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Original poster

What to do about DS's infected cut, SH related.

77 replies

Mindgoinground12 · 27/02/2018 15:27

So a few weeks ago i posted about DS1 -17 declining mental health

Previous Thread

Things have actually been doing surprisingly well! Although Ds has still been self harming hes back working, talking to freinds. He SH quite deeply a few days ago let me dress it, close it - with steris and clean it but its become infected, he is very anti doctors and is refusing to go get it looked at, i thought things were going so well and dont know what to do, thinking phone his case worker but dont want to go behind his back because it will set him of, so do i just put ant biotic cream on and hope for the best. I know this proberly isnt the best place to ask, put MN has always been there for me before so just want some opinions.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 17:08

Just phoend doctors again and theyve said because of his history he must come in to be asses and they said if he kept refusing, to phone 111 or an amulabnce as they may be able to go down routes to the GPs. Im thining of phoning 111 and give him the option to do so with me by the phone great idea bubble!

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Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 17:57

Hes currently on phone to 111 waiting for clinician actually very proud!!!

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Bobbiepin · 01/03/2018 18:26

That's good. With SH you need to take into account the surrounding issues not just the problem at hand. You see an infected cut, he sees the issues leading up to the SH, the feelings associated with it, the fear of being judged or shamed by seeing a Dr etc... Hope he does ok with 111 and gets the antibiotics he needs

Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 18:50

Thanks Bobbie i think thats a big thing for him is the stigma and shame of a doctor. Still waiting for call back! HEs getting very anxious

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Bobbiepin · 01/03/2018 18:59

Try to pin point the things that are making him anxious. You won't be able to rationally explain them away but acknowledging his anxiety as a valid feeling may help.

Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 20:35

ARGGHHH 111 still ahvent phoed back- i know there busy-they said wed be top of the list, but DS has given up and gone to his room

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NolongerAnxiousCarer · 01/03/2018 21:18

Hope 111 get back to you soon. They sent an out of ours GP out to DH when he was really bad once, it was actually the start of him getting propped mental health support rather than being a revolving door crisis team patient. I hope they are as helpful for your DS.

Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 21:37

So he did it!! they said a&e and he realy maturely explained why he felt he couldnt go were waiting for a doctor to advise but clincian said to book nurses appt at gps and he agreed, i gave him suc a hug afterwards.

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Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 22:27

I dont know what to say, so doctor phoned back and was very abrupt with DS said he had to go to a&e latest tommrow morning, he said why he couldnt go and that clincian had said nurses appotment would be fine doc was like theyll turn you away dont bother - fair enough but the way he frazed it was awful, DS said he didnt want to go, Doc said and i was fuming after this, "well if it comes to it well take you kicking and screaming, well make you go and get treated know stop being such a little kid.' What a thing to say to someone with MH!-including a child who has had to be taken kicking and scraming and thats why they dont want to go. hes know on a rampage and wont stop

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Bobbiepin · 01/03/2018 22:29

Excellent news, got a massive smile on my face. That's a massive step forward and a huge acknowledgement for you DS. Please tell him that you know it was difficult, and that you're proud of him but you love him no matter what. He needs to hear that you're always going to love him, not just when he does sonething you perceive to be the right thing.

Bobbiepin · 01/03/2018 22:31

Oh massive x post. What a dick! Reinforce that he's done the right thing and still go to the nurse tomorrow. At the very least thry may be able to grab a doctor to have a look. If its as bad as you've described then they won't need long to write a prescription.

Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 22:36

Thats fine Bobbie youve been a massive help, doc didnt say anything about prescribing just go to a&e, DS refusing and on rampage know, dont know what to do.

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ShortandAnnoying · 01/03/2018 22:38

I think Bobbie missed your update. Sorry to hear that and I hope you are ok. I don't see why an infected cut can't be dealt with by a nurse or GP unless it's really bad. Surely it's just a matter of giving antibiotics and maybe some painkillers. The wound probably just needs to be kept clean and dressed? What else would they do at A&E surely that's just so you can get treated more quickly. But if its fine till morning then why not just see the nurse or your GP.

Bobbiepin · 01/03/2018 22:41

HTH. Your son is (rightly) upset, and needs to express emotion. I would take away things that he could hurt himself with in the mean time and ride it out as best you can. It may mean starting back at square one when he's calm. Encourage him to look at self care techniques written by people (teens especially) who have the same experiences. In essence his worst fear has come true, he was worried about being judged and he has been. It's no reflection on him but on the doctor and its seriously unlucky on your part and unprofessional on his. He made a big step tonight, even though it hasn't worked out perfectly make sure you celebrate that.

ShortandAnnoying · 01/03/2018 22:42

Also if the GP said he can go to A&E tomorrow morning he must be fine to wait till then to see your own nurse.

Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 01/03/2018 22:47

Thanks all so much, the thing is there worried hes empedded somthing into it-this goes by his hisotry and he was quite vague when asnwering question, its also still quite deep and badly infected, (soory not to drip feed but its not exactly a peice of information i even feel comfotbale giving out but as your all being so kind) but i just thought if the doc worded it right we could get him to Nurse who could explain things face to face, but no we are back to square 0.

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ShortandAnnoying · 01/03/2018 22:51

I have read about treating wounds with sugar, maybe that's something you could try for tonight until you get to see the GP or nurse ? I've also see people using Manuka honey for this but you may not have that but have some sugar at home.
www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2278942/Pouring-granulated-sugar-wounds-heal-faster-antibiotics.html

KurriKurri · 01/03/2018 22:58

I'm so sorry your doctor was such an idiot - just when you'd managed to get a step forward. What an awful situation for you, I hope you can get this sorted out soon. Sending a hug and Flowers to you and your DS.

Bobbiepin · 02/03/2018 02:00

How's he doing OP? Are you alright?

Jux · 02/03/2018 06:07

Honey is good for wounds, my grandmother's horrible leg ulcers responded very well to honey when all else had failed.

MummySparkle · 02/03/2018 09:43

Thinking of you and your DS OP. I hope he calmed down last night and managed to get some sleep. Fingers crossed he will see a healthcare professional today x

Original poster
Mindgoinground12 · 02/03/2018 11:26

Well we did see a nurse today, who said he needed to see a doctor, doctor was very flippant and asked alot of diffcuilt questions, to which he promptly ran out, i had to foolow him very slowly in car all way home. I was half expecting police to be on our door when we got back but no i got a voice mail from doctor saying thye want to help him got DS back on pone, DS said he wasn† going †o harm himself he was fine, handed phone back tome i asked doctor (out of ear shot of DS) weather he was going to arange a mh asement, the doctor almost laughing went no he said he was gonna be fine and said if i was that concered i could phone his case worker! Um i cant hes not in, "well try agin monday"! Urggg what to do on bright side go anti bs but ds refusing to take so.

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Bobbiepin · 02/03/2018 12:12

He did so well getting there OP, that must have been tough for him. It's been a very emotional 24 hours (not including whatever pushed him up to the SH in the first place). Give the lad credit for what he's done and space to calm down and sort his feelings out. Is he eating and drinking as normal? I would ask him to monitor his temperature etc and ask him to Google signs of sepsis to keep an eye out for them. I can imagine its all been very unsettling for him and he needs a bit of time to come round to the idea of antibiotics. Did they confirm there's nothing foreign in the wound?

You're doing a great job, hang in there Flowers

NolongerAnxiousCarer · 02/03/2018 13:28

As his case manager is not in there should be a duty worker in his mental health team you can speak to when something is urgent. I've done this in the past as DHs CPN is part time.

ShortandAnnoying · 02/03/2018 15:07

I feel like you should write to the practice manager about this doctor being so unhelpful in his attitude. They can see he has got mental health problems and they should not have upset him like that then just left you to cope with all the fall out. A bit of sensitivity and maybe a little sympathy for you as his carer were in order and it would cost the nhs £0.00.