Help with some diplomatic wording please

Just tell the 1st nurse the problems you were having with her treatment and that the 2nd nurse resolved it by not putting your dressings so tight, and if she wouldn’t mind doing it the same! And that you hope she doesn’t mind you mentioning it!
I’m sure if she cares she won’t mind, as it is your health and recovery that is important to her
Good luck and wishing you better health

I remember the awful trauma you went through ferry. So sorry to hear that you’re still having problems. Wishing you all the very best and I do hope your leg begins to heal very soon. 💐

I feel your pain. I have bilateral leg ulcers and I await a visit to Vascular at the hospital as my doppler reading wasn't too good.
I'm being re-dressed twice a week and I hate it. It hurts and causes so much pain but of course has to be done. As this has been going on since January, I am heartily sick of it and I am having to really make sure my mental health does not get too affected, I do struggle some days as my legs dominate our life.
I am living downstairs as I can't abide sleeping in the bed right now.
I have also had the problem of finding some nurses more caring and taking much better care of ME as a whole person. I did raise the question of another nurse using a technique that was much better and she was please that I had said something. In waiting to get a regular spot at my local hospital we have been all over the Fylde coast to attend DN sessions and didn't see the same person twice apart from on one occasion. It's not easy, it;s a horrible 'journey'. I don't think I am looking forward to compression even though it is the thing that is meant to cure the legs.
I hope you continue to get better and can put all this behind you soon.

Oh your journey sounds very similar to mine sandpiperessex. And I can't sleep in a bed as it's too painful to lean the back of my leg on the mattress.

This afternoon I cut off all but the tubular bandage over the dressing and I put some yellow line on for extra protection. All the bandaging and that horrible wadding had compacted around my ankle and it felt like someone was sawing away at my skin, and that I was dragging a brick around with me

My mental wellbeing is quite fragile, - I'm on month 19 now and I can't describe how heartily sick of it I am.

They make the bandaging so thick around my foot and ankle that I can hardly flex my foot. It's impossible for me to drive.

I really hope the vascular unit will be able to help and you can start to make some progress. You have my sympathy.

I can't get it through to any District Nurse That the wadding is too thick and I can't get slippers on and walk safely. One walked out a week ago when I said I would sue if I fell!

Have you tried putting your leg on a pillow? I am aware it can cause DVT but you have to get a night's sleep. When one leg was very painful as well as itchy I took two Panadol at bedtime and it appeared to do the trick. Like you, I was desperate.

If I pick up any tips on Wednesday, which I doubt, I will pass them on. You are doing exactly what I did 3 weeks ago. I did try to tolerate the compression bandage for around 7 hours because I was well aware that is the main thing which heals the leg. I have both legs in a state so double trouble.

When one leg was very painful as well as itchy I took two Panadol at bedtime and it appeared to do the trick.

Charleygirl5 and everyone else, if the itching is too much to bear try taking an antihistamine tablet at bedtime as well.
I take Cetirizine for hay fever and eczema itching.
It's a one-a-day tablet but you can take up to four a day, according to the leaflet and confirmed by my GP and practice nurse.
You could of course confirm with your own surgery.

I'm so sorry please keep speaking up.

I was given antihistamine tablets months ago by a GP who told me rudely if it was itching, not to scratch it. I hope she develops this problem one day. I showed her a wart which was increasing in size and she asked me what I wanted her to do about it. So caring.

Thanks for mentioning the name of the drug.

I also have bad leg problems due to neuropathy and long term plantar fasciitis, both really painful and difficult to live with. I also get oedema which is much worse in the hot weather. During the heatwave my legs came up like balloons.

I started using support stockings but they are horribly uncomfortable because of the neuropathy which makes everything more painful. I think the heatwaves make leg problems so much worse, and having your legs strapped in those high temperatures is just awful.

One thing I don't seem to have trouble with is sleeping. I bought this leg elevation pillow and have got used to sleeping on my back (you can't change position in the night). Leg Elevation Pillow

I then put another cushion from an armchair underneath, which raises it even higher. By morning my legs are looking quite slim and feel good. I just thought that might help people with leg problems. Get your legs up high all night.

I presume you can buy them, but I've seen in care homes, inflatable foot rests for in bed.

They might help, possibly, depending on the problem.

The main thing is, though, our skin isn't meant to be bandaged up like a mummy.

I don't think I could sleep all night with an inflatable of any kind under my legs, much too light. The leg elevation pillow is made of foam, really soft and comfortable and very stable. Even raised up with a flat chair cushion underneath it still feels steady, although you obviously can't kick around and change position.

I find it almost impossible to sleep any other way than I always have.
You have my sympathy, sincerely.

I have 2 leg elevation cushions - both are fine as long as I don't move a centimetre during the night!

I've now had 26 hours since removing the compression bandages and it's been the best day I've had for months. I could move around, easily get outside to water the garden, nothing uncomfortable or tight around the leg ankle and foot. I feel like I got my life back for a day.

Back to the wound clinic tomorrow though

How awful.
I suppose you have to accept that the medics know best, but it sure doesn't feel like it.
Don't hold back though, if you feel like crying, do it in front of the nurse.

Lol MissA.

Tried that and she handed me a box of tissues

In all fairness, my wound nurse does understand the effect it's all having on my mental health and she is trying to help out on that front.

UI was very interesdted in what Chestnut showed for leg elevation but I sleep on either side and they ate only for lying on back. I looked on Amazon and most were for placing between legs which is use;less for my problems.

I have no idea what IU did during the night, but the dressings on my right leg fell off and like ferry I have had a glorious day without pain or any problems on my right leg. The left leg compression bandages are sliding down the leg, (shows how well they were applied) so I may have another day of bliss tomorrow.

Unfortunately I am well aware that with the correct dressing and adequate compression are the only things which will heal my legs. Like ferry this has gone on for many months.

I was able to expose my right keg to sunshine today, a definite no-no, but I felt better afterwards and who is to know. I wasn't there long enough for a tan. I am glad I am 82 and not 28 and it is my legs and not my arms.