7 replies to this topic

[McRobb]

Had this finished a couple of hours ago and then lost my internet before Icould post it, so here it is again.

Finally got an ischael stage 4 pressure sore healed after 18 months down. Got up a week ago for 45 minutes per day and did well for 5 days. Then I decided to take a bath - just a short one (10 minutes) in a whirlpool tub but next day, I had 2 small openings in the healed wound.

I live in rural Iowa and I think the world of my nurses and doctor but cannot understand why someone did not tell me to not take a bath! I really think they just do not know that much about SCI and pressure sores and don't know the answer to my questions so they say nothing. One nurse told me she would think a bath better than the pressure of a shower chair but she really did not know. The other one was going to ask doctor but I never got an answer, so, I decided to take one and that was the wrong thing to do. Seems like there should have been some data base available to them that I cannot access that would at least answer some of my questions.

After the fact, I called the SCI nurse at Craigs Hospital in Denver and she is the one who told me that I should not take a bath. And I did a search for info on this and found nothing.

So, if you are finally up after a pressure sore recovery, DO NOT TAKE A BATH! Hope it saves someone else. I am back to bed until this heals and then an extra week - my summer is going to be gone and I missed last year entirely!

[Snakeye]

Sorry for your troubles..Yup, someone should of told ya whether to take a bath or not in your situation...There is much ignorance out there, even in the medical community, when it comes to sci....

[airart1]

i would of thought a shower on a bench would of been better than a hard surface of a tub, sorry for the luck, hope it heals fast....its hard not to want a shower!

[goose]

Sorry to hear this McRobb! You mentioned don't take a bath does this include shower too? I can see where the water could soften the skin and cause a problem. Don't you hate all the problems that come with sci? I haven't found too many health care professionals that know much about sci. My experience has been trial and error.

I hope you'll soon be able to enjoy the outdoors. It has gotten really hot outside so enjoy the cool inside for just alittle longer. Take care!!

[qbounce]

Do you have a tens unit?
I was given one for 1/2 an hour a day to help close my flap after surgery.
The staff put the leeds next to the wound to stimulate the blood flow of the neighboring muscles, helping it heal faster.
And it's turned on very low. As soon as you can feel the muscle spasm, don't go any higher.
Also, look into a wound vac. I don't have any experience with them, but others on here have had very positive results.

I'll call the nurses at Craig now too, if I have questions. Thanks for the reminder, and get better ASAP.

[nomis]

Whether showering or bathing or wherever, I'd always make sure I sat on something soft...and that's without ever getting a pressure sore.

I don't think, McRobb, that you should be looking to others as to what you should do. The healed pressure sore area will always be weak so always fear it - get off it frequently and never ever sit on hard surfaces.

[McRobb]

goose, on 17 June 2011 - 03:58 AM, said:

Sorry to hear this McRobb! You mentioned don't take a bath does this include shower too? I can see where the water could soften the skin and cause a problem. Don't you hate all the problems that come with sci? I haven't found too many health care professionals that know much about sci. My experience has been trial and error.

I hope you'll soon be able to enjoy the outdoors. It has gotten really hot outside so enjoy the cool inside for just alittle longer. Take care!!

Hi, Goose - nurse said that shower is better than bath as not as much chance of water making the skin soft as long as you are not in there for a long, long time. I am waiting for the info that they are sending to me. Once it comes, will check it out and if there is something more on this, will post what they say.

Thanks for comments, everyone.

[RSUK]

im gonna be a nervous wreck once ive had plastic surgery on my heels to finally clear up these f*@king p sores ive had there for over a year now. some sort of backless shoe me thinks and continue to wear these bad boys in bed - sure the ladies will love them if i ever get that far with one! lol

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