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Children's health

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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:

MummySparkle · 02/03/2018 20:55

Huge well done to your DS for making it there today, it must've tough for him.

I would look up whether there is a MH 'crisis team' in your area. I think everywhere? Now has an OOH number that you can call. I'd look it up and give them a call, even just for your peace of mind. You sound fantastic and you're handling this really well. I wish my mum had been like you when I was a teen and suffering from major MH stuff

anothernamechanged · 04/03/2018 20:45

Hi OP, how is your son doing?

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 04/03/2018 20:51

So sorry for not coming back!! Busy few days, things haven't been great but not awful at the same time. DS did calm down and i have managed to get 5 lots of anti bs into him (just over a days worth) so couldn't be prouder in the that respect, but the wound is looking not horribly worse but not much better redness has spread agon but alot less red so anti bs must be starting to do something! But so much pus is coming out, it stopped today but there a very large hard lump under cut which im worried is an abbesses- which would also probably prove that DS has something in it, so am trying to ask gentle questions and trying to think of next steps.

OP posts:

MummySparkle · 04/03/2018 21:29

Good to hear from you OP. You and your DS are both doing so well. Brilliant that he's managed to take some of the antibiotics too. Is he feeling a bit better for it?

In a way it's good that the pus has been coming out, but it does sound as if there may be an abscess. Gentle questions, but, even if there isn't something in there, it sounds like it needs proper cleaning from a nurse. (Not suggesting you can't clean it OP, more that it needs opening up again, cleaning with bettadine and then abrading. They may choose not to close it as that may be trapping the infection in.

Is there a way you could take some photos and then take them to a walk-in-centre / practice nurse or wound clinic near you for some advice? Obviously it's a bit unorthodox but in your situation it might work. They may also be able to call and talk to DS and explain what he needs and the importance of treatment. A friendly nurse might be a better option than your doctor.

Have you got anyone supporting you through this OP?

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 05/03/2018 18:51

So weve moved forward in many ways the redness has almost gone execpy for about a 3x2 cm space over the hard lump, it wont go, pus has stopped coming out as its scabbed over, do i just give it time or is this doc worthy,
On a ccelbratery note so proud of DS!!! Although over the snow days i did make sure to spend some time with th Other DSs as they needed a bit of attention

OP posts:

MummySparkle · 06/03/2018 14:30

Brilliant! How long was the course of antibiotics for? If it's still red at the end then I'd get a doctor / nurse opinion on it. If the redness goes down I'd be inclined to leave it. If he did put something in it what's it likely to be? Anything non-porus will work it's way to the surface eventually. If it is porus then it is likely to be a hive for infection.

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 06/03/2018 17:49

There for a week finish friday.
Okay so im really worried DS has slept all day not like him, shivering, is feeling sick and has a headache checked temp and we are at 38.7, the infections taken hold i want to atleast phone 111 after a conversation i tried to keep nice i ened up shouting at him, he cried and screamed and fell back asleep, If made it worse, i cant belive this.

OP posts:

minmooch · 06/03/2018 18:00

You are doing your absolute best for your son under very difficult conditions.

I'm not a medic but I would say trust your instincts. You may have to over rule your son's wishes as this is potentially a very serious situation. I think all things considered I would have to call 111 at the very least. You know that they are going to say he needs to be seen. If this is a sign of sepsis he is going to need to go to a&e and you are going to either get him there or call for an ambulance.

I feel for you in this really difficult situation but, but, but don't let this get worse ......

anothernamechanged · 06/03/2018 20:44

How is he now OP?

BlueTowel · 06/03/2018 20:57

Im another person thinking that you're doing really well in very difficult circumstances. It does sound like the infection is taking hold so go and read up on sepsis so you know the absolute bottom line.

I'm just wondering who you turn to to help your son now. Does he have any nhs support for the SH? Could they help liase between hospital and your son?

And don't feel bad for shouting. You're stressed and worried and no one is perfect. You're acting on good intentions tempered with a sturdy common sense which is the very best that we can aim for

Bobbiepin · 06/03/2018 21:37

Hope you're both ok OP. I would be worried by these symptoms. If you need to override his wishes then do, especially if you have any suspicion this is sepsis. If you do think sepsis, mention it to every doctor and health care professional you speak to.

Thinking of you and DS tonight

RandomMess · 06/03/2018 21:40

sorry no advice you've done really well but it does sound very worrying

RJnomore1 · 06/03/2018 21:44

Shivering sounds like sepsis.

If you haven't call now please.

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 07/03/2018 16:59

Thank yo all for replies i gave him some para and ibro and said wait an hour temp went down to 37.8 and he felt a bit better but..
Hes re opened wound theres pus pouring out, its deep hes in a bad state he said he wanted to deal with infection himself, sooo ive phoned 111 who obs said a&e i said hes refusing so waiting for a clincian call back who im beliveing (from prior experince) will phone a gp over or ambulance, in the mean time if he becomes more of a danger to himself or threatning ill be phoning police-which he hates and can garentee a major kick off. Thanks so much for all talking and taking the time, its good to get it put so i dont feel im on my own, and so i dont full guns blazing on DS.
On a side not if people think its odd im posting rather than calming down DS, i was told to do this by his psychiratirst as he can become violent and if hes on his own he calms down quicker -if atall. Although its very hard to, so trying to distract!

OP posts:

MummySparkle · 07/03/2018 17:39

Oh love

Have 111 called back? What did he mean by 'deal with the infection' himself? Do you think he might have been trying to remove whatever he put in there?

If he is refusing an ambulance then it's going to have to be police I think. They can put him under a section 136 which would ensure treatment. He'd then have to have a MH assessment which might not be a bad thing long term. I can imagine DS is going to really hate that though.

Handhold from over here OP

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 07/03/2018 17:48

No they said it could be atleast 2 hours but hes calmer he said he meant 'cut the infection out'. Hes been 136d alot before 3 times in last 2 months, but it can only be done outside of the home, he hates the police more thatn health practioners

OP posts:

MummySparkle · 07/03/2018 21:07

Oh bless him. I've been 136d in the past more times than I care to remember too.

I didn't see your reply earlier. How are things now?

Bobbiepin · 07/03/2018 21:54

How did the call back go?

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 08/03/2018 18:59

So DS update! Before we got call back he started to become threatening so we phoned police he left house for 4 hours came back all of a sudden with cut a lot bigger. Police came he kicked, them my baby boy was once agin on the floor been restrained by police in handcuffs although he calmed down quite a bit while they waited for ambulance, Shen the ambulance e arrived he kicked of they said he didn’t have capacity and took him to hospital. He’s currently in having some IV anti bs, which has to be forced as he’s dead set against. Hell then be assessed by mental health when he’s deamed physically fit. He’s currently being watched by security on a medical ward. I haven’t been in as he often kicks of in the first 24 hrs but planning to go soon. I fell such a bad mum for letting it get this far but he’s in the right place. I can’t thank you all enough for helping me through this. Your all such wonderful people I’m so great full.

OP posts:

minmooch · 08/03/2018 19:06

You are doing the absolute best you can for your boy. Please remember that. Well done for getting him the help he needs.

RandomMess · 08/03/2018 19:11

You are doing incredibly well in very difficult circumstances, hope the Abs kick in soon

MummySparkle · 08/03/2018 20:53

OP you have been amazing. I am so glad that DS is somewhere safe and getting the treatment he needs. I really hope that the MH team can offer him some help. Are you able to get some rest and TLC this evening. You must be exhausted

BlueTowel · 08/03/2018 20:59

You did very well. He's in hospital, getting the medicine he needs and you helped keep him safe until then.

I really really hope that he, and by extension you, get some good SH support somehow.

MH issues are so intricate and difficult to engage with and people like to jump in with the easy answer. But when you're enmeshed in the situation it's not that easy - especially when the easy answer way has consequences which are high stakes.

Its amazing how quickly some good quality iv antibiotics can change things around.

Bobbiepin · 08/03/2018 21:50

I'm pleased to hear he's getting help OP, but so sorry it took all of that to get him there. You are such a strong, brave woman and a fantastic mum. You know your boy so well and are fighting to balance his wishes and control with his treatment, rather than pushing the doctors agenda. Your DS is lucky to have you in his corner, even though he may or may not realise it at this time.

Hope you get some rest knowing he is being cared for

Original poster

Mindgoinground12 · 18/10/2018 13:43

So its been awhile!! I just wanted to say thank you.
We have been on such a journey with DS, the day after this happened he ODed and refused treatment he was subsequently sectioned under a 2.
A few days later he was transfered to a CAMHS icu were he has been up to last week, its been hard, he was far from home and at his worst was being restrained for his meds, three operations, food and cleaning of wounds. But slowly im seeing my boy he got some qualifications recently adding to his gcse profile. But unfortantly alot of this good work got undone last week he turned 18 and was transfered to a adult unit, were hes suddenly had accses to evreything so has been harming badly, but its got a bit better last few days and they are looking for hom comning home in the next month! I am of course over the moon as i just want my boy a back but also scarred as its been such a long time.
On a side note DS2 has decided he wants to be a childrens nurse as hes seen how much they helped his brother..

OP posts:

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