Help please

[041051]

I had cellulitis in both legs about 2 months ago. This has left me with open wounds and fluid running down my legs. I have other health issues and I can only have cotton against my skin. I literally can't eat, sleep or drink anything but water because of the pain and I can't deal with the wound care myself. I can't have district nurses help me because "your son can take you to the surgery". I am my son's carer and he has his own appointments to attend and is in a lot of pain himself. The nurses at the surgery see me once a week and usually use unsuitable dressings despite knowing about my allergies. I don't know what to do. The oedema nurse suggested that I ask for Codeine to be added to my prescriptions but the surgery won't allow that. I was literally crying with pain again last night and phoned 111 who told me someone would ring me back within the hour, but no one has.

The fluid is bright yellow in colour and I'm also having trouble urinating. I drink as much water as I can but I only go to the toilet 3 or 4 times a day and only a small amount. Please does anyone have any advice.

[Nothingimpossible]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Doesn't sound like your gp is being very helpful. If I was you I would phone 111 and ask why no one had called you back. Or go to A & E if still in a lot of pain. Wish you better. x

[041051 in reply to Nothingimpossible]

Thank you Nothingimpossible. I maligned 111 yesterday because although it was several hours later, someone did phone me back to apologise and to let me know that I would still receive a call from a clinician. Within about half an hour the clinician phoned and she was lovely. She clearly understood the issues and asked pertinent questions. She thought I needed to see someone about tissue viability and that I should definitely be given Codeine for a short period. However, it wasn't as simple as that. I was initially refused an appointment, but then given one for the afternoon. The dr I saw was so dismissive of everything (she said that the 111 service just tick boxes and have no medical training).

I have to go to the surgery this afternoon so that the nurse can check the wounds and the dr said I should ask if the duty dr could take a look because of the infection risk of me doing dealing with it myself. They took a swab 2 weeks ago and that was clear but buying my own dressings and trying to dress the wounds myself with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and hypermobility is clearly not acceptable.

[angelwings52]

I'm sorry to hear what you're going through, I had a similar experience with a very large open wound on my calf for months, with cellulitis and then an MRSA infection. You should ask your surgery to refer you to a Wound Management Services, so at least they can find suitable dressings for you and get the wounds to heal. I would suggest that you go to A&E if you're in a lot of pain as your surgery are not being helpful at all. I hope you feel better soon.