'd really urge you to find someone to take you to A&E so that a hospital Consultant can look at it. It's gone on for too long.

damaged no, I didn't damage him!
managed.

It's difficult to move around or stand for any length of time and I do have to eat and make myself a drink. Sometimes medical staff seem to forget that when they wave you goodbye you have to go home and manage by yourself.

ferry23 if you aren't admitted to hospital via A&E I suggest you ask to speak to a social worker and tell them bluntly what a state you are in, both physically and mentally.
Stop trying to be brave, people are taking advantage of your stoic nature.
Ask for some help at home at the very minimum.

You need to say you can no longer go to the surgery: you really aren't fit to drive and it sounds like you shouldn't be walking either as it's so painful.

I can't believe how callously you're being treated by people who should be caring for you.
Enough is enough now, it needs to change xx

Hello Ferry . No it's not right to expect you to live like this but I'm afraid this is what the NHS has become like, nobody cares anymore. I've been living with constant and severe back pain for the last 2 years, I'm housebound with it , I got sent for an x-ray with no reason given for the pain and just left by the medical profession. It's not fair for me to live like this either but nobody cares.
Hope your leg starts to heal properly and you get a full recovery. I don't hold out much hope for myself.

Ferry23. Please continue to keep us updated. Is there absolutely no relative/friend/neighbour who could help you in this desperate situation?

I hope you can get the pain relief prescribrd by the GP delivered to your home and that you dont have to go out again to collect it. Please ask.

DH has his delivered here by Boots, but I cannot remember quite how that came about and who authorised it. Ask the surgery to save an additional journey..
Best wishes for a better sleep tonight.

Ask nue to show you how to do dressing and change it yourself, you would then be able to take it all down, shower and reapply. Ask if you would be suitable for compression wraps, easy to apply and they could prescribe you a more absorbent dressing. If your legs are so wet probably need changing every day hence would be better if you could do, with a weekly appointment for review. Most important rule wash your hands frequently to reduce transfer Infection. Best ofluck

Thank you Jenthehen but I'm not able to change the dressings by myself as I have said. First of all I have arthritis in my hands and fingers so that makes it very difficult, but the main problem is that the large absorbent pad used over the dressings is not adhesive, so I have to hold that on while the nurse pulls the yellow line over my leg. So you need one and a half, if not 2 pairs of hands.

My leg will not tolerate compression wraps.

The GP has requested a photo and update on a daily basis so going to the surgery weekly is not an option right now.

It's quite a serious wound and has been ongoing for coming on to 8 months now, so it does need constant medical care and isn't suitable for self care at home. Oh that it was, it would make my life a bit easier!

Did you manage to sleep much last night?
How are you today ferry?

Hi Ferry
I'm really sorry that you have this chronic condition .
Years ago you would have been hospitalised now it just doesn't happen .
It's really kind of Chocolatelovinggran to offer to help you .
I'm wishing you well .

How are you today, ferry? I’m sure we’re all anxious to know.

Your treatment, or lack of, is appalling.

A year ago I had a leg wound which was oozing fluid and wouldn’t heal. I was quickly referred to the Tissue Viability and Lymphoedema Service. They treated me twice a week for several weeks and also diagnosed that lymphoedema was the cause of the leaking fluid. The wound healed well but I now need to wear compression stockings.

I really hope you get the help you need. Please keep us informed.