3 replies to this topic

[doublelibra]

I posted back in Aug. about a stage 4 pressure sore on my left gluteal fold. It is almost as small as a pinpoint, but has remained at approx. 2.4 cm depth since I posted last. I am trying to get a 2nd opinion, because my wound dr. who is a plastic surgeon is obsessed with the idea that the bone is colonized and he needs to shave the bone and perform flap surgery. The wound but not the bone was cultured by an infectious disease dr. in May and again in Sept. There are bacteria present, but I have no infection symptoms except for a slight odor the nurse notices occasionally when changing the dressing. The drs. don't want to treat the infection with antibiotics. We are keeping this tiny wound open by packing with silver alginate (generic for aquacel silver) and covering with Lyofoam M-W-F. Last time I saw dr, he repeated what he always says. Are you sick enough of doing current treatment and staying in bed all but occasional 2-hr. intervals? Are you ready for surgery? I asked him if there was ANYTHING else we could try, and he said no. My primary Dr., an internist, set up an app't with another wound care ctr. that cancelled me b/c they don't have a Hoyer Lift. That's the only way I transfer. The 3rd and only other wound care ctr. in town said they wouldn't see a quadriplegic who needs a Hoyer either. I see the only dr. at my curent WCC who will accept NE medicaid. I'm at my wits' end, and SO sick of staying in bed since Jan. I m not a good candidate for surgery b/c of my compromised respiratory status from the paralysis (C 6-7). I also could not tolerate a 6 wk. nursing home stay following surgery. Bowel care in those places is nonexistent, the environment is unsanitary, and the food is mostly inedible. I stayed in one 8 1/2 mos after my accident and came out with post traumatic stress disorder after the negligent, sometimes abusive care I recieved there. Anyone have any ideas?

[LadySmack]

My only suggestion is on the possible wound infection. There is a wonderful new thing called phage, and it has helped my husband tremendously. Look it up.

http://www.relax-wel...rt-10-10-07.pdf

With the rest, mabye someone else here has a suggestion. Good luck, its a hard road that me and my husband know well since 2002. Hes been bed bound all that time.

Good luck!
LadySmack

[hockeydahc]

just thinking outside the box...

WTF! A doc refusing to see a patient due to disability needs?! so they're not equipped... can either of the other Drs. see you at the equiped facility so you can rightfully get your second opinion?!

[doublelibra]

Thanks for the replies. I have an app't with my primary Dr., an internist, on Mon. He doesn't do wound care himself, but maybe he can find a way for another wound care Dr. to see me at the Wound Care Ctr. I go to. I am going to look up phages. I looked up a product called Puracol on the internet. It's collagen, and is said to jump-start non-healing wounds. I'm looking for any viable alternatives to surgery.