Leg ulcers?

[DiHi]

I’m in a state, got a mass of leg ulcers,really sore.taking antibiotics,but being going on for two weeks.im not even allowed a bath or shower,Ugh. As most of my ailments are caused by the steroids,which I have to take,has anyone got experience of homeopathy? If there was a replacement for all the stuff I take on a daily basis,it might help.so serious thoughts please! I know about the obvious things like aquipuncter and Physio etc, Diana

[medway-lady]

I don't have experience but my mum had NHS maggots on her poor legs a few years ago. Tickled she said but worked. The ulcers healed but I don't know any more than that they were put in in the local hospital. She went in with a broken hip and they noticed the ulcers and she came out with hip mended and maggots. !!

[DiHi in reply to medway-lady]

Ugh! How horrid-leaches were the way to get rid of too much blood in the olden days! They are still used. Diana

[medway-lady in reply to DiHi]

But they worked . lol Sometimes those old remedies worked even though no-one knew why . x

[GordonEdin in reply to DiHi]

Leeches get rid of blood but maggots like to eat diseased flesh (but not healthy flesh) so can be good for cleaning up wounds. I've no experience of this - just based on articles that I have read. Sounds nasty but may well be a good solution for wounds that are not healing.

[AgedCrone]

Hasn’t the nurse treating you told you about the plastic stockings you can get so that you can shower?

Unless there is another part of your body you are not allowed to get wet they would seem to be your answer ...they are a loose plastic stocking type thing .

You can pull them up as far as your groin ....it has a waterproof seal around the top of your legs so they don’t get wet.

One make is called Limbo....if you search that on Amazon you will find a whole selection.

They take some getting used to ....when the heat of the water goes on the stocking I panicked and thought my legs were getting wet but they weren’t they really do work.

[DiHi in reply to AgedCrone]

Funnily enough my GP had to have have two Achilles’ tendon operations-I gave him one to help with his shower problems! My problem is that I’ve got long legs-and can’t reach my ankles to put on the blasted stockings! Thanks Diana

[AgedCrone in reply to DiHi]

Have tried putting a nylon stocking on ...then roll in the plastic stocking up....It just slides ......you can put a pad over the ulcers.

[wishbone]

I wore one of those plastic stockings AC talks of when I had leg ulcers and it kept the water out just fine.

[AgedCrone in reply to wishbone]

I have used them for a foot & an arm in plaster (different styles of course) & I found them a life saving.

[wishbone in reply to AgedCrone]

Like you I thought the water was getting in when I first wore it, but it kept my leg perfectly dry.

[DiHi in reply to wishbone]

Lucky you! I can’t reach my feet to put them on/legs too long,or rather arms too short, Diana

[KittyJ in reply to DiHi]

How do you put socks on Di? Could you use the same method for the limbo?

[DiHi in reply to KittyJ]

I really struggle with socks,now with winter I’m going to have to find a way! I’ve seen things advertised that can do it for you! Amazon here I come! Diana

[DiHi in reply to wishbone]

I may just try a bin bag! When my husband suffered from them I found Potassium Permanganate! Worked great,turned things purple,he died,so I haven’t got anyone to help me! Diana

[wishbone]

Sorry you don't have anyone to help you. I tried a black bin bag and taped it tight just above my knee. It managed to keep the water out for around 5 seconds as I recall. You might be able to make a better job of it than I did so worth a go, but don't say I didn't warn you! Hope you get some relief from those ulcers soon.

[vonniesims]

Do you see a tissue viabily nurse?

[Picasso8]

Hi not sure if this will help but I am also on steroids and managed to give myself a laceration on my leg in May this year. It is now called an ulcer as it has not healed, well that was until tissue viability got involved - I also had same problem showering or not as the case was. TV gave me dressings home with me so I shower every second day then soak the wound in a liquid they gave me. The wound was 5-6 cm and is now down to 1-2 cm. I did not need pressure dressings but if you could manage to dress your wound yourself this may help. Good luck

[Nessa28]

I’m sorry to read your post . Firstly you must follow the protocol care plan you have been given. Leg ulcers need specialist treatment , you may need silver dressing , if the ulcer is to dry it may need a honey dressing . This can only be assessed by a specialist nurse or a practice nurse with Tissue viability training . You must elevate your legs or they will continue to leak . There are exercises you can do to encourage blood flow . If the ulcers don’t heal you may need compression but they will do a Doppler first . What ever you do don’t treat it yourself as that may cause more problems , eat healthy take pain killers if they hurt . If you need to shower there are plastic boots that go up the led . There is also a gadget called sock aid that can help with the application of socks and hosiery . I hope you heal quickly but please keep those legs up they will heal faster honestly . Take care 🤗

[DiHi in reply to Nessa28]

Thanks-yes they use silver dressings-I’ve had them for a few months,but didn’t get a nurse or doctors appointment until last week,so had been treating them myself,luckily I had those special sterile dressing,but,the surgery now wants me there every week! So I relay on lifts,as I can’t drive any more,due to RA! Thank goodness for books and television,news is just so depressing,which is,of course hitting hard! Diana

[Nessa28 in reply to DiHi]

Just take this time to heal , remember to do little walks around but please keep those legs up when sitting down . Take care 🤗

[DiHi]

Thanks,trying,lockdown is an added burden!