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Health

Pressure sore prevention

(36 Posts)
Luckygirl Fri 08-Sept-17 07:56:30

My very thin OH, who has PD, is getting sore when lying in bed - buttocks (what there is of them at just over 7 stone) and heels. They are red by the mornings. He finds it hard to turn over or change his position in bed.

I have put a sheepskin under his heels and a blow up ring under his buttocks, but it has been suggested to me that the ring might make things worse.

I will go to the surgery for advice if this continues, but just wondered if there were any ex-nurses out there who might have some advice

midgey Fri 08-Sept-17 14:56:42

The district nurses here have a dedicated team who can come and advise on pressure relief. Not everything works for every body, you sort of have to suck it and see, but your first point of call is definitely the district nurse.

Charleygirl Fri 08-Sept-17 15:03:55

Maw that sounds good. You do not want to feel that your home has been invaded by strangers. Hopefully over the next 6 weeks Paw will regain some muscle power and he will be marginally more self reliant.

Luckygirl Fri 08-Sept-17 18:35:03

All interesting info - it sounds as though Paw is getting the full works!

My aim here is prevention as he is so very thin and I was quite shocked that he could get such a bad ulcer from his truss after only wearing it for one day.

My grandma - who weighted in at about 5.5 stone at the end of her life - died from her infected pressure sores, so it somewhat concentrates the mind!

MawBroon Fri 08-Sept-17 20:16:19

If it is available (and recommended) I am only too happy to accept gratefully whatever is offered.
Paw is a poorlier person than many people have realised and this could have been a bit of a turning point. Being bed bound could lead to chest infections as he is immunosuppressed and possibly finish off his lungs (pulmonary fibrosis plus asthma) being chairbound would have meant a wheelchair and the oedema which results from his kidney problems (hepato renal syndrome) would be worse, he has AF, UC, and an incurable liver disease (PSC) and 8 weeks in hospital really knocked any stuffing he had out of him!!
Whether 6 weeks of "Re-enablement" will do more than return him to his baseline of earlier this year, who knows, but I am grabbing all help or therapy on offer!
If I am not being intrusive, I think you sound as if you could benefit from more external support too.

Riverwalk Sat 09-Sept-17 07:22:43

Luckygirl yes the ring will do more harm than good. As others have said you need to get the DN round as soon as possible - your DH needs an air mattress

Air Overlay

He won't need to change position, have pillows, sheepskins here and there, the mattress moves and disperses the pressure.

In view of his AF maybe he should have a profiling bed (hospital style) then he can be more upright comfortably, with his feet slightly raised

bed

There are many different types and not all come with the cot sides, in case that's something he would object to at home.

All provided and maintained by the NHS.

Serkeen Sat 09-Sept-17 07:29:07

In the hospital when they face these problems with sores they change the mattress to an inflated one.

You need correct advice as these sores can become nasty.

Sounds like you are dealing with a lot bless you flowers

Luckygirl Sat 09-Sept-17 09:09:42

Thanks so much for all the ideas - and photos, and links.
I have organised or a DN to come out and give us some advice - she/he is coming on Monday, so a very quick response.

MawB - so sorry that your OH is so besieged with health problems.

MissAdventure Sat 09-Sept-17 09:36:05

That's good news, luckygirl.
Very quick response: always nice to know when someone gets such good care. Hope it goes ok.

loopyloo Sat 09-Sept-17 09:44:19

Best wishes to all you carers. I hope you have family support. It must be so demanding. Sending you hugs.....

MawBroon Sat 09-Sept-17 12:22:08

Good news luckygirl!! smile
Hope you didn't mind the comment, sometimes it takes somebody outside the immediate issue to see more clearly.
Bottom line, you need to see what is available for both of you out there and tap into it! flowers
(We're fine - there are those much worse off than us. )