Hello everyone, need some help. I have been paraplegic since age 2, I am 37 now. I have been mobile and independent all my life. Last December developed pressure ulcer that needed debriding, make the long story short, 2 surgery flaps, 1 surgery needed tail bone shaving, bed rest (as much as I can stand), and ulcer is still 5 cm. deep and refuses to heal. Insurance has been cut off since I have been off work 2 long, and I make 2 much money on disability to qualify for medical. Dr. I have seen has used hyperbarics, wound vac, you name it and during this past 10 months I have used it. Luckily Dr. has agreed to treat me free of charge and will even do another surgery for free. Although, cant afford to pay hospital for any stay, and dont qualify for any medical assistance.

I am in desperate need of help. Luckily I will still have a job because I am a state worker, but I need help to heal this thing. My life seems like it has been put on pause for 10 months. Not used to just not working or doing anything. Luckily I have a wonderful family and beautiful fiance that has been here for me, but I am in desperate need of any suggestions to help my situation.

Sorry to vent, but dont know what I need to do to that I have'nt already tried to heal this wound.

Apply for total disability from social security. Between the SCI and the pressure sore, you should be a shoo-in. Then Medicare will pay for it. You can always go back to work once it's healed.

Another option might be medicaid,, don't know if you've checked that out, yet.

All hospitals budget a certain amount for free care for those who need it. You might approach the ones where your doctor has privledges, about it,,, or better yet,, have him approach them. Might be worth a shot....
ed

ps.. one more thought hit me. You might be able to make a case for a work related injury,,, sitting too long,,, then workers comp would cover it all.

Just throwing darts, here,,, hope one of them helps.
ed

Thanks!

I am worried if I try and apply for SSI, dont know if my job would consider me totally disabled and medically retire me...I have 11 years with the state and am to young to retire. Dont know if I can file a workman's comp claim, since the past 11 years I never have had a problem, and have been off work for almost 10 months now.

I will ask the Dr. next week when I seem him if he has any connections in hospitals, I recently applied for a county hospital assistance program where I dont have to pay anything, but I am not sure if my Dr. can do surgery out of there.

I will check into the Medicaid.

Thanks for the help!

Hello LostHillsRoller.
Talking about the healing progress,I have used Miracle Mist Spray to help heal all my deep sores.I went thru 60 hyperbaric treatment,Wound Care treatment,Vac Pump and a Skin graft and nothing helped.I then found the Miracle Mist and what a blessing.All the sores have healed.
Wishing you all the best.
Philip
http://www.healthylifeandtimes.com/

I'm using Dermawound with rapid results. I was prescribed a Negative Pressure Wound Treatment vacuum but the gunk in Dermawound was superior to the high technology solution.


Scooby

Butt up and healing a stage 4 pressure wound on left hip

I am having surgery on an open wound on my leg tomorrow. I fell on New Years Day and a hematoma developed, then burst. The wound just won't heal, so they are debriding it and giving me a wound vac. I will ask about Dermawound too.

Sandy S

Just as important as what you put on the outside is what your body is naturally capable of doing from the inside. When trying to heal a wound you should take 1000 mgs of vitamin C and a good multivitamin daily and go on a very high protein diet and get plenty of fluids. If your body doesn't have the nutrients to heal it it never will.

It took 7 months for my boyfriends pressure sore on his foot to finally start healing.....and i could visibly see the bone. Now after 7 months its finally small enough and is scabbing over.