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Original poster

Please don't shout at me

32 replies

smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:12

I cut my leg on umm Thursday and I am finding it very hard to bend that leg - I can but its incredibly painful, this makes putting socks on etc very very difficult.

It was a deepish cut I guess? Maybe 1-2cm down but just into fat and I put steri strips on myself and its closed up quite a lot now.

My other leg has similar cuts on but they are not so painful and I can bare to bend my leg with them. Hmm.

Bad? Normal?

OP posts:
MamaG · 03/02/2008 15:13

how did you do it?

MaureenMLove · 03/02/2008 15:14

OK, where abouts on your leg is it?

cupsoftea · 03/02/2008 15:14

would get it checked out smurfgirl - don't want an infection to set in.

Kbear · 03/02/2008 15:15

what happened? if it's that painful I would go to the doctor and def don't ignore it.

morningpaper · 03/02/2008 15:15

you mean self-harm?

are steri strips like plastic stitches which close the wound? I would keep the sides really close together with clean strips but let the air get to it

See a GP if you think it might be infected, but deep cuts can really hurt while they are healing. Hope you feel better soon XXX

MaureenMLove · 03/02/2008 15:17

I'm not hijacking, really I'm not, but can I just say a very big 'hi and how are you' to my two bestist mn friends!

As you were!

Kbear · 03/02/2008 15:18

smurf, get some help love.

Hello Mo!

Original poster
smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:19

Thigh, did it myself - razor blade, I have help - specialist self harm focused help with someone who is fabulous.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 03/02/2008 15:19

Oh, darling girl

Can you ring and speak to someone today? Tomorrow?

Flllightattendant · 03/02/2008 15:20

If it was quite deep, no matter how big on the surface, there is a chance that infection has set in. This is because the inner skin layers are protected from the fresh air.
Please get it checked out, you may need it sorting xx

MaureenMLove · 03/02/2008 15:21

It will hurt, because the skin around it is bruised now, but it might be worth see the gp, just to make sure its not infected.

morningpaper · 03/02/2008 15:21

S/G can I recommend sterilising blades before you use them?

Do you think it is just hurting because it was deep? Is it red around the edges at all, or does it look like it is healing ok?

Kbear · 03/02/2008 15:21

you deffo need to see a doc as you may have an infection, they won't judge you but you can't risk it. go smurf and best of luck with your recovery from this.

Original poster
smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:21

Nope, there is nobody.

I do know its unbareably grim, i really do, i can't bare to go to A&E so I am doing the best I can at home.

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 03/02/2008 15:22

When can you see someone from your self harm help?

Would you know people at A&E? Is there another one you could go to?

MAMAZON · 03/02/2008 15:22

was it fresh skin that you cut or scar tissue from previous cuts?

i think if it was scvar tissue it makes healing more difficult/longer.

i would clean it again and re apply the strips. if its still hurting you should go see your Gp tomorrow.

Im glad you have some help in place Smurfgirl.
have you explored alternative methods of release with your worker?

morningpaper · 03/02/2008 15:23

Do you have any friends who are nurses/medical professionals? Do you have a friendly pharmacist you could speak to?

---------
A localized infection may cause one or more of the following symptoms in the area of the broken skin:

skin that is warm or hot
pain
a pus-like discharge
redness and
swelling

In addition, fever and chills may accompany a localized infection.

A minor, localized infection may appear pink and warm to the touch. Many minor, localized infections can be cared for at home and do not require a trip to the healthcare provider.

Self-care for symptoms of a minor, localized infection include:

wash the infected area daily with soap and water
apply a disinfectant, such as Bactine to the infection 2 or 3 times each day
cover the infected area lightly with a dry gauze bandage or a bandaid and
inspect the infected area daily to check for signs of a more serious infection (These signs are increased redness, pain, swelling or pus.)

Original poster
smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:27

morningpaper all my friends are student nurses (like me!)

See self harm person Friday.

I am working all day tomorrow on placement, i was in agony yesterday after shift because i have a few similar cuts on my legs but this one seems the worst

Its red and warm around the edges yes but not infected looking really just very sore. I will see if I can get to drs on Tuesday after placement - difficult to make appointments though!

I am a charmer no?

OP posts:
morningpaper · 03/02/2008 15:30

I think you are a charmer

Try not to feel too bad Smurfgirl, you are getting help, you've recognised this isn't a positive coping mechanism - you can move on from this, and you will do eventually, I am QUITE SURE.

Try not to cut so deep, and sterilise and wash hands and keep things clean - you are a bloody nurse after all .

MAMAZON · 03/02/2008 15:32

none of us are judging you, we just want to make sure you deal with the cut... the reasons for it are none of our business. we are just worried for you SG.

your a student nurse so you know what to look for with regards to infection.
just keep it clean whilst letting it breath.

do you normally cut so deep? could it be that its too close to previous cuts which is causing the more intense pain?

Original poster
smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:37

I am a bit mixed up at the moment, things have changed a bit inside me and self harm has got much worse, is worse than ever before so I know this can't carry on because then I will end up in A&E and as my friends are on placement there this is bad!

Cheers for replies, am just a bit freaked out and pissed off with myself for being so ridiculous.

OP posts:
morningpaper · 03/02/2008 15:39

I'm really sorry smurfgirl

Be careful, s/h is v. addictive

MAMAZON · 03/02/2008 15:46

your not ridiculous, its a coping mechanism that has crept in and you are trying to change that.
just admitting that you have a problem is a huge step and shows how brave you are for confronting it.

is it possible that the fact you fear going to A&E may be causing you to cut more deeply. you know you dont want to have to face your friends but at the same time you desperately want this behaviour to stop and therefore you are pushing the limits in an effort to get caught?

(psych 101 huh lol)

Original poster
smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:47

I know, I managed to stop nearly 4 years ago and that left my arms and tummy in a bit of a mess. Am trying to keep to my thighs because its less visble I think? Am going to the Maldives in October so need to be v.healed by then!

I really am trying, just, bad at the moment.

Again thanks for nice (non-shouty) replies xx

OP posts:
Original poster
smurfgirl · 03/02/2008 15:52

Honestly honestly mamazon it would be my worst nightmare.

2 friends and obviously DF know, but would rather not broadcast my weirdness to everyone, also feel a&e attendance would jepordise my place on nursing course, my friends know i am having not the best time, but i get lots of 'oh you are better now' and 'well things are looking up now' and i don't really feel like this really but don't want to freak anyone out so am downplaying things a lot

OP posts: